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St. Philip's Pandemic Response Plan

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St. Philip’s Action Plan – A Path to Reopening for 2020-2021

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

Introduction

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Teachers, staff, administrators, and committees have been hard at work applying the guidance and direction from various agencies to assure the safest start to in-person learning for the 2020-2021 school year. The very foundation of St. Philip’s School is a small community of people working together for the greater good. While we can never guarantee absence of illness, we feel prepared and confident to welcome students back to school this fall because of the environment we get to function in every day.
The final months of the 2019-2020 school year presented new experiences for students, teachers, and parents. We learned Catholic schools are adaptable; students, families, staff and teachers are more resilient than ever; and strong faith will sustain our school and church. Catholic education is more valuable than ever. We are communities of faith and virtue and offer a peaceful, safe, and healthy school culture. At the heart of Catholic Schools, are relationship and community – relationships with Jesus Christ, classmates, and teachers. Those relationships blossom and develop most profoundly when we can interact, learn, and pray together.
COVID-19 is a reality that will impact our practices and procedures. We cannot eliminate risks and will have to adapt with patience. We will begin the school year--welcoming students back to our classrooms and preparing to serve students who will be best served learning remotely. Minnesota Catholic school leaders developed a “Path for Students’ Return” to guide individual schools. St. Philip’s staff and administration used their recommendations and best practice examples to develop protocols specific to our school community. Some important components include:

In-Person Learning: St. Philip’s will provide in-person, on-campus learning for the 2020-21 academic year to most students. (While we continue to align strategically with ISD#31 and collaborate with them for their services, we are not required to follow their model.)
Individual Distance Learning: Individual Distance Learning will be implemented for individual students who will be best served in this manner. Individual distance learning will be a semester at a time. This could change at the Principal’s discretion based on the family’s circumstances.
Schoolwide Distance Learning: St. Philip’s School realizes that at some point during the school year schoolwide distance learning may be required. Distance learning may be implemented if local, regional, or statewide COVID-19 metrics worsen significantly enough to require a suspension of in-person learning.
School Calendar: We will adhere to the established school calendar regardless of what guide we are following. Click for the 2020-2021 School Year.

Communication: COVID-19, local metrics and guidance will continue to evolve, and we will partner with all involved to share accurate and timely information.
- A page on our website will be devoted to COVID-19 (https://stphilipsbemidji.org/covid-19-school-information).
- Staff will share updates via email or through our emergency alert system.
- Please make sure your contact information remains current.
Resources: We will rely on guidelines/recommendations from Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health, Beltrami Health Department, other public health officials and the Diocese of Crookston. In the event an individual is symptomatic or diagnosed, or there is a community widespread, we will follow the most recent guidelines set forth by Public Health.

The Covid-19 Steering Committee developed its reopening plan with guidance from the Crookston Diocese, Minnesota Department of Health, CDC, and local public health officials. The developed plan will be under constant scrutiny and evolution. It is the expectation that we will enhance, amend, and adjust our plan as we evaluate our efforts how to best serve our staff, students, and families
Student Cohorts:
In an effort to reduce the number of children and adults each child interacts with throughout their day, students will be divided into cohorts. Students will have lunch, recess, etc. with their cohort. These cohorts will also be used for Noah’s Ark. The separation of cohorts will allow the school to identify which students and staff an individual may have encountered throughout their day if contact tracing is required.

Blue Cohort: PreK-Kindergarten
Green Cohort: 1^st- 2^nd Grade
Yellow Cohort: 3^rd – 4^th Grade
Red Cohort: 5^th – 6^th Grade
Purple Cohort: 7^th – 8^th Grade

Face to Face Learning and Individual Distance Learners

Section 1: operational practices at St. Philip’s School

COVID-19 Point of Contact: Jana Norgaard, 218-444-4938 | jnorgaard1@stphilipsbemidji.org
Communication Point of Contact: Maryhelen Chadwick, 218-444-4262 | mhchadwick@stphilipsbemidji.org
Staff & Stakeholder Training: The goal of this Action Plan is to assure student and staff wellbeing and safety. It is important that each group of stakeholders understands the associated plans, and responsibilities associated. We are in this together; communication and training are critical.

