- Consistent and correct use of masks
- Collection of vaccination information
- Physical distancing where possible e.g. cafeteria
- Improved ventilation
- Proper hand washing and respiratory etiquette
- Staying home when sick and getting tested
- Contact tracing and quarantine when warranted
- Routine cleaning and disinfection
Below you will find a detailed list of the St. Edmund Prep health and safety protocols moving into the fall.
- All students, faculty, and staff must wear a mask at all times other than while eating lunch and approved mask breaks.
- The correct wearing of face masks is the most critical part of our ability to bring all students back and decrease the potential for quarantine when a positive case occurs.
- The CDC and NSYED have recommended the following if there is a positive case in a class: “if both the infected student and the exposed students correctly and consistently wore a well-fitting mask the entire time”, we do not need to quarantine any student in the classroom.
- If a positive case occurs in a classroom, those students who are considered close contacts (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes) and their families will be notified. The Administration will speak with the teacher and the student to determine if masking was appropriate and then from there determine if quarantine is necessary. If there is any indication that the student removed their mask for an extended period of time or was not wearing their mask appropriately, covering their mouth and nose, the student will have to be quarantined unless they are vaccinated. Vaccinated students will NOT have to quarantine if there was a close contact.
- If quarantine is necessary the Administration will work with the student(s) on an academic plan of action to ensure that no student falls behind in their work and can participate in classes.
- Classrooms will have increased ventilation with air purifiers and fans. Windows will continue to be opened from the top and the bottom.
- Sanitizing wipes will be available for all students should they want to disinfect their desks.
- Hand sanitizer will be available in every classroom.
- For the lunch periods, it has been recommended that schools maximize physical distance as much as possible therefore, tents have been purchased for the lunch periods. Half of each grade level will eat in the cafeteria (4 per table), half will eat outside under tents (6 per table).
- Students will wipe down their area with sanitizing wipes before their lunch period ends.
- Lunch will be available each day for purchase. Students must wear masks while on line to buy lunch.
- We will continue with daily cleaning and nightly disinfection of classrooms, restrooms, cafeteria, etc.
- Daily temperature checks and health screenings are no longer recommended.
- However it is important to note that ALL positive cases of COVID that occurred last year were brought into the building and in most cases could have been avoided if the family had called the school to communicate what had been occurring at home.
- If there is a positive case in the household, please call the school BEFORE sending your child into the building so that we can discuss the circumstances surrounding the situation and if it is safe to send the child to school.
- If your child is feeling unwell for any reason please do not send them to school.
All of these guidelines are fluid. As we all know, positivity rates change rapidly. In the event that the positivity rates reach a level where it becomes too dangerous to operate in person, the school is ready and prepared to shift to full-remote learning. This will be a last resort or if it is mandated by the state for any reason. The Administration reserves the right to update or change any of the above policies to meet the health and safety needs of our students, faculty, and staff.
We look forward to welcoming the entire SEP community back to Ocean Avenue in September.
Be well,
Allison McGinnis
Principal