Procedural changes must take place for the safety and well-being of our students and staff. These procedural changes may be adjusted as we move through the year. Just as with fire drills, tornado drills, intruder drills, adjustments are made. The following items are for your review and understanding as we prepare to return to school. At this time, these items and others that may follow are non-negotiable and must be adhered to. This list is not or may not be all inclusive.
Before School Care and After School Care
To keep our students and staff as safe as possible, one of the logistical changes is to keep students in their grade level cohort groups as much as possible during the day. Albemarle School will, however, hold before and after school care. Forms for this service are available in the main office.
Before School Care will be held in the Spanish Room (inside the main building). It will be open from 6:40 am until 7:40 am daily. There is a fee for this service. Parents are to drop their child(ren) off at the preschool entrance and walk their child to the door.
After School care will be held in the Spanish Room (inside the main building) from 2:15 pm until 6:00 pm daily. There is a fee for this service. Parents are to pick their child up from this classroom. Parents may enter the main entrance until 4:00 and from the preschool entrance after that time. Any change of room location will be shared in advance.
Morning Drop off
Students are to be dropped off no earlier than 7:40 am. They are to report directly to their homeroom class or the class where directed. Students who are dropped off early may have to remain in the courtyard area, regardless of weather, until staff has arrived.
All parents are to attest to the following before dropping their child off for the day:
- You or any of your children have not had close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) in the last 24 hours with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, and no health department or health care provider has contacted you and advised you to quarantine.
- You nor any of the children you are dropping off have any of these symptoms...
- Fever
- Chills
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- New cough
- New loss of taste or smell
- Temperature at or above 100.4
Preschool...Parents will be able to drive to the preschool entrance and walk their child inside. These parents will walk their child to the door and sign in upon entrance.
K-2...Students who enter the main building are to enter through the front door main entrance. No students, with the exception of Preschool, shall enter the Preschool entrance.
3-5...Students are to be dropped off in the area between the cafeteria and gymnasium. Parents can see their child move through the courtyard to their classroom. Parents are to remain in their vehicles during drop off.
Middle School...Students may be dropped off near the trailers. These students are to report directly to their classroom.
High School...Students are to enter the high school through the gymnasium door nearest the concession stand.
Student pick up
Preschool parents are to enter the preschool door to sign their child out.
Kindergarten and 2nd grade students are to be picked up from the cafeteria area. Parents may wait by the picnic table area by the cafeteria for student pick up. Parents are NOT to enter the building unless directed or pre-arranged with the teacher. The student will be sent to the parent.
1st grade students will be picked up from the front door (main entrance). These students will be waiting by the main door for pick up. Parents are to wait outside and come to the main entrance and their child will be sent to them. Parents are NOT to enter the building unless directed or pre-arranged with the teacher.
3rd, 4th and 5th grade parents are to wait in the courtyard area. Teachers will see you and send your child to you. Parents are not to congregate by the classroom doors. If possible and if spaces are available, parents may park in the area between the cafeteria and gymnasium.
Middle school and high school students will be dismissed from their classrooms to meet you at the vehicle. Parents are not to get out of their vehicle to pick up students. Parents may get out of the vehicle to assist students with putting items into the vehicle. Middle and high school students are to be picked up by 2:45.
All drop off and pick up practices are designed to allow for traffic to move smoothly through the parking lot and exit without any unnecessary delays.
Temperature Checks during the day
Student and staff temperatures may be randomly checked during the day or as believed necessary. If at any time a temperature is 100.4 or higher, parents will be notified to immediately pick up their child. It is therefore important to have up to date information including emergency contacts who may be able to pick up students in case of an emergency. Additionally, parents are not to give their child any fever reducing medication and send them to school. If a student has a fever, keep them home.
Break
Middle school and high school students can still move through the cafeteria to pick up their break items. They may use this time to eat in the courtyard area or picnic tables. Students shall not eat or drink in the gym or classroom during break time.
Lunch
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade will have their lunches in the cafeteria together unless otherwise directed.
3rd, 4th and 5th grade will have their lunch together. Students are to dine in the cafeteria unless otherwise directed by their teacher. Microwaves will be available.
Middle School and High School -Students who choose to have lunch prepared by the cafeteria will dine in the cafeteria or outside by the picnic tables. Students will not be allowed to bring food or drink into the gym or any other classroom during lunch time.
Preorder in the morning is necessary. There will be no extras prepared in the cafeteria for students to “take a chance” there is something extra prepared. If a student signs in tardy, they are to sign in at the main office. They may fill out their break and lunch order at that time.
Hand washing and hand sanitizing
Each classroom will have hand sanitizer available and is to be used frequently, especially upon entering the classroom and/or exiting the classroom. Hand washing in the restrooms is encouraged to be done multiple times during the day. To remain as safe as possible, it is requested that students wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, get their paper towels before turning off the water and use the paper towels to turn off the water before drying their hands. This same paper towel can be used to open the door before disposing of the paper towel in the trash. This will help avoid touching any door handle with the bare hands.
Hand washing is a good practice and one that needs to be practiced at any location. It is advised that parents work with their child on the proper hand washing procedures with soap and water at home before school begins.
