Yes, we plan to hold in person classes on campus this fall unless legally ordered otherwise.

Clark at Home allows students who may choose or need to be temporarily home-based to attend on-campus classes in real time from home. Through the use of a smart video conferencing camera, Meeting Owl, students will engage with their classroom via 360° video and audio for a near face-to-face experience.

Each day, students will connect to their classrooms for real-time instruction, lessons and class discussions via Zoom. As the teacher and students talk in the classroom, the Meeting Owl will turn to the person speaking, allowing Clark at Home students a direct view of the speaker.

Clark at Home instruction will take place for K-8 students during language arts, math, science, social studies, foreign language, etc. and most specials. The only exception will be athletics/PE, due to the nature of extensive movement and its outdoor location.

Clark at Home may be used with preschool-aged children in modified ways, particularly helping establish relationships with teachers and classmates. Morning meeting time, language-based instruction, and art projects (materials sent home) are examples of times during the day particularly well-suited to Clark at Home. Interactive play time, unfortunately, cannot be replicated.

Families will work with classroom teachers to determine dedicated times to log in and will receive a daily schedule with Zoom links for various teachers. Students will take a break from the screen for independent work time, snack, recess, lunch, transitions to other classrooms, etc.

Any supplies or classroom work needed will be made available through a weekly porch drop-off or pick-up in the main foyer entrance at school.

We are excited to provide this opportunity for a near face-to-face experience while at home and anticipate the return to campus for participating students to be seamless, as all students will have been "in class" together all along. For more information to support your decision, read more about children and COVID-19.

Although Clark at Home costs the school significantly more than instruction on campus, we are not adding any additional fees for this virtual option. We hope it provides peace of mind to know that, if this option is needed for your family, you need not be concerned about additional expense.

We plan to separate our students by grade level. Think, for example, of both sections of a grade level being a "family", allowing for lower school reading groups, etc. to continue. This means 36 (or fewer) students will form a "cohort" or "family" along with their teachers. The goal is not only to prevent as much spread as possible, but also to create the possibility of quarantining specific grade levels instead of the entire school when a case is confirmed.

Students riding the bus must following the same health and safety protocols prior to boarding the bus as students arriving on campus by other means (please see “Will temperature checks be done upon arrival?”) 

While on the bus:

• The driver and all passengers must wear face masks for the entirety of the bus ride.
• Unless rain or extreme cold prohibit, windows will be opened for ventilation.
• Seats will be assigned with siblings seated together. Others will be distanced as much as possible, keeping grade level cohorts in mind as seats are assigned.

At this time, occasional "drop in" ridership to accommodate, for example, an after-school playdate, is not available.

July 16 Update:

Based on emerging information, we now have data suggesting that transmission is less likely in younger children. High school students have been identified as more at risk than students in earlier grades. As middle school students are on the cusp of this group we will err on the side of caution and adjust our face-covering protocols for middle school students to require the consistent wearing of face coverings while indoors. Fortunately, this update coincides with our increased ability to have students outdoors more, providing safe breaks from mask-wearing periodically throughout the day (See "Will my student have class in the same physical space traditionally used for his/her grade level? ").

Our protocols will continue to respond to emerging science. We look forward to the day when scientific data suggests we might safely begin lifting some protocols!

July 14 Update:

We are carefully watching developments with regard to the following and will amend protocols accordingly in the coming weeks. 

• How COVID-19 may spread through aerosols.
• Possible differences of significance with regard to children under the age of 10 vs. over the age of 10.

Face Masks and Physical Distancing:

There is clear and unequivocal guidance from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) regarding the importance of physically distancing and covering one's face (both nose and mouth) when distancing is not possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Stanley Clark School's protocols for face coverings and physical distancing detailed below, by age group, are in keeping with these guidelines.

Please remember that these requirements are temporary and will eventually pass. Should recommendations change as additional information is learned, we will adjust our protocols accordingly and let you know. Thank you for supporting our efforts to provide continuous, in-person instruction as we look forward to the end of this global pandemic.

Preschool Students:

Until recently, guidance regarding preschool-aged children in a school setting had not been available, as the CDC guidance regarding the wearing of masks for children over the age of 2 was not intended for extended periods of time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently published guidance for preschools that augments and is consistent with CDC guidance for childcare facilities, creating congruency for this age group.

