Reentry Plan for 2020-2021

Isaiah 41:10

Do not fear: I am with you;

do not be anxious: I am your God.

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

This plan was formulated in conjunction with the following individuals or agencies: 

• The Center for Disease Control

• The Dearborn County Health Department

• Deanery Principals

• The Archdiocese of Indianapolis: Office of Catholic Schools

• The St. Mary’s Covid 19 Task Force which was comprised of the School Commission, Administration, the Head of Maintenance, and teachers

• The Indiana Department of Education

• The Indiana State Board of Health

The goal of the plan is to detail specific steps that St. Mary’s will take to ensure the safety of each child and his/her family.  The specific plans outlined here were based on information that was provided at the time of its creation.  Please note that this is a fluid situation and individual items in this plan are subject to change.  The Governor, the Department of Health, the Archdiocese, or the Indiana Department of Education can make changes as the situation evolves.  Please be patient and flexible as we make changes as needed based on the recommendations of these various agencies.  

Masks 

• Students are encouraged to wear masks at all times of movement about the building or where social distancing cannot be maintained.  

• When students are socially distanced from other students, they may remove their masks while they are all seated.

• Students that wish to wear masks at all times are more than welcome to use them throughout the day.  

• Staff, visitors, and volunteers  will wear some form of face covering unless socially distanced or outside.  

• Students that wish to wear a mask, but do not have one one that day, will be provided a mask for that day.  

• Student masks may be of any variety that cover the mouth and nose but must be school appropriate

Social Distancing 

• Students will be distanced the recommended six feet apart in all classrooms where the room accommodates this distance.  If six feet cannot be attained, the greatest distance possible will be used.  

• As much as possible, students will be distanced in the hallways and other areas as well.  

• The number of students allowed in areas like restrooms will be limited.  

• Students participating in group activities will be distanced.  

Sanitary Environment 

• Students will be asked to wash hands/sanitize after any transition.  

• Any time a student is going to move rooms or change desks, the teachers will spray down the area, and it will be wiped down with paper towels.  

• High-touch areas will be sanitized on a daily basis.  

Lunch 

• There will be three lunches this year to allow students the ability to socially distance.  

• All students will be seated facing the same direction so that face to face contact with no masks will be avoided.  

• Cafeteria personnel will serve all food and condiments.  

• Students in the upper grades (5-8) will eat their lunches in their room.  

Recess  

• Students will be allowed to play games that allow for social distancing.  

• Students that do not wish to play a game/sport can still interact with their peers from a safe distance.  

• If it is an outside recess, no masks will be recommended.  

Water

• Per recommendations, all watering fountains will be turned off until further notice.  

• Students are encouraged to bring in a water bottle (reusable) each day filled with water or a bottle of water that can be thrown away.  If it is a reusable bottle, it should have the ability to be closed, sealed, or spill proof.  The student should bring their water bottle home each evening and have it washed.

• Students that need more water during the day will be given a bottle of water to refill their container.  

Daily Screenings at Home 

• Families are asked to evaluate students each day before school.  

• Do not send your child to school if they are displaying symptoms.  

• The most current list of symptoms from the CDC is below:  

• • Fever or chills

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

Returning to School and Positive Cases

• The following actions come directly from Indiana Department of Education document entitled “In Class.”

Return to School After Exclusion

Once a student or employee is excluded from the school environment, they may return if they satisfy the recommendations of the CDC. Currently those guidelines are:

Untested

Persons who have not received a test proving or disproving the presence of COVID-19 but experience symptoms may return if the following three  conditions are met:

• They have not had a fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers); and

• Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved); and

• At least 10 calendar days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.

The state website has a list of over 200 testing facilities, their location, and hours of operation. This list is updated frequently.
 

Tested Positive- Symptomatic 

Persons who experienced symptoms and have been tested for COVID-19 may return to school if the following conditions are met:

• The individual no longer has a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers); and

• Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved); and

• At least 10 calendar days have passed since symptoms first appeared; or

• The individual has received two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

Tested Positive- Asymptomatic
Persons who have not had symptoms but test positive for COVID-19 may return when they have gone 10 calendar days past their test without symptoms and have been preferably released by a healthcare provider. Students may also return if they are approved to do so in writing by the student’s health care provider.

Display of Symptoms at School 

• If a student displays multiple symptoms at school or having a temperature above 100.4, he or she will be immediately isolated in an isolation area.  Students in the isolation area will be required to wear a mask until picked up. 

• Families will be notified immediately and the student should be picked up as soon as possible.  

• Reentry of students will follow the procedures outlined above.  

Reporting 

• If your child tests positive for Covid 19, you must report this to the office as soon as possible.  We must report cases to the Dearborn County Health Department.  

• If your child is going to be absent, please be prepared to answer questions on his/her condition when you call including the child’s temperature.  

• You also need to report if your child has had direct contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid.  This is especially true in the case of a family member that lives in your home but does not attend the school.  

Mass 

• Mass will continue during this time.  Mass will be Wednesdays at 9:00.  

• Students will be distanced except in the instance of family members.  Siblings may sit closer than six feet because they already are in direct contact each evening at home.  

• Choir will be modified and reduced to allow for distancing.  

• Students will be encouraged to wear masks entering and exiting.  

Visitors 

• The CDC specifically asks to limit non-essential visitors.  Accordingly, only volunteers or someone with essential school business will be allowed into the building.  

• Visitors may have their temperature checked and must wear masks.  

• If you need to see someone in the office, please call or email first.  If you have documents to drop off, please utilize the dropbox outside of the front door.  

School Closure Due to Covid 

•  If the Dearborn County Health Department would deem it necessary, the school could have to close down for 2-5 days.  This will be decided on a case-by-case basis.  

• If the state or the health department would close school, online learning would be available.  

• Students that are required to miss school to quarantine will be provided with online or take-home learning.  Each teacher will reach out to families affected.  

Busing 

• Students will be able to continue to ride South Dearborn buses.  However, it will be encouraged that, if possible, students be transported to school through your own means to avoid unnecessary contact.  

• The bus will continue to bring students to South Dearborn for athletics at the end of the day.