Planning & Safety

As permitted by Alameda County, we are planning for a return to campus in stable cohorts.  Decision making will be based on guidelines from local public health officials, State guidelines, Alameda County’s recent School Reopening Guidance, and CDC recommendations, including physical distancing in the classroom, facial coverings for staff and students, expanded cleaning and health protocols to minimize risk of infection, and screenings for illness.  We have been working with epidemiologists at Capsid Consulting to refine and improve our plans. 

We recognize that we can only manage the safety procedures for the daily operations on the Park Day campus.  The success of our plan to have all students learning on campus depends upon our families and community upholding their social responsibility to remain vigilant, adhering to the health and safety orders of our county per the Community Agreement that will be posted on ParentSquare.

It is important for our school community to recognize that our plan to protect student and staff health is two fold:

1. Contact tracing is vital. Segmenting students within stable cohorts enables our school to better respond through contact tracing in the likelihood of an infection or outbreak.
2. Physical safety within defined spaces is reliant on proper distancing, personal protective equipment, and rigorous personal and facilities-wide hygiene practices.

We plan to provide regular and transparent updates to our community as local, State, and Federal recommendations evolve over the summer.  We will be in touch with families in August with more finalized plans.

Prior to re-opening campus, we will require each family to complete the COVID Parent Acknowledge Risk form.

We are continually updating our health and safety policies and practices, with guidance from the California and Alameda County Departments of Health, the Alameda County Office of Education, and the CDC. We know that many of these changes are inconvenient and may take adjusting to, but all were made to keep our community safe. 

To be successful, we’ll need our students and employees to share the responsibility of keeping our campus community healthy and safe, to be alert for symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19 and if feeling unwell in any way, to stay home. 

Face Coverings and Other Protective Gear  

• Face Coverings: Everyone is required to wear cloth face coverings when on campus. Students and parents/guardians are expected to arrive at school with a face covering that is compliant with regulations, is clean, and has no holes or exhale valves. The school will provide face coverings for students and visitors, if they need one.  Students and teachers may remove face coverings when outdoors while eating with proper social distancing. Cloth face coverings should be washed frequently with detergent and hot water, by hand or with a washing machine: CDC washing guidelines. Video from Bill Nye about making sure your mask is a good one!
• Face Shields:  A face shield with drape can be used by teachers in addition to a cloth face covering. Face shields will be provided to staff that need them.  Face shields will also be worn by those providing care to anyone in the sick room.

Health Screening and Testing for Students and Staff 

• Daily Health Screening:  Students and staff are required to self-screen and temperature check each day at home and submit verification (using a daily screening questionnaire) before arriving on campus. Beginning Nov 2, all community members must use Titan‘s mobile app for Daily Health Screening. Anyone that has not done the self-screening will be required to complete it and have their temperature taken prior to leaving their student or entering a building.  
• Isolation Room:  The designated Isolation Room is located in the Palm Building.  Students or staff who have symptoms or are ill will be separated in the Isolation Room until they can safely depart campus.
• Testing: Any student or staff who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 must be tested and will be given instructions while waiting for test results. Curative provides weekly testing of all staff and community members can sign up for Curative testing offered on Sundays at the Park Day site. Results will be available within 72 hours.

Healthy Hygiene Practices

• Handwashing:  During the day, we will implement routines ensuring frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizers. Staff will model, practice, teach and reinforce handwashing with soap for 20 seconds.  Students will wash and/or sanitize hands upon arrival at school, after coughing and/or sneezing in hands, before and after lunch and snack, after bathroom use, after recess or P.E. and whenever entering the classroom.
• Hand sanitizer will be used when handwashing is not easily accessible.  Hand sanitizer stations are being installed in every classroom and throughout other areas of the campus.
• Touchless faucets have been added to all restrooms and classroom sinks.  Additional handwashing sinks are being added to facilitate easy access.

Ventilation and Outdoor Spaces:

Increasing outdoor air circulation lowers the risk of infection by “diluting” any infectious respiratory virus with outdoor air. Being outside is even lower risk.  

