Country Day Connected 2021 - Cincinnati Country Day

CDConnected2021

SCHOOL PLANS, DISTANCE LEARNING RESOURCES, COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS & FAQS

Welcome to the Country Day CONNECTED 20-21 resource page.

Below you will find details of our plans to help you navigate the school year. Please take time to read the detail of our plans.

The science of COVID-19 and the resulting guidance (particularly as it pertains to health and safety) are updated continually, and as such, the information below will be revised and refined regularly.

Resources

Guiding Principles

Recognizing the need for adaptability, while also delivering a reliable and consistent educational experience, our planning has been founded on the following guiding principles.These principles will be applied in both on-campus or remote learning environments.

(Click here for a pdf copy).

1. Safety first. With the threat of illness from the Covid-19, Country Day will offer an educational
program that prioritizes the health of our students, their families, and our teachers and staff
members. We will follow guidance from federal, state, and local authorities and partner with other
independent schools to plan the learning environment. When on-campus learning is possible,
sustaining a healthy campus will require us all to work together in cooperation and with the
assumption of positive intent.

2. “Whole Child” education. Country Day’s goal is to optimize student learning for each child. In an
environment that may require modified access to campus and/or an extension of remote learning,
we will work to deliver a robust academic program, recognizing that students’ learning needs
change in different environments. We will offer a “whole child” program that includes athletics,
arts, clubs, and enrichment opportunities.

3. Social and emotional well-being. We recognize the challenges we face at this time, and we must
identify ways to support the emotional and social needs of our students, their families, teachers,
and staff members.

4. A commitment to “know and nurture” our students. We will keep the teacher-student relationship
at the foundation of our planning, to ensure we sustain our commitment to know and nurture our
students and guide their learning to reach their potential.

5. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The school will maintain its commitment to equity, diversity, and
inclusion, sustaining efforts to ensure all our community members feel included and part of the
larger collective, and that education is provided equitably to all students.

6. Familiar, consistent, reliable, and secure technology architecture. Technology used to support
remote learning will be based on existing and well-established platforms and approaches, consistent
with our students’ longer-term educational needs and grounded in sound pedagogy. We learned
much during our sudden shift to remote learning, and we want to make sure the successes and
failures, of both student and teacher experiences, inform our further decisions.

7. Program design and resource allocation directed to learner need. As an institution with students
aged 18 months to 18 years, Country Day will build programs that align with the relative abilities of
students to learn and engage independently. Educationally, our youngest learners require a level of
in-person support and supervision beyond that of our older students, and our program delivery and
resource allocation will reflect this consideration.

8. Flexible program delivery. As we monitor progress of the Covid-19 situation, we will establish clear
protocols to address when and how we may shift between modes of program delivery, including on
campus instruction, remote learning, or a blend of the two.

9. Strong and frequent communication. Communication is key to establishing open and productive
partnerships with parents and students to support learning and provide appropriate feedback on
progress. We will provide frequent opportunities for communication between parents and teachers,
or students and teachers, as developmentally appropriate.

10. Balanced use of school resources. We will balance investment to ensure the delivery of a robust
educational experience in the current environment with the investment for the longer-term health
and stability of the school.

CCDS Quarantine Guidelines

CCDS Quarantine Guidelines

Who needs to quarantine and for how long?

· Individuals who have been in close contact with a Covid-positive individual are required to quarantine for 10 days*.

o People who have had Covid-19 within the past three months and have provided the school with test results are not required to quarantine after close contact.

· Individuals with household member(s) undergoing a Covid test must quarantine until the test result is received.

o If the test is negative, the individual may return to campus immediately.

o If the test is positive, the individual is required to quarantine 10 days from the date of their last close contact with the positive individual.

*If you cannot safely isolate away from a Covid-positive individual living in your household, your 10-day quarantine starts at the end of the Covid-positive individual’s 10-day isolation.

What counts as close contact?