In keeping with CDC guidelines that do not suggest face coverings for this age group in the childcare setting, the AAP acknowledges that "face coverings (cloth) for children in the Pre-K setting may be difficult to implement" and that "Pre-K should focus on . . . hand hygiene, infection prevention education for staff and families, adult physical distancing from one another, adults wearing face coverings, cohorting, and spending time outdoors." Therefore face coverings for children in preschool are not mandatory.

Parents of PS 3/4 and PS 4/5 students may certainly choose to send children in face coverings, but teachers cannot be expected to manage these items due to the risk involved for them in handling a dirty mask.

According to the AAP, " . . .the relative impact of physical distancing among children is likely small based on current evidence and certainly difficult to implement." Furthermore, the AAP noted that "reducing classmate interactions/play in Pre-K aged children may not provide substantial COVID-19 risk reduction." Please know that physically distancing children in kindergarten and younger would be incredibly difficult to enforce, even if it were advisable. We were pleased to see the official guidance that took this reality into account in assuring ways. 

Nap time, however, for full day PS and K students will be strictly physically distanced at 6 feet apart, with students alternatively oriented head to toe in accordance with CDC recommendations.

Kindergarten Students:

Kindergarten students are uniquely situated to fall within both the face covering recommendations for older students and, developmentally, within the physical distancing expectations that align with the preschool protocols described above. Kindergarten students, therefore, will wear face coverings upon arrival in the morning until situated in their classrooms and if moving about within the school. 

Lower and Middle School Students:

Students in grades 1-8 will wear face coverings upon entering the building, upon moving from one area to another, and anytime physical distancing is impossible. Physical distancing guidelines are generally defined by the CDC as 6 feet and by the AAP specifically for schools and younger children as 3-6 feet. Fortunately, due to small class sizes, large classrooms, and some creative re-arranging and removal of optional furnishings, each classroom has ample space to allow for compliance. This generous distancing will make it possible for students in grades 1-8 to remove their face coverings while seated in addition to their time outdoors for recess, PE and during snack and lunch.

All students in K-8 will be instructed on proper handling of face coverings and provided with appropriate means of personal storage when not in use.

The wearing of face coverings protects not only your child's classmates and their families, but also their teachers. If asymptomatic students infect the faculty, continuity of instruction may be at risk and children will likely be back at home for a period of time. Thank you, again, for supporting our efforts to keep both students and teachers healthy and physically on campus!

Faculty and Staff:

Faculty and staff will wear face coverings upon entering the building, when moving about the building, when not able to physically distance in classrooms and any other times they assess the need to do so. Teachers will position themselves at appropriate distances while teaching subjects where observing lip and mouth formation is especially needed for student learning (phonics and foreign languages, for example).

Health Screenings:

Each student's temperature will be taken at home each morning prior to departure. Verbal verification that a student is free of fever and symptoms before boarding a bus or getting out of their vehicle on campus may be requested. Faculty and staff are expected to take their temperatures each morning and assure they are free of all symptoms before departing for work.

Symptoms include gastrointestinal upset in addition to the more commonly known cough, fatigue, body aches, loss of senses of taste or smell, and shortness of breath - all of which may or may not be accompanied by fever. All must be taken seriously as they qualify individuals as being "symptomatic" until proven otherwise.

Prior to COVID-19, our policy has consistently been that anyone with a fever of 100 degrees or higher should stay home. That policy remains intact. Anyone, child or adult, with a fever or other symptom(s) associated with COVID-19 is to stay at home until fever and symptom free for 72 hours, per CDC guidance, without any medications such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil). Individuals may return to campus after 24 hours fever and symptom-free with a doctor's verification that the symptoms were unrelated to COVID-19. 

Yes, we will have our plans vetted by appropriate health care professionals.

Our goal is to reduce the chances that our students, faculty, and staff are exposed to COVID-19. However, we cannot guarantee that no one will contract the virus. There is some inherent risk in returning to school as well as any activity or place where others not in your immediate household are present, even if following all protocols.

The answer is both "yes" and "no". We have plenty of space to physically distance in classrooms as well as excellent ventilation (please see “What about cleaning and ventilation?”). However, we’ll be outdoors whenever possible! 