Stakeholders	Training Process
Staff	Staff play an important part of developing Action Plans in accordance with the guidance provided to St. Philip’s School. Staff members will be trained on the specific protocols, action plans, and details of the plan to return to school in the fall. Each staff member must affirm that a review of the Action Plans has occurred.
Parents/Guardians	Parents/Guardians will receive communication regarding plans primarily through email. The dedicated web page at https://stphilipsbemidji.org/covid-19-school-information will provide historical record of communication, important information to reference, as well as articulation of the practices in place. Parents/households must affirm receipt and review of Action Plans has occurred.
Students	Teachers and staff will review procedures that are new to students in an age-appropriate manner. This will include logistical changes to school operations (personal hygiene, physical distancing, etc.) Teachers and staff will use various resources to explain expectations in an age-appropriate manner.
School Council, boards & other	School officials will inform stakeholders of the actions the school is taking to prepare and implement protocols that allow school to open and operate in the COVID-19 era.
A dedicated COVID-19 web page will house pertinent information, updates, and a historical reference of communications related to plans and procedures. This webpage can be accessed at https://stphilipsbemidji.org/covid-19-school-information.

Adaptability: We understand that with an ever-changing reality, schools must be flexible and able to adapt to necessary changes to keep staff and students healthy.

Entrance and Dismissal Protocols
Schools will provide pickup and drop-off procedures to maximize safe distancing. All employees and students (K-8) must wear face masks/coverings as they arrive, and schools will perform “Wellness Checks.” Wellness Checks will consist of temperature checks to ensure any student with a fever over 100.4 is sent home. Students will wash their hands or receive hand sanitizer. Parents and guardians should not enter the building to escort students to/from classrooms at arrival and dismissal.

Building Entrance Protocols

7:00-8:00 a.m.

Students may arrive beginning at 7:00 a.m.
Students will enter at Door #3 on Beltrami Avenue.
When students enter the building, they will immediately be directed to wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
Staff will conduct temperature checks as students arrive to school.
Students will be assigned a designated spot to sit once they arrive. Students will be sitting with their siblings or students from their cohort.
No electronic devices, toys, or balls from home allowed. Cell phones will need to remain in backpacks. Students need to bring a book to read or finish up homework.
Students will be dismissed at 8:00 a.m. to their classrooms.

8:00-8:30 a.m.

Students will enter through Door #3 on Beltrami Avenue.
When students enter the building, they will immediately be directed to wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
Staff will conduct temperature checks as students arrive to school.
Students will go directly to their classrooms.
Parents may not accompany students to their classrooms.
School begins at 8:30 depending on transportation.

Dismissal

End of the Day Pickup (Diagram will be provided)

Enter school parking lot from Beltrami Avenue and stay to the right of the parking lot.
Turn right at garages and proceed toward Door #2.
Stay next to curb and pull as far forward as possible toward the beginning of the line.
Obey signs and instructions.
Display assigned pick-up number on rearview mirror. (Numbers will be provided by St. Philip’s School.)
Staff will call your family number once you enter the pick-up lane.
Your child(ren) will exit Door #2 and go directly to your vehicle.
Students not picked up by 3:45 p.m. will go to Noah’s Ark.
Pick up times will be: 3:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 3:45 p.m.
Families may not enter building to pick up students.

Noah’s Ark Pickup

Families will call or text the Noah’s Ark Hotline when they arrive in the parking lot for pickup. A Noah’s Ark employee will walk the child(ren) to the families.

Health Checks: Symptoms of COVID-19 will be communicated that would require staff/students to refrain from attending school. See Daily Health Home Screen for Student’s Checklist.
All staff, students, and visitors entering the building will be screened with temperature checks. All visitors will be required to wear facemasks. Visitors must sign in and records kept in case of infection. Families should call ahead if they are picking up their child before the end of the school day.
We will review current guidance on returning to school/work for individuals with symptoms or diagnosis. St. Philip’s School will follow the recommendation from CDC, Minnesota Department of Health, and Public Health.

Symptomatic students and staff sent home from school will follow the current recommendations from CDC, Minnesota Department of Health, and Public Health.
Students and staff who become ill with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will be placed in an identified quarantine area. This area will be staffed by the school nurse and/or office staff.
Staff will conduct daily wellness checks prior to coming to work. If staff exhibit any new or unusual symptoms as reported on the COVID-19 school monitoring form, they will follow the recommendations from CDC, Minnesota Department of Health, and Public Health. The staff member will contact the school principal or secretary if they are going to be absent.

