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Friendship. Scholarship. Sportsmanship.
GDS Experience
COVID-19 Operations Plan
Minimizing Risk, Maximizing Learning
The following priorities guide campus re-entry and operations plan:
Health and safety of our students and employees
Academic excellence
Minimized disruptions, reassurance, and peace of mind for our parents and families
We miss our students! And we know they miss their personal connections with their peers, teachers, counselors, and coaches.
Greensboro Day School has crafted a thoughtful, comprehensive, and mission-aligned operations plan for delivering the best academic experience in the safest way under the current pandemic conditions.
GDS’s 65-acre spacious campus and an entire ecosystem of faculty and staff support will allow GDS to operate at times when public schools are closed, depending on the current state of health of our community. As conditions ebb and flow, Greensboro Day School must remain flexible.
GDS Students can choose distance learning via Swivl
GDS will follow Local, State, and CDC Guidance
GDS will require completing the Magnus screening form to be submitted electronically by a parent before arrival & temperature check will occur upon onsite arrival
GREEN PLAN
PK-12 On-Campus Daily
Gathering & Minimal Social Distancing Measures Implemented
PK-4: Class size adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Grade level homerooms may mix at times with other homerooms for socialization and academic differentiation. Students travel with homeroom class to specialist classes when 6 ft. social distancing can be supported; Some specialist teachers push into homerooms. PE outside as much as possible, lunch outside encouraged when weather cooperates or in classrooms. Age 2 in cottage, age 3 - grade 3 in LS bldg. and grade 4 in media center. Grade 5-12: Class sizes adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Classrooms utilize the entire campus: Middle School, Upper School, gym, theatre, black box, music rooms, art rooms, music rooms, and outdoors.
PK-12: Outdoor recess/mask break time every 60-80 min for all students.
BLUE PLAN
PK-12 On-Campus Daily
Gathering & Minimal Social Distancing Measures Implemented
PK-4: Class size adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Homerooms do not mix with other homerooms. Students travel with homeroom class to specialist classes when 6 ft. social distancing can be supported; Some specialist teachers push into homerooms. PE outside as much as possible, lunch outside encouraged when weather cooperates or in classrooms. Age 2 in cottage, age 3 - grade 3 in LS bldg. and grade 4 in media center. Grade 5-12: Class sizes adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Classrooms utilize the entire campus: Middle School, Upper School, gym, theatre, black box, music rooms, art rooms, music rooms, and outdoors.
PK-12: Outdoor recess/mask break time every 60-80 min for all students
YELLOW PLAN
PK - 12 on Campus Daily
PK-4: Class size adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Homerooms do not mix with other homerooms. Specialist teachers (except PE) push into homerooms. PE outside as much as possible, lunch outside encouraged when weather cooperates or in classrooms. Age 2 in cottage, age 3 - grade 3 in LS bldg.and grade 4 in media center. Grade 5-12: Class sizes adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Classrooms utilize the entire campus: Middle School, Upper School,
gym, theatre, black box, music rooms, art rooms, music rooms, and outdoors.
PK-12: Outdoor recess/mask break time every 60-80 min for all students.
ORANGE PLAN
PK - 9 on Campus Daily: Grades 10-12 Hybrid Learning Rotation Plan Grades 10-12 rotating on campus and off campus.
PK-4: Class size adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Homerooms do not mix with other homerooms. Specialist teachers (except PE) push into homerooms. PE outside as much as possible, lunch outside encouraged when weather cooperates or in classrooms. Age 2 in cottage, age 3 - grade 3 in LS bldg. and grade 4 in media center. Grade 5-12: Class sizes adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Classrooms utilize the entire campus: Middle School, Upper School, gym, theatre, black box, music rooms, art rooms, music rooms, and outdoors.
PK-12: Outdoor recess/mask break time every 60-80 min for all students.
PURPLE PLAN
PK-4 on Campus Daily: Grades 5-12 split into two equally sized cohorts to reduce number of students on campus. Students rotate every two days: on campus for two days followed by distance learning for two days then repeat.
PK-4 on Campus Daily: Grades 5-12 split into two equally sized cohorts to reduce number of students on campus. Students rotate every two days: on campus for two days followed by distance learning for two days then repeat. PK-4: Class size adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Homerooms do not mix with other homerooms. Specialist teachers (except PE) push into homerooms. PE outside as much as possible, lunch outside
encouraged when weather cooperates or in classrooms. Age 2 in cottage, age 3 - grade 3 in LS bldg. and grade 4 in media center. Grade 5-12: Class sizes adjusted to seat students 6 ft apart. Classrooms utilize the entire campus: Middle School, Upper School, gym, theatre, black box, music rooms, art rooms, music rooms, and outdoors.
