ASB Guide to Returning to Campus

Our priority is the health and safety of all members of our community, including the socio-emotional well-being of our members.  We also must consider that we are part of a larger community in Barcelona and that health and safety measures taken outside of school will support the success of our on-campus programs. 

Teaching and learning will need to be flexible to adapt to the restrictions imposed on our schedules and group configurations.  While we will maximize face-to-face learning scenarios, we understand that some degree of virtual learning may be needed throughout the year.

We have a strong, collaborative community of families and staff that will support each other in adapting to the needs of the learning environment.  

In response to the obstacles that have been created by the Covid 19 pandemic, we were able to respond last spring with effective virtual learning experiences.   This year the goal is to create safe on-campus learning experiences under some very different environmental restrictions.   We believe these restricted conditions are better than virtual learning in confinement, so we need everyone's cooperation to ensure that we do not create situations that will lead us to a partial or complete school closure.  This cooperation also extends beyond the school walls as we are also part of a larger Barcelona community that is struggling to contain the virus and maintain a degree of normal activity.  For these reasons, we urge everyone to act responsibly, for the sake of yourself, your family, your school community and the larger community we live in.

What does this look like?

• Staying home if one has Covid symptoms

• Communicating to the school and local authorities when ill

• Wearing a face mask at all designated times 

• Hand washing frequently and using hand sanitizer

• Remaining in designated learning pods during school hours

• Adhering to local rules about being in social groups outside of school

   

• If a person begins to develop symptoms compatible with Covid-19 they will not be allowed on campus until a doctor declares they do not need testing or they have been tested and the result is negative.
• If a single person has tested positive, then the pod group will need to quarantine for 14 days.  A PCR test will be performed on all members of the group.  A negative PCR result for an individual in a group does not exempt them from the need to maintain quarantine during the 14 days.   Virtual school will need to be implemented for this group.
• If two people have tested positive, who are from different pods, but in the common physical space (a building, a floor or wing of a building) then all the groups in the space may need to be quarantined for 14 days.  A PCR test will be performed on all members of the group.  A negative PCR result for an individual in a group does not exempt them from the need to maintain quarantine during the 14 days.   Virtual school will need to be implemented for these groups.
• If two or more people have tested positive, who are from different pods and in different physical spaces, then all the groups in the spaces may need to be quarantined for 14 days.  A PCR test will be performed on all members of the group.  A negative PCR result for an individual in a group does not exempt them from the need to maintain quarantine during the 14 days.   Virtual school will need to be implemented for these groups.  This situation may result in a full closure of the school campus.

In each of these cases, the school will be working in close contact with local authorities to determine the extent to which any quarantine or school closure will be implemented.

The primary actions that prevent the spread of the virus are good hand hygiene and wearing masks. Hand sanitizer gel is available in all classrooms and common areas. We will also require all staff to wear masks throughout the day. 

• Students from grades 1 to 12 will need to wear masks at all times when on campus, except while eating and drinking. Students will be required to bring two masks (from home) to school each day. 
• Students from PK3 to Kindergarten also will need to wear masks to and from school but will be allowed to remove their masks when in the pod grouping and classroom. The first day of school will have a significant amount of time dedicated to teaching students about good hygiene behaviors.

Throughout the school we will require strict physical distancing (1.5m) when students are not in their Pods.   Pod groups will not mix with other students during lunch or recess.

We have reconfigured our facilities to maximize health and safety procedures in the following ways:

• Optimized circulation and filtration of air conditioning units
• Room ventilation procedures
• Hallway and stairway signage for secure passing
• Replacement of water fountains with water bottle filling stations
• Deep cleaning, disinfection and high frequency cleaning of all educational spaces

All parents and staff will need to have completed a Declaration of Responsibility form that ensures that our campus will not have any ill or infected people at school. Clearly, parents play an important role in monitoring their students and being cautious about keeping their students at home if ill.

Campus access will be restricted to staff and students. Only PK-3 parents will be allowed on campus during the first week of school.  Otherwise, parents will need to meet with staff virtually.

We recognize that the new normal will be a challenge for many in our community.  Our advisory programs will be directly supporting students and our divisional counselors will be monitoring and supporting any socioemotional needs.