Physical Distancing in School

Students will be seated as far apart as feasible in classrooms—regardless of furniture used.
If social distancing cannot be accomplished, masks will be used. (Small group instruction).
Instructional signs will be posted in classrooms and public areas (social distancing, hygiene, face coverings, COVID-19 symptoms, etc.).
Floor markers will be at six-foot intervals where lining up occurs – classrooms, lunchroom, etc.
Students will remain in their cohort group for specialists, lunch, and recess. Social distancing will be followed.
Transition times will be scheduled to avoid interaction with peers from other cohorts.
Teachers/staff will establish routines for general classroom activities including but not limited to sharpening pencils, washing hands, lining up, getting supplies, etc.
Entrance and exits to the school will be assigned by location. The north stairwell tower is our entrance to the different floor levels, the south stairwell tower will be our exit path, and the middle stairwell will be used by individual students going to Title I.

Communication: St. Philip’s School’s primary mean of communication regarding updates of COVID-19 preparedness will occur through parent email and be consistently available https://stphilipsbemidji.org/covid-19-school-information. Parents/Guardians will receive an abridged version of the Action Plan that includes items for student and families with policies and procedures.
If an individual contracts COVID-19 in the school facility, we will follow the recommendations and guidelines from the CDC, Minnesota Department of Health, and Public Health. This would also include notification of the class and recommendations.
Signage: Signage displayed throughout St. Philip’s School will notify/remind all stakeholders of best practices, expectation, and pertinent information.
The following signs will be hung in highly visible locations.

- Common symptoms of COVID-19
- Signs posted at entrances with our protocol
- Handwashing
- Cover your cough and sneeze
- Social distancing signs
- Face covering/mask requirements

Attendance: St. Philip’s School is preparing to welcome students back into the school building. This model could change depending on your needs as a family. We understand that families may need to utilize distance learning at some point during the academic school year.
At any time, St. Philip’s School may have to quickly pivot from in-person instruction to a distance learning model based on the realities of our local community.
Distance learning for an individual student may occur when:

The family of a student with medical conditions determines that the student is best served through distance learning.
A parent/guardian determines a student should not return to the school building and will consult with the Principal.
A student is home with an extended illness.
Distance learning will be a semester at a time. This could change at the Principal’s discretion based on the family’s circumstances.

Distance learning for an entire school population will occur when:

The local health department deems it necessary.
The state mandates a stay at home order with building closures.
Other emergencies that require our school to temporarily close for an extended amount of time.

Transportation: Transportation will be provided from Bemidji Area Schools. How this plan is going to work will depend on their scheduling. If possible, parents are encouraged to provide transportation of their child in lieu of busing even if bus transportation is available. Reducing the capacity of children on school buses will be advantageous in applying the procedures required for the Transportation Department.
Assessment of Plan Effectiveness: The COVID-19 plans and procedures will be reviewed by the Covid Steering Committee monthly or as needed. These changes will be communicated with students, staff, parents, and stakeholders.

Section 2: Health and Well Being Action Plan

Cleanliness and Disinfecting Processes

Adequate classroom supplies will be provided to minimize sharing of high-touch materials to the extent possible.
Supplies and equipment will remain in the Cohort Classroom unless cleaned.
Playground and gymnasium use will be scheduled and used by Cohort groups to avoid combining students that are not typically combined at these settings.
Ventilation has been checked and rooms provided with air purifiers.
Library books will be checked out weekly to keep in classrooms. Books will be quarantined before putting out on the shelves.
Mealtimes will be staggered to allow for cohorts to eat lunch together in the cafeteria and/or social hall.
Serving volunteers and kitchen staff will use barrier protection including gloves, face shields, and masks.
Per CDC guidelines, it is recommended that students and staff bring their own water bottle each day to avoid frequent touching of water fountains throughout the day. Students who do not bring a water bottle or who are unable to use one responsibly, will be provided opportunities to get drinks and sanitize accordingly.
Bottle fillers will be added to each floor of the school.
Water systems will be run thoroughly after the prolonged closure period to assure healthy water systems are in place.

