Detailed Roadmap to Reopening

This plan identifies specific actions and best practices and requires students, staff and families to follow daily safety measures at home and at school in order to resume in- person instruction. It also identifies critical services for supporting the social and emotional health of our community. While no plan can eliminate all the risks posed by COVID 19, we are committed to working together to ensure that our children are provided with the essential educational support they will need for the coming school year. Hillel Academy will provide updates to this plan as we continue to learn more about this pandemic and the best practices needed to mitigate the risks associated with it.   This coming school year will be unlike any other and it is essential that our Hillel family commit to work together to build a culture of safety and care for one another as school reopens.

The process for all of us will begin in earnest during the two weeks prior to arrival on campus. During this time you will be required to take simple steps to protect your health prior to returning to school.

These steps include:

• avoiding large crowds
• avoiding exposure to non-family members
• avoiding exposure to sick people
• avoiding travel locations with high rates of infection
• physically distancing by six feet
• wearing a mask in public
• Sign the Parent Responsibility Contact

Our staff have been working to ensure that our campus will be as safe as possible when our students return by ensuring the following:

Facilities

• Arrangement of all classrooms to accommodate all students with a distance of 6 feet apart.
• Installation of handwashing and sanitizing stations throughout the school.
• Installation of thermal scanners at the entrance the to the Prep and High School
• Installation of social distancing decals and stickers throughout the campus
• Installation of one way signage for corridors, hallways, stairs and passages
• Installation of appropriate behaviour signs

Training

• Training of Security Guards with the handheld thermometers to take the temperature of  every person entering the campus.
• Training of all ancillary staff in cleaning and sanitizing.

Training of all staff in COVID-19 awareness and safety protocols during the professional development workshops.

We will begin the academic year on September 7th with online education in order to get the children “back to school” and learning.

We will continually review the latest Government guidelines and, in accordance with them, we will adjust our learning models.

We will resume face-to-face learning on October 22. Parents will have the options of continuing with online learning for their children.

Face-to-face learning will commence on a phased basis. Please refer to the chart below:

Prep School

All classes from K1 to Grade 6 will be held every day.

We will be using a combination of:

➢ Room & Zoom (teachers in school with students face-to-face while students online at home)

➢ and Hybrid (Rotation of teachers - one managing the face-to-face while the other manages online).

K1 and K2 will not have face-to-face on Fridays.

High School

All classes from Grade 7 to Grade 13 will be held every day.

The instructional approach will continue to ensure equity for both students in the classroom and online. Students will still engage in synchronous and asynchronous activities to balance instruction and independent learning. Assessments for both online and students in the classroom will remain standardized so that no student is disadvantaged.

All students will continue to submit work electronically to avoid possible transmission of the virus through the exchange of writing materials.

For both Prep and High School

Students who are ill or in quarantine will automatically be switched to the Distance Learning programme until cleared to return to school by a Health Care Professional.

Prep School

Students are counted as present during distance learning if they attend all their classes and submit the required work for that day. Parents will be required to communicate any reasons for a student’s absence for online classes. Online students will continue to receive teaching as per our current schedule.

Given the 6 feet distancing requirement for gatherings and the size of the classrooms at present, we will only be able to accommodate a maximum of 12 students per class at any one time.

Parents who indicated that their children will be returning for face-to-face classes would have received confirmation by way of an e-mail asking you to sign and submit the Parent Responsibility Contract.Adding students at random for face-to-face instruction will not be possible.

DO NOT send your child on campus if your place has not been confirmed.As the numbers of students for on-campus learning increase, it will call for adjustments.

High School:

Attendance/registration will be taken during morning meeting times from 7:45-8:00am each day. Students will be required to “attend” morning registration and meetings via the designated online platform, where they will be recorded as present for the school day by their form teacher. Failure of students to be present for morning meetings will result in them being registered as absent.

Students who did not attend will be required to provide evidence of their attendance to their classes throughout the day to their form teacher, in order to have their absent designation changed to late.

Given the 6ft distancing requirement for gatherings and the size of the classrooms at present we will only be able to host a maximum of 12 students per group in Grades 7 - 11 and 11 per group in Grades 12 & 13 at any one time.