• Outdoor Spaces:  Cohorts will do as many activities outside as possible, especially snacks/meals and activities that produce more respiratory droplets such as active exercise.  We will be designating separate outdoor spaces for each cohort, and have planned over 15 outdoor classroom areas with seating spaced 6 foot apart.
• Inside Spaces:  None of the buildings on the Park Day campus have central air systems, and thus there are fewer concerns about recirculated air.  Open windows to increase ventilation with outdoor air when health and safety allow, for example, when it does not worsen individuals’ allergies or asthma. When possible, doors will remain slightly open to promote flow of outdoor air through the indoor space.  Generally, opening windows will effectively increase the amount of outdoor air in a room and we will use fans for air circulation per health and safety guidance.
• Air Purifiers:  Portable HEPA air purifiers will be provided in all classrooms prior to reopening.

Staff Training and Family Education

All staff and students will be trained and families will be educated on the application and enforcement of our plan. 

• All staff have undergone training on our reopening plan and specifically on safety, hygiene, disinfecting and sanitation.  
• Janitorial staff are completing training on CDC recommended practices for safe cleaning and disinfecting, as well as proper use of PPE.
• Videos on hygiene, distancing and safety practices will be shared with all students and families prior to reopening the campus.  
• When on campus, staff will model, practice, teach and reinforce handwashing, distancing and other safe practices for all students. 

Physical distancing between individuals in classrooms and about campus will be the new norm.  We have made many changes to our facilities to promote health and safety of our staff and students.

• Classrooms & Offices: Classrooms are being laid out such that all students can sit 5-6’ apart.  Non-essential furniture has been removed to allow for more spacing.  Plexiglass shields and dividers are being installed as needed to promote health and safety.  Many of our classrooms have exterior doors, which more easily allows cohorts to remain separated. 

• Hallways and paths: Markings are being added in hallways and other areas to facilitate 6 ft. distancing.  The hallways and exterior doors in the Palm and Magnolia Buildings will be set up to minimize traffic flow.
• Outdoors: We plan to utilize outdoor space as much as possible.  We have planned over 15 outdoor classroom areas with seating spaced 6 foot apart, and will use tents as needed.  Stable cohorts will be assigned to a designated area of the campus during outdoor physical education or play activities to promote physical distancing and will not be permitted to leave their designated area. Recess and lunch periods will be staggered to promote physical distancing.  
• Belongings: Instructional materials and personal items will not be shared during a school day.  Each student will have their own materials and supplies in their desk area and will be provided a supply knapsack to bring supplies with them to any outdoor learning spaces.

• Drop-off & Pick-up:  Students will be dropped off and picked up by parents and guardians along the internal campus driveway at 2 to 3 locations.  Drop-off and pick-up times will be staggered to avoid congestion and to allow for health screening.  Parents and guardians will not be permitted on campus and are highly encouraged to help their child become accustomed to getting dropped off so they can walk into school on their own. Parents and guardians of kindergarten students will be permitted to walk their child to the designated entry point for the first week after campus reopens as long as they maintain the physical distancing requirements and do not gather, socially, after dropping off their child.  All students will be picked up via the driveway between 42nd and 43rd or the drive through at 44th, at staggered times and in distanced clusters by cohort.  Further information about drop off and pick up procedures will be provided prior to reopening the campus.
• Daily Health Screening:  Using the Titan HTS screening platform, students and staff are required to self-screen each day at home and submit verification (using a daily screening platform) before arriving on campus. Families are required to take temperatures before coming on campus, and to stay home if temperature is over 100. 
• Visitors & Vendors:  We will limit access on campus for parents and other visitors.  Outside visitors and groups will be limited to only essential visits. All outside vendors and delivery personnel must wear face coverings while on campus and abide by physical distancing.  Delivery personnel will not be permitted to enter any buildings during the time of the pandemic.  Vendors and others on campus longer than 15 minutes will be required to be screened.  Any visitor on campus will be required to sign in and provide a phone number, for safety and tracking purposes.  Most admissions events will be held virtually and any that do take place will take place outside of school operating hours.
• Movement on Campus:  Clear signage will direct traffic patterns. Markings will designate the ways staff and students move on campus, allowing access to all buildings and learning spaces in a clear and efficient manner, with one-way traffic wherever possible. Students will remain with their cohort when on campus, including when outside and at snack, recess, and lunch.  Cohorts will also have designated outdoor areas to use, and not mix.  