Cleanliness and Disinfecting Processes

Space	Frequency of Disinfecting Area	Person(s) Responsible
Classrooms	Cleaned daily Sanitized over the lunch hour Desks, chairs, and lockers sanitized daily “Bombed” each week by using Room Service disinfectant. Toys and other items used throughout the day will be sanitized. Teachers will disinfect as needed. Library, tech lab, arts, and other hands-on classrooms will undergo cleaning after every class period or when cohorts change classrooms.	Custodial Staff Classroom teachers and staff
Restrooms	Cleaned and sanitized numerous times throughout the day.	Custodial Staff Classroom teachers and staff
Hallways/Lockers	Cleaned and sanitized at the end of the day	Custodial Staff Classroom teachers and staff
Entrances and Exits	Frequently throughout the day	Custodial Staff
Stairwells	Cleaned every time a class goes up or down the stairs	Classroom teachers and staff
Drinking Fountains	Cleaned numerous times during the day.	Custodial Staff
Common Spaces	Frequently touched surfaces, including light switches, doors, benches, etc. will be cleaned numerous times during the day.	Custodial Staff
Lunchroom and Serving Line	Our foodservice program requirement will follow policies and procedures set forth by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education. The food service line will be outfitted with plexiglass. Seating will be limited to be in accordance to physical distancing	Custodial Staff Food Service Managers
Office Area	Periodic daily disinfection and cleaned every evening	Office Staff Custodial Staff
Social Hall	Before and after meals After daily groups	Custodial Staff
Church	Disinfected after every use	Custodial Staff
Gymnasiums	Before and after every use	Physical Education Teacher Custodial Staff
Playground	Disinfected after every use	Playground Staff
Nurses’ Station	Nurses station will be cleaned after each student use. Students will be quarantined if symptomatic.	Office Staff School Nurse Custodial Staff
Cleaning Products Used	Marc Neutron EPA approved disinfectant Clorox Wipes/Diluted bleach solution Room Service Product Hi Tide

Cleaning products will be stored securely away from students.
Drinking Fountains - Per CDC guidelines, it is recommended that students and staff bring their own water bottle each day to avoid frequent touching of water fountains throughout the day. Students who do not bring a water bottle or who are unable to use one responsibly, will be provided opportunities to get drinks and sanitize accordingly. We are adding bottle fillers to each floor.
Water systems will be run thoroughly after the prolonged closure period to assure healthy water systems are in place.
Facility Ventilation – Outdoor air circulation will occur as much as reasonably possible. Spaces that do not have access to outside air movement through the air handlers will have the ability to open windows. Air purifiers will also be provided to those rooms.
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette

Staff and students must be trained (and re-trained as needed) in appropriate hand washing techniques.
EPA approved hand sanitizer will be available and used when hand washing is not possible.
Students are encouraged to bring unscented hand sanitizer to keep in their backpack and/or desk.
Students will wash their hands immediately after arriving at school.
Handwashing will be required before meals.
Hands will be sanitized when students enter the rooms.
Staff and students need to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Hands washed immediately with soap and water.

Face Coverings/Masks: Under Governor Walz current mask requires all occupants (5 years or older) to wear a facial covering. Students and staff will wear face coverings when in shared public areas outside of their cohort groups or when social distancing is not possible. Our intention is to apply this requirement as realistically as possible knowing that during classroom instruction this will be flexible. Accommodations will be made for students and staff who have medically documented needs that prevent wearing a facial covering.

Any visitor entering the building must wear a facial covering.

A facial covering will be provided upon entrance should a student, staff member, or visitor fail to adhere to this requirement.

Responding to Positive Cases in Both Students and/or Staff

St. Philip’s School will cooperate with local public health officials if a confirmed case of COVID-19 is identified. The Beltrami County Health Department or other official agency will initiate contact tracing, provide guidance, respect privacy and follow public health practices.
Local health officials, staff, and families will be notified of a positive case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable federal and state privacy laws.
A student or a family member experiencing a positive COVID-19 test will work with administration and classroom teachers to develop an individual distance learning plan regarding coursework and a plan to return to school.

Section 3: Curriculum and Instruction Action Plan

Approach to Curriculum Planning
Each teacher will develop a yearlong plan for each subject area to ensure a defined unit topic. Plans will be based on Minnesota state standards defining what objectives are stated and met, and formative and summative assessment exists. This yearlong plan will be available in the teacher’s classroom and the school office.
Detailed lessons will be planned for two weeks at a time. These will be stored in Google Chrome for easy access for a substitute teacher if one is needed.
Grading
If students are absent an extended amount of time due to COVID-19, grades may be determined by content knowledge vs. daily assignments.
Grades will be posted quarterly regardless of type of learning.
A variety of assessment measures will be used to determine students’ developmental levels and learning needs.
Individual Distance Learning:

Google Classroom will be the platform for distance learning.
Families will commit to distance learning by the semester.
Lessons will be a combination of live and prerecorded classes.
Parents/Guardians will be assigned as a “guardian” to their child’s classroom account.
Class materials will be provided either through Google Classroom or in packets.
Expectations would be as follows:
- Students are expected to turn in assignments by the deadline – same as classroom
- All assignments must be uploaded to Google Classroom
- Families would need to provide their own internet and device
- Daily attendance by 9:00 am
- Participation in live classes
- Weekly meeting with classroom teachers on Google Meet
- Family training is required before school begins on Google Meet
Grading will follow the school guidelines

Differentiated Instruction – Whether in-person or in distance learning, teaching staff must make meeting individual academic needs a priority. Some students may require distance learning due to illness or underlying health concerns. Students may require additional time to learn the routine of school and new procedures implemented for reopening.
Specialist Classes: For a well-rounded education it is important to strive to provide continued opportunities in our specialist’s classes.

Class	Procedure in Place
Physical Education	Students will sanitize before entering the gym and upon returning to the classroom Separate gym entrance and exit to prevent congregating of students Avoiding activities that include physical contact Outdoor instruction when weather permits Materials will be disinfected between classes
Music	Students will sanitize before entering the music room and upon returning to the classroom Separate music room entrance and exit to prevent congregating of students Organize student seating to encourage distancing and avoid face-to-face seating Focus on concepts that do not require singing Materials and classroom will be disinfected between classes
Band	Students must sanitize upon entering and exiting the music room Only small group sessions 6-foot distance among participating students Students may not share instruments Students will clean and maintain instruments
Art	Students must sanitize upon entering and exiting the art room Student seating will be organized to encourage distancing and avoid face-to-face seating Materials and classroom will be disinfected between classes
Technology	Students must sanitize upon entering and exiting the tech room Student seating will be organized to encourage distancing and avoid face-to-face seating Disinfect hardware and materials between classes
SEL Class (Social Emotional Learning)	Our SEL teacher will go to student classrooms for instructional time Disinfecting of materials is required between classes

Student Academic Interventions:

Intervention	Plan
Special Education Services	Dependent upon the plan of Bemidji Area Public Schools – Special Education services will be provided equitably to St. Philip’s School students as Bemidji Area Public Schools. This is inclusive to all IEP services.
Title I Services	Dependent upon the plan of Bemidji Area Public Schools – Title I services will be provided equitably to St. Philip’s students as Bemidji Area Public Schools. Priority will be placed on reading intervention to our at-risk students.
Reading Corp K-3	Reading Corp will be provided for students in small groups in Grades K-3. Priority will be placed on our at-risk reading students.
Reading Corp Preschool	Reading Corp will be provided for our preschool students in small groups. Priority will be placed on our at-risk students.
Math Corp 4-8	Math Corp will be provided for students in small groups in Grades 4-8. Priority will be placed on our at-risk math students.

Section 4: Creating and Maintaining Community

Creating and maintaining community and relationship building is a priority of Catholic education. At the very heart of our schools is the celebration of Mass, liturgies, and prayer. As Catholic schools, we are called to respect and honor the dignity of each individual person. We must remain true to who we are and keep our identity close to our hearts as we evaluate the events and functions that must be changed or discontinued due to COVID-19.

Teachers will collaborate with families and administration to facilitate student referrals to appropriate school, parish and community resources.
Administration and staff will address student emotional needs related to the pandemic.
Staff will participate in weekly meetings to discuss and review our Action Plan for reopening and make adjustments as necessary.
Weekly Mass will be adjusted to correspond with the recommendation from the Crookston Diocese.
Activities and field trips will be decided on a case by case basis with guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Health, CDC, and our local Public Health Agency.

A Note to St. Philip’s Parents:
To confirm that you have read St. Philip’s Action Plan for the fall of 2020, please follow this link and submit the digital form. https://forms.gle/4Ahr8LDzw9h2VXXC9

Resources:
Diocese of Crookston Covid-19 Preparedness Guidance: A Path for Students' Return to School (Fall ) Download pdf

St.Philip's Catholic Church

702 Beltrami Ave NW, Bemidji, MN

COVID-19 School Information

St. Philip's Pandemic Response Plan

St. Philip’s Action Plan – A Path to Reopening for 2020-2021

Introduction