At Kaizen Academy we understand the importance of cultivating a safe academic environment so that our students and their families feel comfortable and confident about face-to-face instruction at school. We are guided by the Ministry of Education, various medical experts and the CDC guidelines on the best approaches to preventative methods for COVID-19 transmission. Our multi layered approach takes into consideration best practices for enhanced preventative measures and minimizing the risk of exposure, in order to deliver our curriculum with minimal interruptions for a successful academic year. Our goal aligns with our vision to transform, engage and ignite our students. This requires us to be on campus for as much of the academic year as possible. IN=n order to accomplish this goal, we have outlined specific guidelines for daily cleaning and sanitizing, movement throughout our school campus, and student interactions with each other in and outside of the learning centers.
We pledge to remain committed to delivering high-quality instruction, whether on campus as well as in remote learning opportunities. Our curriculum affords us the liberty to maintain flexibility in moments of change. To this end, at any point, based on guidance from the Government and Ministry of Health, if a call is made for a nationwide lockdown we are uniquely positioned to make a seamless shift from face-to-face, to remote learning as required without the need for major technological requirements as with traditional educational models. Students will simply take their PACE’s home and complete remote check-ins with their supervisor by phone or online, as is their preference.
School opens on September 13th in order to allow for full face-to-face instruction. Orientation for all students will take place September 8th & 9th.
Key Considerations
- Evidence suggests that strictly implemented prevention strategies allow for schools to safely open for in-person instruction and remain open (outside of government implemented lockdowns).
- The CDC has outlined an operational strategy that encourages consistent use of prevention strategies, including universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing. This strategy presents a pathway for schools to provide in-person instruction safely.
- Kaizen Academy will implement and layer prevention strategies in order to keep our learning environment safe. We will also maintain ministry standards and protocols by prioritizing universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing.
- Mandatory testing of anyone (student, faculty and staff) exhibiting symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection is required.
- Vaccination requirements for teachers and staff at Kaizen Academy will provide additional layers of COVID-19 protection in our school.
Prevention Strategies
It is critical that prevention strategies are implemented and maintained in order to reduce the risk of transmission in our school. Five key prevention strategies which will be employed at Kaizen Academy and are essential to safe delivery of in-person instruction are as follows:
- Universal and correct use of masks
- Physical Distancing (maximized to the greatest extent possible)
- Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
- Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities
- Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine
It is important to note that All prevention strategies provide some level of protection however layered strategies implemented at the same time provide the greatest level of protection. Kaizen Academy will adopt a layered approach to its prevention strategies to the largest extent practical.
Schoolwide Prevention Procedures
- Students, faculty, and staff who have come into contact with positive Covid-19 individuals should remain home and return after the two-week quarantine period with a negative test.
- Students, faculty, and staff should remain home if they possess any of the following symptoms
- Students, faculty, and staff should remain home if they possess any of the following symptoms
- Fever of 100.4 or higher
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Body or muscle aches
- Severe headache
- Sore throat
- Persistent cough
- Loss of taste or smell
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Faculty, staff and students are permitted entry into in the buildings.
- Parents and visitors on campus restricted (by appointment only). Parents are encouraged to communicate with the school’s office by What’s App, Telephone, or E-mail.
- When entering the school office,
- Hand sanitizing station must be used upon entry
- No more than two visitors will be allowed in the office at a time
- Visitors are to remain in their cars or line-up outside where there are floor markings
- All students are required to wear a face mask to enter the campus. Medical grade masks are preferred and will be available at the school office at a cost of $1.00
- Face masks must cover both the nose and mouth. Exceptions will be made for eating and P.E. and swimming where a mask or shield is required.
- Temperatures and hand sanitizing will be conducted upon entry to the building and may also be conducted impromptu during the day.
