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Bishop Machebeuf High School

RETURN TO CAMPUS PLAN 2020-2021

Student and Staff Safety Measures under COVID-19

Reopening Overview Bishop Machebeuf High School provides this document as a guide for our Return to Campus Plan as we begin the 2020-2021 school year with in-person instruction on Monday, August 24, 2020. In light of the fluidity of COVID-19, we will update this document as needed.

As we re-open, we will continue operations with appropriate measures to support the educational, safe environment, and social needs of our students. The measures employed will be in line with 1) Executive or Public Health Orders, 2) Local Health Orders, and 3) Archdiocesan and Bishop Machebeuf protocols and procedures.

The health, wellness, and safety of all students, staff, parents, and supporters are always the highest priority. Bishop Machebeuf High School will continue to monitor the suggestions and recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), Denver Department of Health Services (DDHS), American Association for Pediatrics (AAP), Office of Catholic Schools (OSC), and our BMHS COVID-19 Task Force. Updates will be published on Facebook and through the Buffalo Blast.

Families are asked to keep your children at home if they have symptoms of illness or if they have been in close contact with anyone who has symptoms.

Table of Contents Student and Staff Safety Measures under COVID-19 1

Understanding of COVID-19 2

Start of School Procedures 4

In-School Procedures 7

Distance Learning Plan 11

The Bishop Machebeuf High School

COVID-19 Task Force Members:

• Dr. Tony Bonta – President • William Perales – Principal • Thomas McCarty – Athletic Director • Jerry Swain – Director of Operations • Kathleen Tate – Parent • Katie Montoya – Parent

• Santhe Talley – Parent

Revised August 20, 2020

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Understanding of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported including mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19. Symptoms include cough, chills, shortness of breath, muscle pain, loss of taste or smell, shaking or exaggerated shivering, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, or feverish.

Disease Transmission COVID-19 is a novel virus and our health experts continue to learn about it and its impact, including that it can infect people of all ages. As a school, we will put into place measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through promoting a culture of mask wearing and social distancing. We will also implement health protocols, such as, taking temperatures of students, faculty, staff, and visitors, increased handwashing, modifying lunch procedures, etc.

Health and Hygiene Practices • Temperatures will be taken as students enter

the building, and if a student exhibits COVID-19 symptoms such as fever (100.4 degrees or higher), coughing, or shortness of breath, the student will be removed from the population of students.

• Hand sanitizer will be available at each entrance and in every classroom.

• All students, staff, and visitors are directed to engage in frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds throughout the day, as well as washing hands after using the restroom and before and after eating.

• Students, teachers, staff, and campus visitors are directed to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and if not available, covered in their shirt sleeves. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash, hands should be washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or hand sanitizer should be used.

• BMHS has planned for more frequent cleaning practices, including additional cleaning by janitorial staff, especially on commonly touched surfaces, as well as providing the opportunity for students and staff to clean their own spaces in ways that are safe and appropriate.

• Teachers will be equipped with cleanser and towels to clean commonly touched classroom surfaces between each class period.

• Staff will also be equipped with cleanser and towels in their offices to clean commonly touched surfaces.

• Whenever possible and safe, outdoor spaces are highly encouraged for instruction during the day.

Preventative Practices

The prevention and mitigation practices recommended in this document are designed to significantly reduce the likelihood that a coronavirus outbreak occurs on campus. BMHS will take local public health guidance into account throughout the year as preventions and mitigation recommendations are implemented.

• Wear a mask or face covering • Frequent Handwashing • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth • Properly cover coughs and sneezes • Socially distance • Cover mouth and nose when around others • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

• Stay home if feeling sick

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• Whenever possible, atrium doors will be opened to improve air flow by allowing outside air to circulate in the building.

• Avoid “close contact” when possible. Close contact includes being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes total or having direct physical contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19.

• Only 2-3 students are allowed in the bathroom at any given time depending on the location in the building. Signs will be posted.

Family Travel

Students who travel to CDC-identified “hot spots” will be required to quarantine for 14 days prior to returning to school.

Individuals Confirmed or Probable for COVID-19 Any individuals – including teachers, staff, students, or other campus visitors – who themselves either: (i) are lab-confirmed to have COVID-19; or (ii) has COVID-like symptoms without another diagnosis MUST stay home (isolation) throughout the infection period and cannot return to campus until BMHS determines that any of the below conditions for re-entry have been met:

• In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to school when all of the following criteria are met:

o Individual stays home until released from isolation (at least 10 days after symptom onset, 24+ hours fever-free, and improving symptoms).

o Those who were in close contact with the student will stay home for a 14-day quarantine.

o School will work with public health and follow Contact Tracing protocols.

