BENEDICTINE HIGH SCHOOL RESPONSIBLE RESTART: REOPENING PLANS FOR 2020-21

PLANNING PROCESS

This reopening plan represent the culmination of months of discussion and planning.  It considers the input of our school, including parents, teachers, students, administrators and the community, as well as guidelines and advice from national, state and diocesan experts.

Please read the presentation in its entirety.

PUTTING OUR BENEDICTINE STUDENTS FIRST…

OUR GOAL IS CREATING A SUSTAINABLE LEARNING MODEL BUILT ON THE FOUNDATIONAL STRENGTHS OF OUR EXISTING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

TWO OVERARCHING GOALS GUIDED OUR PLANNING PROCESS:

    1. Prioritizing the health and well-being of our students and staff.
    2. Ensuring students receive the same high-quality instruction whether they access their learning in a classroom or from home.

INPUT FROM FAMILIES

We know from family feedback and our experience educating young men that students need to be connected to their teachers and peers throughout the school day.

 

FIRST DAYS

    • School Day hours are 8:00am – 3:00pm, Monday – Friday
    • Doors open for students at 7am
    • Freshman Orientation takes place on August 19 – 21
    • All Student Orientation takes place on August 24
    • Full classes with new daily schedule take place on August 25
    • With that in mind, the plan provides consistency and high-quality instruction to meet students’ educational, physical, social-emotional and spiritual needs

FAMILIES HAVE TWO OPTIONS:

    1. IN-SCHOOL OR REMOTE LEARNING
    2. IN-SCHOOL LEARNING
  •  

IN-SCHOOL LEARNING

  • Multiple layers of protection to minimize risks of virus transmission.
  • With any necessary modifications for safety, students participate in all daily activities at school, including specials and electives.
  • Student will receive in-person learning with Benedictine teachers.
  • Classroom configuration will allow for students to be socially distanced as much as possible.
  • Weather permitting, students will utilize outdoor areas when possible.

REMOTE LEARNING

  • Students can participate in class virtually with their teachers and peers.
  • Families who choose to begin the school year in a strictly remote learning environment will have to commit to the entire quarter (August – October).
  • Remote learning will include a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.  The curriculum will mirror that of in-person instruction as closely as possible
  • Students will follow the daily schedule of their peers who are at school.
  • Live daily interaction with their Benedictine teacher
  • Parents will need to support remote learning at home.

STUDENTS WILL HAVE A STRUCTURED DAY WITH BOTH THE ALL-IN AND REMOTE OPTION

    • All Benedictine students will follow the same daily class period schedule regardless of whether they are in school or at home.
    • Teachers will facilitate lessons and learning with students in the classroom and via Zoom with their students participating virtually.
    • Although we have worked to keep the core of daily learning as close to what it was prior to COVID-19, adjustments to the content and instructional day will be necessary to facilitate regular cleaning and student and staff hand washing and sanitizing through the day.

COMMITMENT TO IN-SCHOOL SAFETY

For our students and staff who will be returning to the school buildings, our commitment is minimizing possible risks associated with COVID-19 to the fullest extent possible while simultaneously providing a positive and enriching learning environment.

AT-SCHOOL STRATEGIES:

LAYERS OF PROTECTION

    • Layer 1: Before School Student and Staff Screening
    • Layer 2: Increased Handwashing and Facility Sanitization Protocols
    • Layer 3: Face Coverings
    • Layer 4: Physical Distancing

LAYER 1: BEFORE SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENT HEALTH SCREENING

      • Our first and most critical layer of protection starts at home.
      • Staff must perform a symptom self-check prior to arriving at school. If a staff member is exhibiting any symptoms related to COVID-19, they will not report to work.
      • Parents must screen their sons for symptoms related to COVID-19, including an elevated temperature of 100.4 or higher, prior to sending student to school.
      • Clinic staff will have ready access to non-contact thermometers to screen students as necessary.