Adding students at random intervals will not be possible until we are able to increase the number of students per group based on the easing of distancing restrictions.

Parents who indicated that their children will be returning for face to face classes would have received confirmation by way of an email asking you to sign and submit the Parent Responsibility Contract. 

Based on the number of students who have chosen on campus education, these students will be at school 5 days per week. As such, any request for face-to-face learning since the Directors communique on 14/10/2020 was considered based on availability of spaces in each group.

DO NOT send your child on campus if your place has not been confirmed.

As the numbers of students for on-campus learning increase, it will call for adjustments to the teaching and learning modalities.

We will follow the Ministry of Health guidelines and inform the local health officials if a case of COVID-19 is identified within the school community. We will also notify the staff, students and parents immediately while maintaining confidentiality. 

Any student or staff with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should return to school only after they have been cleared by a Health Professional.

When a COVID-19 case is identified, we will temporarily close campus spaces in which the positive individual may have occupied and perform deep cleaning and disinfecting. These spaces will remain closed for at least 24 hours before cleaning to minimize the risk of any airborne particles.

Any student/ staff who has travelled out of country (regardless of country) should not attend school for a period of no less than 14 days after returning to Jamaica. Our School Nurse must be advised of their travel and they must be cleared by a Health Professional before returning to school.

Any member of the household that has travelled must quarantine for 14 days after returning to Jamaica as stipulated by the Government of Jamaica.Anyone who was within close contact of the infected case (less than six feet apart for 15+ minutes) will be asked to self-quarantine for up to 14 days after exposure. All members of the household must quarantine/not attend school for a period of no less than 14 days. Our School Nurse must be informed if any member of the household is traveling outside of Jamaica.

Contact Tracing

Contact tracing is a key strategy to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The local health department will initiate contact tracing, following regular public health practice. Anyone who was within close contact of the infected case (less than six feet apart for 15+ minutes) will be asked to self-quarantine for up to 14 days after exposure. Local health officials, depending on the situation, may identify other contacts who require quarantine. The School may be asked to confidentially help the health department by collecting data and contact information of those exposed.

Health Education and Training

Students will be required to watch COVID-19 training videos prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year, which begins on September 14.

Health and Hygiene Protocols

Students will be trained on proper handwashing technique. Sinks and handwashing stations are available in bathrooms, waiting areas, canteen area and other designated areas on the school campus. Hand sanitizer stations will be provided in the waiting areas and other designated areas in administrative offices. Upon entering these areas persons must sanitize their hands.

All classrooms in the Prep School have access to their own bathroom as well as sinks for handwashing in the classroom which must only by the students assigned to each classroom.

Hand sanitizer stations will be provided in the waiting areas and other designated areas in administrative offices. Upon entering these areas persons must sanitize their hands.

Students will be encouraged to keep their hands away from their faces and to wash hands or use their personal sanitizer frequently throughout the school day, especially before and after eating meals and after returning from outside. Handwashing will be encouraged at all times over the use of sanitizer.

The hard surfaces, including desk and table tops, chairs, door knobs and any materials, when used, will be cleaned and disinfected at least twice per day.

To help prevent an outbreak of Covid-19 in our community, it is extremely important that all individuals displaying signs of illness remain at home and not be permitted on campus. All members of the school community and invited visitors must  take their temperatures prior to arriving at school. We will have health screening procedures for all students, staff, and visitors.

Staff

Prior to Arrival: All staff must self-screen for symptoms before coming to school. Any staff member with a temperature of 37.5C/100.4°F or greater must stay home and consider coronavirus testing if other symptoms of COVID-19 are present.

Students

Prior to Arrival: Parents and guardians must check their students’ temperatures at home every morning using oral, tympanic (ear), or temporal scanners, and students with a temperature of 37.5C/100.4°F or greater must stay home and consider coronavirus testing if other symptoms of COVID-19 are present.

Each student must have two (2) extra face masks in their bag at all times. All masks/ shields must be placed in its own clean Ziploc bag or reusable case. All masks and shields must be labelled with the child’s name.