• If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to school before completing the above stay-at-home period, the individual must either (i) obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis or (ii) receive two separate confirmations at least 24 hours apart that they are free of COVID-19 via a state-approved testing location.

• Individuals, including students, teachers, staff, or other campus visitors who have had close contact with someone who is confirmed to had COVID-19, should stay home through the 14-day quarantine period and will be asked to not enter the BMHS campus.

Identifying Possible COVID-19 Cases on Campus • The student will be taken to a designated

office to wait for a parent to pick them up within an hour, when possible.

• If two or more students exhibit symptoms that appear to be transmitted within the school, the BMHS Administration will determine if the school is in an outbreak and follow guidance from health authorities.

• The areas used by the individual who shows COVID-19 symptoms while at school will be cleaned according to cleaning protocol (see end of next section).

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Response to Confirmed Cases in the School

If an individual who has been in school is confirmed to have COVID-19, the administration may take the following steps as appropriate:

• Once learning of a COVID-19 case in someone who has been in the school, immediately notify the Office of Catholic Schools and local health officials.

• Local health officials will help school leaders determine a course of action for the school. • Determine if school should be dismissed for a period of days.

o Initial short-term dismissal allows time for the local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation impacting the school. Temporarily dismissing school is a strategy to stop or slow the further spread of COVID-19 in the community. It also allows time to determine appropriate next steps, including whether an extended dismissal is needed to stop or slow further spread of COVID-19.

o If school is placed on a temporary or extended dismissal, BMHS will utilize remote learning. • Communicate with the Bishop Machebeuf community via RenWeb, Buffalo Blast, and Facebook.

o Coordinate with local health officials to communicate dismissal decisions and the possible COVID-19 exposure. While we will communicate to families if an individual is confirmed to have COVID-19, we will respect the person’s privacy and not name the individual.

• Clean and disinfect areas thoroughly. • Close off areas used by individuals with COVID-19

and wait, if practical, before beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize potential exposure to the virus.

Start of School Procedures Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is on Thursday, August 20, 2020. Returning Student Orientation will consist of an email message outlining our start of school and COVID-19 procedures for students. This email will be sent out on Friday morning, August 21, 2020.

First Day of School

BMHS will welcome students to in-person classes on Monday, August 24, 2020. The school day will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude with staggered dismissals from 2:15-2:30 p.m. The school schedule may be found on page 5.

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School Schedule

Our school’s schedule will follow a block format with 8 classes (4 per day). Blocks 1-4 are on Green Day and blocks 5-8 are on Gold Day. Green Days are Mondays and Thursdays. Gold Days are Tuesdays and Fridays. Wednesdays will be reserved for a Remote Learning Day.

Time Monday

Green Day

Tuesday

Gold Day

Wednesday

Remote Learning Day

Thursday

Green Day

Friday

Gold Day

8:00-9:20 Period 1 Period 5 All classes online

for the day.

Period 1 Period 5

9:30-10:45 Period 2 Period 6 Period 2 Period 6

10:50-11:25

Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch

11:35-12:50

Period 3 Period 7 Period 3 Period 7

1:00-2:15 Period 4 Period 8 Period 4 Period 8

2:15 – 2:30 Staggered release: We will stagger dismissal at the end of the day as follows:

• Seniors and bus riders: 2:15 p.m. • Juniors: 2:20 p.m. • Sophomores: 2:25 p.m. • Freshmen: 2:30 p.m.

The first block period of the day is longer to allow for Morning Prayer, Pledge, and announcements.

Buses will still run on Wednesdays.

In the event that there is a need for school to shift to remote learning (e.g. snow day, confirmed COVID case), Green and Gold Days remain the same.

Remote Learning Day (Wednesdays)

We will have a Remote Learning Day on Wednesdays. Students will work remotely and not be required to come to BMHS. If a student needs access to the school’s Internet service and laptops, they may register with the Front Office. We will provide an online sign-up page for those students coming to school on Remote Learning Days.

Teachers will provide instruction and assignments for these days and be available for virtual meetings with students.