PK-12: Outdoor recess/mask break time every 60-80 min for all students.
In many ways, campus life will look and feel the same. For health and safety reasons, there will be ways that your experience on campus will change, and these changes will be updated as CDC guidelines for safe schools evolve.
Daily Access Requirements
A daily COVID-19 Screening Form; mask or face covering
Masks are optional for students in the Early Childhood Program (Bengal Tots Age 2 - Junior Kindergarten)
Permission for parents and visitors to come to campus. (A COVID-19 Screening Form and temperature assessment will be required before campus entry for all guests)
Temperature screenings (non-contact) for all employees, students, and visitors
Student Safety
Boxed lunches will be available for purchase daily
Outdoor spaces will be utilized to their full potential
Students must bring a water bottle; a personal ball, hula hoop, jump rope, etc. from home for the outdoor courts during recess
Students will use their backpacks as lockers; hallway lockers will be prohibited upon re-entry; tips for packing lightly and efficiently will be covered in the back-to-school training
Off-campus privileges for upper school students will not be permitted. OC will be re-evaluated in January.
Lower School specialists teachers will push into homeroom classes to limit exposure and travel by students. Students will have more movement time outdoors and between classes
All student drop-off and pick-up will take place via curbside service. We ask parents to remain in their cars. Parents making an early pick-up should text the division assistant upon arrival & your child will be escorted to your vehicle
Signage and floor markings will be utilized throughout the campus to manage traffic flow and direction to support physical distancing practices
All employees, students, and families will be required to participate in health and safety training in August
Students or employees who travel to a destination under a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice will be required to stay home and participate in distance learning for 14 days
The GDS health support team includes a full-time Registered Nurse, several part-time nurses, and two full-time athletic trainers. All student physicals, immunization records, and other health and safety forms will be collected and stored electronically using the Magnus Health secure platform. Leave your paper at home!
The health center now includes a well-space and a sick-space. The team maintains regular communication with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and other regional, national, and international networks.
Health center staff will follow CDC guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE). Health center nurses have masks, gloves, and gowns readily available. Face shields are optional and may compliment face masks. The GDS Health Center will follow reporting and communication guidelines and requirements by the NCDHHS when a GDS community member has been exposed or diagnosed with COVID-19.
Additional COVID-19 Protocol duties include:
Processing daily and required COVID Screening Forms for all on-campus community members
Managing the daily temperature screening process for all employees, students, and visitors to campus
Exposure Protocols
Exposure to COVID-19 within the last two weeks but presents no symptoms: Distance Learning at home for 14 days
Employees or students that self-report exposure to COVID-19, self-report diagnosis of COVID-19, or present at least one of the following COVID-19 symptoms (fever, chills, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, new cough, a new loss of taste or smell) will be asked to leave campus immediately
Students will wait in the observation area of the Health Center until a parent arrives.
The school nurse will notify the health department and follow health department guidelines for communicating and cleaning and disinfecting the areas exposed.
Diagnosis Protocols
COVID-19 Diagnosis: Distance Learning at home for ten days since the first positive COVID-19 test
At least one symptom (fever, chills, breathing difficulty, new cough, a new loss of taste/smell): Distance Learning at home until ten days since the first symptom; no fever three consecutive days without fever meds; three days of symptom improvement
If you have questions about the School’s health procedures or policies? Email or call Linda Register, RN, at lindaregister@greensboroday.org or 336-314-4714
Greensboro Day School is making and has made substantial investments to better support teaching and learning during an unpredictable school year.
Campus Infrastructure Investments
Global Plasma Solutions air filtration system that utilizes Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) technology to clean air inside all campus buildings
The Health Center remodel includes a sick-room and a well-room
Reimagined Outdoor Spaces for myriad physical activities and outdoor classroom meetings
Technology Investments
Swivl technology allows our students to learn virtually and Zoom right into the classes being held on campus
GDS is a new member of Magnus Health. The health screening app and secure paperless storage for student health documents will be utilized, beginning with the 2020-21 school year
Grab and go kits will be prepared to go home with PK-1st Grade Families. GDS will include ipads and hotspots in the kits for families who find affordability a challenge
Furniture Investments
New classroom furniture is being purchased to support social distancing, maximum classroom capacity, and socialization
Students will have portable chairs for outdoor class discussions and activities when the weather is nice
Teacher Traning Investments
Teachers will deepen their toolbox to deliver an exemplary experience whether we are on campus or learning online
Schedule training; time use training for all learning modes
Three GDS staff are certified COVID contact tracers by Johns Hopkins University
GDS continues to be vigilant about the cleanliness and disinfection of our entire campus. We will follow all CDC guidelines and use EPA-approved disinfectants with regards to cleaning protocol, process, and chemicals used.
