Frequently Asked COVID Questions
How will siblings be dismissed?
All siblings will be dismissed together at regular dismissal time.
Why wasn’t hybrid learning offered?
(pg. 2 of plan) We are not offering this model at this time. Plan would be used only if necessary.
Deep cleaning of the building?
City Wide Cleaning of Boston has been hired to do a complete deep cleaning of the building before the start date of school. Teachers and staff will continually disinfect/clean throughout the day. Bathrooms will be cleaned/disinfected each hour throughout the day. Each Friday evening the school will go through a complete cleaning and disinfecting process (pg. 6 of the Covid plan)
What about the Specialists (Art, Music, Computer, Spanish)?
(pg. 15 of plan) As stated in the plan, specialists will travel from classroom to classroom to teach. There will be no sharing of desks between students.
What about mask breaks? What about snack time? Recess times?
All classes, Pre-K through grade 8 will have mask breaks frequently throughout the school day.A tentative schedule will be shared with families once created. Weather permitting, and per schedule, students will go outside for their break/snack time at which time they can remove their masks. (pg. 4 of plan). Recess for all grades will also be on a schedule which will be shared with families
(pg. 9 of plan).
Backpacks/lunch boxes?
Your child is permitted to bring their belongings in a suitable backpack (no wheeled backpacks) and lunchbox. A thermos is permitted for hot soup/food only. No drinks are allowed in a thermos. All personal items will be stored in the student’s designated locker/cubby during the day. Only plastic, disposable bottles for water are permitted – no refillable water bottles. Small juice boxes are permitted for snack/lunch.
Personal space dividers?
Clear plastic personal space dividers have been ordered for each student’s desk. This will allow for the student to view the teacher/board during instruction and provide further personal protection to each student during the school day. Supplies are arriving daily. This is an extra precaution that Mrs. Elias is taking for our students.
What if someone tests positive for Covid-19?
Upon notification of a positive test for Covid, our school will follow all updated protocols from the state of Massachusetts Health and Safety Department and the CDC regarding notifications and further actions that are needed. It is imperative that you, as school families, are following ALL social distancing guidelines/protocols OUTSIDE of our school building if you are sending your
child into our school building for in-person learning. The protection of our students/staff is a two-way street . . . both sides must be diligent in their efforts to keep this contagion out of our community.
School Supplies? Drop-off day?
We understand that some supplies on the lists are in short supply at this time and may be difficult to locate. We ask that you do your best to complete the supply list. For safety reasons, we will NOT have a drop-off day for supplies prior to the first
day of school. We ask that you utilize the first 3 half days of school to send in the supplies – not overburdening what the children have to carry on their own each of these days.
School Nurse?
We have staffed a full time school Nurse at Saint Michael School, Kelsey Valente, L.P.N.
Computer class?
Since each child is assigned a Chromebook (stored at school), Computer class will be held in the classrooms. Mr. Stone will be traveling from classroom to classroom.
Entrance areas for arrival?
The students will be entering the school each day from their designated entrance door (pgs. 9-11 of plan). Each child will be admitted immediately upon arrival through theirs designated door. It is our hope that the “line” for entrance will be no longer that 3-4 students at any given time. Social distancing MUST be observed at all times. Teachers/Staff will be at each entrance to greet the students and monitor social distancing. Students will go directly to their classroom upon entering the building.
Morning Care Offering?
Morning Care will be available to all families. Families must sign up in advance to use this service. Morning Care hours are 6:50am – 7:30am. Forms will be made available on the school web site. Entrance for Morning Care is through the
Schoolyard door. Teacher/Staff will be at the door to welcome students. ONLY STUDENTS ALLOWED IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING.
* Fall Sports? Can remote learning students participate? At this time we are awaiting the decision from the Ecumenical League regarding all eligible athletes, sports that will be offered, and protocols that must be followed.
When must families choose their instructional learning mode?
Forms will be sent out soon regarding choosing your educational teaching mode. Families must decide before the start of school whether they wish in-school instruction or remote learning for their child(children). All remote learners must
fill out a remote learning form for school records and will remain a remote learner until January 2021. After the first report card in December 2020, an additional form will be sent to all families allowing you to choose as to whether you wish to continue with remote learning or switch to in-person instruction. Decisions are due no later than December 11, 2020 to be prepared for our return to school on January 4, 2021.
Remote Learning ?
SMS students who are following the remote learning instructional mode are expected to maintain a serious academic mindset.
Remote learners must adhere to the following:
All siblings will be dismissed together at regular dismissal time.
Why wasn’t hybrid learning offered?
(pg. 2 of plan) We are not offering this model at this time. Plan would be used only if necessary.
Deep cleaning of the building?
