Cleaning and Disinfection
An enhanced facilities team has been hired to regularly clean and sanitize (throughout the day and after school) touched surfaces and objects within the school buildings and outside spaces (including play equipment). This includes door and sink handles, water dispensers, desktops, railings, etc.
Touchless toilets and sinks are being installed in all restrooms.
Water fountains will be disabled and water bottle filling stations will be installed in the schools. There will also be sanitizing stations throughout the school buildings.
Products used for cleaning will be CDC and FDA approved.
Hygiene and Safety
The following procedures will be practiced by faculty/staff, students:
Proper handwashing, reinforced and required on a regular basis. Hands will be washed upon arriving at school and during regular intervals, including before snack and lunch and after bathroom visits.
Physical contact will be minimized and avoided as possible (i.e., no handshaking or high fives).
Signs will be posted throughout the school building, reminding students and staff to maintain proper hygiene.
Surfaces including door knobs, tables, desks and handrails will be sanitized throughout the day.
For health and safety reasons, a hot lunch program will not be offered during the 2020-21 school year. Students must bring a dairy or pareve lunch and snack each day. Refrigeration will not be available.
In order for faculty/staff to comply with physical distancing, we recommend:
Lunch and snack items include those that are easy for children to open themselves.
Velcro (or easy-close) shoes/sneakers for students unable to tie their own shoes.
Masks and Face Coverings
Students, faculty and staff will wear face masks while inside and outdoors. Masks protect the health and safety of our entire community by preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Students will have “mask-breaks” when outdoors with appropriate physical distancing. They may also remove masks for eating, drinking and napping when appropriately distanced.
Face masks must cover the nose and mouth securely and stay in place with normal movement. Masks should be secured to the head with ties, straps or with loops over the ears. They should fit snugly and comfortably against the face.
Ideally, masks will have 2 layers of breathable material and space for a filter. Masks must be washed daily after use. Under no circumstances should face masks be shared.
Bandanas and scarves and "gaiters" are NOT acceptable. Facial shields may be worn in addition to masks, but not as an alternative. Masks with valves are NOT acceptable, as they are designed to protect the wearer but not those around them.
Physical Distancing
Learning
Students will learn outside, weather permitting. Additional security measures and protocols will be in place on our campuses.
Tents without walls will be set up on the fields of both campuses in order to provide cover and shade. Children and teachers should dress appropriately for outdoor classes and play.
Students and their classroom teachers will operate as a cohort (class group) throughout the day and will not interact physically with other classes to the extent possible. Specials teachers will visit each cohort rather than students moving to a specials classroom. Interactions between larger groups of students will be online via Zoom.
Students will have assigned seats within their classroom cohorts, where they will remain throughout the school day.
Students will be spaced 6 feet apart as feasible.
There will be no communal gatherings, such as tefillot (services), assemblies, or ceremonies.
Physical Education classes (games and activities that do not require physical contact) will be held outdoors, weather permitting.
Recess periods will be staggered to reduce density on the playground.
Facilities
Stairwells and entryways will be designated for specific grade levels.
Bathrooms are assigned by grade level to limit student movement throughout the buildings.
Technology, Classroom Materials, and Equipment
Students will be assigned individual laptops or iPads.
Students will have individual bins in which they keep school supplies, toys, manipulatives and other materials regularly used in the classroom.
Sets of balls and other materials for PE and recess will be assigned to each individual class.
Sandboxes will be covered or removed.
Games and activities requiring close contact will be prohibited at recess and PE.
Travel Policy
Perelman follows the guidelines established by local, state and federal agencies regarding travel to high risk areas. Students, faculty and staff members returning from areas both within the United States and abroad where there have been travel alerts issued related to infectious disease, including but not limited to COVID-19, will be required to self-quarantine to monitor for symptoms of illness for 14 days.
Visitor Policy
Visitors, parents or volunteers will not be permitted in school buildings, with the exception of essential vendors or contractors, who will enter by appointment only. They will be required to comply with all school procedures, including health screenings, prior to entering the school.