In addition to PE/athletics, teachers will be encouraged to move instruction outdoors as appropriate. This means sunscreen should now be part of your morning routine, as students may be outdoors more than is typical.

With enormous thanks to the Parents' Association, we will be erecting four very large tents (think outdoor wedding reception) on campus. One will cover the outdoor patio space on the west side of Martin Hall, another on the lawn just south of the Carriage House facilities building, one just outside the Raclin Activities Center north entrance, and one on the east side just outside Door 26 between the Raclin Activities Center and Bernard Hall. Another small tent will be placed adjacent to the covered patio outside Mrs. Grubb's office to make a fifth covered outdoor space - plus the use of additional spaces throughout the grounds.   

Chairs and writing surfaces will be available under tents. For other spots, students may be seated on the grass. Please send a beach towel for students to sit on that may be stored at school and sent home regularly for laundering.

Plans continue to evolve and will be updated, but our commitment to being outdoors as much as possible will not change!

Yes, recess will still happen by cohort. 

Yes, the playground equipment will be available. 

Snack and lunch will be in classrooms for grades 4 and below as usual. Middle school students will eat outdoors, weather-permitting and socially distanced, or in classrooms.

Our Facilities Department, which has always had health and safety as a top priority, is adopting a host of additional strategies to assist in mitigating the risk of COVID-19 infection, with the goal of keeping everyone as safe and healthy as possible. The following steps will be taken:

Cleaning and Disinfecting:

* We have increased the frequency of disinfection for high-touch areas, such as bathrooms, handrails, etc.

* Electrostatic sprayers, similar to those used in hospitals and on airplanes, will be utilized. These will assist in assuring that even the most difficult areas and items are reached, such as toys in preschool classrooms and behind window blinds - in addition to more obvious areas and surfaces.

* Each classroom teacher is supplied with his or her own bottle of hospital grade disinfectant spray for anytime, anywhere use.

* Hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout campus for ease of use and to encourage frequency of hand cleaning.

* We have increased housekeeping hours per day to address additional cleaning/disinfecting needs. We want to make certain our team members have the time they need to thoroughly clean and disinfect with care.

Ventilation:

* Our BAS (Building Automation System) allows us to increase the amount of fresh air makeup in the HVAC systems, in keeping with recent guidance on the importance of good ventilation indoors. 

* We are replacing HVAC filters with MERV13 rated filtration, as recently recommended by the scientific community.

The Facilities Team is committed to staying abreast of the latest protocols recommended by the scientific community. The list above should not be considered all-inclusive, as we intend to adapt protocols as information evolves with regard to the implementation of effective school cleaning, disinfection and ventilation measures.

Changes have been made to the middle school athletics program for the fall and winter seasons to allow students to have a robust athletics experience while enjoying a competitive atmosphere - all while maintaining grade level cohorts and not risking exposure to students from other schools. 

There will be four separate PE/Athletics periods during the school day in middle school, one for each grade level. Every middle school student will continue to have four PE/Athletics classes a week during the school day. Classes will focus on sport-specific skill development in a variety of units. 

A voluntary after-school intramural program will be in place to allow for competitive game experience . . . complete with the attendance of family member fans, following all safety protocols, on the sidelines of the fields or physically distanced on the bleachers in the BAAC!

Advantages to the grade level PE/Athletics class period approach include:

* During the PE/Athletics period, students will be in smaller groups with even more opportunity for skill development.

*During the PE/Athletics period, units for the sports offered that season, plus other activities, will broaden the experience for each student.

Advantages of the voluntary after-school intramural competitions include:

* Set days and times for after-school games, making them easier to fit into a family's busy schedule. For example, the same afternoon each week will consistently be for 5th grade to have an intramural soccer game on one soccer field while 6th graders play on the other field. On a different afternoon each week, 7th and 8th grade will do the same thing. Volleyball will work the same way, but on either the Miami or Iroquois side of the BAAC. Family scheduling just got easier!

* There is built-in flexibility to modify team sizes based on how many students wish to participate. 

* Students who may have been reluctant to participate in interscholastic competition may choose to participate in this format.