City Wide Cleaning of Boston has been hired to do a complete deep cleaning of the building before the start date of school. Teachers and staff will continually disinfect/clean throughout the day. Bathrooms will be cleaned/disinfected each hour throughout the day. Each Friday evening the school will go through a complete cleaning and disinfecting process (pg. 6 of the Covid plan)
What about the Specialists (Art, Music, Computer, Spanish)?
(pg. 15 of plan) As stated in the plan, specialists will travel from classroom to classroom to teach. There will be no sharing of desks between students.
What about mask breaks? What about snack time? Recess times?
All classes, Pre-K through grade 8 will have mask breaks frequently throughout the school day.A tentative schedule will be shared with families once created. Weather permitting, and per schedule, students will go outside for their break/snack time at which time they can remove their masks. (pg. 4 of plan). Recess for all grades will also be on a schedule which will be shared with families
(pg. 9 of plan).
Backpacks/lunch boxes?
Your child is permitted to bring their belongings in a suitable backpack (no wheeled backpacks) and lunchbox. A thermos is permitted for hot soup/food only. No drinks are allowed in a thermos. All personal items will be stored in the student’s designated locker/cubby during the day. Only plastic, disposable bottles for water are permitted – no refillable water bottles. Small juice boxes are permitted for snack/lunch.
Personal space dividers?
Clear plastic personal space dividers have been ordered for each student’s desk. This will allow for the student to view the teacher/board during instruction and provide further personal protection to each student during the school day. Supplies are arriving daily. This is an extra precaution that Mrs. Elias is taking for our students.
What if someone tests positive for Covid-19?
Upon notification of a positive test for Covid, our school will follow all updated protocols from the state of Massachusetts Health and Safety Department and the CDC regarding notifications and further actions that are needed. It is imperative that you, as school families, are following ALL social distancing guidelines/protocols OUTSIDE of our school building if you are sending your
child into our school building for in-person learning. The protection of our students/staff is a two-way street . . . both sides must be diligent in their efforts to keep this contagion out of our community.
School Supplies? Drop-off day?
We understand that some supplies on the lists are in short supply at this time and may be difficult to locate. We ask that you do your best to complete the supply list. For safety reasons, we will NOT have a drop-off day for supplies prior to the first
day of school. We ask that you utilize the first 3 half days of school to send in the supplies – not overburdening what the children have to carry on their own each of these days.
School Nurse?
We have staffed a full time school Nurse at Saint Michael School, Kelsey Valente, L.P.N.
Computer class?
Since each child is assigned a Chromebook (stored at school), Computer class will be held in the classrooms. Mr. Stone will be traveling from classroom to classroom.
Entrance areas for arrival?
The students will be entering the school each day from their designated entrance door (pgs. 9-11 of plan). Each child will be admitted immediately upon arrival through theirs designated door. It is our hope that the “line” for entrance will be no longer that 3-4 students at any given time. Social distancing MUST be observed at all times. Teachers/Staff will be at each entrance to greet the students and monitor social distancing. Students will go directly to their classroom upon entering the building.
Morning Care Offering?
Morning Care will be available to all families. Families must sign up in advance to use this service. Morning Care hours are 6:50am – 7:30am. Forms will be made available on the school web site. Entrance for Morning Care is through the
Schoolyard door. Teacher/Staff will be at the door to welcome students. ONLY STUDENTS ALLOWED IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING.
* Fall Sports? Can remote learning students participate? At this time we are awaiting the decision from the Ecumenical League regarding all eligible athletes, sports that will be offered, and protocols that must be followed.
When must families choose their instructional learning mode?
Forms will be sent out soon regarding choosing your educational teaching mode. Families must decide before the start of school whether they wish in-school instruction or remote learning for their child(children). All remote learners must
fill out a remote learning form for school records and will remain a remote learner until January 2021. After the first report card in December 2020, an additional form will be sent to all families allowing you to choose as to whether you wish to continue with remote learning or switch to in-person instruction. Decisions are due no later than December 11, 2020 to be prepared for our return to school on January 4, 2021.
Remote Learning ?
SMS students who are following the remote learning instructional mode are expected to maintain a serious academic mindset.
Remote learners must adhere to the following:
- Students must follow the SMS attendance policy
- Students must commit to the regular duration of the school day class schedules
- Students must be dressed in school gym uniform shirt
- Students must be located in a setting suitable for learning (desk, table) – not a bed/couch
- Students must have their camera on and be visible to the teacher
- All students must wear headphones while remote learning to better facilitate audio transmission, help block out background noises, and allow for better attention skills
- Classes will be livestreamed through Google Meet and assignments will be posted on Google Classroom
- A Video/Audio release form must be signed and on file by all remote students
Click file below to download questions
| frequently_asked_questions.pdf |
