PDTogether: Teaching and learning, 2020-21 

Dear Charger Community,

We are excited to share the next phase of our on-campus learning with you. As we said in our communication to you in March, we are returning all student groups to campus and ending our modified and hybrid scheduling effective on Wednesday April 7, 2021. 

We are able to make this decision for reasons including the ongoing vaccinations of our faculty, staff, and high-risk community members; our community’s adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines; and favorable trends in our internal and external COVID-19 data. Of course, if any metrics change or we face new government mandates, we must remain flexible and nimble and will send out further updates as needed.

We are asking you to review this updated PDTogether site with our on-campus policies and procedures. The vast majority have not changed significantly since last fall, but it is more important than ever to continue to observe these safety protocols in order to ensure a safe and healthy conclusion to our school year. As before, we are preserving our voluntary remote learning option for those who need it for health reasons.

We also call your attention to our updated daily campus schedule, which has allowed for time for Ascend screenings and the return of a staggered dismissal time to allow for larger numbers of people on campus.

We thank each of you for your continued support and patience during this year like no other in our school’s history. Our PD family ties have remained more important than ever to keep us together as we move toward our ever-brighter future.

As always, please contact me; your Division Heads; and/or the Health Room Nurses if you have any questions.

Go Chargers!

Cheers,

Dr. Glyn Cowlishaw

 

Middle and Upper School Schedule Modifications 

This schedule takes effect Wednesday, April 7, 2021:

• No homeroom. 
• Students may arrive to a classroom starting at 8:10AM
• MS/US students who arrive prior to 8:10AM will report to designated areas. This rotation is based on the current A, B, C model with drop classes. 

 8:20AM  -  9:25AM      First Period with Ascend Check

 9:30AM  - 10:30AM    Second Period

10:35AM - 11:10AM    Advisory, Assembly & Mask Break

11:15AM - 12:15PM     Third Period

12:20PM -  1:10PM     US Anchor / MS Lunch

 1:15PM -   2:05PM    MS Anchor / US Lunch 

 2:10PM -  3:10PM    Last Period

 3:15PM - 3:45PM     Extra Help Sessions

Lower School Schedule Modifications

Effective Wednesday, April 7, 2021:

• No change in arrival time.
• Schedule rotation remains the six-day A-F schedule.
• Dismissal time changes to 2:45 p.m.
• Bus departure time moves to 3:20 p.m.
• Lower School students who need to wait for older siblings will wait with their teachers as they have done previously.

First and foremost I would like to praise all the families and students who are doing so well with the current policies and guidelines. This is a tough time for all of us  and I ask that we remember to be kind and respectful to each other. In one way or another we will all be affected by this virus and no one should ever feel as if they are going through this alone or feel ashamed. We are all blessed to be a part of such a remarkable community. Let's work together and we will all get through this.

REMINDER: Reminders from the Health Room Nurses

• If you or any member of your household goes for testing due to symptoms, or exposure to someone who has tested positive, all members of the household must remain home until results are received.
• If you are getting tested for symptoms or exposure to someone who tested positive, PD will only accept the PCR COVID test. This is not the rapid test.
• If you are remote due to an exposure and quarantining at home, please make sure to complete your Ascend screening daily with symptoms and test dates if applicable. 
• If you have been identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive, you will be required to quarantine as determined by the health room nurses and current guidelines.

If my student is going to be absent, do I have to fill out Ascend?
Yes, it is even more important that Ascend is completed on days of absence as this will alert us to any students who are ill or have been exposed. 
 
If my student goes for a COVID test who should I notify?
You must notify the health room nurses any time your child or anyone in your home is being tested for COVID. In addition, if a member of your household is tested the rest of the household members must stay home until results are received. 
 
What do I do with the results of the COVID testing?
We are asking that you email a copy of your test results to one or the Health Room nurses. If you are unable to submit via email you may have your student bring a copy to us upon their return to campus.
 
If my student is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID, should I take them to be tested?
Please contact your child’s physician as they may recommend waiting 5-7 days before testing. Again please let the health room nurses know if someone is tested and the results.
 
If my student has been exposed and is required to quarantine, can they return if they receive a negative COVID test?
If a student is being asked to quarantine, they have been identified through contact tracing to have been a possible exposure or actually exposed. If your student does go for testing, please note all members of the household will need to remain home until results are received. You will be required to quarantine for a length of time as determined by the health room nurses and current guidelines.
 
What does quarantine mean, what is my student allowed to do?
During the quarantine your student should remain at home and distance themselves as much as possible from others. They should not be attending ANY activities outside of the home for the duration of this quarantine. 
 