Remote Learning Days will provide our school community (teachers and students especially) with an opportunity to develop their distance learning skills and knowledge. In case we have increased risks of COVID and have to transition to distance learning instruction, spending time now with a remote learning day will benefit both teachers and students as they will have spent time becoming familiar with this mode of instruction and learning. It will also provide BMHS staff and faculty an opportunity to be updated on COVID-19 policies and procedures, as well as other professional development.

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Back to School Night and Parent Meetings

Back to School Night and other parent-wide meetings will be held during the year in a safe and meaningful way, if possible.

Staff Screening

BMHS will require teachers and staff to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before coming into campus each day. Teachers and staff will notify the school if: (i) they have come into close contact with an individual who is confirmed with COVID-19 or (ii) they themselves have COVID-19.

Student Screening

Parents/guardians or families are asked to keep their children at home if they have symptoms of illness.

BMHS asks that each student’s household self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before coming into campus each day. Parents/guardians or families will report to the school if someone in the household: (i) has come into close contact with an individual who is confirmed with COVID-19 or (ii) has COVID-19.

Upon arrival, students will be screened as they enter the building. If a student has a fever (100.4 or higher), the student will not be allowed to remain at school. The guardian will be notified and asked to take the child home.

Masks, Shields, and Face Coverings

• BMHS will require all employees, students, and visitors to wear face masks or face shields. We will follow the directives of executive and public health orders.

• If a visitor prefers not to wear a mask, we will do our best to serve them outside the building.

• Masks include non-medical grade disposable facemasks, cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth), or full-face shields to protect eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Throughout their time on campus, students will be expected to maintain social distancing and mask requirements. Masks or face coverings (over the nose and mouth) must be worn once students are at school. Exceptions may be allowed for students in physical activities, lunch, and courtyard breaks between class, where sufficient distancing is maintained.

• Mask breaks will be allowed when distancing of over 6 feet and/or being outside with distancing can be maintained.

• Teachers will wear masks when in close contact with other people or where distancing can’t be maintained.

• Extra masks will be available in classrooms and the front office for students, faculty, staff and visitors in need.

Handwashing

• All persons on campus will be asked to wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. If soap and water are not accessible, then hand sanitizing should be used for at least 20 seconds.

• When cleansing hands, persons should rub the soap or sanitizing lotion into all surfaces of the hands and fingers.

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In-School Procedures Drop-off

Drop-off will follow a procedure to minimize student interaction and to decrease the number of persons walking into our school.

• Parent drop-off at the Main Entrance begins at 7:00 a.m., and students will be screened before entering the building.

• Student drivers will be screened and enter through the northeast gym door starting at 7:30 a.m. The northeast gym door will be closed at 7:55 a.m., and all remaining students will enter through the Main Entrance.

Early Arrivals

• The building will be opened at 7:00 a.m. Early arrivals must be screened by a staff member and enter through the Main Entrance. Students may only go to the Commons or to Mass.

• Daily Mass will be held in the new chapel (formerly the tech center) at 7:20 a.m. • The Commons will be reserved for students who must arrive prior to 7:30 a.m., and it will be set up

with tables and chairs that follow distancing guidelines of 6 feet between persons. • At 7:40 a.m., early arrival students will go to their first period classroom. • Teachers and staff will be in hallways to help students maintain distancing and to ensure there is

no congregating in the hallways. • Please complete this survey if you plan for your child to arrive early on a regular basis.

Entering the School

From 7:30 – 8:00 a.m., students will use designated entrances where they will be screened before entering the building:

• Student drivers will enter through the northeast gym entrance. • Students dropped off by their parents/guardians will enter through the Main Entrance. • All students who enter the building after 7:30 a.m. will go directly to their first period classroom.

Hallways

• Students will walk in one direction in the hallways. One-way signs are visible on hallway floors to guide students in the right direction.

• Movement in the hallway will be in a COUNTERCLOCKWISE DIRECTION in the academic wing. • Teachers and staff will be in the hallway to enforce movement. • Students must have a hall pass to be in the halls during class time.

Lockers / Backpacks

• Locker use will not be allowed during the fall semester and will be reconsidered for the spring semester.

• Students will be allowed to have backpacks and should plan to keep their belongings with them in their backpacks. Having a block schedule will help with this as students will not have as many classes in one day as last year.

• Any student carrying illegal paraphernalia, vaping devices, alcohol, or items to harm others will be disciplined.

• Only bottled water is allowed (exceptions may be made for medical purposes).

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• During class, teachers will direct students where to place their backpacks.

