MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Department of Education BERMUDA FOR OPENING SCHOOLS RESPONSIBLY DURING COVID-19 AUGUST 21st, 2020
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Bermuda Public School Mission As the Department of Education prepares to reopen Bermuda public schools responsibly, we will align protocols, processes, procedures and decisions with the current Department of Health guidelines and the mission for the Bermuda Public School System (BPSS): To provide all students with equitable access to holistic, varied, high-quality instruction that is culturally relevant and empowers students to reach their full potential 3
Foreword ▪ Bermuda’s Public Schools closed on March 19th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020 to June 2020, our students participated in a remote learning programme and received remote services from teachers and specialist teachers with the support of their parents and families. ▪ The Department of Education is deeply appreciative of our staff for their valiant efforts in adjusting to a new way of teaching and servicing our students. ▪ As September 2020 approaches, and with low community transmission of the COVID-19 virus, our children need to be in school learning, socializing and receiving the services that they require. ▪ The first day for staff is September 1st and students will follow on September 14th. ▪ The Blueprint for Reopening Bermuda Public Schools Responsibly sets out how schools will operate and function during the 2020/2021 school year. 4
Collective Responsibility ▪ Schools and the school experience will be different. ▪ School staff, students, parents and the Department of Education staff will have to adjust to new ways of how schools will operate. In particular, everyone will have to learn and adjust to new safety and health protocols, in addition to any new operational procedures. ▪ This will require everyone to be willing to do his / her individual part, to “row in one direction” and to work collectively and collaboratively to ensure a successful experience for staff and students. ▪ We are individually and collectively responsible for the success of our students and schools during the 2020/2021 school year. 5
Priorities for 2020/2021 Safety & Health The safety and health of staff and students are of paramount importance as they prepare to enter a school environment where Staff and Student teaching, learning and services will take place within the Well-being backdrop of new safety and health protocols to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Teaching, Learning The Department recognizes that staff and students have & Student “experienced” the COVID-19 pandemic and they will also be Services adjusting to a “new normal” within school environments. We understand that crisis experiences and change require intentional support to ensure staff and student well-being. We want to ensure that teaching and learning take place every day. We also want our students to receive the full complement of services which they require and to which they are entitled. 6
Key Dates for September 2020 Week of August 31st Commissioner’s Zoom Sessions with BPSS Students September 1st Staff Return / BPSS Workshops from 8:30am to 3:30pm September 2nd to 8th Staff Meetings, Site –Based Workshops and Room Preparation September 9th to 11th Staff Safety and Health Protocol Training September 14th First Day of School for Students (Note: Staggered start for Preschools & Senior) September 14th – 18th Recovery Week (Students Report in School Uniforms) Week of September 21st Commissioner’s Zoom Sessions with BPSS Staff Week of September 28Th Commissioner’s Zoom Sessions with BPSS Staff Parent Zoom Sessions were held: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx Staff Zoom Sessions were held: August 17th to 21st and August 24th 7
School Hours 1. Public preschools will open from 8:30am to 3:00pm. 2. Public primary, middle and senior schools will be open from 8:30am to 3:30pm. 3. The day will end at 3:00pm for Primary 1 and Primary 2 students. 4. Students will not be able to access the school building prior to 8:30am. 5. Parents are asked not to leave students unattended at school prior to 8:30am. 6. Schools will not be responsible for any student who arrives at school prior to 8:30am. 7. Entry procedures for students will commence at 8:30am. 8. All students will be required to leave the school premises by 3:30pm unless they are registered for an afterschool programme. 9. School staff will be required to exit the building by 4:30pm each day to allow custodians to clean the building, unless those staff are working at the after school programme. 10. School leaders are encouraged to hold online staff meetings. 11. All staff and students at After School Programmes must leave the school premises by 5:45pm. 12. Parents must collect students no later than 5:45pm to allow custodians sufficient time to clean the facilities that were used for the After School Programme. 8