* Students may easily participate in more than one sport per season for the first time! Soccer and volleyball intramural competitions in the fall, for example, will be held on different days.

* Our own teacher/coaches will officiate . . . we will love all of our referees!

* Students have the opportunity to lead and organize their respective teams, providing additional leadership opportunities. Teams will not be "fixed" and will vary within the grade from week to week.

* It will help build a spirit of good-natured competition and camaraderie in middle school.

* Our student-athletes will play in an environment where we know with confidence how cleaning and disinfecting have been handled, including the athletic equipment itself.

* Students will play more competitive minutes per game - less time rotating out due to smaller team sizes.

* Spectator parents! Since these are after-school activities located either outdoors or in the BAAC, in small groups, we get to welcome you to an activity! That's a win for everyone!

Plans for the spring season will be announced as time passes and we have more information on which to base the decision.

To maintain the integrity of grade-level cohorts, several changes have been made to both morning and afternoon Extended Day.

Reservations must be made one day in advance so that we may be properly staffed to safely care for all students. A "standing" reservation for regular users is encouraged for your convenience.  

Drop-in service will resume once the pandemic passes. Of course, no child will be left unattended after school. If an emergency necessitates drop-in service, the rate will be $10 per hour, with a one hour minimum. Thank you, in advance, for understanding the importance of making a reservation. This step will allow us to safely execute the protocols below.

Morning Extended Day:

Drop-off will be open 7:10 - 7:45 AM at Door 10, the Fannin Hall High St. entrance, for all students - NOT the BAAC Ridgedale door. A staff member will be present to both welcome students and preclude the need for students to touch door handles for entry.

Students will be separated by grade level in the Fannin Hall Activity Center (on average, approximately 12 students total). Middle school students may sit quietly, physically distanced, in the hallway to prepare for the day. Most early arrivals are our youngest students, and this relocation reduces their need to walk through the building.

Doors will close at 7:45 AM to allow staff to safely walk students in preschool-grade 2 (grades 3 and up may walk independently) to their classrooms before the remaining student body is permitted in the hallways at 8:00 AM. If you arrive after 7:45 AM, we appreciate your patience as you wait for us to reopen doors at 8:00 AM at your normal "drop-off" location for on-time arrivals.

Afternoon Extended Day:

We typically have 3-10 students in most grade levels through grade 4, slightly fewer in middle school, who use our Extended Day services in the afternoons. We have therefore relocated afternoon Extended Day, by grade level, to the locations listed below. 

Students in preschool-grade 4 will have ample outdoor time, weather permitting, making use not only of playgrounds, but also field space. Cohorts will be maintained.

Snacks (prepackaged) will be provided.

Lunch will not be provided on Fridays until further notice. Please pack a lunch for students staying on Friday afternoons. We, of course, will not let a child with a forgotten lunch go hungry. A prepackaged "lunchable-style” meal will be provided for emergencies and a $15 fee will be added to your bill.

Pick-up time remains until 6:00 PM.

Preschool 3/4 students will use Mrs. Venis' classroom.

Preschool 4/5 students will use Mrs. Lewis' classroom.

Kindergarten students will use either the Fannin Activities Center or lower level of the Decio Media Center.

Grade 1 will use Mrs. Sharp's room.

Grade 2 will use Mrs. Visconsi's room.

Grade 3 will use Mrs. O'Connor's room.

Grade 4 will use Mrs. Bahus' room.

Grade 5 Study Hall will use Big Sky Lab.

Grade 6 Study Hall will use Mr. Phillip's room.

Grade 7 Study Hall will use Tigers' Square room.

Grade 8 Study Hall will use Tigers' Den.

Supervision will be provided by Extended Day staff, not the teachers whose rooms are in use. We have, necessarily, added to the Extended Day staff to accommodate the additional supervisory needs.

Upon arrival, parents should call the Extended Day cell phone (number will be provided) and a staff member will either escort children in grade 2 and below to your car, or alert older students of your arrival. Pick-up will be at Door 10 (High St.) for preschool and kindergarten students, Door 2 (near 2nd grade classrooms) for grades 1 and 2, and Door 1 (main entrance) for grades 3-8, which will be supervised.

We are pleased to provide continuity of this important service for our families in safe ways!