Hand sanitizer stations have been placed throughout campus in classrooms, receptionist desks, and other high-traffic areas
Employees and students are expected to use hand sanitizer each time they enter and leave a room or office
The indoor and outdoor campus will be cleaned and disinfected daily
Custodians, staff, and teachers will clean high volume spaces and equipment daily
Global Plasma Solutions air filtration system (used by airlines and hospitals) that utilizes Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization
Community members will be required to stay home when:
Students or employees who travel to a destination under a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Advisory
Exposure to COVID-19 within the last two weeks but presents no symptoms: Distance Learning at home for 14 days (10 school days)
COVID-19 Diagnosis: Distance Learning at home for ten days since the first positive COVID-19 test. • 10 days since first symptom • No fever three consecutive days without fever meds • Three days of symptom improvement
Presents at least one symptom of fever, chills, breathing difficulty, new cough, a new loss of taste/ smell: Distance Learning at home until- • 10 days since first symptom • No fever three consecutive days without fever meds • Three days of symptom improvement
In the case of GDS Community Spread, Greensboro Day School will communicate with the GCDHHS to monitor cases within our community. We will follow all GCDHHS instructions and guidance for directed quarantine and distance learning.
This guide is designed to help students who are learning from home who may need assistance with technology. You can open a help ticket by completing this form.
Greensboro Day School is a member of the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA) and to ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes, we will follow CDC, NCDHHS, GCHD, and NCISAA guidelines.
GDS Sports
Greensboro Day School has published our Return to Play Plan and COVID-19 Procedures on our athletics webpage.
Varsity Swim, Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball and JV Boys Basketball teams will begin November 2, 2020
All other teams will begin November 30, 2020
REQUIREMENTS
All "Athlete" related Magnus Forms must be completed for students to be eligible to participate in practices or games
The Parent Daily Attestation for Covid-19 screening form (Magnus phone App) must be completed. Look for additional details and instructions soon
Temperature screening when arriving at school. Other important information
Proper Hydration is Critically Important
Students must provide their own labeled water jug/container - hands-free fill stations will be available
Masks must be worn when not in competition and when 6 ft. or less of social distancing is not available
Uniforms and pinnies will be issued for the entire season and not returned after each game/practice
Competition travel distance has been reduced and will be discussed during each team parent meeting, details at a later date
To ensure the health and safety of our student-athletes, we will follow CDC, NCDHHS, and NCISAA guidelines regarding limiting physical contact with other players, no shared water bottles or equipment, no handshakes after games and meets. We will continue to analyze the information as it is available and follow all necessary protocols.
*All dates are subject to change. All schedule-related questions should be directed to Freddy Johnson, Athletic Director at freddyjohnson@greensboroday.org. For students who are already on a team roster, students and parents received information about ordering team-specific apparel and expectations via myGDS fall team roster notifications.
For the health and wellbeing of our community, we ask that our families, faculty, and staff please let us know if you plan to travel to a CDC Level 3 Health Advisory destination. The Director of Health Services will view the data to inform us of necessary protocols for campus re-entry, if applicable. Thank you in advance for supporting the health of our children, faculty, and staff and for your commitment to our community.
Complete this form here to notify the Director of Health Services of any upcoming or recent travel.
In many ways, campus life will look and feel the same. For health and safety reasons, there will be ways that experience on campus will change, and these changes will be updated as CDC guidelines for safe schools evolve.
Have questions about school procedures during COVID? Have a great idea to share with the leadership team? Let our team know by emailing COVIDTeam@greensboroday.org
Having technical difficulties with the Magnus app? Let our tech team know by emailing Magnus@greensboroday.org or call Magnus directly at 877-461-6831.
Face Coverings / Masks
Must cover nose and mouth
Masks should be two-ply, with ear loops and cannot be see-through when held up to light
Change your mask every day
No face coverings or masks with valves, vents, holes or mesh will be permitted
No neck gaiters or bandanas
Extra masks will be available in the division offices
All students and employees should have one face covering on when they exit their vehicle and a backup mask if needed
Greensboro Day School face covering/mask requirements are guided by CDC recommendations.
Greensboro Day School develops the intellectual, ethical, and interpersonal foundations students need to become constructive contributors to the world.