· You were within 6 feet of someone who has Covid-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more.

· You shared eating or drinking utensils.

· They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.

· You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them).

Stay home and monitor your health

· Stay home for 10 days after your last contact with the Covid-positive individual.

· Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of Covid-19.

· If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting sick from Covid-19.

Please contact your division head, divisional assistant or email covid19safety@countryday.net to report if your child is being tested, has tested positive, or has been in close contact with a Covid-positive individual.

Questions? Email covid19safety@countryday.net.

Daily Schedules

A key underlying assumption in planning Country Day CONNECTED is the likelihood that state and local mandates could result in further disruption to operations. As such, we have adopted daily schedules across all three divisions that will allow for smooth transition between in-person and remote learning, should the need arise.

The on-campus and remote learning schedules for Lower, Middle and Upper Schools can be viewed below.

Lower School
Middle and Upper School

Lower School

The lower school program will:

Afford students a full range of academic and co-curricular (specials) programming.
Foster social and emotional learning and attention to student health.
Minimize sharing with labeled containers with learning materials and school supplies.
Allow for the disinfecting of shared learning materials.
Include classrooms designed to allow for social distancing while maintaining an
interactive learning space.
Establish an outdoor schedule to avoid the co-mingling of groups.
Limit unintentional interactions using traffic patterns and visual cues.

Click here for a pdf document containing Lower School On-Campus and Remote Daily Schedules for Early Childhood, Pre-Primary and Primary.

Middle and Upper School

The new US/MS schedule:

Allows for increased flexibility between remote and in-person learning
Supports our commitment to engaging students with their teachers throughout the school day—whether remote or in person
Allows for rotation of the courses
Enables Connected/synchronous time for a full 75 minutes
Allows for SEL/Health/Peer Mentoring
Empowers students with the full slate of academic and co-curricular programming
Allows for fewer transitions/focus in preparation (homework each night for 4 classes instead of 8)
Facilitates easier schedule for cross-over teachers (no missed class time)

Remote Learning Schedule:
Click here for a pdf document with both Middle and Upper School.

Drop-off and pick-up schedule and procedures

Click here for a pdf copy.

DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP SCHEDULES

Staggered drop-off and pick-up times will be implemented for each division. This will facilitate physical distancing, accommodate daily health screenings of students, and allow adequate time for cleaning at the end of each day.

Drop-off and pick-up will be at specified locations on campus, subject to division and are detailed in the table below.

Parents with students in multiple divisions (including Lower School) should drop all their students at the designated location of their lower school student(s). Middle and upper school students may then walk to their respective entry points. Families with multiple lower school students may be required to drop off at two (or three) locations, as applicable to the grades of their students.

All buildings will close at 4 p.m. Only students enrolled in Learning Lab, the After-School Program (Early Childhood through 6th grade) or Study Hall (7th through 12th grade) are permitted to remain on campus. Upper school students participating in interscholastic sports or the upper school performing arts productions will be allowed to remain on campus under the supervision of their coaches/directors. All other students are required to leave at 4 p.m.

Students must register for LS Early Morning Drop-off, LS and MS Learning Lab, LS and MS After School, and Grade 7 – 12 Study Hall for the full year, allowing the school to schedule appropriate supervision and maintain physical distancing protocols. These services will not be available for ad hoc, daily “drop-in”.

To accommodate late arriving students, families should notify their respective divisional office to arrange for a health screening before their child may enter the building. Similarly, students who need to leave and return to campus on the same day, should work with the divisional offices to arrange for a student’s return to school if they leave campus for an appointment.

With these modified drop-off and pick-up schedules, the school realizes that traffic patterns may become congested—especially at the beginning of the school year—as the school refines the process for safely entering our students into the buildings. As always, we ask parents for vigilance and a safe rate of speed when driving on campus.
Drop off and pick up schedule

Health and Safety protocols

Maintaining the health and safety of all individuals on campus will be our priority in delivering in-person learning to our students. While we cannot guarantee a COVID-19-free environment, we have created new health and safety policies to protect—as far as reasonably possible—our students, their families, and our teachers and staff.