We have increased our janitorial services to ensure health and safety of staff and students, and working to ensure that cleaning and disinfecting is being done to meet EPA as well as CDC and local guidelines. 

Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols: Janitorial staff will perform nightly cleaning and disinfecting of all occupied classrooms, restrooms, offices, and hallways, following the most recent CDC guidelines.  Janitorial staff are cleaning and disinfecting restrooms and all high touch surfaces throughout the school day.  

• Training: Janitorial staff are being trained to ensure they are following proper cleaning procedures and will wear appropriate PPE following the manufacturer’s recommendation including mask, gloves, face shield etc.  
• Disinfecting: Following their cleaning, janitorial staff will be using EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19, as well as the latest cleaning technologies, such as electrostatic sprayers.  Electrostatic disinfecting machines will be used nightly using EPA approved PurTabs.
• In Restrooms, high touch areas will be cleaned thoroughly daily, including:
  • Doorknobs
  • Light switches
  • Faucet handles
  • Handrails
  • Sinks
  • Toilet flush levers
  • Toilet seat 
    

• In Occupied Classrooms: thorough cleaning will be done daily. High touch areas in classrooms include:
  • Tables/desk
  • Chairs
  • Counter tops
  • Sinks
  • Doorknobs
  • Light switches
  • Handles
    

Ventilation and Outdoor Spaces: Increasing outdoor air circulation lowers the risk of infection by “diluting” any infectious respiratory virus with outdoor air. Being outside is even lower risk. Classes will move to remote learning if the AQI is over 100. 

Outdoor Spaces:  Cohorts will do as many activities outside as possible, especially snacks/meals and activities that produce more respiratory droplets such as active exercise.  We will be designating separate outdoor spaces for each cohort, and have planned over 15 outdoor classroom areas with seating spaced 6 foot apart.  

Inside Spaces:  None of the buildings on the Park Day campus have central air systems, and thus there are fewer concerns about recirculated air.  Weather and air quality permitting, windows will be opened to increase ventilation with outdoor air when health and safety allow, for example, when it does not worsen individuals’ allergies or asthma. When possible, exterior room doors will be slightly opened to promote flow of outdoor air through the indoor space.  Fans will be installed to promote circulation. Generally, opening windows will effectively increase the amount of outdoor air in a room. 

Air Purifiers:  Portable True HEPA and activated carbon filter air purifiers will be provided in all classrooms and offices prior to reopening.  

Park Day School is  hosting site for Curative offering community COVID testing sessions every Sunday for our school and the greater Oakland community. 

Participants schedule appointments online– through Curative’s scheduler portal. Tests are offered at no cost to the community.  

All students and staff will be asked to show documentation of a negative COVID test dated within two weeks of their return to campus, and then on a regular two week cycle going forward. In between testing and a return to campus, Park Day asks all community members to reduce their social exposure to essential business only, and tighten all social circles to avoid exposure. Test results are to be submitted to the Health Liaison, Cassandra McCraw via Google Form submission or by emailing cassandra.mccraw@parkdayschool.org after every testing date regardless of where the test was done–either by Curative or any other health provider. Test results are kept confidential. This documentation is required for students and staff to return to campus. Family and household members of Park Day students and staff are strongly encouraged to sign up for COVID testing. In between testing and a return to campus, Park Day asks all community members to reduce their social exposure to essential business only, and tighten all social circles to avoid exposure.

Curative provides  a summary report within 72 hours of the testing session. The results will be submitted to Alameda County Health Department and to the participant directly.

In the event a member of our community is diagnosed with COVID-19, or if anyone in their household, or anyone who has had close contact with a student, is diagnosed with COVID-19, they will contact our Public Health Liaison, Cassandra McCraw, cassandra.mccraw@parkdayschool.org, immediately.   In the event a possible case of COVID-19 is detected within our School community, we will follow the Alameda County Office of Education and Health Department protocols.