Classrooms

• Class sizes will follow social distancing standards. • Desks will be spaced and/or marked off to maintain distancing of at least 3 feet but 6 feet when

possible. • Masks will be worn in class. • Teachers will assign seats to promote social distancing. • All classes will be supplied with hand-cleansing and cleaning supplies.

Class Dismissals

• When students are dismissed from classes within the school day, they will walk in one direction in the hallways.

• Students will go directly to their next class.

Lunch

• In general, students will eat lunch in their classrooms. • Certain classes (e.g., biology and chemistry) will eat in the Commons as eating is not allowed in

those classrooms. • Students will be allowed to take masks off during lunch. At the end of lunch, students will put masks

back on before going to their next class. • When possible, students may eat lunch outside on the back patio or the courtyard. • Use of microwaves and vending machines will be discontinued until further notice.

Lunch Service

At this time, we are not able to continue with providing a lunch service that meets COVID guidelines.

• Students must bring their own lunch that will remain in their backpack until lunch.

• Due to COVID and security concerns, there will be no food delivery service allowed on campus (GrubHub, UberEats, etc.).

• If a student forgets or needs lunch, they should contact the Main Office.

Water

• Due to COVID, we have disabled traditional drinking water fountains.

• We have installed water bottle filling stations. • Students should bring a refillable bottle to get water throughout the day.

Restrooms

• Restroom use will follow distancing expectations. • Students may use restrooms during class with teacher permission. • No more than 3 students in the restroom at one time. Tape will be placed on the floor to provide

students with spacing distance while in line.

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School Dismissal

• At the end of the school day, we will stagger dismissal as follows: o Seniors and bus riders: 2:15 p.m. o Juniors: 2:20 p.m. o Sophomores: 2:25 p.m. o Freshmen: 2:30 p.m.

• Upon dismissal, students will exit the school through the Main Exit and leave campus unless they have arranged to stay in the Commons and wait for their transportation. (See below.)

• Students are not to congregate in the hallways.

After School Commons Area

• We will continue to provide a space for students who need to remain at school until they have transportation home. Students may stay in the Commons until 6:00 p.m.

• Students will need to be picked up by 6:00 p.m. • The Commons will be set up with tables and chairs that adhere to distancing guidelines, and

supervision will be provided. • Due to the varying numbers of students who utilize this, we have set up an online sign-up page.

Please click here to sign up your student for After School Commons. • Students will not be readmitted into the building after 3:00 p.m. unless they have school business.

Daily and Weekly Mass

• Daily Mass will be celebrated before school at 7:20 a.m. in the new chapel with the exception of Wednesdays. Students are welcome; Mass attendance is limited to 40 persons.

• Mass will also be celebrated during the school day and students will attend with their class once a week in small groups of up to 2 classes at a time.

• Seating will be arranged to adhere to state and local social distancing guidelines including six feet distancing.

• Students and staff must wear a mask or face covering during Mass.

• The chapel will be cleaned after each Mass. • Masses will not be open to the public or to visitors. • The school chaplain, Fr. Julio, will follow the guidelines of the

Archdiocese of Denver.

Use of Outdoor Areas

We will utilize outdoor areas when possible and adhere to standard COVID cleaning practices.

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Athletics

• Bishop Machebeuf High School complies with all guidance published by the Colorado High School Activities Association. Boys Golf and Cross Country are the only sports offered at Bishop Machebeuf that are able to be played under the current national, state, county and CHSAA health guidelines until January 2021. The full 2020-2021 sports calendar can be found at www.chsaanow.com. Continued updates and information will be relayed to the BMHS community as it becomes available.

• For the safety guidelines and protocols of athletes during current athletic seasons, please see the athletic home page.

Bus Guidelines

We will continue to provide bus service with the following protocols:

• Families will be instructed to check their student’s temperature before departing to the bus stop. • Families will be required to stay at their respective bus stop until the bus departs to make sure

their student is allowed to go to school. • The bus driver will check the temperature of each rider with a no-touch thermometer before rider

enters the bus. • If a student has a temperature (100.4 or higher), the student will be sent home with their ride. • Students will be required to wear face masks the entire time they are on the bus. • Windows on both sides of the bus will be open at least 1 inch while students are on board (weather

permitting). • Students will spread out as much as possible. • Students will fill the seats starting from rear and moving toward the front.

Visits by Parents, Families, Stakeholders, and General Public Visits to Schools

• Parents/Guardians and other adults can visit BMHS when essential. • All visitors must wear masks and follow other virus prevention and mitigation

requirements of the school. • BMHS highly encourages reducing adult visits on campus to only those essential to school

operations. • Visitors will be stopped at the front door to be visually screened and questioned via the school

intercom system. • Visitors will be escorted by Machebeuf personnel.

