Our Lady of Victory School FAQ Document

 as of 8/17/2020

Questions will be updated as submissions are received.

Please be sure to read the materials published on our Opening 2020 page by clicking here, as well as the questions below, before submitting a question.

In School/Remote Learning Options:

How many days will in school learning be?  Is there an option for a “hybrid” model?  (eg. two days at school, three days at home).
OLV School is planning to open for in person instruction five days a week, with an option for full remote learning at home.  

Can a student switch to the remote model mid-trimester?    
In the interest of applying structure most effectively for the benefit of our students and teachers, we feel a commitment to one of the two learning models offered is needed at this time.   The administration and faculty, with feedback from parents, will reasses learning models as the second trimester approaches.  

If a student is on remote learning for the first trimester, is that student guaranteed a space in the classroom if his/her parent requests in-school instruction for the second trimester?
Yes.  Class size is being limited regardless of how many students opt for the Remote Learning model.

Which grades will participate in the Chromebook program?
The plan is for all students in grades 4 through 8 (both in school and remote learners), to be loaned OLV School Chromebooks.
 

IN SCHOOL

Social Distancing:
OLV School is capping class sizes to accommodate social distancing.  Rooms have been measured and no classroom will compromise appropriate social distancing.  Clear, physical barriers are being installed at all student and teacher desks.  The Library/Art Room has become a classroom space to accommodate one of our larger grades (3rd Grade).  

Masks:

How will social distance be maintained with younger students who will not be wearing masks all day?
Our class sizes are being adjusted to allow for social distancing.

If students are able to maintain 6 feet of distance within the classroom, will they be able to remove their masks.
Masks will not be required when social distancing can be maintained.   When social distancing cannot be maintained, mask breaks will be built into the schedule utilizing outside spaces and/or the gym. 

Can children wear any mask they are comfortable with?  
Yes, as found in the school’s COVID-19 Secure Reopening Plan:

• Our Lady of Victory School will require all students, teachers, staff, and visitors to arrive at the facility wearing masks. 
• Anyone who arrives without a mask will be provided one upon arrival before they are permitted to enter the school. 
• An adequate two-week supply of PPE for all students and faculty will be kept onsite at all times. 

SCHEDULE:

Will the school day, or aspects of it (ig. lunch /recess) be shortened?  
The schedule for the school day will not be adjusted.

What are the plans for lunch/recess?
There will be no lunch service program when school begins - students will bring their own lunch and eat in their classrooms.  Students will have recess outside weather permitting.

Will there be any "normal" activities? (Thankful Thursday, School Masses, etc).
We are working to ensure that our students will have a variety of “normal” activities to the extent that they are within guidelines.  At the moment, there are no plans for assemblies or large gatherings.

How is Physical Education going to work?  
As found in the school’s COVID-19 Secure Reopening Plan:

• Physical Education will continue in an adapted capacity. 

• As weather permits and as much as feasible, gym classes will occur outside. 

• 12 feet of space will be mandated between students while engaging in physical activity. 

• The youngest grades in the building will have hula hoops pre-placed 12 feet apart to help them identify how to space themselves apart. 

• Gym classes will be adapted to not permit any close contact activities or high-risk sports. 

UNIFORMS:

What adjustments to uniform requirements will be made?   
The school year will begin, as it always has, with the summer uniform option in place.  Other options are being assessed.  As mentioned in the Reopening Plan, boys will not be required to wear ties.   Students will be required to wear their gym uniforms on gym days.

BEFORE SCHOOL/AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS:

Will before or after school be available? If so, is paperwork going to be mailed home?
The BSP and ASP programs will be available.  Information will be posted on our website by August 21st.

REMOTE LEARNING

How will the remote teaching coincide with the in class teaching? 
Students utilizing this option will be asked to follow the school schedule at home.

How will Remote Learners Participate?
The students at home, using Google Meet, will hear their teacher, be able to ask questions and visually see what the teacher may have on the Smartboard.  Video of the teacher to be viewed either live or at a later time will not be available for this option.  Teachers will utilize Google Classroom for all students (both in school and Remote Learners), to access class assignments, projects, etc.  In person visits to school by remote learners will not be permitted.

SCHOOL DISINFECTION/HYGIENE:

As found in the school’s COVID-19 Secure Reopening Plan:

• Frequent disinfection of classrooms, bathrooms, and high contact surfaces around the building using EPA certified disinfectants. 
• Full building disinfection will occur at the end of each day and in any classroom, that has been occupied prior to other students entering.

What additional resources for cleaning have been added:
OLV School has invested in two germicidal backpack sprayers.  In addition, our cleaning company will continue to clean the school every night, including the usage of these devices.

For Early Childhood, will mats be sanitized after use?
Yes, after rest time, mats will be sanitized.

SCREENING/TESTING

If a student registers a temperature of 100ºF or higher upon arrival at school, would that student be quarantined? 
As found in the school’s COVID-19 Secure Reopening Plan:
[OLV has designated] a monitored isolation location within the school in the event a student appears symptomatic onsite.  
A parent or guardian will be notified to pick up the student as soon as possible.

Since everyone does not have the same body temperature, how would you know if a student with 100ºF is sick?  
As found in the school’s COVID-19 Secure Reopening Plan:
Every person authorized to enter the school building whether a student, faculty member, or visitor will have their temperature checked prior to entry.  They will be denied entry if their temperature exceeds 100ºF. 

If one person in the school tests positive for Covid-19, will the whole school be notified?   
Yes, the whole school will be notified.

If that happens, will the whole school shutdown?
As found in the school’s COVID-19 Secure Reopening Plan:

• Designating a monitored isolation location within the school in the event a student appears symptomatic onsite. 
• Keeping seating charts of every classroom to be used in contact tracing. 
• Determining which students and teachers will need to quarantine in the event of a positive diagnosis after consulting with the health department. 
• Designating a COVID-19 Administrator and task force internally at the school. 
• Developing an internal contact tracing protocol and continuing to work with professional contact tracers at Perrotta Consulting. 
• Internal procedures to determine which students and teachers will need to quarantine and for how long if they are exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive. 

What symptoms should parents be looking out for?
Symptoms to be aware of will be posted on the school website and the weekly child survey referred to in the reopening plan will indicate symptoms to look out for.  Please note: children who do not feel well should stay at home.

Will all those entering the building require a negative COVID-19 test?  
No.  OLV School will be screening those entering the building - we will not be testing.  Faculty and staff entering school will complete a daily form confirming that they are healthy and in compliance.  Parents will be expected to complete/submit a weekly screening of their child’s health. 

Should a student or faculty member be deemed to be symptomatic, meaning they have a temperature of 100ºF or higher, they will be isolated until they can be picked up and instructed to visit their personal physician to be tested for COVID-19.  Alerting the school of the results as soon as they are available will be vital.