Do siblings of my exposed student have to quarantine as well?
No, the guidelines do not require anyone to quarantine who has not had direct exposure to the person who has tested positive for COVID. If your student becomes symptomatic or tests positive while in quarantine then all those in the home would be required to quarantine as well. However, if the person who was exposed is unable to quarantine from the members of their household due to age or any other reason, those family members will need to stay home until the exposed household member's quarantine is complete.  
 
What is the process of communicating with the Providence Day Community for positive cases?
We look at every case individually. The nurses have all been certified through the Johns Hopkins Contact Tracing Course. Upon learning of a positive COVID case within our community the nurses begin extensive contact tracing; this includes interviews with the affected student and/or family. At this time the information is processed and close contacts are personally contacted to make them aware they have been exposed and will need to quarantine as determined by the health room nurses and current guidelines. If you are not contacted directly by the nurse but your student has shared a classroom or other small space or group on campus you will receive an email stating that there has been a positive case but are not considered to have been exposed. All other families will receive an email addressed to the PD Community informing you there has been a positive case reported. 
 

What if I have been vaccinated?

For those who have been fully vaccinated (i.e. 14 days or more past the final dose), a confirmed exposure no longer requires a quarantine. However, all other precautions including masking and distancing must continue to be practiced.

As always we are here to answer any questions or address any concerns.
--Your School Nurses

 

Screening and reporting within our community are some of the most important tools we have implemented in order to assist us with preventing the spread of COVID-19. This procedure includes daily health screenings of students, faculty/staff, and anyone entering our campus. 

Mask-wearing is another essential component. When we are masked, it reduces the exposure to and spread of the virus. The school has provided masks for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. 

Full compliance by students, employees, and parents with these measures is essential in order FOR OUR CAMPUS TO REMAIN OPEN AND FOR US TO REMAIN TOGETHER and SAFE. 

Additionally, we are making two major policy changes to reduce the chances of our students or employees experiencing an exposure that would require them to miss time on campus. 

1. No gatherings: There will be no non-student gatherings or special events on campus through at least May 14, 2021. (updated spring 2021). This applies to Parents’ Association meetings and socials; new-parent events; grandparent events; alumni events; and any other gathering that is not considered part of the core student experience. The school will make every effort to support alternative or virtual ways of delivering experiences until we can safely host visitors in person again.

2. No field trips or travel: Through at least May 14, 2021, there will be no field trips and overnight travel. There will be no travel for professional development or other school business. The school will leverage innovations in technology to continue our global connections and provide virtual or alternative experiences wherever available.

Both of these policies are continually being re-evaluated and updated. 

We are committed to ensuring our performing arts, athletics program, and extracurricular activities maintain their excellence, while ensuring the health and safety of our students. 

We are using the Base Camp health screening platform known as "Ascend" for daily health screenings of all students and employees to keep our campus safe and healthy. Each morning you answer a series of questions related to your students' health. Based on the answers to those questions you will be advised if your student can come to campus. The School receives a report each morning. If you do not complete the screening, your student will not be allowed on campus that day. If the tool is experiencing technical issues, you may complete a self-screening and must report any symptoms, exposures, or COVID-19 test results directly to Health Room Nurses.

As we enter our on-campus phase beginning April 7, it is more important than ever to complete Ascend screenings fully and accurately.

Please contact support@basecamp-health.com for any further issues with using the platform.
 

We are tripling our day-time custodial presence on campus during school hours. We have expanded our internal custodial team with subcontracted professionals, to provide additional support and expertise. In addition, we have taken the following measures:

• Purchased new specialty equipment for our custodial team to enable regular deep-cleaning. 

• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of all ductwork, vents, grates, classrooms, and hallways.

• More frequent cleaning during the day of high touch areas.

• Expanded existing UV lights in HVAC ductwork to improve air purification and adding ionization systems.

• Replaced ceiling tiles and lighting in Lower School

• Added portable air filtration units with HEPA filters and fans in order to improve air circulation.

Physical distancing* is another requirement we use to help keep our community healthy and safe. We will maintain six feet or. more of physical distance between students when masks are removed for dining or mask breaks. To the greatest extent possible, we will maintain 3 to 6 feet of distance in the classroom setting.

This has allowed us to be innovative in how we maximize space on our 46-acre campus. We have imagined new spaces that can be used for classrooms. We are encouraging more classes to spend time outside. 

• Dining spaces have been created across campus in order to allow for physical distancing during dining and decrease time/increase space for picking up prepackaged food and beverage options.