Use of Non-Classroom Spaces

• At this time, BMHS will not open facilities to the public. • When BMHS can open to the public, it will be in accordance with state and local orders.

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Staffing

• Employees of BMHS, like employees of any organization, must continue to meet the work expectations set by their employers, subject to any applicable employment contract terms.

• School teachers will be trained specifically on the protocols outlined in this document and the practices of BMHS.

Distance Learning Plan Distance Learning

In the event we need to transition our instruction from in-person classes to distance learning, we will implement the following Distance Learning Plan. The procedures and platforms in this mode of instruction will be based on those learned during Remote Learning Days, which will help teachers’ and students’ familiarity with the plan.

Distance Learning Priorities

• Community

o Regular schedule and contact

• Maintaining academic rigor

• Opportunity for prayer and a shared faith life

• Uniformity/consistency

o Ease of transition between in-person and distance learning

• Clear expectations

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous?

There are two options for instructors to facilitate class sessions remotely:

1. Synchronous: instructors and students gather at the same time and interact in “real time”

2. Asynchronous: instructors prepare course materials for students in advance of students’ access. Students have some flexibility in terms of when they access the material.

Instructors may choose to engage their students synchronously or asynchronously depending on the course content or material that needs to be taught.

What this looks like in practice:

Synchronous Learning Options:

• Zoom classes

• Zoom small groups

• One-on-one office hours

• Shared Google Docs

Asynchronous Learning Options:

• Assignments and assessments posted on LMS or Google Classroom

• Discussion boards

• Recorded videos

• PowerPoint presentations

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General Expectations

• Distance learning should be treated with the same seriousness as in-person school.

• Clear communication with teachers is essential; if there are any expectations you cannot meet due to

technology limitations, illness, responsibilities at home, or other reasons, you must clearly

communicate that with your teachers.

• From the beginning of the year, teachers will post weekly lesson plans on LMS.

• Any synchronous classes will be held in their scheduled block.

• Though teachers may choose to alternate synchronous and asynchronous instruction during the

week, students should plan on a minimum of 2 hours of teacher-led asynchronous or synchronous

instruction per class per week.

• Students should carefully check lesson plans to determine which synchronous meetings they are

expected to attend.

• Teachers will determine late work policies. If any late work is submitted to an online platform, the

student must email the teacher with the exact name of the assignment that was submitted. Please

adhere to the email etiquette guidelines below.

Schedule

The distance learning schedule will follow the same basic schedule as a normal block day, but with shortened class periods.

Time Monday

Green Day

Tuesday

Gold Day

Wednesday Thursday

Green Day

Friday

Gold Day

8:00-8:55

Period 1 Period 5 Wednesday is still a school day. This day may be used for asynchronous learning, teacher office hours, pastoral programming, and teacher meetings and work.

Period 1 Period 5

9:00-9:55

Period 2 Period 6 Period 2 Period 6

10:00-10:55

Period 3 Period 7 Period 3 Period 7

11:00-12:00

Period 4 Period 8 Period 4 Period 8

12:05 All-school Angelus/prayer

All-school Angelus/prayer

All-school Angelus/rosary

All-school Angelus/rosary

All-school Angelus/rosary

1:00-3:00

One-on-one meetings with teachers or counselors; meetings/planning time for teachers.

One-on-one meetings with teachers or counselors; meetings/planning time for teachers

Faculty seminar One-on-one meetings with teachers or counselors; meetings/planning time for teachers

One-on-one meetings with teachers or counselors; meetings/planning time for teachers

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Attendance

Attendance will be taken for all synchronous lessons. Parents should contact the teacher if a student is sick or must miss class for any other reason. If there are extenuating circumstances with attendance for synchronous lessons, please contact the teacher.

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Bishop Machebeuf High School Resource Page

Please see our school’s Return to Campus page for further resources related to this plan and our school’s reopening.

Denver Catholic Schools Resource

Please see the Denver Catholic Schools page for family/guardian information on returning to school and for videos on what returning to school will look like around the archdiocese. Video conversation with our superintendent of schools, Mr. Elias Moo, about returning to school is also accessible.

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We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time and ask for your continued prayers for our school community and for the start of the school year. These are unique times, but we know that working together with you will help us ensure we provide your children with an excellent Bishop Machebeuf experience.