COVID MANAGEMENT

 

Educational Program  |  On Campus Procedures  |  Health & Safety
 

PHILOSOPHY

The 2023-2024 school year continues the evolution of school response, with our school implementing an approach centered around:

  • Recommended vaccination
  • Specific guidelines for continued in-person participation with symptom awareness and at-home testing, and
  • Continued use of available prevention tools, which should be adjusted if field conditions change

We will continue our management this year with a mindset of doing what works best for our community's needs, taking into account local, state, and then federal guidance, while keeping student and staff health and wellness at the forefront of our decision-making.

Through the school’s Patriot Portal, enrolled families can view a COVID Dashboard and current mitigation protocols and policies. The portal will be used to communicate COVID related changes with our Ridgefield Academy and Landmark Preschool community as needed.

 

 

Educational Program  |  On Campus Procedures  |  Health & Safety
 

INTRODUCTION

This plan was updated in December 2023, taking into consideration current recommendations, guidelines, and local protocol. The guidelines outlined below are subject to change in alignment with changes to mandates and the prevailing COVID-19 public health situation.

 

Educational Program  |  On Campus Procedures  |  Health & Safety
 

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

In-Person Learning
With no state mandates or executive orders to the contrary, Ridgefield Academy and Landmark Preschools will provide a comprehensive educational program of full-time in-person teaching and learning, clubs, activities, and sports.

RA|LP@Home (Formerly Parallel Remote Learning)
RA|LP will continue to offer remote learning @Home for families that either want or need to explore alternatives to in-person instruction. Details can be found on the Patriot Portal.

 

Educational Program  |  On Campus Procedures  |  Health & Safety
 

ON CAMPUS PROCEDURES

Masks
  • For healthy individuals, mask wearing is now a matter of personal choice or health needs. Whatever choice each family or community member makes will be treated with respect and kindness, in line with our values as a school.
  • Masks will be required when returning to school after isolating from being COVID positive or in appropriate cases where exposed through a household contact.
  • We strongly encourage wearing a mask if your child is experiencing any mild respiratory disease symptoms (e.g., infrequent cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, etc.)
Communication
  • Parents will be notified of positive COVID cases on their children's campus via the Patriot Portal COVID Dashboard.
  • Changes in COVID protocol or requirements by the state or region will be communicated to all enrolled families.

Ventilation
Ventilation rates or the percentage of outdoor air circulating in ventilation systems will remain at their maximum circulation. Efforts to improve air filtration, reduce recirculation, and disable demand-controlled ventilation remain in place.

Sanitization
Normal daily and routine cleaning practices will be in place. All classrooms will be provided with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

 

Educational Program  |  On Campus Procedures  |  Health & Safety
 

HEALTH & SAFETY

Illness
To maintain a safe learning environment, parents and caregivers should keep students home when ill and follow the Parent-Student Handbook guidelines for a safe return to school. Parents should notify school staff if students are out ill.

Vaccination
Vaccination of staff and students is not currently required but is strongly recommended.

COVID Exposure Regardless of Location
  • We will no longer cohort any grades
  • There will be no contact tracing and no test to stay program
  • We ask that you watch for symptoms
Exposure Protocols
Students and staff may attend school if they have mild respiratory symptoms (infrequent cough, mild congestion, runny nose, sore throat) or moderate respiratory symptoms (persistent cough, head congestion, profuse runny nose, severe sore throat), provided that:
  • They are fever-free (< 100°F) without fever reducing medications (ie. tylenol/advil), and feel well enough to participate, and
  • They Covid test on the first day of symptoms and test results are negative
COVID Positive Test Results

When you have COVID, isolation is counted in days, as follows:

If You Had No Symptoms:
  • Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
  • Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
  • If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset
  • Return to school masked for days 6-10
If You Had Symptoms:
  • Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive
  • Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started
  • Return to school masked for days 6-10
Important Reminders: It’s important to continue following the staying health guidelines of:
  • Stay home if you are sick and avoid contact with others
  • Test on your first day of symptoms to be sure you are not positive for COVID
  • Wash your hands frequently with water and soap for at least 20 seconds.

Symptoms, as designated by the CDC:
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

Subject to Change:
If the situation warrants, additional COVID protocols may be implemented such as:
  • Required masking at the grade, division or building level,
  • Social distancing
  • Reducing interaction across grades during meals or other gathering times
  • Restricting guests to include only essential visitors


Ridgefield Academy


LAST UPDATED:
DECEMBER 2023
Please Note: This Plan is subject to change based upon evolving guidance, public health recommendations, and/or changes in circumstances that may occur during the school year.