The policies below have been developed from protocols advised by the CDC to best reduce the spread of COVID-19. These policies will be strictly enforced for all individuals on campus.

Daily Screening Policy

Daily Screening Procedure

To help prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 in our community, it is extremely important that students displaying signs of illness remain at home and not be permitted on campus. Parents are urged to monitor for symptoms daily, including taking their child(ren)’s temperature prior to departing for school.

All students and visitors will be screened for symptoms of illness prior to entering the school buildings. All Country Day employees will be required to self-screen for symptoms before coming to campus.

Procedure for students and visitors

Screening procedures will take place at carline or at various entry points to the school buildings. Parents of lower school students will be required to wait while a brief screening is conducted. Parents of middle and upper school students will be encouraged to wait, recognizing that—if they choose to leave—they may be required to return to campus if their student is found to be symptomatic.

Visitors and upper school students who drive to campus will be screened at a checkpoint before they can enter school buildings.

· Touch-free, infrared, forehead thermometers will be used to screen students and visitors for elevated temperature.

· Visitors and students (or parent, in the case of lower school students) will be required to confirm that no fever-reducing medication has been taken.

· Fever will be determined based on our communicable disease policy (a measured temperature of 100°F or greater using the auxiliary method).

· If no fever is present, visitors and students will be asked additional screening questions to determine if the visitor/student has been experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:

-      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

· Visitors and students (or parents of lower school students) will also be asked if:

- They or their child(ren) have been in close proximity to any individual who has tested positive for COVID-19

- They or their child(ren) have traveled internationally or out-of-state in the past 14 days. All students and visitors to campus will be required to adhere to the quarantine requirements outlined in our Travel Policy.

· If fever is present, or the individual indicates any symptoms of illness, or has returned from an area requiring quarantine, the individual will not be allowed to enter the school buildings, will be sent home, and (in the case of symptoms) be encouraged to call his/her healthcare provider.

physical distancing and classroom setup

For a pdf, click here.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING & CLASSROOM SETUP

The CDC recommends physical distancing as an effective means of reducing exposure and slowing the transmission of contagious diseases. Practicing physical distancing helps protect everyone.

All individuals on campus will be required to observe the following physical distancing protocols wherever possible:

· Maintain at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and others.

· Avoid shaking hands and close physical contact with others.

· Do not share water bottles, food, towels, utensils, etc.

The school has conducted a thorough review of its spaces, including all classrooms and communal spaces, to confirm physical distancing can be maintained in accommodating students. We are fortunate to be a small school, with large spaces. In the majority of cases, six-foot separations are possible. There are a small number of learning spaces where distancing may be limited to between four and six feet. Additional protocols will be implemented in these spaces (e.g. plexiglass barriers), and students will be required to adhere to the direction of their teachers.

Classrooms and other learning spaces will have assigned seating to facilitate contact tracing procedures in the event of a positive or suspected COVID-19 case.

Division-specific details:

Upper School

· Students will be assigned to study halls and supervised areas during unscheduled bells to ensure physical distancing.

· Classrooms and advisories will have assigned seats.

· Teachers will be positioned in hallways during transitions to enforce mask and physical distancing policies.

· Disposable aprons and gloves will be supplied in science labs for student use when handling chemicals, replacing the shared-use aprons previously worn.

· Students will have access to personal supplies in art classes to prevent cross-contamination.

· Performing arts classes will incorporate accommodations to minimize risk associated with singing and instrumental play. More details will follow, based on guidelines from the numerous performing arts associations.

Middle School

· Directional hallways and stairways will be used, with teachers positioned in hallways during transitions to enforce mask and physical distancing policies.

· Classrooms and advisories will have assigned seats.

· Students will bring personal supplies to art classes to prevent cross-contamination.