Masks and face shields will be switched during the day. A second bag must be packed for students to place the used mask/ shield. All reusable face masks must be washed each day and face shields sanitized at home. New or sanitized Ziploc bags/ reusable case must either be washed or replaced before returning to school.

Parents

Parents must provide face masks/ shields for their child.  Families are encouraged to purchase ones that are well suited for their child’s use, protection, and comfort. Face mask coverings must be sky or navy blue, black or white in colour. Face mask coverings should not bear any non-school slogans, graphics and/or messages. Manufactured logos, if present, are to be small and discrete. Face buffs, gaiters, bandanas, or scarves are not acceptable facial mask coverings.

The PTA will have Hillel Face Masks and Shields for sale.

Parents and guardians are required to monitor their children for symptoms of COVID-19 on a daily basis. The presence of any unexplained symptoms, including cough, nasal congestion or runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, new loss of taste or smell, or shortness of breath, should prompt the parent or guardian to keep the student home from school and to follow up with their primary care provider.

All parents will be required to sign a Parent Responsibility Contract indicating their full partnership and agreement to adhere to their responsibility in keeping all members of the school as safe as possible.  All parents must agree to and uphold the following:

• Monitor the health of my child and keep them home from school if he/she is ill.
• Take my child’s temperature every morning before they come to school.
• Notify the school nurse (jpragnell@gohillel.com) if my child is unwell. 
• Collect my child promptly if I am called by the school and advised that my child is ill.
• Understand that my child will not enter the school campus unless his/ her temperature has been checked.
• I will not enter the school campus without having my temperature checked.
• My child will not be allowed onto the school campus without a mask.
• I will not be allowed onto the school campus without a mask.
• Provide my child with at least 3 masks each day (one to wear and 2 spare masks in a bag). 
• Ensure that my child is up to date with routine immunizations (provide the nurse with a photocopy along with medical form).
• Ensure my child has his/ her own supplies.
• Label clearly all of my child’s (belongings including clothing, bags, masks, face shields, water bottles, igloos with his/her full name.
• Provide my child with drinking water and lunch, or money (debit card) to buy lunch from cafeteria.
• Encourage respiratory hygiene (cough into tissue or elbow). 
• Provide the school with my contact information and that of a friend or relative (in the event that they cannot contact you). 
• Notify the school if my child has travelled outside of Jamaica in the last 2 weeks, and isolate him/her for the period of time required, as appropriate.
• Notify the school if a member of my household has travelled outside of Jamaica in the last 2 weeks and my child must remain at home during this period. 
• Provide the school with medical clearance before allowing my child to return to school.
• Unless I am a K1 parent, I will not enter the Prep and High School without permission from the Main Office.

PROTOCOL FOR A STUDENT/STAFF WHO PRESENTS WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

COVID-19 Symptoms include a fever, cough, nasal congestion or runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell, or shortness of breath.

The following protocol will be followed by our School Nurse if a staff or student presents with Covid-19 related symptoms

IDENTIFY – ISOLATE – INTERVENE - INFORM

• Immediately isolate.
• Carefully instruct staff/student to remove cloth mask and dispose of it’
• Offer medical mask.
• Maintain Hand Hygiene, Respiratory Hygiene.
• Take vital signs, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, temperature, Oxygen level (where possible)
• Call family members and ask for transport for student/staff to leave school
• Inform Director of School

Symptom/supportive care

• Oral fluids
• Anti-pyretic measures (acetaminophen, fan)

Escalate If:

• Symptoms are severe
• Staff/student is faint, vomiting, lethargic
• Vital signs abnormal
• Blood pressure low, oxygen level low
• Call nearby GP/Hospital
• Report to the Ministry of Health and Wellness

Follow Up Instructions:

• Will be guided by the Ministry of Health and Wellness
• 14 days Quarantine if exposed
• Return to school only by providing evidence of medical clearance from a Health professional
• Stay home if symptomatic
• Special requirements must be communicated to School Administration

WELLNESS CENTRE PROTOCOLS

• Adequately ventilated
• Regularly sanitized
• Properly stocked
• Cleaned after caring for a staff/student
• Any person working or assisting in the Wellness Centre will be trained/prepped to sanitize the instruments which have been used after caring for staff/student
• Equipped with PPE:  Gown, gloves, medical masks ( KN 95)
• Equipped with a dedicated phone line to communicate with parents or Health professionals.