• We have invested in outdoor furniture and shade to encourage more outdoor learning and dining. 

• The “ferryboat” inner loop is closed after morning drop-off until afternoon pick-up. This allows more space for our students to move between buildings and provide additional outdoor learning space. 

• Age-appropriate signage is creating areas for one-way traffic in hallways and stairwells. 

• Distancing is being enforced in faculty and staff work areas.

• Usage of common areas such as the dining hall, theater, lecture hall, and foyer is being reimagined. We utilize large spaces such as the Ridenhour, MAC, King Room, and The Curve for teaching and learning.

• Modifications to morning and afternoon carpool. Further details provided in the schedule modification note above.

*Policies subject to changes based on updated guidelines from public health experts, federal and state agencies, and local medical experts.

We are more confident than ever that the PD Passport continues to be the most descriptive and aspirational framework for teaching and learning at Providence Day School. The PD Passport outlines the competencies necessary to become an effective and responsible member of the community.

Our Guiding Principles: 

• Designing a community-focused learning experience that prioritizes community vitality, equity, student social-emotional well being, and academic success.

• We are more excited than ever to double down on our investment in supporting the people we know to be the fundamental elements of our community: Students, Parents, and our Faculty.

• All faculty have undergone professional development in order to prepare for the requirements of this school year. Lessons are designed to optimize fluid teaching that can transition between different school models.

• Materials, furniture, and technology have been purchased in order to provide students with an educational experience that keeps them safe, and provides a consistent teaching and learning environment.

• Innovative solutions for large classes have been implemented, such as Performing Arts and PE. The performing arts classes are modified using resources from the National Association for Music Education and emerging health guidelines.

• Due to the increase in outdoor learning spaces, outdoor dining options, and redesign of our PE classes and protocol, all students are welcome to dress in PD Spirit Wear daily for the 2020-21 school year. Visit www.pdspiritstore.com to purchase PD gear. 

In all scenarios, we are committed to continuing programming that provides students with a sense of community, connecting, and belonging. 

Extended Day

As you probably know, Extended Day is known for flexible childcare options for our families. However, it is necessary for us to temporarily restructure our program in order to adhere to safety precautions. 

Due to the current health crisis, Extended Day is available only for families in need of afternoon childcare as their only option.

For safety purposes, most daily activities previously offered by Extended Day (including enrichments) are not available. 

Extended Day closes daily at 5 PM.

Thank you for understanding our effort to keep our school community safe.

Clubhouse

Clubhouse is open to those Middle School students whose parents are not able to pick them up at dismissal time. However, it is necessary for us to temporarily restructure our program in order to adhere to safety precautions. Social distancing and the wearing of masks is mandatory at all times. Additionally, our program closes daily at 5:00 PM.

Daily activities differ from what we usually offer in the afternoons; however, we make it as enjoyable as possible for the students attending.

Thank you for understanding our effort to keep our school community safe. 
 

As we have shared previously, we have partnered with FLIK to safely provide pre-packaged breakfast, lunch, and beverage options for our students. FLIK employees have received additional health and safety training and follow all FLIK and PD protocol for daily health screenings, wearing masks, physical distancing, and healthy hygiene. 

Dining takes place across campus in small groups so physical distancing can be maintained when masks are removed.  All food and beverage is pre-packaged and there is no self service. All payment options are touchless and your student can continue to use their FLIK dining account number for payment. 

Please see below for dining locations, payment options and Lower School pre-ordering information. For sample menus, click here.

Lower School Dining

All Lower School (TK-5)  dining takes place outdoors or in the classroom. Lower School dining health and safety protocol includes hand washing before and after dining, safe removal of masks, physical distancing, and delivered pre-packaged food distributed by the teacher. Each space that is used for dining  is cleaned and sanitized following lunch. 

If your child is ordering lunch from FLIK, we are excited to offer pre-ordering and payment capabilities through the NutriSlice App. As Lower School meals are delivered, you must pre-order 48 hours prior to the day of delivery. 

Please reach out to Phillip Nash, Director of Dining Services at pds.dining@providenceday.org with any questions or concerns about FLIK dining or your student's dining account.

MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL DINING

Middle School and Upper School lunch is in advisee groups across campus. Dining locations include outdoors, the dining hall, Fine Arts foyer, Stable and Global Cafe, MAC Concourse, and classrooms. Middle and Upper School dining health and safety protocol includes hand washing or sanitizing before and after dining, safe removal of masks, physical distancing and pre-packaged food and beverage items. Each space that is used for dining is cleaned and sanitized following lunch. 