• In the Case of Illness, a symptomatic student or staff member who is onsite will be isolated and monitored in the Isolation Room until they can leave the campus. We will keep in close contact with the family.  If a student or staff member has symptoms of COVID-19, ACPHD recommends that the student or staff member get tested and that the school receive follow up from the family or staff as soon as possible.  Symptomatic staff or students must follow County isolation instructions unless COVID-19 is ruled out by a health care provider.
• Returning to School after Sickness:  Per Alameda County guidelines, any children or staff with COVID-like symptoms (with a positive or negative COVID test) should not return to work or school until they have met the following criteria:
  • Symptoms are improving.
  • They have had no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines.
  • At least 10 days have passed since illness onset.
  • If staff or a student wants to return before 10 days have passed, they must show a medical evaluator note to verify that an alternative diagnosis has been made and the symptoms are not due to COVID-19.
• In the Case of a Negative Test,  a sick student or staff member may return to school after:
  • They are feeling better,
  • There have been at least 24 hours with no fever without medication.
  • Providing a medical note to verify that the symptoms are not due to COVID-19 and the test for COVID-19 is negative.
• In the Event of a Confirmed Positive Case, If the school is made aware of a confirmed COVID-19 case before ACPHD, our Public Health Liaison will contact the Alameda County Public Health Department at safelearning@acgov.org (510) 268-2101. Per the State and County guidelines, the student or staff member will be asked to isolate at home following isolation guidelines.  The school will identify and be in touch with all contacts and require that they all quarantine (the entire cohort and any other contacts)  following County quarantine instructions for 14 days after the last date the case was present at school while infectious.  Instruction for the affected cohorts will switch to Distance Learning for the duration of the quarantine.  It is recommended that all contacts are tested, particularly symptomatic contacts (but will not shorten 14- day quarantine).  The school will communicate any confirmed positive student/staff cases via Parent Square.  Janitorial staff will disinfect and clean classroom and primary spaces where the case spent significant time.  Per state and county guidelines, the school will likely remain open.
• In the Case of Close Contact with a Confirmed Positive Case, the student or staff member will be sent home to quarantine following County quarantine instructions  for 14 days from last exposure, and the cohort will be notified.  Testing is recommended but will not shorten 14- day quarantine.  

Criteria for school re-entry will be updated as we receive revisions from the public health agencies.

• County Recommendations for Isolation and Quarantine  

Isolation & Quarantine | COVID-19

The Contract Tracing Team will support County Contact Tracing efforts by listing all staff/students that had close contact* with the confirmed COVID-19 positive individual during the time period between two days prior to when the individual’s symptoms appeared and the last time the individual was on the school campus.  The school utilizes the contact tracing feature of Titan HST, which will aid us in quickly determining contact exposure in the case of any cases on campus, and communicate with contacts and require that they all quarantine following County quarantine instructions for 14 days after the last date the case was present at school while infectious. 

School Communications: The Communications team will communicate with staff and families promptly sharing any notifications or changes.  In the case of confirmed cases, the school will follow the County guidance for communications and other safety protocols.

School Response Team

• Strategic Response Leader/Incident Commander:  Angela Taylor
• Pandemic Response Team Leader:  Angela Taylor (Back-ups:  Jill Knowland & Josie AG Shapiro)
• Pandemic Coordinator/Facilities Leader:  Jennifer Cooper
• Public Health Liaison:  Cassandra McCraw
• Communications Leader: Josie AG Shapiro (Family Communications Lower School: Karen Colaric & Arjuna Sayyed; Family Communications Middle School: Jules Greene & Arjuna Sayyed/Ashley Foster)
• Contact Tracing Leader:  Jill Knowland
• Contact Tracing Team Members: Cassandra McCraw, Victoria Jones, Jennifer Young

*Close Contact being within 6 ft of the confirmed COVID-19 + individual and for more than 15 minutes

Once we are permitted to reopen, the school (or a particular class/cohort) will switch to Distance Learning per State guidance if 5% or more of staff and students test positive, and/or and if/when:

• Either Alameda County or the State of California reinstates a broad or specific site order to shelter-in-place as they might during a “second wave” of coronavirus cases.
• Air quality rises to sustained unhealthy levels based on the local Air Quality Index.
• The school deems it necessary in order to mitigate risk of exposure to the virus.
• The cohort would move to distance learning if they need to quarantine due to exposure or confirmed infection.