Students, staff and visitors must wear clean cloth or medical face mask coverings. Cloth face mask coverings should be a minimum of 2-ply material. The face mask coverings must be worn over the mouth and nose, tight against the side of face, and under the chin to protect themselves and other community members. Parents may also send their children in face shields in addition to the masks. 

All students must wear their mask to enter the campus.

Masks must be a solid sky or navy blue, black or white.

The PTA will be providing Hillel face masks and face shields at a cost.

Students will bring a labelled ziplock bag to store face mask when not in use.

Each student must have two (2) extra face masks in their bag at all times. All masks/ shields must be placed in its own clean Ziploc bag or reusable case. All masks and shields must be labelled with the child’s name

Masks  coverings must be worn in classrooms by all students grades K-13. Only in certain circumstances, such as lunchtime, may they be removed in classrooms. Students will change masks after eating lunch.

We will provide safe, healthy opportunities for students to have facial mask covering breaks during the school day.  Mask breaks will be built in approximately every hour.  These breaks should occur when students can be six feet apart and ideally outside or at least with the windows open.  They will occur throughout the day, indoors and outside, whenever possible.

Further guidance on facial mask breaks including duration and frequency will be forthcoming.

We will provide training sessions for students and employees to teach them how to properly wear  and handle facial mask coverings. Parents should begin this training at home before school reopens. 

The school administration and teachers will strictly monitor the use of masks by  students.

It is the expectation that parents will wash face coverings daily and the student will come to school each day with a clean face mask. We will have extra face mask coverings available for emergencies or if students arrive at school without one.

Facial mask coverings must be worn by all students, employees, and visitors in common areas in school buildings such as hallways, bathrooms,  Wellness Centre, Canteen, and drop-off and pick-up points.

Safety is paramount at Hillel Academy. We will work together to create a culture that normalizes masks as a way to minimize the spread of germs. At the same time, we recognize that everyone needs a break. Mask breaks will be built in approximately every hour. They will occur throughout the day, indoors and outside, whenever possible.

A facial mask covering is not required if an employee is working alone in a segregated workspace, such as an individual office or cubicle, or in areas where they are reliably separated by more than six feet from others.

Our number one priority is preserving the health and safety of all members of our school community. As such, we expect that parents comply and adhere to the attached traffic plan as we aim to make our school environment as safe as possible for everyone.  We welcome your patience, as we maintain personal distancing and take the time to implement the necessary safety checks and screening on each student.

Children must arrive to school with enough time to be properly checked and be ready to get to class on time.

Parents are not allowed to park on the outside of the school gates or in the carparks and walk their child/children into school.  Exception for Kindergarten 1 parents/children, where one parent is allowed to take the child to class.

Arrival at School

·       Prep School

o   Temperature taken before entering the school campus

o   Students will exit the car and join the clearly marked queue in order to hand wash/sanitize hands and have their temperatures checked^.

·       High School

o   All students will exit car and enter through the High School entrance gate that leads to the waiting area. 

o   Students will join the clearly marked queue in order to have their temperatures checked

o   Temperature will be checked at the thermal screening scanner located in the High School Waiting Area. 

o   Student will wash/sanitize hands and then proceed to their regular homeroom.

·       Physical  Distancing Rules must be observed whilst students are queueing to pass through temperature control.  There will be barriers and other indicators to help students to navigate this process. Students must wear their face covering during this arrival time.

• Children who arrive late must follow the same protocol before entering. 
• Parents are not allowed in school outside of drop off and pick up unless they have prior appointment through the Prep or High School offices.  For an appointment please email jwaugh@gohillel.com (Prep School) and tmckain@gohillel.com (High School).
• Parents will arrive at the assigned staggered start time and dismissal time – it is very important to keep to these times to encourage social and physical distancing.
• PS Parents drop off their children outside of the PS waiting area and not follow their child to class (with the exception of K1 parents*).
• HS Parents drop off their children at the High School Entrance

*The exception for this is for the Kindergarten 1 parents who will walk their children to their classroom.  Only one parent will be allowed, they must observe the 6 feet apart physical distancing protocols, wash/sanitize their hands and had their temperatures checked.  On handing over their child to their teacher the parent leave the classroom using the one-way system.

