6/19/2020
Good Day Roadrunners,
Thank you to the entire San Tan community for your continued communication regarding our re-opening plan for the fall. With a response rate of over 80% we feel that the direction we have proposed below will accommodate our entire community regardless of the experience of instruction; On-Campus, Hybrid, or Home Based. I have included both staff and family results for all to review as well. Please continue to provide me your thoughts and feedback regarding the items outlined below as I will be presenting this plan to our Board of Directors for final approval in the coming week.
School Health Screenings
CDC Guidelines
- If feasible, conduct daily health checks (e.g., temperature screening and/or symptom checking) of staff and students.
- Health checks should be conducted safely and respectfully, and in accordance with any applicable privacy laws and regulations.
San Tan’s Plan
- Staff members will be temperature checked daily upon arrival.
- A staff member will visually check each student upon arrival.
- Any student with visible symptoms of runny nose, cough, shortness of breath or vomiting will be taken to the health office, where parents may be contacted for pick up, with the following exceptions:
- If the student has a runny nose and no other observable symptoms, the nurse/health aide will contact a parent to determine if other symptoms are present or if there is exposure to COVID-19 in the home. If not, the student will return to class.
- If the student has health information that confirms a diagnosis of asthma or other respiratory condition, the nurse/health aide will contact a parent to confirm that the student has no other symptoms or exposure to COVID-19 at home. If not, the student will return to class.
Shared Belongings
CDC Guidelines
- Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean or disinfect.
- Keep each child’s belongings separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas.
- Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the extent possible (e.g., assigning each student their own art supplies, equipment) or limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between use.
- Avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids.
San Tan’s Plan
- For younger grades and where possible, student belongings to be kept in individual bins or cubbies labeled with each student’s name.
- When feasible, sharing of school supplies among students to be restricted.
Volunteers/Visitors
CDC Guidelines
- Limit any nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations as possible – especially with individuals who are not from the local geographic area (e.g., community, town, city, county).
San Tan’s Plan
- Limited visitors will be permitted on school campuses. Volunteers on campus will be postponed until after October break.
Face Coverings
CDC Guidelines
- Use of simple cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms.
- Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks, respirators, or other medical personal protective equipment.
- Teach and reinforce use of cloth face coverings.
- Face coverings may be challenging for students (especially younger students) to wear.
- Face coverings should be worn by staff and students (particularly older students) as feasible.
San Tan’s Plan
- Voluntarily wear face coverings at any time, students and staff will not be required to wear face coverings.
- Plastic face shields that fully cover the face, including below the chin and around the sides of the face, are an acceptable alternative to cloth face coverings.
*San Tan’s legal counsel has confirmed that the statement in the Town of Gilbert’s Emergency Order dated June 19th, 2020; “This emergency order shall not strictly apply to the extent that it frustrates the primary purpose of a business” would apply to the educational setting. However, please note that if local, state, or federal officials provide additional information requiring face coverings this plan could change.
Food Services
CDC Guidelines
- Have children bring their own meals as feasible, or serve individually plated meals in classrooms instead of in a communal dining hall or cafeteria, while ensuring the safety of children with food allergies.
San Tan’s Plan
- Students will continue to have the option to buy hot lunch or they may bring meals from home.
- Students will eat in their classrooms, cafeteria or patio, physically distanced, depending on the weather.
- All water fountain bubblers will be turned off and bottle fillers will be installed and operational.
Events/Field Trips
CDC Guidelines
- Pursue virtual group events, gatherings, or meetings, if possible, and promote social distancing of at least 6 feet between people if events are held. Limit group size to the extent possible.
- Pursue virtual activities and events in lieu of field trips, student assemblies, special performances, school-wide parent meetings, and spirit nights, as possible.
San Tan’s Plan
- Field trips will be canceled for the first quarter (mid-October).
- Other extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports will not be canceled.
- Teachers will use virtual learning opportunities (such as virtual tours of museums) to enhance students’ educational experiences.
- Large-scale school events such as “OPEN HOUSE” will be reconfigured in order to maintain social distancing. Small-scale activities like parent-teacher conferences may take place over the phone or other electronic means.
Ventilation Systems
CDC Guidelines
- Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible such as by opening windows and doors.
- Do not open windows and doors if they pose a safety or health risk to children using the facility (e.g. allowing pollens in or exacerbating asthma symptoms).
San Tan’s Plan
- Changing air filters on a regular schedule.
- Exploring where improved filtration can be used without damaging HVAC equipment.
- Exploring options for additional supplemental air filtration including HEPA, ozonification and UV light air sterilization.
Learning Experience Choices
ON-CAMPUS LEARNING EXPERIENCE (K-12)
- Five days per week on campus
- Physical distancing practiced
- Enhanced cleaning and safety protocols
- Electives/specials will observe safety protocols
- May participate in extracurricular activities and school athletics
- May transition to Hybrid or Home-Based learning experiences at quarter break
HYBRID ON-CAMPUS LEARNING EXPERIENCE (K-12)
- Five days per week (2 days on campus/3 days off campus)
- On-campus choices to include Monday & Tuesday or Thursday & Friday
- Blended model that provides on-campus and Home Based learning experiences
- Allows for physical distancing by reducing the number of students in the classroom
- May participate in extracurricular activities and school athletics
- May transition to On-Campus or Home-Based learning experiences at quarter break
- May enroll in extended-day programming and programming on days students are not on campus (fees apply)
HOME-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCE (K-12)
- Five days per week
- All students will need a laptop or desktop
- Classes led by San Tan teachers
- May transition to On-Campus or Hybrid learning experiences at quarter break
- May participate in extracurricular activities and school athletics
All the best,
Kristofer Sippel
CEO/Superintendent of Schools
San Tan Montessori School INC
2013 – 2018 East Valley Tribune Best Charter School
2014 Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Year