School Schedules 1. All schools will set aside time at the start of the day for entry procedures starting at 8:30am. 2. All pre, primary, middle and SARA will schedule a mid-morning and mid-afternoon staff and student wellness break. 3. All pre, primary and middle schools will have time at the end of the day for exit procedures. 4. Senior school students will follow a regular schedule. 5. All schools will provide students and staff with a lunch break. 6. Preschool students and students at DAME remain with their teachers. Teachers will move to students at the primary, middle and SARA for all classes except PE. 7. Students will move to teachers’ classrooms at the senior level. 8. Students from preschool to S2 will attend school every day unless they are extremely clinically vulnerable as verified by a doctor or physician. 9. Students at the S3 and S4 levels will attend schools on days designated by their respective schools and access learning remotely when they are not on the school premises. Appointments for students should be made for outside of the school day. 9
Recovery Week Activities A recovery period is 1. Teaching and practicing safety & health protocols essential for 2. Re-teaching and re-establishing routines organizations that 3. Reviewing the expectations for learning and conduct have experienced 4. Preparing students to re-commence learning disruption, crisis and 5. Attending to the social-emotional needs of staff and students trauma. Recovery 6. Incorporating wellness activities during class time week, which will be 7. Providing support services held September 14th 8. Conducting a standardized safety and health audit (All Schools) to 18th, will enable 9. Assessing the well-being of students staff and students to 10. Assessing operations with safety and health protocols transition back to 11. Communicating with families (Meet the Teacher Night, Back to school. School Night and PTA Meetings will be held via Zoom.) School Leaders will provide parents with a recovery week schedule and activities. 10
Safety & Health Protocols Using current research, 1. Entry to Exit Safety & Health Protocols for scientific evidence, and Preschools, Primary, Middle / SARA. Senior guidance from the Schools and DAME Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the World 2. A Protocol for Isolating Sick Staff and Students Health Organization 3. A Protocol for Peripatetic Staff (who travel from (WHO), and UK Public Health, the Department school to school) of Health (DOH) has 4. A Protocol for Community Partner Programmes developed 5. Cleaning Protocols for Custodians comprehensive protocols for the safety Links to the protocols can be found on Page X. and health for schools All Department of Education & Department of Health Staff, School Staff and Students 11 must comply with safety and health protocols.
Home and School Safety Measures 1. Frequent handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds or hand sanitizing 2. Coughing into a tissue or bent elbow 3. Sneezing into a tissue or bent elbow 4. Keeping hands away from eyes, nose and mouth 5. Students at primary, middle, SARA and senior schools will sanitize their desk, chair and personal equipment with wipes provided by the school Parents are asked to help students to develop these practices prior to their return to school. 12
School Safety Measures Safety measures work together to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and to safeguard staff and students. When schools cannot maintain physical distancing of 6 feet, safety measures are increased. School safety measures include: 1. Stay at home of if you are unwell 2. Entry screening: Thermal scanning and COVID-19 questions 3. Face mask use 4. Handwashing 5. Respiratory Etiquette for sneezing and coughing 6. Physical distancing of 3 feet to 6 feet 7. Ventilation (open windows, doors, fans and air conditioners) 8. “Bubbles” 9. Surveillance and health monitoring by the Department of Health Parents are not permitted in school buildings. Schools will lock all 13 entrances once students have competed the entry screening.
Physical Distancing (Insert wording from the DOH) 14
Stay at Home if Unwell One of the safety measures used by schools will be for staff and students to stay home if they are unwell. The following should serve as a guide for remaining at home: ▪ (insert list from DOH here) 15
Daily Entry Procedures The Department of Health 4 Entry Questions requires: 1. Wearing a mask 1. Do you have COVID-19 symptoms? 2. Thermal scanning on the 2. Have you been exposed to anyone with COVID-19? 3. Does anyone in your household have COVID-19 or has forehead (100.4F /38C) 3. Responses to 4 questions been exposed to COVID-19? 4. Spraying of school bags 4. Has anyone in your family travelled in the last 14 days? with a sanitizer Parents who are unable to be present with their child during entry procedures may complete the 4 questions by NOTE: Parents and non- sending a note or answering the questions online each day. essential visitors will not enter buildings. Students and staff who answer yes to any questions will not be able to enter the school building 16
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures 1. Schools will not commence entry screenings for students until 8:30am. 2. School leaders will advise parents about the drop-off and pick up procedures and the times for their specific school. 3. Parents are advised that there will be a line of parents and students waiting to complete the entry screening in the morning and possible lines for pick up in the afternoon. 4. We ask for parents to cooperate with school staff who are involved in the drop off and pick up procedures. 17