Restroom use
Students will still be able to use the restroom when necessary. Students will be limited to no more than four (4) students in the restroom at any one time. If multiple students are waiting to enter the restroom, they are to remain socially distanced in the hallway.
Isolation and Quarantine
There may be times when students are to isolate themselves or quarantine. Students or staff who are showing signs of COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19 are to stay at home. In these cases, these students or staff members will receive additional instruction. Notice will be sent to families if their child is believed to have been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes cumulatively over a 24-hour period) with any individual who may have tested positive for COVID-19. Any further instructions will be shared at that time.
Athletics
Athletics is advised and governed by the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association. This organization established guidelines for practices, age requirements, academic requirements and much more. Additional guidelines or policies are also established by the Albemarle School Board of Directors. Students will be notified of practice times and game schedules. More specific information regarding athletics will be shared with these students and parents.
The locker rooms may be off limits to visiting teams. In that case, Albemarle School student athletes may be required to change into their uniform before leaving campus.
It is imperative students secure transportation with their parents or other pre-approved driver.
If students remain on campus to wait for their practice and parents want to bring them a snack, parents are to call or text the student and the student will come to the vehicle. It is encouraged that if a student needs a snack before their practice, they pack this and bring it with them to school.
Lockers for student use
Students in the high school and middle school will be limited as to the times when they can stop and use their lockers. This is to avoid and reduce any grouping in the hallway.
High school students may access their lockers before school and after 2nd and 4th periods as well as the end of the day.
Middle school students may access their lockers before school and after 3rd and 5th periods as well as the end of the day. If necessary, students may obtain permission from their teacher during class to access their locker on a case by case basis.
Parent entry into the school
Parents and visitors are not allowed to enter any classroom without prior notice and approval. If a parent has the need to enter the building, they must report to the office to handle any business. Parents may not walk their child to class. This is particularly important for parents who have students in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. This is especially important in the morning drop off and afternoon pick up times to avoid traffic congestion. Parents who need a conference with the teacher may make such arrangements.
Cashless cafeteria
The FACTS billing system allows for parents to put money on their child’s account or parents may bring a check to the finance office for cafeteria sales. This will alleviate any slowing down at the cash register as well as reducing the exchange of money from hand to hand.
Cleaning and sanitizing
Albemarle School and Preschool have added hours to allow for two full time custodians. These custodians have a set and specific time and area they are to clean during the day and after school. To assist, the middle school and high school students may be asked to sanitize their seating area after class, dispose of the cleaning wipe, hand sanitize and assist with trash disposal. This keeps students from touching no other person’s germs on a desk except theirs. Additionally, it helps teach students about respect, responsibility, and reminds them constantly of infectious disease.
Doors
Students are to refrain from touching door knobs or handles as much as possible. If a student is asked to be the “door holder” they are to immediately wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. Older students are encouraged to use their back to open push doors when possible. Teachers are to open and close their individual classroom doors.
Sharing of items
Students are not to share items such as pencils, pens, scissors, paint brushes, etc.
Water
Students are to bring their own water bottle and if necessary, another bottle of bottled water to refill. Water bottles are not to be shared. Water will be available in the cafeteria and gym during the day for purchase as well as at the water bottle refill stations.
Recess
Recess will still be a part of the day for our elementary students. Students will be able to have recess in different areas depending on grade level. For example, 3rd grade may be on one end of the soccer field while 4th graders are on another. Students will hand sanitize and/or wash their hands after recess and before returning back to the classroom. In the event of inclement weather and outside recess is not possible, students may have their recess time beside their desk in their classroom or a class may go to the gym if it is available during that time.
Student traffic flow
All students will walk on the right side of the hallway with their hands by their side. No students are to touch each other or touch the wall.
K-2...The door nearest the cafeteria will be designated as exit only. All students who are transitioning to a location outside of the main building will exit through this door. The door by the ramp will be designated as entrance only.
3-5...Again, students will move on the right side under the covered walkway without touching another student or the walls.
Middle School...To avoid any congestion on the deck of the middle school, all traffic will move in a clockwise direction. This means, students leaving Mrs. Laster’s classroom will exit down the ramp and back up the steps by Mrs. Rajnes’ classroom. Students dismissing from Ms. Britt’s classroom will move towards Mrs. Laster. In the case of rain, students need to bring an umbrella.
High School...All traffic will move in a clockwise direction. The door by the breezeway is designated as exit only. All students are to enter the high school through the gymnasium door nearest the concession stand. In the case of rain, traffic will be adjusted to allow for passing in the hallway on the right side.
Clubs and club meetings
Club meetings will resume in person during the year. More information is to come as we proceed through the year.
PPP Hours
Opportunities for PPP hours will be plentiful this year. Volunteer hours for athletic opportunities are not limited to parents of athletes. Additionally, we will resume PTO meetings as well as Athletic Booster meetings. We also have opportunities such as waste removal, weeds to be pulled, walls to be painted, limbs to be trimmed, lunch duty, and so much more. Information will be sent on a regular basis for parents to have plenty of opportunities to earn their 40-hour total.
Families are reminded that beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, 20 of the 40 hours are to be completed in person.