Lower School

· The Lower School daily schedule has been created to keep students in their small classroom cohort throughout the day and limit any intermingling of students, staff and faculty across classrooms and grade levels.

· Classrooms will have assigned seating and students will have individual learning bins and supplies. Any shared supplies will be disinfected after each use.

· Classroom set-ups have been re-designed to promote physical distancing.

As guidance on physical distancing continues to evolve, we will monitor and amend these protocols as appropriate. All members of the CCDS community are asked to help with these physical distancing efforts.

Face Covering Policy

other protective equipment

For a pdf copy, click here.

other protective equipment

Face Shields

Face shields may be worn by any individual while on campus. This is not a requirement but optional for students, students’ parent(s), and faculty/staff member. Shields will be worn in addition to face coverings required under the face covering policy.

Plexiglass Barriers

Plexiglass barriers will be used in a number of locations, including rooms with shared tables, the dining terrace, and science laboratories (in certain circumstances).

Campus Visitor policy

Under normal circumstances, Country Day welcomes parents and visitors to campus since we value the many ways our community supports our students’ growth and development. However, as an additional step to help contain the spread of disease, we are strictly limiting visitors in the current environment. Among other restrictions, parents will not be allowed to accompany their students into the buildings.

Visitor Policy
All visitors to campus must adhere to the following guidelines as recommended and required by Country Day and the State of Ohio.

Questions: (513) 979-0210 or paffk@countryday.net.

	Mandatory	Recommended
General Visitors	• Completion of CCDS health check form before arrival: Admission Visitors All Other Visitors • Stay at home if symptomatic of any illness • Face coverings supplied by visitor; ages 2 and above • Limited to four family members only • Adhere to a 6-foot rule for social distancing between visitors and CCDS students and staff at all times • Check-in with building receptionist • Receive visitor’s badge and additional instructions • Check-out with building receptionist	• No visitors under the age of 2 or over 65 • No visitors who have travelled abroad in the past 14 days
Time on Campus	• Mask should be worn whenever possible • Refrain from bringing food or drink into campus buildings; including personal water bottles • No eating or drinking outside of the Dining Terrace • Do not use inside or outside areas (play grounds, fields, courts etc.) for individual or group use without prior approval	• Refrain from opening doors other than restrooms • Refrain from handling or distributing materials • Refrain from using light switches, projectors, phones, copiers, and other school equipment • Limited personal items (bags) to one per person unless approved otherwise • Restrict number of adults or students within classroom or meeting spaces; no groups larger than 10
Suspected Cases of Illness	• Immediately notify the school nurse to isolate and seek medical care for any illness • Shutdown areas for immediate sanitation • Contact Jobs and Family Service and the Hamilton Country Board of Health with suspected cases of Covid-19	• School will work with local agencies to facilitate effective contact tracing • If testing is available, school will test all suspected exposures

Due to the nature of visits to campus, visitors may be asked to follow additional guidelines if meeting with students in a small group of less than 10 people, or in a specific area of a facility that is not a common space.

Travel Quarantines

For a pdf copy, click here.

International

In accordance with CDC guidelines, students who travel internationally are required to stay home and will not be permitted on campus for 14 days from the time they return to the U.S. Similarly, parents/visitors who travel internationally will not be permitted on campus for 14 days following their return to the U.S.

During this 14-day period, the CDC recommends physical distancing and monitoring your health:

· Take your temperature two times a day and monitor for fever.

· Watch for cough or trouble breathing.

· Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to school or work.

· Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares.

· Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet).

Domestic

In undertaking our re-opening on August 19, CCDS will observe prevailing state and local mandates regarding quarantines for individuals returning home from out-of-state.

The Ohio Department of Health advises those entering Ohio after travel to states reporting positive Covid-19 testing rates of 15% or higher to self-quarantine for 14 days. The list of states will be updated on Wednesday of every week and is available on ODH’s website (Covid-19 Travel Advisory).