Mask Wearing ▪ All school staff , including Department of Education staff and peripatetic staff, will wear cloth masks throughout the school day, with breaks taken from wearing the mask in accordance with the guidelines from the Department of Health. ▪ Parents will wear masks when dropping off and picking up children. ▪ Students will wear masks: Preschool ▪ During designated activities 1. On Arrival on the premises: walking, arriving in/on a ▪ If sick and going to, and while in the parent/guardian's vehicle, your own motorbike and while isolation room (IF tolerated) carpooling 2. Entering the building, and Primary ▪ During designated indoor activities, e.g., walking to the bathroom and classroom, first class for the day going to the bathroom 3. Exiting the building 4. On the way to school if on public ▪ If sick and going to, and while in the transportation, in a mini-bus or while carpooling isolation room (IF tolerated) Middle, ▪ During all indoor classes and detention Senior & ▪ Moving around the building SARA ▪ If sick and going to, and while in the isolation room (IF tolerated) Students at DAME will not wear masks. 18
Isolation Room Procedures ▪ Each school will have an isolation room for staff or students who become unwell during the school day. ▪ Students who indicate that they are unwell will be taken to the isolation room. ▪ Students will wear a mask while in the isolation room, if tolerated. ▪ The student will be supervised by an adult wearing personal protection equipment until the parent arrives. ▪ Parents must collect students immediately when contacted by the school. ▪ Students will be brought to the exit for collection as parents are not permitted to enter the school building. ▪ The student will return to school when a doctor’s certificate is provided to the school in advance. ▪ The isolation room will be cleaned, sanitized and disinfected after each use by the school custodian. 19
Attendance Absence Codes ▪ Staff and student Code Category Examples absences will be monitored by the I-A Asthma Department of Health I-FRS as part of their Fever and (influenza-type illnesses, coughing, surveillance process. I-G Respiratory runny noses, mumps, fever, etc.) I-FRS Symptoms ▪ When students are (food-borne outbreaks, diarrhea, absent from school Gastroenteritis nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps) due to being unwell, parents will be asked Fever and Rash (chicken-pox, measles, fever, etc.) to identity the reason for the absence. I-INJ Injury (broken bones, sprains, cuts, etc.) I-OI Other Infectious (conjunctivitis (pink eye), lice, Diseases scabies, etc. 20
Class Sizes Preschool Classes sizes have been determined based on the guidance from the 10 Department of Health and with the understanding that the following safety and health measures will be in place: 18 Primary 1. Staff and students remain at home when they are unwell. 2. Staff and students have completed the entry procedures. 18 Middle 3. Rooms are ventilated with windows and doors open, fans on or air conditioners on. 4. Frequent handwashing with soap and water and / or hands are 18 Senior sanitized with hand sanitizer or hand sanitizing wipes. 5. Coughing and sneezing etiquette is enforced. X Dame 6. Students only use their own equipment and supplies. 7. Frequent wiping down of desks, chairs and equipment with sanitizing wipes. 8. Cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surface areas. 21
“Bubbles” Insert wording from the DOH. 22
Hybrid Learning Model The Hybrid Learning Model is based on our understanding that there are some staff and students who are extremely clinically vulnerable and they will not be able to enter schools. Both staff and students who fall in this category are required to provide a medical certificate. This model involves: 1. Teachers and students in class while extremely vulnerable students learn remotely at the same time as students in their class. 2. Teachers who are extremely clinically vulnerable will teach their class remotely while a substitute teacher is in the classroom with students on site and while extremely clinically vulnerable students access learning remotely. 23
Co-Curricular Programmes Insert wording from the DOH. 24
Community Programmes ▪ Most, if not all schools have community partners who provide programmes to enrich and enhance school programmes. ▪ Partners either come into the school or students attend programmes at off site locations. ▪ The Department of Health has established a protocol for community programmes which outlines the frequency of programme delivery and the safety and health procedures which must be followed. ▪ The first step involves all organizations submitting a COVID-19 plan to the Department of Health for approval before they can commence the programme for students. ▪ It is anticipated that on and off site programmes will start in October. 25
After School Programmes The Department of Youth Sports and Recreation will be holding Afterschool Programmes for Primary and Middle school students at the following locations: Western Zone Community Centre (West End, ▪ Dalton E. Tucker Primary School Somerset Primary and Sandy’s Secondary ▪ Port Royal Primary School ▪ Heron Bay Primary School Middle School) ▪ Purvis Primary School ▪ Victor Scott Primary Central Zone Community Centre (Dellwood ▪ Elliot Primary School Middle and Whitney Institute Middle) ▪ Prospect Primary School ▪ West Pembroke Primary School Eastern Zone Community Centre ▪ Paget Primary School (St. George’s Preparatory, East End and ▪ Francis Patton Primary School ▪ Harrington Sound Primary School Clearwater Middle) ▪ St. David’s Primary DAME will hold an after school Programme. 26 Preschool Programmes will be held at Warwick, Devonshire, Victor Scott and Prospect. The Department is working to expand the programme to other preschools.
