I hope that this message finds you well and enjoying your summer!
No Clear Answers, but Key Recommendations
In trying to decide how to open school next month, I spent hours and hours listening to government leaders, watching reports on television, reading newspaper articles, and researching on the internet. I have discovered that after all this effort, I’m right back where I started without a clear answer! It is impossible to know exactly what we should do given that events and data seem to be shifting and changing daily. Several key recommendations appear in almost every arena.
Appropriate Social Distancing
First, we should endeavor to maintain appropriate social distancing. It seems that when we exhale moisture droplets, they travel slightly more than five feet. That means the coronavirus can travel with the droplets that same distance. Keeping space between us helps to reduce our risk of infection.
Wear Masks
Second, wearing a mask greatly reduces the distance we can spread the virus. Depending on the type of mask, the risk of transmitting the virus can be reduced to almost zero.
Maintain Good Overall Health
Third, it is very important that we strive to maintain good overall health. Eating right and getting proper rest will strengthen our immune systems and help us to ward off infection. Some studies emphasize the importance of getting enough of good old vitamins like C and D.
Hand Washing & Sanitizing
Fourth, washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer have been shown to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Thoroughly washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds will remove the virus from hands and prevent the transmission of it to the nose and mouth. We should also try to refrain from touching our faces.
We Can All Play a Role
The above steps are simple and straightforward. They can be taken by every individual in our community with very little effort or inconvenience. In areas around the U.S. and across the world, such actions have had a tremendous impact on the fight to stop the virus and prevent infections.
Beyond the personal level, public places (such as schools) can pursue additional steps to combat COVID-19. At Eaton Academy we will be sanitizing common areas and surfaces like bathrooms, doorknobs, and light switches several times a day. Desks will be sprayed and wiped after each class and again at the end of each day.
Download our and read the COVID FAQs below.
I know that this message is long and that the plan contains a great deal of information, but I hope that you will take the time to read and process everything.
Best Regards,
Brian
President
Eaton Academy
Celebrating More Than 25 Years of Excellence
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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