Your student is able to pick up their pre-packaged FLIK lunch at one of six serving locations across campus. This allows students to maintain physical distance and decrease their wait time. 

Students cannot eat outside of their assigned lunch and break time in order to reduce the amount of time we are together without masks. If your Middle or Upper School student arrives on campus early, there are prepackaged breakfast options in the Dining Hall. Grab and go breakfast is available for purchase in the Dining Hall and your student will proceed to his or her advisee room. 

Please reach out to Phillip Nash, Director of Dining Services at pds.dining@providenceday.org with any questions or concerns about FLIK dining. You may contact Alexa Giovanis at alexa.giovanis@providenceday.org about your student's dining account.

Thank you for your patience as we work together to bring you bus service that includes updated health and safety protocol for the 2020-21 school year. 

Please see the attached link (updated spring 2021) for transportation schedules, fares registration and our updated  health and safety protocol. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ben Sigg our Transportation Coordinator at ben.sigg@providenceday.org. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

As always, we have been guided by what we can do to keep our students, faculty, and PD community safe. At times, these decisions are difficult as we have seen the scientists, medical experts, and public health agencies do not always agree. 

There are a number of known steps we can take to help keep our community safe and healthy but it is impossible to eliminate all risks associated with the virus. We all have to make decisions about how we choose to be together and work together as a PD family in order to stay safe and healthy.

In order to ease in to the school year, the daily schedule for remote learning during the first few weeks will vary. 

Together, parents may expect:

• Daily small group instruction

• Cumulative assessments for key concepts

• Weekly one-on-one touchpoints with the remote learning teacher 

• Project-based activities 

• Special area activities, either recorded or streamed 

• Parent Information Session; Date TBD

• Grade Level Supply Kit and Remote Learning Kit; Pick up Date: TBD

Remote Learning Instructional Plan:

• Grades TK-5: Remotely attend morning meetings daily with their on campus peers 

• Grades TK-2: 

  • Language Arts and Math in-class lessons will be recorded.

  • Small group instruction will take place 2x daily for 30-minute sessions. These groups will be led by a LS faculty member or content specialist to reinforce/extend the concepts taught in the recorded lessons.

  • Additional age-appropriate work will be assigned through Seesaw to reinforce phonics, reading, and writing skills.

  • Project-based tasks will be assigned in Social Studies and/or Science.
     

• Grades 3-5:

  • Students stream into the classroom to watch Language Arts and Math lessons in addition to World Language classes.

  • Small group instruction will take place 2x daily for 30-minute sessions in Math and Language Arts. These groups will be led by a LS faculty member or content specialist to reinforce/extend the concepts taught through the streamed lessons.

  • To reinforce Language Arts, Math, and writing skills, additional work will be assigned through Seesaw for grade 3 and assigned in Google Classroom for grades 4-5.

  • Project-based independent work will be assigned in Social Studies and/or Science.

Daily Remote Learning Schedule (Tentative)

*Fluid schedule depending on the number of students enrolled in remote learning
*Times of morning meeting may vary depending on grade level

Daily:
Morning Time:

Morning Meeting
Instructional Time (Including recorded/streamed lessons, small groups, and independent work that will vary by grade level)

Afternoon Time:

Special area classes (TBD)
Independent work 
Individual touchpoints with remote learning teachers

Check-in and Reentry Timeline:

• August 31: Check-in survey sent to LS parents to see if you would like to attend classes on campus.
• September 8: First date for remote learners to return to campus
• Week of September 21: Check-in survey sent to LS Parents to see if you would like to attend class. 
• September 29:  Second date for remote learners to return to campus.
• Further check-ins and reentry dates will follow. 

Technology:

• Grades TK-3: Seesaw will be used to implement the remote learning process.

• Grades 4th and 5th: Google Classroom will be used to implement the remote learning process.

Personnel:
Instructors:

• LS Reading Specialist
• LS Math Specialist
• PD lead teachers

Administrative Coordinator and Contact: Elisa Clark,  Lower School Learning Specialist
Role of Learning Specialist for Remote Learners:

• Manage regular caseload of remote learning students
• Assign students in remote learning situations to coordinated instructors
• Conduct weekly check-ins with each grade level remote learning instructor

For the first three weeks of school, the opt-in remote learners will follow the same schedule as the on-campus group. Each day will contain a combination of synchronous classroom activity (live streamed) and asynchronous activity (pre-recorded or independent home-based study).

On Aug. 31, families will receive a new survey to specify their preference for either remote learning or returning to campus beginning Sept. 8.

Details of the on-campus schedule from Sept. 8 onward will be shared at the time of that survey.