Technology to Support Learning ▪ Our goal is to provide all pre, primary and middle school students and staff with devices to support teaching and learning ▪ Devices are being received in batches and distribution of devices will start during the last week of August 2020 ▪ Wi-Fi access has been expanded in all pre and primary schools ▪ (Insert information on bandwidth, firewalls, smart/white boards and LCD projectors .) 27
If Staff or Student fall sick at School Insert wording from the DOH. 28
Protocol if a COVID Case at School Insert wording from DOH. 29
Medium Exposure Risk Jobs or Tasks Medium exposure risk jobs or tasks with close, frequent contact with the general public or others. This risk level may apply to workers who have frequent and close contact with the people in high-population-density work environments, or tasks that require close and frequent contact between co-workers or between members of the public. Examples of this type of work include schools, day care centres/providers and camps (applies to both workers and attendees). This would then apply to both staff and students. Department of Health Website - Safe Return to Work After Travel: https://www.gov.bm/sites/default/files/11645%20COVID%2019%20- %20Safe%20Return%20to%20Work%20after%20Travel%20Guidance%20200813.pdf 30
Outdoors Play and Breaks Insert wording from the DOH. 31
Cleaning Protocol Opening windows and doors all day to circulate air will help provide good ventilation for rooms. Regular cleaning and disinfecting can slow the spread of COVID-19 when the correct protocols are used. School custodians will carry out a daily cleaning procedures developed by the Department of Health. These procedures include frequent cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting high-touch and high use areas such as bathrooms throughout the day, using color-coded cleaning equipment. ▪ CLEANING – Removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects. ▪ SANITIZING – Lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level. ▪ DISINFECTING – Kills germs on surfaces or objects. The Department of Health has developed daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly cleaning procedures for custodians to follow. The Department of Education will hire daily cleaners for preschools . 32
Cleaning and Hygiene Products The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a list of N products that are effective against another human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) or viruses that are harder to kill thank COVID-19. The Department has purchased and will provide on an ongoing basis to schools these EPA registered and disinfecting products. When used according to the label instructions, these products will ensure that any indoor air pollution risks are reduced. 33
Curriculum 2020/2021 ▪ All schools will offer the same curricula as in 2019/2020; however, with time allocated daily for safety and health procedures, the amount of time allocated for subjects will be reduced. To address this, teachers within the BPSS have identified the essential curricula for core and encore subjects at the preschool, primary and middle levels. ▪ Parents may use PowerSchool gradebooks to determine what standards or objectives are being taught. Parents may access primary and middle level essential curricula here: XXXXXXXX 34
Assessments and Reporting ▪ All schools will start the year by assessing where students are and working to “plug” up the gaps. All teachers in the BPSS will participate in a workshop on September 1st, 2020 entitled Responding to Students with Unfinished Learning. This workshop will focus on approaches that can be uses to ‘close the gaps’ before moving ahead with grade level content. This way, students can access new material in a meaningful way. ▪ Teachers will continue to use formative and summative assessments throughout the year. Primary, Middle and Senior teachers will post grades in PowerSchool. Preschool parents may access grades via the Teaching Strategies Gold and parents at DAME and SARA may access information on progress via their child’s teacher. ▪ Online report cards will be available for primary and middle level parents at the mid and end of each term and at the mid and end of each quarter for senior school students. 35
Safety and Health Inspections Safety and Health Inspections will take place throughout the year: 1. Annually (Department of Education Facilities Staff & Other Government Staff) 2. Monthly (Department of Education Safety and Health Officer) 3. Bi-Monthly (School Safety and Health Committees / COVID-19 Committees) 4. Unannounced (Department of Education and Department of Health Staff) 36
Well-Being: What Parents Can Do The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. However, learning how to manage stress and get through stressful challenges, will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. 1. Take time to talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way your child or teen can understand. 2. Reassure your child or teen they are safe. Let them know it’s okay to feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so they can learn coping skills from you. 3. Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand. 4. Try to keep up with regular routines. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities. 5. Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Well Being During COVID-19 Guidance: 37 https://www.gov.bm/sites/default/files/Mental-Health-Guidance_0.pdf
Students with Special Needs ▪ The Department recognizes that students in our ASD, Functional Skills, Functional Academics, Visually Impaired, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Programmes and the students at DAME will require staff to work closely with them. ▪ Staff will wear masks and where appropriate, other personal protective equipment during close interactions with students. 38
