I hesitate to wonder aloud whether the world can get any more complicated. As if the COVID-19 pandemic and social protests weren’t enough, last week we had to deal with a dust storm from the Sahara Desert! It seems clear that no one can predict how matters will stand next week let alone in August.
At present, we at Eaton academy are planning to operate the classes and sessions of all of our programs in person for the 2020-21 school year. We have created a detailed first draft of the procedures and protocols we will have in place when school starts. A copy of that plan is included with this blog post. We also produced a brief video outlining points of the plan.
Everyone at Eaton Academy is concerned about the health and well-being of our students, our staff, and their families. If the world spins the wrong way and an “in-person” approach becomes inappropriate, we will quickly pivot to the online approach that served our community so well from March through May.
We miss having our students here with us on campus. Watching them smile and laugh as they learn important new facts and ideas brings joy to our hearts. Seeing young people grow and become self-aware and self-confident makes all of our planning and hard work worthwhile!
Please take a moment to review the COVID-19 Plan and to watch the video. Emails with more specific and updated information will be sent to families after the middle of July.
Whether the approach is in-person or online, we will be here for the children. We encourage everyone in our community to spread the good news and to tell their friends and family about Eaton Academy. In today’s world more than ever, Eaton Academy is the best answer to students’ educational, social, emotional, and health needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID
Is Eaton Academy open for in-person learning for the 2020-2021 school year?Yes. As matters currently stand, Eaton Academy will be open for in-person learning for the 2020-21 school year.
I’m not comfortable with in-person learning. Does Eaton offer options for quality online learning?Yes. Students may enroll for live on-camera/online classes in either our group program or in our one-to-one Independent Study Program.
Can my child come to school if he or she has a fever but exhibits no other symptoms of COVID-19?No. Parents are expected to closely monitor the health of their children. Individuals who are not feeling well or who are running temperatures (100+) need to stay at home.
What happens if our child or someone in our household tests positive for COVID-19?You will need to notify the school, keep the student home in a self-quarantine situation for two weeks, and submit a negative COVID-19 test result before having the student return to school.
Can I drop my child off at Eaton in the morning?There can be no drop-off of students. We do not want to create a situation in which students are milling around in front of school prior to the start of the day. Students must remain in their cars until the school is open.
Once the school doors have been opened, students must line up using designated, socially-distanced spots to have their temperatures taken by staff members with instant read thermometers. Students who show an above normal temperature (currently 100+) will be sent back to their cars and will need to go home. Parents should not leave until they see their child enter the school.
What will Eaton do if someone in the Eaton community tests positive for COVID-19?If a confirmed case of the coronavirus arises within our school community, we will follow a detailed process which may include some or all of the following:
- Notifying families of the presence of the confirmed case of COVID-19
- Dismissing students and staff for a specific length of time
- Transitioning to the online platform for an appropriate period
- Contacting local health officials for specific guidance
- Carrying out a thorough cleaning of all impacted areas of the school
Are students required to wear masks?Students must be wearing masks as they enter school. Students will proceed directly to their first period classes. Loitering in the halls or at lockers will not be allowed. Every effort will be made to promote social distancing. When social distancing cannot be maintained, everyone will be wearing face masks.
Will Eaton teachers and staff members be wearing masks?As with students, staff members will wear face coverings whenever they cannot maintain social distancing.
Our class sizes are small. This excellent student-to-teacher ratio (5-to-1) and multiple programs enable us to provide our students with a safe, comfortable, and productive learning environment.
What steps is Eaton taking to sanitize classrooms and other school areas?Students and staff will employ appropriate health and hygiene protocols such as frequent hand washing, covering their mouths with their arms/elbows when sneezing or coughing, and using masks/face shields as appropriate. Student desks will be sanitized after each class, and students will be given hand sanitizer at the start of each period.
