Unique School Year 2020-2021 at Saint Columba School

Welcome to Saint Columba School! 2020-2021 School Year

Agenda/Topics to Be Covered Introduction of the Principal What does school like for the 2020-2021 school year How to enter/exit St. Columba School Classroom procedures and direct instruction How will specials work Lunch/Recess State mandated guidelines

Introduction My name is Mr. Morisco , Principal of Saint Columba School I was previously the Principal at Holy Family Consolidated School. I have been involved in education on many levels for over 20 years. I earned a M.Ed in Educational Leadership and Administration I earned certifications in special education and elementary education. I have a beautiful family of 3 children and a very supportive wife. I love sports, fine arts, and learning. I value education and hands-on learning. I am a U.S. National Licensed Soccer Coach and have many years of soccer experience coaching on all levels.

What does school look like for 2020-2021 school year? As we all know, school this year, will be little unique. Like always we will have a successful, exciting, and educationally based school year. Our students will enjoy their experience here at St. Columba School. We have all the necessary guidelines in place for our students to be safe and enjoy their learning. Please schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Morisco or any other staff professional with any concerns. We are here to support you! St. Columba will create an atmosphere where our students and staff are able to create a normal school day, to the best of our capability. Parents are reassured with all the guidelines set in place that our student s safety is paramount and learning will continue as usual.

Five main health guidelines for a safe school day Always wear your mask when traveling throughout the building. Always wash and dry your hands before/after lunch and entering/exiting the restrooms. Always practice social distancing 6 feet apart. Always sneeze/cough inside your arm and against your chest. Always hand sanitize your hands when entering/exiting a new location. Note: Our students need this practice everyday in order for them to understand the importance in their daily routine. Please make this a priority all the time, as it will become second nature to them when going to school. Thank you for your continued support.

How do I enter/exit the school building if I am a bus student? Depending on the school district, bus students will have their temperature taking before boarding their respective bus. If they receive a reading of 100.4*F temperature the bus driver will not let them board. If a bus student does not get a temperature reading, then the student will have their temperature taken before entering the school building. Parents will have to contact the school and let them know their child will not be attending for the day. The school office will document all absences and reasons. The school office will contact the teacher in regards to the absent student and the teacher will provide online instruction . Parents should always connect with their respective teacher on the process of making up missed work. Parents may also refer to school handbook on making up work when absent. If a student has been allowed to board the bus and arrives at the school and not feeling well, St. Columba staff will take their temperature and follow proper health protocols. All bus students will enter/exit through the main entrance of the school (third street side). All students will report directly to the gymnasium. All students will be 6 feet apart and stay in their assigned spot until their respective teacher picks them up from the gymnasium.

How do I enter/exit the school if I am not a bus student? Parents are allowed to drop off their students and will wait until their temperature has been recorded. If they receive a temperature of 100.4 F, then the student will not be allowed to enter the school. There will be one location where you may drop off your child and have their temperature taken: main entrance (3rdstreet). Parents will have to contact the school and let them know their child will not be attending for the day. The school office will document all absences and reasons. The school office will contact the teacher in regards to the absent student and the teacher will provide online instruction . Parents should always connect with their respective teacher on the process of making up missed work. Parents may also refer to the school handbook on making up work when absent. All students will report directly to the gymnasium. All students will be 6 feet apart and stay in their assigned spot until their respective teacher picks them up from the gymnasium. There will be staggered times when exiting the school building.All after-school care students will report to a designated location within the school building.

During the day protocols All students are required to wear mask while traveling throughout the building. Once students arrive to their designated location and after they have unpacked their backpacks and are seated at their desk, under the teacher s direction they will be allowed to take their mask off. Students will be seated apart and facing in the same direction in all locations/classrooms. If students collaboratively working together, they must be at least 4 feet apart and sanitize their hands when they are done. All hands-on materials will be sanitized before and after each use by the teacher. Students will practice social distance throughout the day in all locations/classrooms. All teachers will wear masks throughout the day. If teachers want to take their mask off while seated at their desk, they may do so. Any student/staff that feels uncomfortable of taking their mask off during the day, they have the right to keep it on. At no point will a staff/student bully another student/staff because of them wearing a mask. If this happens, immediate consequences will be enforced and that person will be sent directly to the Principal s office.