Students will be in stable cohorts that will remain separate from each other.  Cohorts will be comprised of no more than 14 students each.  The total head count for the cohort (no more than 14 students) will remain at 16 or fewer people at all times. 

We have designed and are ready to implement three operating scenarios to meet varying conditions.

The on campus model is modified to allow for physical distancing and to meet County guidelines. Varying technological supports allow families who choose to keep their students at home to participate in distance learning. Cohort sizes are determined by state and county guidelines. 

We are planning stable cohorts (see Stable Cohorts above).  Distance learning cohort groups were announced in August. We intend to utilize the outdoor space on our beautiful campus as much as possible, and have planned over 15 outdoor classroom areas with seating spaced 6 foot apart. 

Accommodating Students Who Need to Stay Remote: Some families will choose to keep their students home because of health concerns, and some students may need to quarantine at home. It is likely that we will experience a positive case of COVID-19 in our school community. In these cases the school will utilize our Remote Learning tools to support their learning.  To provide scaffolding and support, in the first weeks of school, students will receive instruction on using their designated platform for remote learning.  

• For these students who are quarantined or choosing to stay home in Kindergarten – Grade 3, SeeSaw will support distance learning and provide ways for students to upload documentation of work (through recordings, photos, videos, etc.), supplemented by Lexia and Dreambox and weekly scheduled 1:1 check-in calls with the teacher.
• For these students who are quarantined or choosing to stay home in Grade 4 – 8, classrooms will be equipped with video technology that allow students that are offsite to take part in the classroom experience. Google classroom will support distance learning in Grades 4 -8.

The Hybrid Model involves a sustained program of instructing stable cohorts both on campus and remotely. This would become necessary if the County requires or the school determines that we need to reduce student density on campus for safety reasons. Alternate schedules have been developed for this possibility, and teaching and learning will utilize Distance Learning tools.

An upgraded distance-only learning model was designed based on survey feedback and will also reflect new guidelines. We will launch Distance Learning instruction if / when: 

• Either Alameda County or the State of California reinstates a broad or specific site order to shelter-in-place as they might during a “second wave” of coronavirus cases.
• Air quality rises to sustained unhealthy levels based on the local Air Quality Index.
• More than 5% of staff and students test positive.
• The school deems it necessary in order to mitigate risk of exposure to the virus.
• A cohort needs to shelter in place due to exposure or confirmed infection.

Lower School:  Our Distance Learning schedule is aligned with the developmental needs of each grade level. Based on feedback from our family surveys, we are prioritizing synchronous learning, smaller group instruction, and/or 1:1 check-ins.  

Middle School:  Our Distance Learning schedule is very similar to our on campus schedule, which makes it easy for us to toggle between the two.  Based on feedback from our family surveys, we are prioritizing synchronous learning, smaller group instruction, and/or 1:1 check-ins.

We have been working to improve our technological solutions for our students when learning remotely.  

• Chromebooks:  All students grades 3-8 will have their own chromebook that they can use at school and at home. In the case of distance learning, chromebooks (4-8), touchscreen chromebooks by the end of Sept. (3) and iPads (K-2) will be available as needed to students.  This technology will be distributed August 26-28 to families who submitted a request through the July survey. If new needs arise, please contact jennifer.cooper@parkdayschool.org.

• Swivl:  Classrooms will be equipped with technology that allows students that are offsite to take part in the classroom experience.  Swivl includes a 360 degree camera that captures both teacher and student classroom presentation and interactions.

• Zoom: The school will continue to use Zoom as our video conferencing platform for synchronous learning.

