Saint Barnabas High School

Reopening Plan

Fall 2020

Our Mission

• Saint Barnabas High School (SBHS) has no higher priority than the health and safety of our community, which includes students, faculty and staff.

• Although the 2020 school year may not begin as we would wish for, our focus will be on the care of each of our young women.

• We look forward to staying true to our mission and will strive to be ready to meet and overcome challenges that come our way.

Goals and Objectives (1-3)

• The health and safety of each member of the SBHS community (students, faculty and staff) is our top priority.

• Our reopening plan includes a hybrid (blended) instructional model of both in-person and remote learning experiences.

• In order to help mitigate the viral spread, all students, faculty, and staff will be required to perform a health screening each day before their arrival. In addition, we will implement physical distancing throughout our building wherever possible and require all students, faculty, and staff to wear facemasks at all times, except when eating lunch.

Goals and Objectives (2-3)

• Saint Barnabas High School reopening plan is based on the most recent guidance from the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Education Department and the Centers for Disease Control

• If and when conditions change and New York State releases new guidance, SHBS will update our plan and communicate revisions to our community.

Goals and Objectives (3-3)

• No plan or set of safety measures can guarantee absolute prevention of COVID-19 transmission or completely eliminate any risk of contracting the virus. However, we have done our utmost to create a healthy and safe learning environment.

• Each year, students and parents/guardians are required to review and acknowledge our Student Handbook. This year, it will include this plan and how we must comply during this pandemic.

Academic Program:Hybrid Instruction (1-3)

• We will be maintaining our Period A-H Bell schedule. The school day will begin at 8:28am and end at 2:25pm. Students may begin entering the school building at 8:05 am (at an entrance yet to be determined). Once students have been appropriately screened, they will then proceed to their “A” period class which will commence at 8:28am. With the completion of the “H” Period Class at 2:25pm all students, faculty and staff will be directed to exit the school building. (for Seniors: G Period). This is critical for the school maintenance personnel to begin the sanitization process of the school in preparation for the next day.

Academic Program:Hybrid Instruction (2-3)

• At no time will there be any early drop-offs or late pick ups (i.e. no congregating for any reason inside the building either alone or with others). The students will be dismissed in accordance with appropriate social distancing standards. More details to follow.

• Students in grades 9-12 will be divided into two groups: Group 1 (Those with last names beginning with “A” through and including “ I”) and Group 2 (Those with last names beginning with “J” through and including “Z”). Those students who chose full remote learning have also been included in these groupings in the event that there is a change in the guidelines.

Academic Program:Hybrid Instruction (3-3)

• Group 1 will be in school on Monday and Tuesday of each week. Group 2 will be in school on Thursday and Friday of the same week.

• Every Wednesday will be a totally remote day for both Faculty and Students. Wednesday will be divided into Consultation Period from 9:30am-11:00am. If your daughter needs additional time for extra help please email the teacher for additional virtual Consultation time. Lunch on Consultation Wednesday’s will be from 11:05am-12:00pm. Clubs and Activities will meet from 12:15pm-2:25pm

• Each group will meet in school on two days and be virtual for three, allowing us to clean the building on Wednesday and over the weekend.

Morning Procedures (1-3)

• Daily health screening will be critical for the school to keep track of the health and safety of the entire community (teachers, staff and students). We will be sending you more information as to what the exact protocols will be so that students can be cleared for classes in the building.

• We will set up a number of “Guardian Angel Rooms” for those presenting symptoms. Procedures for notifying parents and treating suspected cases will be shared prior to the start of school.

Morning Procedures (2-3)

• Should a student test positive for COVID-19 or be asked to self-quarantine, the school will follow the prescribed protocol from the CDC and the Department of Health. We will ensure the proper reporting to the community and contact tracing and then wait until clearance from medical professionals to return to the building at the appropriate time.

• Students will be encouraged to wash their hands before lunch.

Morning Procedures (3-3)

• There will be no use of lockers. Students will have their possessions with them as they move from class to class throughout the day. They will have desks designated to house the student’s possessions and not be on the floor.

Health and Safety (1-4)

• All faculty, staff, and students will be required to wear a facemask or acceptable covering during their entire time in the building, unless eating or drinking. While all are expected to bring their own masks, the school will also provide masks for anyone who needs one.

• In order to ensure proper social distancing, everyone will be required to keep physically distant (6 feet) from each other at all times. In addition, when movement in hallways and staircases is necessary, students will be instructed to move in single file, "keeping right” at all times (we have directional arrows and other important signage) for the most efficient and safe use of movement.

Health and Safety (2-4)

• The school will perform thorough cleaning and sanitizing daily and will schedule routine thorough cleaning of high touch surfaces such as bathrooms, handrails and door knobs. All procedures and cleaning products will meet CDC standards and guidelines.

• Students and Faculty will be encouraged to wipe down desk surfaces before classes, using disinfecting solutions that will be supplied in each classroom.

Health and Safety (3-4)

• Cleaning staff will be equipped with sprayers for disinfection of the building spaces between school days.

