INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this packet is to outline Tallgrass Sudbury School’s policies and changes/adaptations in regards to COVID-19. This document is subject to change. Any changes will be approved by the School Meeting and in consultation with the Board of Directors. Parents will be notified of all changes. Changes are not allowed to conflict with Illinois State Guidelines. We always welcome feedback and conversation from our families and community; please do not hesitate to be in touch with us.

SCHOOL SCHEDULE & ATTENDANCE

A.1 School Calendar

A.1.1 Assuming no unforeseen closures the school calendar will remain unchanged, with the exception of cancelling the Back to School Potluck on the first day of school. All Assembly meetings and other gatherings that take place outside of school hours will happen virtually until further notice.

A.2 School Hours and Attendance Requirements

A.2.1 The school’s full attendance policy, with all changes due to the pandemic highlighted in bold, can be found here, but the main changes are outlined in the following points.

School opens at 9:00 am and closes at 4:00 pm. Students are expected to attend school five hours a day, five days per week on Good Weather Days. Students who cannot meet these requirements due to transportation issues or health concerns related to COVID-19 may elect to perform their self-directed learning at home, either full or part time. This can be achieved by school meeting approval. Taking part in self-directed learning at home, an off-campus educational activity, or a field trip that is school meeting approved is considered attending school.

Students must sign in and out with either a staff member or the attendance clerk on Good Weather Days. On Bad Weather Days or in the case that a school day must take place remotely for reasons other than weather, students can meet attendance requirements by 1. attending a School Meeting, 2. by participating in a school organized group activity via Zoom, or 3. by spending time on an activity that has been chosen from a school generated list or that they came up with on their own. If the 3rd option is chosen, students must report what activity they did by the end of the day (4:00 pm) to the Attendance Clerk or share it at the end-of-the-day group check in.
Absences caused by illness (including any symptoms, treatment, or quarantine due to COVID-19) or transportation problems that are communicated to the school by the student or parent by 11:00 a.m. are excused.

WEATHER AND REMOTE LEARNING

B.1 Good Weather Days vs Bad Weather Days

B.1.1 Tallgrass will meet in person outdoors whenever possible, but we must also plan for days when that is not possible due poor weather. For this reason, we have created two different weather categories:

Good Weather Day: A day in which the weather is expected to be safe and tolerable for the vast majority of students and staff.
Bad Weather Day: A day in which the weather is expected to be unsafe and/or intolerable for the vast majority of students and staff.

B.1.2 Staff will check the weather forecast daily and if a Bad Weather Day is expected for the following day, families will be alerted by 7pm and school will take place remotely the following day.

B.2 Unexpected Extreme Weather

B.2.1 In the case of unexpected extreme weather during a school day when we are meeting in person, staff and students will seek shelter inside and stay cautiously distanced from each other until it is possible to return outside or until they leave for the day. If the extreme weather is expected to continue for more than an hour, staff will contact parents for student pick-up.

B.3 Remote Learning

B.3.1 Remote learning will take place on Bad Weather Days or if otherwise necessary due to state mandates or other health concerns related to COVID-19.

B.3.2 On Bad Weather Days or in the case that a school day must take place remotely for reasons other than weather, students can meet attendance requirements by doing at least one of the following 3 things:

1. Attend a School Meeting

2. Participate in a school scheduled group activity via Zoom

3. Do at least one activity that has been chosen from this school generated list or that they have come up with on their own. These activities can be anything that the student believes contributes to their education and/or well being. If the 3rd option is chosen, students or parents must report what they did by filling out this form by the end of the day (4:00 pm) or by sharing it at the end-of-the-day group check in.

B.3.3 The schedule on Bad Weather or Remote Learning Days will be:

Mondays or Wednesdays:

11:00 School Meeting
2:00-3:30 End-of-the-day group check in - This will be an opportunity for students to share how they are doing and what they did that day.
Students can also add additional activities of their choice to the schedule by filling out this form.

Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays:

12:30-2:00 Group Activity - These will be planned by the staff based on feedback from students about what they are interested in doing.
2:00-3:00 End-of-the-day group check in - This will be an opportunity for students to share how they are doing and what they did that day.
Students can also add additional activities of their choice to the schedule by filling out this form.

B3.4 We have created a Tallgrass Bitmoji Virtual Classroom where families can access the schedule on remote learning days as well as links to Zoom meetings and important forms. Staff will send out a classroom with a generic schedule, which will be updated and sent out to families whenever we are meeting remotely. Click on different objects in the room to access different things.

HEALTH AND SAFETY & ENFORCEMENT

C.1 Masks

C.1.1 Cloth face coverings or surgical masks must be worn at all times except while eating or in a socially distanced area that is designated by staff. These designated areas will be referred to as “bases.” Each person’s base will be identified with something like a blanket/towel/yoga mat/etc. and/or some form of marking on the grass.

C.1.2 Every individual on the school campus must carry a mask with them at all times.

C.1.3 Masks will be provided to any School Meeting Member who does not bring a personal mask to school.

C.1.4 Masks must be properly worn, according to CDC guidelines.

C.2 Social Distancing

C.2.1 Physical distancing of 6 ft. is required at all times, except in the case of people living in the same household or in the case of an emergency.

C.3 Screenings

C.3.1 Families are required to monitor for COVID symptoms daily before sending their child/children to school. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, or has had contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, please contact the school immediately.

C.3.2 If a student, staff member, or visitor from the school tests positive for COVID-19, or has had contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, we will follow the Department of Health's recommendations on the specific situation and level of contact that the person had. At minimum, they and anyone they had close contact with must self-quarantine for 14 days. Students who are self-quarantining but are well enough to participate can use the school’s remote learning guidelines to continue their learning at home.