• Seesaw: For students in Kindergarten – Grade 3, SeeSaw will be the online platform for viewing video lessons and uploading student documentation of work (recordings, photos, videos, etc). Questions about SeeSaw should be directed to your child’s teacher.

• Google Classroom:  Google Classroom will be used by all students in grades 4-8 for managing their work, discussions, and assignments. All class assignments, videos, and announcements will be housed in Google Classroom.
• Headphones:  In the case of distance learning, we strongly recommend that each student acquire a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones. Not only do these headphones drown out noise at home or in study spaces on campus, but they also act as fantastic wireless microphones and offer crisper audio delivery over Zoom calls.

• P.E.: Physical Education classes will be held outdoors when school is permitted to open, with modified activities to limit the amount of shared equipment and close personal interaction.  Students will wash or sanitize hands before and after P.E., and shared equipment will be sanitized between uses.
• Middle School Athletics: We are closely following the County, State, and Health Officials’ determination of when and how we will be able to participate in sports this year.  Knowing athletics are essential to the physical, mental, and social well-being of students, we are hoping to offer some form of athletics program.   We are prepared to adjust, reduce, or add activities that can be played with proper social distancing standards. All physical activities will take place outside and all will adhere to proper safety procedures. 
• Update: At this time due to health and safety regulations, we are not able to offer our regular fall and spring sports season as of yet. Should we be able to offer after school competitive sports this year, as CIF has outlined, sports typically offered in the fall will be played from December to March. Winter and Spring sports will be played from March through June. We are looking into alternative athletic options this year in order to adhere to health and safety regulations (Golf, Disc Golf, Fundamentals Classes, Fitness Classes)

• Recess: Upon our return to campus, recess will take place outdoors for all cohorts, weather permitting.  Students will wash or sanitize hands before and after recess or using any equipment.  Recess times will be staggered and cohorts will use different schoolyard areas.
• Lunch: Upon our return to campus, students will eat lunch with their cohorts outside whenever possible.  Seating areas are being rearranged to promote 6 ft. distancing during lunch since students will not have face coverings at this time.  On rainy days, students will eat lunch in their classrooms.  We are working with our kitchen crew to create a meal program that meets health and safety standards and offers nutritional, tasty food. Lunches may be served in disposable containers delivered to students, or in serving areas managed by kitchen staff. 

Field Trips and Overnights: Unfortunately, all overnight and field trips are on hold until health guidelines change. We are developing ways for students to bond and get (re)acquainted at the start of the year. 

Community Gatherings & Special Events: All school-sponsored in-person events will be canceled or held in an online format, if possible. Once restrictions loosen, in-person events will be determined on a case-by-case basis with strict adherence to Alameda County Department of Public Health guidelines. 

On August 24th, all staff completed a training on the entire reopening plan and health and safety practices.  Prior to reopening, leadership will review health and safety practices with the community, including staff, students, and families. The review will include daily health screening, facial covering requirements, healthy hygiene, physical distancing, and drop-off and pick-up procedures.  In addition, the Park Day website hosts videos to help guide families and students as to best practices in sanitation and social distancing.

State Guidebook for Reopening Schools

In-Person Learning Framework for K-12 Schools in California

Alameda County School Reopening Plans

California Dept of Public Health COVID-19 INDUSTRY GUIDANCE: Schools

Park Day School will remain in distance learning mode until Alameda County is out of the purple zone on the Monitoring List for 14 consecutive days and infections are trending downward, and/or Alameda County grants an elementary waiver which permits us to bring students to campus.

Park Day School applied for an elementary school waiver on September 17. This was in response to the September 2 announcement from the Alameda County Office of Education (in cooperation with Alameda County Public Health Department) opening the waiver process for schools located in counties on the state’s coronavirus watchlist who are seeking to resume in-person instruction.

As of September 17, more than 400 waivers have been granted to elementary schools in California. Should Park Day be granted a waiver, we  are planning to have a phased/gradual reopening with two grades (4 – 6 cohorts) starting at a time. View ACgov school-guidance website for most up to date information.