We ask you to observe this advisory. Families returning from the states listed will be required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days before returning to campus. We recognize that this may cause inconvenience for families who booked holiday plans before the state of Ohio implemented a travel advisory. Students will be able to participate in remote learning should this period of quarantine extend into the start of the academic year, returning to on-campus instruction once quarantine is completed.

Hygiene and cleaning protocols

For a pdf copy, click here.

Handwashing

Since handwashing is one of the best ways to protect our community against the spread of disease, students will be provided ample opportunities to wash their hands throughout the school day, including before and after meals. Hand sanitizer will be available in all classrooms and in common spaces throughout campus.

Teachers will reinforce the importance of frequent handwashing and instruct students on the proper way to wash (using soap and warm water for 20 seconds) and use hand sanitizer (apply and rub hands together for 20 seconds to spread gel over all surfaces of the hands).

Division-specific details:

· Lower school students will wash/sanitize upon arrival, and before and after any transition, or every hour.

· Upper and middle school students will wash their hands or use hand sanitizer during the 15-minute changeovers between classes.

We will be limiting the number of students allowed in restrooms at one time. Capacity will be determined based on the size and configuration of each restroom, and signs will be displayed to indicate maximum capacity.

By making handwashing part of our everyday routines we can set a good example for our students and help keep our community healthy.

Teachers will also remind students to:

· avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth, especially with unwashed hands.

· cough/sneeze into a tissue or sleeve.

Air Flow

We have taken steps to improve ventilation in our buildings, based on recommendations laid out by the CDC. In particular:

· We have also adjusted our HVAC systems to maximize the percentage of outdoor air that flows into our school buildings.

· We are upgrading air filters from MERV-10 to MERV-13 to increase particle and droplet capture.

· Exterior windows will be kept open when conditions allow, to provide natural ventilation and increase outdoor air dilution of indoor air.

· We will maximize use of our 62-acre campus, with classes held outside when practical.

Cleaning and Disinfecting the Buildings/Classrooms

The school’s facility team has taken several measures to enhance its daily cleaning protocols. Abbreviated campus hours will allow additional time for more thorough and frequent cleaning, with an increased focus on high touch surfaces and objects (e.g., desks, chairs, door handles faucets, light switches, etc.). The school uses EPA approved disinfecting products that are effective against viruses.

Faculty and staff will also take lead in helping to sanitize their own work and learning spaces and directing students, as appropriate, to do the same.

Cleaning supplies (i.e., surface cleaner spray, paper towels, and hand sanitizer that is 60% alcohol based) are available throughout common areas of the buildings.

Handwashing
Cleaning and Disinfecting the Buildings/Classrooms

Handwashing

avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth, especially with unwashed hands
cough/sneeze into a tissue or sleeve

By making handwashing part of our everyday routines we can set a good example for our students and help keep our community healthy.

Cleaning and Disinfecting the Buildings/Classrooms

Handwashing

avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth, especially with unwashed hands
cough/sneeze into a tissue or sleeve

By making handwashing part of our everyday routines we can set a good example for our students and help keep our community healthy.

Cleaning and Disinfecting the Buildings/Classrooms

The school’s facility team has taken several measures to enhance its daily cleaning protocols. Abbreviated campus hours will allow additional time for more through and frequent cleanings with an increased focus on high touch surfaces and objects (e.g., desks, chairs, door handles faucets, light switches, etc.). The school uses EPA approved disinfecting products that are effective against viruses.

Cleaning supplies (i.e., surface cleaner spray, paper towels, and hand sanitizer that is 60% alcohol based) are available throughout common areas of the buildings.

