Goals and intentions
- TKG is meeting outdoors in small pods, not indoors for any part of the school day
- This plan is created to help us preserve TKG values of hands-on learning and empowerment
- Developmental progress will be the first factor for assignments into small groups.
- Parents will not send sick children, even slightly, to school
- There are many challenges and risks to covid prevention and we endeavor to stay vigilant and do our best
- Trust in teachers & admin to meet the needs of class health & safety. Staff is self-monitoring for symptoms.
- Trust in students & families to prioritze community health & safety including properly fitting masks and/or modifications that keep masks on (outside of the sit spot safety zone).
- Offer whole-child and community resources via private parents Info page
- Agencies of reference: California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the California Department of Education, RBUSD, TUSD
- TKG is not responsible for any COVID exposure on the public park grounds or for families who break their bubble or are irresponsible with their COVID protocols.
- There will be updates and changes to this plan based on re-evaluations, new enrollment, or official agency mandates.
Schedule & Pod Assignments
Pods will keep their distance and minimize the number of adults in the space. We will keep students and teacher/staff with the same group to the extent possible. There may be siblings and/or parents across pods. The timeline to return to Regular Schedule will be determined based on community polls and teacher feedback. Families are welcome to have a fully online schedule. Students who must observe a quarantine are invited to participate in the online schedule.
- Regular Schedule = M-Thr, 9-1 (in-person); Fri, custom schedule per pod (online). Regular class enrollment will be up to 10 students and up to 2 adults
- Modified Schedule A (in consideration of County directives for schools/camps/enrichment) = 3 days, 4 hours each day (in-person); 2 days, custom schedule per pod (online). We will endeavor to keep the pods as close to 5 as possible but current enrollment and staffing may require that we create one pod of up to 7 students with 1 adult or 2 if developmental levels require support.
- Modified Schedule B (in consideration of County directives for sheltering in place) = 2 days, 4 hours each day (in-person); 3 days, custom schedule per pod (online). Smaller groups will require that teachers split their time between pods.
- Fully Online = to be determined but our preference is in-person options, even for shorter hours
- Staff Meetings are held online
- Parent Meetings are held online or by phone, please do not expect time to meet after in-person class
- Any work or projects (or turning in lessons/assignments) will be facilitated to minimize cross-contact and hand-sanitizer will be required.
Suspected & Confirmed Cases
If we receive a positive COVID report, the class will begin a quarantine ranging from 10-14 days. If there is cross-pod exposure, the class will begin a quarantine to be determined based on the proximity to the positive test. All positive reports will be reported to LACHD. Testing will be recommended for all but not required if the quarantine is fulfilled properly.
- Any students or staff exhibiting common COVID-19 symptoms will be required to wear a face covering and wait in an isolation area until a parent or authorized adult comes to pick them up.
- Upon notification from a student/family of a positive case all close contacts within the school will be notified immediately, while maintaining confidentiality as required by state and federal laws.
- Close contacts will be asked to quarantine for at least 14 days. If symptoms develop during that time, the student/staff must stay home until they fulfill the quarantine period. Testing is encouraged.
- Testing is encouraged for contacts in proximity, especially teachers
- All school families will be notified of a positive test result without revealing identity.
COVID confirmed or suspected cases will not be allowed to return to work/school until they have met all three of the following criteria:
- 3 days with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
- Respiratory symptoms have improved (e.g. cough, shortness of breath)
- It has been:
- at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared (no test)
- if the patient has tested positive for COVID but remained asymptomatic, it has been
at least 10 days since their positive test - if the patient tested negative for COVID but has symptoms, 3 days after symptoms
resolved.
Joining (new students) or Returning to the Co-hort
There may be new students or staff from time to time. We will keep students and teacher/staff with the same group to the extent possible.
Upon return from a break of a week or longer including travel outside LA County:
- All families, faculty, staff who stay within their regular, personal bubbles may return to class without restrictions or requirements.
- If a family travels outside of LA County for any period of time during the break must provide a negative COVID test 2-3 days prior to to return – at their own expense.
- If a teacher requires a test to return to work, TKG will cover the cost and we are grateful for any class parents who contribute to the cost.
- Following a school quarantine, a test will be recommended but not required if the quarantine period is fulfilled properly.
A new student enrollment:
- Families agree that they will not attend a trial day if their student is or has been sick within the last 7 days of the visit
- Families pledge to keep their personal bubbles, limited
- Families pledge to alert TKG about any COVID exposure
- A negative COVID test must be completed 3-5 days prior to first day of enrollment
Physical Logistics including Arrival/Departure protocols
We ask all families to observe the following guidelines:
- Staggered arrival times may be implemented based on the number of students scheduled to arrive at the same time.
- Transfer to teacher supervision at drop-off will occur as close to the parking lot as possible. Be sure that your teacher has confirmed attendance via Brightwheel. Please hand-sanitize before you and/or your student leave your car.
- We ask parents to empower their children to set up their own sit spots, so pack light fabrics, water bottles, and materials.
- Every student will have a sit spot that is safely distanced from others for mask, snack, water, and self breaks
- Students will be discouraged from sharing writing materials or snacks/drinks.
- Teachers will provide shared materials from time to time – hand sanitizing and washing will be required before and after, use.
- Please keep your distance from other parents and teachers.
- Transfer from teacher to parent at pick up will occur as close to the parking lot as possible. Be sure that your teacher has confirmed attendance via Brightwheel and hand sanitze when you all return to your car.
- No guests will be allowed unless approved by the admin.
- Teachers are highly aware to safety protocols and remind and educate students, at least once daily
- Admin cleans tables with disinfecting wipes at least once a day and staff keeps up the wiping when students return to a table
- Hand sanitizer is available and used often in the classroom. If you have a preference for a different hand sanitizer (alcohol-based only), please make sure your student knows where it is and how to use it.
Quick Links & Reminders
- The state of California requires all staff and children in grades 3 and above to wear a mask or cloth face covering while on school grounds unless medically exempt (as described below) or participating in an activity during which mask/face covering use is inadvisable, such as rigorous physical exercise. We believe in the evidence that proper use of a face covering, when combined with social distancing and other prevention measures, can significantly reduce transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, if the student experiences any of the following, exemptions will be considered:
- Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering
- Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication
- Anyone who is having trouble breathing, is unconscious or otherwise incapacitated, or unable to remove the covering without assistance
- Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds with soap and water when available, and students/staff should use fragrance free 60% (minimum) ethyl-alcohol hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available. If hands are visibly dirty, soap and water must be used.
Ongoing health monitoring of students and staff is critical to decreasing the rate of transmission in schools and the community. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include a newly developed cough (i.e. not related to asthma or allergies), fever over 100.4, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, headache, and new loss of taste or smell. Seek immediate medical attention if someone displays emergency warning signs of COVID-19: Trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.