How will direct instruction be taught? Our teachers will instruct their students with the understanding of all guidelines that are put in place. At no time will any student be allowed to directly sit with another student. All teachers have been instructed to sanitize their hands and wear a mask before assisting a student. All teachers have been instructed to sanitize any manipulatives they are using for direct instruction. All teachers have been strongly encouraged to use google classroom for reports/projects/homework assignments, as we do not know what the next day will bring. This will give the students a chance to practice and get comfortable in utilizing google classroom or any other technological support. All teachers will simulate a normal day for our students, to the best of their abilities. Any concerns about assignments, classroom management, daily routines, direct instruction, grades, please contact the teacher. Any student not feeling well for any reason during class will immediately report to the school office.

How do specials work? All special teachers will travel to their respective classes or classes may be conducted outside when possible. All gym classes will be held outside at every opportunity. Inclement weather gym classes will be held in the gymnasium. All students will be allowed to play together within their grade and wear their mask when moving to a new location/event (gym/recess). All students will sanitize their hands before they return to class. All gym equipment will be sanitize before/after each use.

How does lunch work? Student will eat their lunch in the cafeteria. All students will have assigned seating for lunch. Once they enter the cafeteria they will go directly to their seats. Students that purchase lunch will have their lunches waiting for them at their assigned seat. Staggered times will be set for entering/exiting the cafeteria while maintaining social distancing. All masks must be worn when entering/exiting the cafeteria. Students are allowed to take off their mask while they are seated and eating lunch. Cafeteria staff will sanitize all tables and chairs before each lunch period. Cafeteria staff will wear mask at all times when students are present. Students will clean their hands before entering/exiting the cafeteria.

How does recess work? Students will wear their mask when they line up to/from recess. Students will sanitize their hands before entering the building. Staggered times will be implemented for going back to class. Each grade will stay together during recess and have a designated section on the playground. Each grade will rotate to different parts of the playground throughout the week. Each grade will have their own playground equipment and will be sanitize before/after each use. No grade will be allowed to use the jungle gym during school hours. Recess will be outside at every opportunity. Inclement weather, recess will be inside at designated locations and keeping grades separated.

Why do we need to follow health guidelines? Health guidelines are put in place for the safety of everyone. If a person becomes infected while at St. Columba School, the school office and all necessary personnel respond immediately to the situation, by protecting others. If any student/staff becomes positive throughout the day, the school office will isolate that person in the Nurse s suite until further guidance from the Principal. As the Principal, I have many channels and protocols that must be followed in protecting the safety of our school. In no way will I allow any student/staff jeopardize learning from others. When a student becomes positive of Covid 19 or has a temperature of 100.4*F we will put that student in the sanitized Nurse s suite, record their temperature, communicate with the parent for pick up, and make them feel comfortable and at ease. Everyone involved will wear mandatory masks, the nurse s suite will be on lock down for the protection of others, the student will be quarantined for at least 10 days, a doctor s note will be requested to return to school, and the student will receive an extension to make up the work.

Q&A sessions Please only ask general questions/concerns dealing with the school population during the zoom meeting (post in chat box). Any personal concerns, please schedule an appointment with the school office anytime. I am available through email, phone, and in person. Please wear your mask in public and respect all health guidelines and procedures when visiting St. Columba School. St. Columba School 40 East Third Street Bloomsburg, PA, 17815 School: (570) 784-5932 Email: scsprincipal@saintcolumbaschool.org Website: www. Saintcolumbaschool.org

Saint Columba School - 2020-2021 Thank you for your cooperation, dedication, support, and communication in guiding St. Columba School to a safe, healthy, and wonderful learning experience for our staff and students. Thank you to all of the families, parents, community, stakeholders in supporting our beautiful school and everything it has to offer in affording our students a quality catholic education. As the Principal of Saint Columba School I am honored to build the foundation for your child s educational experience. Success happens when everyone works together at Saint Columba God bless and be safe Mr. Morisco