SAFE REOPENING OF SCHOOLS

GUIDANCE FOR STUDENTS FOR THE

1. All students who arrive at the school must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth. Acceptable masks include disposable masks and cloth masks. Bandanas, handkerchiefs or scarves should not be used as alternative face coverings.

2. All students MUST be screened (temperature check, interview when necessary) upon entry of the school. 

3. Any student who is found to have an elevated temperature 100°F (or 37.7°C) or higher must have their temperature rechecked after 15 minutes. If the individual’s temperature remains elevated he/she will not be permitted onto the compound.

4.  Students whose temperature remains elevated should be taken to the isolation space/room and their parent/guardian notified to allow for collection. Students should be collected within the hour of notification.

Screening upon Entry to Schools

1. Parents are encouraged to communicate with the school, staff and administration during normal hours of operation through the identified means (such as email and phone). 

2. Principals will ensure that students and parents/guardians are aware of the following through email, newsletters and other electronic means:  • system of timetabling and days when students

are not required to be at school • times for scheduled break and lunch • policy for personal hygiene  • drop-off and pick-up policies of the school.

Communication

Parents

StaffNew school policies in response to COVID-19

SCHOOL NEWS

WHAT’S

NEW AT

SCHOOL

GUIDANCE FOR

EXTERNAL PARTNERS, VISITORS AND PARENTS

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1. Physical distancing of ideally six (6) feet but no less than three (3) feet must be maintained in all spaces and at all times during the school day. 

Physical Distancing

6ft

6ft 6ft

1. All students will be encouraged to:

Wash hands with soap and water,

lathering for at least 20 seconds.  

Use hand sanitisers (70-90% alcohol)

where washing of hands is not

possible.

Refrain from touching eyes, noses and

mouths. 

2. Hand washing should occur:

Upon entering the school compound  

Before entering the classroom; 

Before and after snack and lunch; 

Before and after using the bathroom; 

Taking a student to the bathroom /

helping a student with toileting; 

After sneezing, wiping or blowing nose; 

After using shared items or surfaces

(e.g. telephones, electronic devices,

keyboards, computer mice, musical

instruments, tools, desks or table tops);  

When hands are visibly soiled. 

Hand Washing

4. Students, if they must remove their masks, should cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and immediately dispose of the used tissue in the nearest available bin. Hands should be washed or sanitised immediately after. 5. If no tissue is available, using the flexed-elbow technique (that is, using the inside of the elbow or sleeve to cover the mouth and nose) is preferable to using the hands.  

 Other Hygienic Practices 

6. Students are encouraged to bring along a personal pouch containing an extra mask, a small packet of hand tissue, hand sanitiser and asthma pumps where needed.

7. The sharing of utensils and food is strongly discouraged.

ESSENTIALS

Respiratory Etiquette

1. Students MUST stay at home when they are sick. Any student absent from school due to suspect COVID-19 symptoms shall not return to school without a physician’s note.

2. Any student who is a close contact of a confirmed case, must follow the directives of the Quarantine Authority.

3. A student who has an elevated temperature, should be taken to the isolation space/room and their parent/guardian notified to allow for collection. Students should be collected within the hour of notification.

 

In the Event of Sickness

1. Students MUST wear face masks that cover the mouth and nose and follow the established protocols for hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. 

2. Each student MUST sanitise their hands before entering the bus.

3. If a student is called upon to show his/her ID, the ID should be held in a manner for the conductor to see. School bus conductors should avoid handling the ID. 

4. Students should enter and disembark the bus following the protocols for physical distancing, coughing and sneezing.  

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA NATIONAL SCHOOL BUS SYSTEM

Using the National School Bus Service

Engaging in Physical Education and Sport

Students should not be engaging in contact activities until such times that the requisite protocols are developed and approved by Ministry of Health. All practical classes must be facilitated/held outdoors.

1. Limited equipment will be used in the PE classes and these equipment, when used, must be cleaned and disinfected before and after use.

2. Students should not wear masks during practical Physical Education (PE) classes but must observe the physical distancing guideline.

3. Students are required to have:

• A small zip-lock bag to store masks when going to PE.

• A supply of disposable towels/tissue to wipe face and hands at the end of the lesson.

4. Students should be met by the PE teacher at the class and given instructions as to the conduct of each lesson. Lessons should conclude 10 minutes before the scheduled end time to allow the students to prepare for their next class.

5. Coaches who are working along with any Physical Education teacher during school time must follow the established school curriculum and protocols.

6. All after-school training programmes should continue. However, these programmes should be conducted under the direct guidance of the Ministry of Sports. Students’ participation in the programmes is subject to approval by parents/guardians who must communicate directly with the Ministry of Sports to make all the necessary arrangements.e

Engaging in the Performing Arts such as Music, Drama and Dance

MusicSinging at Assembly: This may occur only with small groups of not more than 4 persons or soloists performing the School song; the National Anthem; and hymns.

Performers would be allowed to remove masks for singing provided they maintain six (6) feet physical distancing and wear face shield. Alternatively the school administration may wish to consider the use of pre-recorded music for the recognition of the National Anthem and school song or the use of pan/piano instrumentalists for this function.

Students must wash hands or apply hand sanitiser before entering Music rooms.

Musical instruments and other equipment must be cleaned before and after use.

The playing of any wind instruments and singing should be done preferably outdoors or within a large auditorium; where this is not possible, there should be limits to a maximum of two students at a time performing in a room. Teachers may also utilise the

Google Classroom or other online teaching platforms to hold such practical classes.

Other non-wind instrumental playing may occur with students wearing masks. Class groups should be limited to allow for physical distancing.

The involvement of teaching personnel from the Department of Culture should be coordinated by the school administration and the Director of Culture. Such persons should be informed about the procedures and protocols established by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. This applies for other disciplines such as Dance and Drama.

Engaging in the Performing Arts such as Music, Drama and Dance (cont’d)

The use of face shields will be necessary for such practical components that require students to interface with each other but with distances of six (6) feet apart. Enclosed rooms should be properly ventilated when in use.

Students MUST wash hands or apply hand sanitiser before engaging in Theatre Arts classes. Where possible, class sizes should be reduced to accommodate the space in which the classes are held. Small groups of 5-8 should be maintained for practical components. Where there are large class sizes, a teacher’s aide or second teacher should be engaged to assist.

Teachers are asked to explore various drama techniques and styles with their students that can minimise close physical/verbal contact. Where possible, activities involving voice projection should be done outdoors or in large airy auditoriums.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

Queen Elizabeth Highway, St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda

Tel: 492-0192 / 468-3000 | Email: education.gov.ag