Are there any changes to the lunch program because of COVID-19?To avoid points of congregation, students will not be permitted to use school refrigerators, water coolers, and microwaves. Individuals will need to bring insulated lunch boxes and personal water bottles to school. Families are welcome to sign-up for the school?s lunch program, which will offer contact-less delivery to students.
Will after-school enrichment activities still be offered?After school activities that can maintain health protocols and social distancing will be offered.
Is Eaton required to follow the rules and/or guidelines of the Fulton County School System?No. As a private school, Eaton Academy will make decisions that are right for our families and follow the best available health guidelines.
Are admissions interviews and tours still being held?Yes. Admissions meetings can be held in person or virtually. For in-person admissions meetings and tours, Eaton personnel will be wearing masks and visitors will be required to wear masks.
Under what circumstances might Eaton transition away from in-person learning to virtual learning?If directives from the state require the resumption of online learning, Eaton Academy is well-positioned to make that adjustment and pivot back to our highly successful virtual learning environment. Teachers? syllabi will have the flexibility to switch to the face-to-face online approach whenever the need mandates.
Also, we will transition to virtual learning if our administration deems it necessary in order to keep our students and staff safe.
COVID
Yes. As matters currently stand, Eaton Academy will be open for in-person learning for the 2020-21 school year.
Yes. Students may enroll for live on-camera/online classes in either our group program or in our one-to-one Independent Study Program.
No. Parents are expected to closely monitor the health of their children. Individuals who are not feeling well or who are running temperatures (100+) need to stay at home.
You will need to notify the school, keep the student home in a self-quarantine situation for two weeks, and submit a negative COVID-19 test result before having the student return to school.
There can be no drop-off of students. We do not want to create a situation in which students are milling around in front of school prior to the start of the day. Students must remain in their cars until the school is open.
Once the school doors have been opened, students must line up using designated, socially-distanced spots to have their temperatures taken by staff members with instant read thermometers. Students who show an above normal temperature (currently 100+) will be sent back to their cars and will need to go home. Parents should not leave until they see their child enter the school.
If a confirmed case of the coronavirus arises within our school community, we will follow a detailed process which may include some or all of the following:
- Notifying families of the presence of the confirmed case of COVID-19
- Dismissing students and staff for a specific length of time
- Transitioning to the online platform for an appropriate period
- Contacting local health officials for specific guidance
- Carrying out a thorough cleaning of all impacted areas of the school
Students must be wearing masks as they enter school. Students will proceed directly to their first period classes. Loitering in the halls or at lockers will not be allowed. Every effort will be made to promote social distancing. When social distancing cannot be maintained, everyone will be wearing face masks.
As with students, staff members will wear face coverings whenever they cannot maintain social distancing.
Our class sizes are small. This excellent student-to-teacher ratio (5-to-1) and multiple programs enable us to provide our students with a safe, comfortable, and productive learning environment.
Students and staff will employ appropriate health and hygiene protocols such as frequent hand washing, covering their mouths with their arms/elbows when sneezing or coughing, and using masks/face shields as appropriate. Student desks will be sanitized after each class, and students will be given hand sanitizer at the start of each period.
To avoid points of congregation, students will not be permitted to use school refrigerators, water coolers, and microwaves. Individuals will need to bring insulated lunch boxes and personal water bottles to school. Families are welcome to sign-up for the school?s lunch program, which will offer contact-less delivery to students.
After school activities that can maintain health protocols and social distancing will be offered.
No. As a private school, Eaton Academy will make decisions that are right for our families and follow the best available health guidelines.
Yes. Admissions meetings can be held in person or virtually. For in-person admissions meetings and tours, Eaton personnel will be wearing masks and visitors will be required to wear masks.
If directives from the state require the resumption of online learning, Eaton Academy is well-positioned to make that adjustment and pivot back to our highly successful virtual learning environment. Teachers? syllabi will have the flexibility to switch to the face-to-face online approach whenever the need mandates.
Also, we will transition to virtual learning if our administration deems it necessary in order to keep our students and staff safe.
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