LAYER 2: INCREASED HANDWASHING AND BHS FACILITIES SANITIZING PROTOCOLS

      • Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitizers throughout the day; Hand sanitizer dispensers are located in all hallways and common areas.
      • All students should bring their own water bottles to school. Students will have the opportunity to refill bottles using water filling stations in the hallways. All other water fountains will be sealed.
      • High touch surfaces will be disinfected frequently.
      • New nightly cleaning protocols that will sanitize each room completely
      • Bus, classroom and bathroom sanitization throughout the day and each night.
      • Increased training for staff on safety protocols

LAYER 3: FACE COVERINGS

      • Public health guidelines are clear that face masks are an essential component of any strategy to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 and open schools. 
      • In alignment with recommendations from the state, all students in grades 9-12 and all Faculty and Staff are required to wear face coverings while on campus. Gaiters and disposable masks are also permitted. Masks should be solid colors or simple prints and must be free of text, distracting images, and political statements. Bandanas are not a suitable face covering. For more helpful suggestions, visit the Ohio Dept. of Health
      • No individual will be allowed in school buildings or on school buses without a face covering.

LAYER 3: PHYSICAL DISTANCING

      • Every effort will be made to maximize physical distancing throughout the school, in classrooms and on buses. This will include:
      • Classroom and shared space reconfiguration plans
      • Changes in transitions between classes and during activities within the school buildings: Ex. Increase time between classes

Transportation changes

    • Students arriving between 7:00am – 7:45am should report to the Gym. Markers will be strategically placed to encourage greater social distancing.
    • Students arriving after 7:45 a.m. will go directly to their first period class.
    • Afternoon dismissal options are being explored.
    • Non-essential visitors and volunteers will be limited and appointments will be required.
    • If a positive case of COVID-19 is identified, whether the teacher, staff, or student, we will identify any individuals who had regular or close contact with the affected participant. Anyone who is considered to have regular or close contact with someone who may have been exposed to COVID-19 must stay at home for 10 days. In some cases, this may necessitate closing the entire school if cases rise sharply.
    • We will notify the school community of a positive case of COVID-19. The school will also notify the local health department.
    • In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to school when (24 hours) have passed since recovery; improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath);
    • 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

EXHIBITING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS PROTOCOL

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

    • Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Headache
    • Chills
    • Sore throat
    • Shaking or exaggerated shivering
    • Significant muscle pain or ache
    • Known close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Social-emotional support for students and staff is more important than ever.

    • Upon request, we will provide resources to help families reassure their sons and foster a sense of positivity, safety and security.
    • Our Counseling Department is looking forward to seeing you again and assist you in this transition.
    • Hopkins, Freshmen and Senior Counselor, ho*****@cb**.edu; 216.421.2080 x333
    • Colbert, Sophomore and Junior Counselor, co*****@cb**.edu; 216.421.2080 x347
    • Polderman, Psychologist, po*******@cb**.edu; 216.421.2080 x301

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

Knowing that spirituality is at the core of our mission, in addition to our Theology classes, we will continue to nurture our young men’s spirituality through morning and midday prayer, class level masses and masses in Theology classes.

TRANSPORTATION

    • Students are required to perform a temperature self-check at home, lower than 100.4, prior to getting on a school bus.
    • Drivers and all students are required to wear face masks to ride the bus.
    • Students will be required to use hand sanitizer when boarding the bus.
    • Ideally, we will have 1 student per seat (exception: members of the same household may sit together).
    • Seats and high-touch surfaces will be sanitized between each bus route.

FULLY REMOTE CONTINGENCY PLAN:  ALL STUDENTS LEARN FROM HOME

ALL STUDENTS LEARN FROM HOME

    • Students will follow a set daily schedule that includes regular live interactions with their teachers, coupled with independent and group work.
    • Last year we demonstrated remote learning, and if the need arises we will confidently transition accordingly.
    • It may be necessary for a class or an entire school to move to remote learning if the situation warrants it.
    • Looking ahead, please be sure to create backup and contingency plans for your family in case a shift to remote learning is warranted.

NEXT STEPS: ACTION NEEDED

CONTINUAL COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES

  • We will continue to share information and more specific details about the school day such as lunch and extra-curricular activities over the next few weeks.
  • Your continued ongoing partnership and shared responsibility will be critical as we move into the new school year.
  • There will undoubtedly be some disappointments along the way, but everyone in the Benedictine community will do whatever it takes to put our students first.
  • This document is a working document and will be updated regularly. Please revisit this document for the latest updates.