Protocols for responding to confirmed or suspected Covid cases on campus

communicable disease policy

Students, faculty, and staff will adhere to the school’s Communicable Disease Policy and remain off campus if they display symptoms of Covid-19 or any other communicable disease.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE POLICY

The administration and teachers are routinely trained in recognizing communicable diseases. The Ohio Department of Health “Communicable Disease Chart” is posted in the Nurse’s Office, Lower School and at the Early Childhood House. Notes will be sent home to all families when any child or teacher has become ill with a contagious disease while in attendance. A child with signs of a communicable disease will be discharged to their parents within one hour. If both parents are unavailable, the persons designated on the emergency form will be called. Until the parents arrive, the child will be kept in isolation from the rest of the group, but within sight of the teacher, administrator or nurse. A form will be sent home with the child detailing his/her symptoms and information regarding his/her return to school.

A child with the following symptoms will be dismissed from school. The child will be readmitted when the symptoms have ceased for at least 24 hours without use of medications.

An oral temperature of 100 degrees or above (99 degrees using the auxiliary method) when in combination with other signs of illness
Diarrhea – (defined as: more watery, less formed, more frequent stools than typical for the child) more than one within a 24 hour period
Vomiting
Lice or other parasitic infestation – the school nurse must clear the child before the child returns to the school
Rashes of undetermined origin
Lethargy affecting the child’s ability to learn
Difficulty breathing, wheezing or rapid breathing, not associated with a pre- diagnosed medical condition
Unexplained blood in stools, unusually dark urine and/or grey or white stool
Discharge, itchiness or redness in the eyes
Severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or to make a whooping sound
Sore throat or difficulty in swallowing
Symptoms that are thought to be infectious as listed on the Ohio Department of Health “Communicable Disease Chart”

Transportation Policy

Click here for a pdf.

SCHOOL GROUP TRANSPORTATION PROTOCOLS
DURING COVID-19

Please adhere to these guidelines when transporting student groups to and from campus, athletic practices/games, and other school-related events. This includes bus, van, Suburban, and car transportation. All adults including drivers, coaches, parents, chaperones, and Country Day personnel are responsible for monitoring and enforcing the following:

1.   All students and adults in a school vehicle should be masked at all times.
2.   Students should sit as a far away as possible from others in a vehicle. Alternate seating (every other seat) should be practiced, and family members should sit together. Half of maximum capacity should be maintained whenever possible.
3.   Windows should be down to allow for maximum air flow during warmer months. Windows should be cracked during inclement and colder weather.
4.   Avoid using the recycled air option when a vehicle is in motion.
5.   All school vehicles should be loaded back-to-front and unloaded front-to-back.
6.   Eating and/or drinking inside of a school vehicle is not permitted.
7.   All school vehicles should be properly disinfected and cleaned after each use.
8.   All other guidelines set forth by the school or driver must followed including adherence to the Country Day character virtues.

These guidelines should also be followed as closely as possible when carpooling among families to and from school-related events. We ask families who carpool to set expectations and guidelines in advance of transporting non-family members.

Lunch Arrangements

Click here for a pdf.

Lunch will be provided to all students on campus. The lunch format will vary by division. See divisional sections below.

Please note:

i. There will be no buffet or self-service; and

ii. No outside food deliveries will be allowed.

The Touch of Sage phone app posts up-to-date menus. A sample menu is attached for your interest.

Sample Menu.pdf

Upper School

Upper school lunch will be served from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. Students will select from pre-portioned lunch items, and eat in the Dining Terrace and South Gym, to facilitate physical distancing.

Middle School

Middle school lunch will be served from 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

· Students’ arrival in the Dining Terrace will be staggered by grade.

· Students will have a “Pick and Go” lunch, selecting from pre-portioned lunch items.

· Students will eat in the South Gym, MS Thesing Commons, outside on the MS Pad, and in classrooms. The range of locations will allow students to see their friends and socialize, in an appropriately distanced manner.

Lower School

· ECC, ECII, MI and MII: lunch will be delivered to classrooms at 11:30 a.m.

· K, MK: lunch will be eaten in the Yeiser Auditorium at 11:00 a.m.

· PKI: lunch will be eaten in the Yeiser Auditorium at 11:30 a.m.