C.3.3 In addition to daily family symptom checks, all students, staff, and visitors are required to do a temperature and symptom check upon arriving at school each day. Once students arrive at school, a staff member will take their temperature with a no-contact thermometer. There will be a check-in station set up near the entrance of the school where this will take place. If one student arrives around the same time as another student, the student who arrived later will be asked to wait in their car or in a socially distanced area nearby until the other student is finished checking in. Parents dropping off their students are highly encouraged to stay, but wait in their cars until their child has completed the temperature and symptom check.

C.3.4 Anyone who has a temperature above 100 degrees F or who exhibit any other symptoms that could be COVID-19 (which include, among other symptoms, cough, and chills) must stay home, or, if symptoms develop at school, must be quarantined inside and supervised until they can be picked up.

C.3.5 The cleaning of the quarantine room post a suspected or confirmed case will follow CDC guidelines.

C.4 Sanitizing Stations and Handwashing

C.4.1 Sanitizing stations will be set up around campus. Each station will include hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. There will also be at least one handwashing station set up outside with water, soap, paper towels, and a garbage can.

C.4.2 Individuals are required to clean their hands upon arriving at school, after using the bathroom, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, or after coughing into their hand.

C.5 Building and Material Cleaning

C.5.1 Individuals who use the tables outside are required to wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe after each use.

C.5.2 Bathrooms will be cleaned by staff or other designated adults with disinfectant daily or more often if deemed necessary.

C.5.3 School Meeting Members are still responsible for immediately cleaning up their items and any messes made.

C.5.4 Instead of signing up for and doing chores, students will participate in daily yard cleaning, which will be managed by the Chore Clerk.

C.6 Enforcement

C.6.1 Enforcement of these policies will be handled by JC. However, any combination of 2 staff members or JC Clerks reserve the right to send anyone home immediately until the next JC or School Meeting for non-compliance. Whenever possible, staff and JC Clerks will give two verbal warnings per day before sending anyone home.

C.6.2 The following laws have been added to the lawbook:

Masks must be worn at all times except while eating or in an area that is designated by staff that is also socially distanced from other people.
Physical distancing of 6 ft. is required at all times, except in the case of people living in the same household or in the case of an emergency.
Individuals are required to clean their hands upon arriving at school, after using the bathroom, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, or after coughing into their hand.
Sharing of objects should be kept to a minimum and if necessary, both objects and hands should be sanitized immediately after.
Anyone who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 (which include, among other symptoms, cough, fever, and chills) must stay home, or, if symptoms develop at school, must be quarantined inside and supervised until they can be picked up. All students and staff are required to do a temperature and symptom check upon arriving at school each day.

C.6.3 Open Campus can continue as normal. Students who are certified past the yard must complete the following additional requirements related to COVID-19 safety before they can leave the yard:

When is it ok to take your mask off? A- Only while eating or in an area that is designated by staff that is also socially distanced from other people.
All students and staff need to maintain social distancing at all times. What does this mean? A- Everyone needs to stay at least 6 ft. apart at all times, except in the case of people living in the same household or in the case of an emergency.
Acknowledge that, when possible, you will sanitize your hands regularly on open campus and that if you, or anyone you are with on open campus shows symptoms that could be COVID-19 (which include, among other symptoms, cough, fever, and chills), you will return to school and inform a staff member immediately.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING

D.1 Social and Emotional Well Being

D.1.1 We recognize that the pandemic has caused stress for many of our students and that while transitioning back to school will be a welcome change from being quarantined it will also come with difficulties. We all miss our normal lives and look forward to the days where students can pile on the couches, share toys, food, and hugs. Until this time comes we will do everything we can to be sensitive to their struggles and to create a safe and joyful environment with as little fear as possible.

D.1.2 Staff will be available for mental health check-ins with students. These can be scheduled directly with a staff member or by filling out a check-in request form at school. On remote learning days, staff will have scheduled “office hours” during which students can sign on and talk with staff.

CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS AND CHANGES

E.1 Outdoor Spaces

E.1.1 There are two main areas within our outdoor space.

Base Zones: Bases are 6ft x 6ft squares that are marked on the grass in the yard. When students arrive, they can claim a base for the day. Only one person is allowed on a base at a time and this is the only place where masks can be taken off (unless someone is eating or drinking). Most of the bases are located in the fenced-in part of the yard, but there are also a few on the far end of the main yard. All bases must be cleared at the end of the day. Personal items can be taken home or left in personal storage containers which will be stored in the school building overnight. This is also the area where School Meetings will generally take place.
Activity Zones: These are areas in the yard where bases are not set up. Tables will be set up here where people can eat or do other activities that require a flat surface. There will be resources available for students such as sport equipment, water games, and other supplies that can be sanitized between users or restricted to one individual.

E.2 Indoor Spaces

E.2.1 Except in the case of emergencies, only 2 students are allowed in the building at a time for the purpose of using the bathroom or for retrieving or putting away personal items in the basement. When someone needs to use the bathroom, they can write their name on the white board before they go up, and erase it when they come back down. Anyone going into the basement storage room should check before entering to make sure there is no more than one person inside.

SUPPLY LIST

At least two facemasks
A towel/blanket/yoga mat or something similar to use as a “base” during the day. Lawn chairs are also welcomed.
A water bottle marked with the student’s name
A lunch that does not need a fridge or microwave, also marked with the student’s name
Appropriate clothing and shoes for a variety of outdoor activities and weather, including a rain jacket, poncho, or umbrella
Sunscreen
Bug spray
A change of pants and shoes, especially for younger children
A Rubbermaid or similar weather proof and sealable container to store personal items such as a backpack, lunch, or other personal items in. These containers will be used in place of cubbies and will be stored under the tent outside during school day, and will be brought inside at the end of each day.
(Optional) Battery operated hand held fan/spray bottle for hot days