Pine Street School: 2020 Reopening Plan

While this document addresses the measures that Green Ivy Schools plans to have in place to protect the members of our community, we recognize that because we are a community, we are all responsible for taking measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, which is extremely contagious and still not completely understood.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure in our schools, we ask all of our families to adhere to CDC guidelines for physical distancing. As of the latest update of this document, these guidelines include limiting attendance at gatherings, events, and other activities in or outside of the home, and when these are necessary, to limit participation only to those that can maintain physically distancing, including any which may happen in your own home.

In addition, please continue to ensure that all family members wear masks when going about daily activities in public. Ensure that your family’s home-based practices follow CDC Household Checklist.

Our priority is the safety and health of all members of our school community. As we design and implement this plan, we are also keeping in mind the impact our decisions have on learning and our faculty’s ability to deliver the best early childhood, elementary, and middle school education possible.

Our plan centers around the scenarios we consider most likely, and our approach is to be agile and prepared for the unexpected as the situation evolves, even with little to no advanced notice.

Our leadership team is highlighted by the experience of Eileen Baker, Head of School at Pine Street School, an international educator who has led schools across the globe through crisis response. In addition, we are joined by Dr. Sam Ashoo, a board-certified emergency physician, who is supporting our work in community education and building plans and protocols, all best on the best practices in health and safety.

We ask families to stay alert for updates to our plan, as we anticipate learning as we begin implementation and making changes to improve efficiency and efficacy.

We consider these as the three most likely scenarios based on pandemic patterns. How the scenarios shift will be largely determined by government restrictions and evolving developments.

SCENARIO A: REOPENING CAMPUSES ON SEPTEMBER 8
In this scenario, we will welcome our families back to our physical campuses (Pine Street School and Battery Park Montessori). While the planned start date is September 8, we must have a two-week window in which staff and faculty have access to the campuses to implement protective measures in the facilities, so it could shift depending on when that access is safely granted.

All families who have travelled away from their local homes must observe a 14-day quarantine period before resuming in-person attendance on campus.

We will implement strict arrival and dismissal protocols, physical distancing, use of barriers, modified traffic patterns in halls and on stairs, modified use of all spaces, required use of masks/shields, and numerous additional safety protocols.

We will offer a full-day live remote option for any families who prefer for need that option.

SCENARIO B: EXTENDED REMOTE
In this scenario, we will offer a full-day live remote option program beginning on September 8, in the case that the government does not permit schools to reopen. Similar to the scenario in Spring 2020, we will continue to operate in this scenario until restrictions are lifted and it is safe to resume in-person learning and then rever to Scenario A.

This program will be supported by our entire teaching team and support staff and will closely resemble the remote learning program in Spring 2020.

SCENARIO C: REOPENING WITH ALTERNATING CLOSURE(S)
In this scenario, the government permits reopening for on-site learning, but we choose to modify the calendar to proactively mitigate COVID-19 spikes or are forced to order last-minute closures in response to COVID-19 spikes.

We may modify the school calendar to maximize the number of on-campus days in anticipation of or in response to this scenario.

Our objective is to be on campus for as many of the school days during the year as possible. Because there may be times when schools must close campus, we are approaching the coming year with flexibility around holidays.

If we must close the campus, or anticipate such, we will adjust the school calendar to maximize on-campus learning, either before or after campuses must close. We may choose to hold on-campus instruction during days that we've historically been closed (for example, Winter or Spring break) and plan to use the campus closure days as vacation days, so that we are better able to ensure a full year of on-campus programming for our students. We could also extend the school year to the end of June, depending on the frequency and length of mandated closures.

We are prepared to offer a full academic calendar year, either on campus or remote. While this scheduling could prove challenging for families, faculty and staff, we believe this flexible planning option will allow for the best and safest education possible.

We will institute "pivot days" for faculty and staff to prepare to move from on-campus to remote learning, which will not count as a school day.

Prior to Reopening

Facility: An extensive cleaning and sanitization will be performed before reopening. Upon reopening, we will have staff for additional cleaning and santization throughout the day and overnight. Age-appropriate signage, hallway markers, and reminders of hygiene and safe behavior requirements will be in place.

Community: All families and employees will participate in online health and safety protocol training. Faculty and staff are trained to handle social/emotional challenges and will be mindful and proactive in addressing these with students and families.

Quarantine: Families will be required to quarantine in their local (NYC) homes for 14 days prior to the start of school (August 24 for a September 8 start).

Daily On-Site Experience

Employees will arrive and depart earlier than normal to minimize travel during busy times.

Only employees and students will be permitted in the building.* We are designing a phase-in process for all students and families to meet and connect virtually prior to the start of school and are planning approaches to the school day to help even our youngest students acclimate.

*No family, guardians, or visitors, including admissions-related tours, will be permitted.

Morning Health Check & Entrance: Employees and students will be required to conduct and online health check each morning before leaving home. After answering health-related questions, they will receive a red light (stay home) or a green light (come to school).

Students will arrive according to staggered schedules. Everyone will be required to wear masks during the drop off and brief health check, conducted outside the building. Accompanying adult will need to wait in line with student until the student is cleared to enter.

Lunch: Little Green Gourmets will prepare healthy lunches from their sanitized location. Luches will arrive in individual packages and students will eat at their desks.

Dismissal: Dismissal times will be staggered and the adult picking up will wait in a designated area and be signaled by group as children are ready for pickup. No child will be released to an adult who is not wearing a mask (the school will be disposable masks available).

Handwashing: All adults and students in the building will wash and sanitize hands frequently throughout the day.

Space Use Changes

Common rooms will be repurposed for use as classrooms. Most learning will take place in the student's classroom. Traffic will be one-way or distanced two-way. Physical distancing will apply in all spaces, at all times.

Facility Modifications

Signage and floor and sidewalk indicators will be installed to support 6-foot physical distancing and to indicate traffic direction.

Hand sanitizing stations will be numerous and conveniently places. Ventilation and air flow supply will be improved. Plexiglass barriers will be installed where appropriate and possible.

Protective Wear

Everyone in the building, including students, will wear face shields and/or masks at all times. We will provide students with school face shields and/or masks that they will wear on-site. These will remain in school and be sanitized or replaced daily and as needed.

Physical Contact

Physical distancing will be the standard protocol, but teachers will likely have some physical contact with children for soothing and encouragement. Students will not be permitted to touch one another in any way or for any reason and will be expected to maintain 6 feet of distance at all times, with frequent reminders throughout each day.