· PKII: lunch will be eaten in the Yeiser Auditorium at 12:00 p.m.

Grades 1-4: lunch will be eaten in the Dining Terrace, with arrival staggered by grade in the period 10:55 – 11:10 a.m. Lunch will finish at 11:40 a.m. Teachers will review the menu with students before arriving in the Dining Terrace, and traffic flow arrows and dots will be used on the floor to promote physical distancing.

Elective Remote Learning for the 2020-21 school year

Country Day plans to have on-campus instruction for the 2020-21 school year, yet we realize some parents, due to their families’ health needs, may not feel comfortable having their children on campus for in-person instruction during the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, Country Day is providing students with the opportunity to participate remotely in classes held on campus using Microsoft TEAMS to allow remote learners to participate in live, on-campus synchronous classes as well as asynchronous work.

This policy describes the program and how the learning experience would be similar and dissimilar to an on-campus experience.

Learning Arrangement

Students in all three divisions (Kindergarten – 12th grade) may elect to attend Country Day during the 2020-21 school year remotely even when our mode of instruction will be on-campus classes. The school has outfitted classrooms so students may participate in classes using videoconference platforms on Microsoft TEAMS. Additionally, to support LS students’ remote learning, the school has invested in Surface devices for all K-4 students.

Student learning would be based on the same syllabus for in-person instruction, and grading policies and reporting would be identical for both learners.

Country Day will make every attempt to provide a similar learning experience for remote learners, and the faculty will participate in professional development this summer in the lead up to the start of school to best plan for the integration of remote learners into a face-to-face classroom.

Despite efforts to make the remote learning experience similar to in-person instruction, parents and students must understand that remote learning will come with limitations compared to students who are physically present in the classroom and will never be a full substitute for in-person instruction. Experimental instruction such as lab science and studio art, for example, will be challenging to duplicate at home; however, the school will make every effort to provide materials so remote learning can be fulsome.

Some of the remote program, such as physical education, would require students to participate remotely on their own. Country Day will provide programs and support, but it will be the responsibility of the individual learner and/or their family to complete requirements.

Elective remote learning will, by definition, be a different experience by division and the age of the learner. Lower school students who elect this option will need significant support from parents to partner with the school and to have the children participate as fully as possible.

Families who opt for remote learning are required to commit to the program for a full semester. Students will not be permitted to re-enroll for in-person, on campus instruction until the second semester, which begins January 4, 2021. Following the fall semester, students will be provided an opportunity to elect to attend on-campus instruction in the second semester.

Restrictions

Students who elect to participate in their academics remotely may not participate in co-curriculars activities held on campus, including sports, clubs and activities, and enrichment programs. Moreover, students electing remote instruction should refrain from coming to campus unless special arrangements are made with teachers. We realize that co-curricular programs are an important part of a Country Day whole-child education, but for safety reasons, we cannot allow for on-campus participation using an à la carte approach.

The nature of the remote learning program and the need for faculty and staff to develop and administer parallel learning environments for both in-person and remote learner requires significant resources. The election of the remote learning program does not constitute a reduction or increase in tuition or fees, and all families who select this program will billed at the same costs as outlined during the enrollment or reenrollment process.

Commitment to excellence

Country Day is committed to providing the best education for each of its students. In this spirit, we will work tirelessly to include students in our program who elect remote instruction during the 2020-21 school year and to ensure their learning is the richest and fullest possible. Our modern learning environment allowed CCDS to pivot smoothly to fully remote learning last spring, and we will continue to take advantage of this environment to allow remote learners to be active participants in their live, on campus synchronous classes, as well as asynchronous collaboration and work. These are unusual times, and we will do everything we can to provide choice for excellence in learning.

Electing remote learning

Those families who wish to elect remote learning for their child must complete a request form provided by the Country Day Admission’s department. This form must be completed by Tuesday August 4, 2020 at 11:59 pm.