• Bathrooms will be limited only to the first floor and will operate at 50% capacity, with every other stall remaining closed as well as every other sink and hand towel dispenser.

• Hand sanitizers will be made available in centralized, easily accessible locations throughout the building. Further, all faculty, staff and students will be encouraged (but not mandated) to carry a personal bottle of sanitizer.

Health and Safety (4-4)

• Classrooms have been reconfigured to ensure that proper social distancing is between all in the classroom.

• All classrooms have operable windows to allow for fresh air ventilation. Air conditioners will be used on the “fresh air” setting and will have new filters installed.

Visitors

• We are limiting the number of visitors and guests into our building. In general, only faculty, staff and students will be permitted into the building. All faculty and staff will be asked to conduct meetings (including those with parents) through video conference.

• Visitors will be limited to only those who MUST enter the building to perform an in-person action, such as maintenance companies, who will be required to have a health screening protocol with a temperature check and wear an appropriate face covering.

• All other visitors must be pre-approved by the Principal, Assistant Principal and the Administrative Team.

Guidance and Counseling (1-2)

• Since the COVID-19 crisis began, SBHS has continued to provide our students with on-going support in order to help them deal with and manage their emotions, staying on course academically, extending service to their family, maintaining friendships and the uncertainty of what this Academic Year will bring.

• Students will continue to have access to the school counselor to continue to meet in virtual groups.

Guidance and Counseling (2-2)

• All Title Services and SETTS programs will only be able to resume once we get the clearance from the Board of Education to have the provider return to the school.

• The Counseling Department will continue to provide resources and directives to address any mental, behavioral, and emotional support needs of our students and families.

• SBHS will continue to work to maintain a safe and inclusive community that is responsive to culture, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status, and is characterized by caring connections, respect and trust.

Food Service

• SBHS in-house food service operations will be a preordered menu “grab-n-go” option, with the ordered lunch individually sealed.

• Students will be encouraged to bring their own lunch. We cannot offer the use of microwaves, refrigerators or water fountains as they are considered shared items.

• Each student will have their own lunch table in the cafeteria which will be cleaned and disinfected after each lunch period.

Transportation and Commuting

• Students and families should be familiar with Mass Transit and all other forms of travel that the student will be using to go back and forth to Saint Barnabas High School.

• Students will be encouraged to wash their hands upon arrival at school each morning.

Communication (1-2)

• Electronic Correspondences: mass email, voicemail and text message communications will be used to provide you with information regarding our Reopening Plan and COVID-19 related updates; sent to both parent/guardian email addresses and contact information on file. Please make sure your email addresses and contact information is up to date in the Portal.

Communication (2-2)

• SBHS Website: COVID-19 updates and information on the Re-opening Plan are provided on the SHBS website, as well as links to Resources. Please monitor regularly.

• Town Hall and Parent Forums (via Zoom): in most cases, we will use Zoom Meetings for large gatherings to provide updates and opportunities to address your questions.

• Social Media: Please feel free to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Student Services

• Physical Education Classes are under review to allow for socially distant instruction. More details will be forthcoming.

• We will continue to provide our students opportunities to participate in as many spiritual, extra-curricular and prayerful experiences as possible still adhering to all safety concerns and guidelines.

• We realize that some clubs may need to be adjusted to allow for proper social distancing. Club moderators will be given instructions in the event the activity needs modification.

Athletics

• The Officers of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) have delayed the official start date of the Fall 2020 Regional and State Championships and have prepared to implement a condensed season schedule in January of 2021, if high school sports remain prohibited throughout 2020 due to COVID-19. The current official start date for Fall Athletics, subject to change, is September 21, 2020.

Dates to Remember (1-3)

• Thursday, August 20, 2020• 9th grade and Transfer Students

• Chromebook pick-up and orientation

• Session 1: 8:30am-9:30 in the Cafeteria.

• Session 2: 11:00am-12:00pm in the Cafeteria.

• ID pictures will be taken.

• Monday, August 24, 2020• Parent Zoom Town Hall Meetings

• Grades 9 and 10: 9am - 10am

• Grades 11 and 12: 11am - 12pm

Dates to Remember (2-3)

• Thursday, August 27, 2020• Grades 10, 11 and 12 Chromebook pick-up by appointment.

• Tuesday, September 8, 2020• Faculty Meeting: 8:30-1:00 pm. (No classes)

• Wednesday, September 9, 2020• 10th grade Zoom Orientation: 9:00am-10:15am

• Thursday, September 10, 2020• 11th grade Zoom Orientation: 9:00am-10:15am

Dates to Remember (3-3)

• Friday, September 11, 2020

• 12th grade Zoom Orientation: 9:00am-10:15am

• Monday, September 14, 2020

• First Full Day 9am-12pm for both the Hybrid Instructional Model as well as Elected Learning Virtual Instruction.

• Wednesday, September 16, 2020

• Distance Learning Students will pick up their books by appointment. Directions to follow.