- Students must bring their own supplies. There will be no borrowing of materials. Student supplies include:
- pencils & blue pens
- Erasers & sharpeners
- Art supplies (crayons, glue, glue sticks, scissors, markers, art smock/apron, watercolor paint palette)
- Lysol (1 can per semester)
- Hand sanitizer (1 bottle as needed for daily use)
- Hand Sanitizing Wipes
- 1 clip-on desk lamp
- Pick-up MUST be on time at the time of dismissal in order to avoid gatherings and ensure social distancing protocols are adhered to
- All in-person meetings will be scheduled by appointment ONLY To reduce the amount of visitors on campus, we strongly encourage the paying of tuition and fees online and general communication to be done electronically or by phone.
Reduced Social Interaction Plan
- Various entrances and exits will be utilized throughout the campus
- Field trips will have strict social distancing and sanitizing protocols enforced
- Eliminate shared classroom supplies, materials, equipment
- Student restrooms have been outfitted with antibacterial soap
- Lunch Break spaces have been broken up to reduce the amount of students in designated lunch areas at a time.
- Alternate lunchtimes (as applicable based on numbers)
- Possible Virtual presentations for select school events such as Christmas Production, etc
- Sport’s events postponed indefinitely
- Maintain 3-6ft distance in classrooms and on campus
- Physical Education will be modified according to MOH guidelines (i.e. use of cohort, no more than 10 students in a class, the use of face shields, reduced contact)
- Congregating in groups larger than three persons will not be permitted
- Students will eat in predetermined lunch spaces which will be modified to reduce congregation and encourage social distancing protocols.
- Menus will be located online and payable, and payable online via Kanoo’s App, for easy selection
- Students are encouraged to bring snacks or lunch from home, as well as reusable water bottles
- Social distancing markers are placed on lunch benches and other appropriate places to remind students to social distance
- School clubs and community services will begin when ministry guidelines indicate that it is safe to do so.
Cleaning & Sanitization Plan & Protocols
Kaizen Academy understands the need for effective planning in this current environment. As a result we have made a concerted effort to ensure that our physical spaces are organized such that we maintain a healthy environment and facilities, including improving ventilation. Routinely cleaning high-touch surfaces (such as doorknobs and light switches), and provide for routine sanitization.
- Ventilation: We will ensure appropriate ventilation wherever possible by increasing the opportunity for the circulation of outdoor air and by ensuring good filtration.
- School windows will be opened in the afternoons to, increase the delivery of clean air, and dilute potential contaminants.
- We will filter and/or clean the air in the school by improving the level of filtration as much as possible.
- Open windows in buses and other transportation, if doing so does not pose a safety risk. Even just cracking windows open a few inches improves air circulation.
- Modified layouts: The physical layouts in our learning centers have been adjusted to maximize physical space. Desks have been turned to avoid facing each other.
- Cleaning: High touch surfaces and objects (for example, playground equipment, door handles, sink handles, toilets, drinking fountains) within the school will be cleaned at least daily or between use as much as possible. Frequent fogging or deep cleaning will be implemented by a professional cleaning company.
- Communal spaces: Close communal use of shared spaces, such as learning centers, will be cleaned regularly (for example, daily or as often as needed).
- Food service: No self-serve food or drink options such as hot and cold food bars, salad or condiment bars, and drink stations will be offered.
General Health & Safety Protocols
HEALTH CHECKS
- Students, faculty, and staff will not be allowed on campus if results are not favorable. Kaizen Academy will conduct daily random sampling to ensure adherence to this policy
- Student, faculty, or staff member will immediately be taken to the isolation room by the school administration. The isolation room adhere’s to ministry standards with bathroom access, and does not share the school’s ventilation system.
- Parents will be contacted to collect their child immediately and are expected to make every effort to collect their child within 30 minutes of receiving the call.
- Parents will be directed to contact a health professional immediately
- Students, Faculty, or staff will not be permitted to return until cleared by health officials (present a negative COVID-19 test)
- Any student, faculty, or staff testing positive for COVID-19, the school campus will close immediately for sanitization and cleaning as outlined by the MOH guidelines and remote learning will ensue until the school is cleared.
Any student or employee returning from a destination under a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice or under travel restrictions by local authorities, or whose household member has returned from such a destination, will be required to stay home for 14 days prior to returning to campus. This includes trips taken during school breaks.