Arrival and Departure Schedule

Parents will pick up children at the designated pick up areas.

Children must be picked up on time.

One way  - Hallways are marked with dots that are 6 feet apart to help students and staff maintain their distance while walking. When walking, stay to the left side of the hallway, passageway or staircase.

Observation of 6 feet apart for physical distancing. 

No child must leave their seat without first getting permission.

All meetings will be held via Zoom until further notice.

No visitors will be allowed on property without an appointment. 

Masks must remain on the face covering the mouth and nose at all times while on the campus. 

Visitors will not be allowed behind the protective shield.

Visitors will not be allowed to use the office phone.

Only one (1) person will be allowed in the Main Office and Book Room at a time. All other persons must wait on the outside and stand as directed by the social distancing signs. 

The credit/ card debit card machines will be sanitized after each use. 

The waiting area will be sanitized after each visitor leaves the office.

At Hillel, the social and emotional wellbeing of each student and community member is of paramount importance. As such, we are devoted to creating a welcoming, positive and safe environment while promoting meaningful learning. Our teachers are also uniquely focused on positive connections with students to facilitate and promote a sense of community and family.

We will build a positive context around this new normal this year by viewing and operating through a W.E.L.C.O.M.E. lens.  Through this lens we are:

• Willing to be flexible
• Equity-minded
• Learning for joy
• Calming – creating a balanced, regulated environment
• Opening the doors – to communication and connection
• Making things meaningful and memorable
• Emphasizing Empathy

In addition, our well trained and caring Guidance Counsellors are available to provide individualized social-emotional support and care for students. Parents can schedule an appointment directly with a counsellor by email if they have any concerns about their child/children.

Prep School: Mrs. Andrea Russell – arussell@gohillel.com

High School: Mrs. Hopal Grant-McClintock – hgrantmcclintock@gohillel.com

Our School and by extension, the Enrichment Centre, play a critical role in supporting the whole child, not just their academic achievement.

Online Challenges Faced by Enrichment Students

• When  Hillel Academy had to make the shift to a virtual learning platform in March 2020 it created a sharp learning curve for all of our students and particularly our students with additional learning needs.
• Challenges with mastering the technology/software/online platforms, time management, sustaining attention and focus, reduction in in-person enrichment support were experienced by many of our Enrichment students across the prep and high schools.

Balancing Safety and Student Learning

• Hillel Academy will be implementing health and hygiene protocols aimed at keeping our students and staff safe from the Coronavirus.
• Face to face instruction is vital for our students with additional learning needs.

Enrichment Centre - Overall Aim

• Children with additional learning needs do not have ready access through virtual means to the specialized instruction or additional supports required by their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).  
• We will, therefore, aim to have all of our Enrichment students attend school each day in both the Prep and High schools.

As long as the pandemic remains a threat, we must prepare for continuity hence our Distance Learning Plan is also ready to be rolled out if the need arises.

Prep School

Scenario 1 - 100% on Campus

• Based on each student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP), students will be provided with in-class support and or pull-out individual/small group instruction by their assigned Enrichment teacher.
• Students who require English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction will receive instruction from the ESL teacher.

Scenario 2 - Distance Education Plan

(Based on each student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP), students will be provided with online support by their assigned Enrichment teacher.

• Students who require English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction will receive online instruction from the ESL teacher.

High School

Scenario 1 - Alternating days

Students with additional learning needs will attend school on their scheduled day. Support will provided during in-class and or pull out sessions when their classes are in session.

On days when their grade is to learn from home, these students’ online instruction will be monitored and supervised by the Enrichment staff .

Scenario 2 - Distance Education Plan (School Closure Order)

Based on each student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP), students will be provided with online support by their assigned Enrichment teacher.