Large Group Gatherings ▪ Insert wording from the DOH. 39
Senior School Graduation Requirements ▪ Will the Minister be approving the same exemptions as in 2019/2020? 40
Extremely Clinically Vulnerable ▪ The Department of Health has determined the criteria for persons who are extremely clinically vulnerable. ▪ Staff and students who fall into this category must provide a medical certificate from a doctor or physician to confirm that they fall into this category. ▪ Staff and students who fall into this category will be granted permission to teach and access learning remotely. Extremely Clinically Vulnerable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjlnC-1IMhg 41
Shielding for Asthmatics People are considered at high risk if ALL THREE of these apply to you: 1. You have asthma 2. You are taking a HIGH dose prevention or combination inhaler (more than 1000 mcgs a day, for example, high-dose Symbicort, Dulera, Seretide, Revlar Ellipta) 3. You are taking continuous or frequent oral steroids Talk to your doctor if you are not sure if you are in a high-risk group. However, the goal is control for young persons who have asthma and asthma can be controlled. Speak with your doctor to discuss your action and level of control to determine your risk for being in school. Shielding Guidelines for People with Asthma: https://www.gov.bm/sites/default/files/Shielding-Guidelines-for-People-with-Asthma.pdf 42
Well-Being: What Schools Will Do ▪ The well-being of staff and students is of paramount importance. The Department of Education, in collaboration with EAP will provide workshops for school staff during the year. ▪ Schools will XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 43
Transportation The Department of Transportation will provide a travel plan for students who need to use public transportation to get to and from school. That plan will be communicated to parents once it is received. Parents should also give consideration to additional transportation for getting students to school means such as: 1. Walking to and from school if school is close enough 2. Riding a pedal bike, with a helmet 3. Carpooling (All passengers would have to wash or sanitize hands before getting in the car and all passengers must wear a face mask.) School staff are not permitted to transport students to and from any school-related programme. 44
Travel Insert wording from the DOH as the policy has been updated. 45
Parent Volunteers ▪ Parents are not permitted to enter school buildings. ▪ However, parents are permitted to assist with entry screenings. ▪ Parents will wear a face shield and face mask; maintain 6 feet physical distancing; and use hand sanitizer after interacting with a child and before interacting with another child. ▪ Parent helpers will not measure temperatures, which would bring them to within 4 feet distance of a child. ▪ Parent helpers can record high temperatures, and/or disinfect bags, while school personnel measure temperatures. ▪ Parents are not permitted to record information for the 4 COVID-19 questions to maintain privacy. 46
Services for Students The identified services are to be provided for students who are on Individual Education Plans (IEPs). The Department of Health has developed a safety and health protocol to guide the delivery of services which are to be provided by Department of Education and Department of Health staff: ▪ Counsellor ▪ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teacher ▪ Social Worker ▪ Teacher for the Visually Impaired ▪ Educational Therapist ▪ English as a Second Language Teacher ▪ Educational Therapist Assistant ▪ Occupational Therapist ▪ Para Educator ▪ Physiotherapist ▪ Reading Teacher ▪ Speech and Language Pathologist ▪ Learning Support Teacher ▪ School Psychologist ▪ Adaptive PE Teacher ▪ School Nurse (Limited Services) Schools will hold IEP, Parent and MTSS Meetings via Zoom. 47
Dual Enrolment and Work Placement ▪ There are students at the middle level who participate in dual enrollment programmes at our senior schools and senior school students who participate in dual enrolment programmes at the Bermuda College. ▪ Dual enrollment programmes for middle school students has been suspended until further notice. ▪ Senior school students may participate in dual enrolment programmes at the Bermuda College. ▪ SARA and senior school student participation in work placements is suspended until further notice. 48
Communication The Department of Education is committed to improving communicating with and engaging the BPSS Family. We will use the following communication strategies: 1. Emails sent directly to staff or via the school 2. THE SCOOP newsletter 3. PowerSchool messages using PowerSchool Bulletin 4. Social media postings 5. School level Facebook groups (You need a PowerSchool account to join) 6. Zoom staff, parents and student sessions 7. Live panel discussions broadcast on Facebook, CITV and YouTube 8. BPSS Family Feedback Form (Insert link) 9. BPSS Surveys 10. Hard copies of information that can be collected from the Department of Education 11. A Call in for Information Service (Insert Phone # here) 49
PowerSchool Parents and guardians must have a parent portal in the PowerSchool application. If you do not know how to access your parent portal or are unsure if you have one, reset your password as follows. 1. Go to classroom.powerschool.com 2. Choose the Forgot Password link. 3. Enter PowerSchool ID (email address) and press \"Send Request\" If you have any difficulties, email: [email protected] Please note: if you are a parent in the system for the first time, you will be contacted by the central office with set up instructions. Parents must ensure that all contact information in PowerSchool is up to date and accurate, including email addresses. 50
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