Commitment of Enrichment Team

• Read students’ file/speak to gain an understanding of the student.
• Create a document where a snapshot of the teachers’ lesson plans/goals and planned assessments/projects get updated weekly.
• Introduction of self to students & parents in person and via email stating in class and out of class contact times and availability.
• Attend classes in person/online to observe students’ natural rhythm in class, to assess areas of need and best suited methods of support.
• Conversational meeting with student in person/online to get an understanding of their likes and dislikes, what they think best works for them as a learner, etc.
• Meet with homeroom and subject teacher(s) in person/online to get their concerns for the student and to plan how to make the academic content more digestible for the student.
• Weekly/biweekly collaboration with subject teachers to plan ahead for in class support and enable frontloading for the students during pull outs.
• After school homework/reading/math support sessions where necessary.
• Sharing/discussing real world examples of the content.
• Physically, in class support looks like hovering; giving attention to different students so as to not single out Enrichment students, while making sure to spend the bulk of time in their bubble.  Based on the needs of the class, small groups as well.
• Online, in class support resembles logging into the lead teacher’s class and having a separate window/chat to communicate with the student. Having prior agreements with the teacher and student that the child will be logged into the general class for the first thirty minutes and then with me for the remaining thirty minutes for example.
• Physically and online, pull outs look like targeted focus on areas that need strengthening.  Reading aloud/ahead to frontload and increase familiarity.  Teaching vocabulary for content to come.  Stepping back a few levels to ensure they have a foundation to build on in Math, Sciences, etc.  Whiteboards and documents are used/shared as the visual component online.

•  Students will be assigned to a homeroom (POD).
• The homeroom teacher will be the anchoring adult for the students in their class.
• Each homeroom will be a part of a teaching POD. 
• All instruction, including special education and intervention, will occur within the POD.
•  Students will NOT mix with other students outside of their POD.
•  In the Prep School all Specialist Area classes will be held in their POD.
• Teachers will maintain the sanitizing of the classroom and materials during the school day.  Classrooms and bathrooms will also be sanitated by Ancillary staff throughout the day.
• Students from Grades 1 to Grade 6 must bring their own devices from home. These will go home daily and must be sanitized before being brough back to school,
• Students are not allowed to bring personal toys to school
• Our libraries will be closed
• Student will not be allowed to congregate in the hallways or common areas
• Mask breaks will be scheduled throughout the day in outside spaces at 6 feet apart
• Classrooms will be set up for social distancing: Desks and chairs will be separated and all facing the same direction
• Students will have assigned seats
• Homework will be assigned in Google Classroom
• Assignments will be shared in Google Classroom and students will complete assignments in the Google classroom so as to prevent cross contamination 
• We will utilize outdoor spaces as much as possible in order to facilitate more collaborative sessions among students.

• Prep School students will be required to commute daily with the relevant books for face-to-face classes.  Similar to what currently obtains online, students will aid in the marking of their own books where necessary. Teachers who will be marking students’ books, will sanitize after marking each book to ensure the safety of our staff and students.

All students will be required to carry a packed lunch until further notice.

Students will eat lunch in their classrooms. 

Playground times will be scheduled and structured and carefully supervised. 

Students will be able to use the playground but will not use handheld shared equipment.

Water Coolers and Dispensers

Water coolers  will not be available for use. Instead, students must bring their own water bottle with enough water to last for the school day.

Students cannot share their water bottle with their friends and bottles must be taken home each evening for cleaning.

In addition to our regular daily cleaning schedule, surface areas, including sinks, restrooms, door knobs, and other high-touch points, will be sanitized twice each school day by custodial personnel. High touch areas in classroom spaces, including desks, chairs, and tables, will be cleaned and disinfected at least twice per day.

We will do a thorough and detailed sanitization of all classroom and shared spaces at the end of each school day.

All cleaning products that we use meet the Ministry of Health and Wellness standards for effectiveness against COVID-19.

Staff members will operate from School on October 20 and 21.

Students will return on a phased basis on the scheduled dates below.

Parents who indicated that their children will be returning for face to face classes would have received confirmation by way of an email asking you to sign and submit the Parent Responsibility Contract. 

Co-Curricular Activities will not commence in September 2020. More details will be provided when the school year commences.