We look forward to welcoming our students safely back to campus on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.
We are grateful that our expansive campus allows for adequate social distancing. The dynamic nature of this pandemic, however, requires us to be flexible in our planning. If there should be new information or updated government orders between now and August 26, the plan for returning to campus may be delayed. In such a case, we are prepared to deliver an upgraded remote learning program any time it might become necessary throughout the 2020-21 academic year.
For the past several weeks, the Oak Grove School Health and Safety Team has been actively engaged in creative thinking and strategic scenario building for how to safely reopen our campus come fall semester. We referenced guidelines* set forth by numerous sources to ensure a Safely On Campus (SOC) learning plan and also considered our own knowledge of child development and the critical in-person skill-building time necessary for social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Our priority, however, is the safety of our students, staff, and the entire Oak Grove community.
Please know that although we are taking every measure to keep our students and staff safe, there are things we will not do. We will not put physical barriers between students (i.e. plexiglass). We will not “police” students to comply with social distancing (we will guide). We will not provoke fear of the virus, but instead reinforce solid hygiene practices. We will set the environment to promote social distancing, good hygiene, and fresh air flow, but we will not allow the school environment to be filled with angst and worry. Our teachers and staff are committed to meeting this moment with the same level of thoughtfulness, care, and partnership we have been committed to all along.
For those parents who may choose to continue learning from home (Parent Assisted Learning From Home) on August 26 while we are also on campus, please know that we are finding ways to work with each family within their individual circumstances. Choosing this learning option, Parent Assisted Learning From Home, it would not look like the full program that was delivered this past spring. Our teachers, in this scenario, would be teaching on campus during the school day. Therefore, this option would be delivered asynchronously with periodic individual teacher-to-student, teacher-to-parent check-ins.
No matter what the coming year brings, we are in this together. We are committed to working in partnership with you to support the vibrant growth of our students. Also know that we will approach implementation of these guidelines within our community with joy and a sense of ease.
Schedule Adjustments
Please note that we have schedule changes within each program (ECP, Elementary, Middle School, High School), which have been made to provide our teachers more time to meet new guidelines and to provide instruction to students remaining at home even though we are safely back on campus. Adjusting the school day will also minimize group time and allow us to stagger drop-off and pick-up times.
Travel for All Families
All enrolled families are expected to halt travel on airplanes, trains, boats, and buses (or other public transportation) by August 11, 2020. This time frame allows 14 days of self-monitoring and social distancing after public travel before reentering school. Staff and faculty will halt travel as of July 27.
Daily Health Check
All parents wishing to walk on campus and all students are required to complete a Daily Health Check prior to arriving on campus. More detailed instructions on how this will be implemented is forthcoming.
Face Coverings and Social Distancing
Parents will wear face coverings when entering the campus from the parking lots and inside the Main House and Front Office. Parents will be permitted to remove face coverings when outdoors with proper social distancing. We ask that face coverings do not include words or images which could be disruptive, scary, or controversial. Patterns are fine.
What is a cloth face covering? A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It can be secured to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk, or linen. A cloth face covering may be factory-made or sewn by hand or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels. Face shields are not considered face coverings and are not allowable. – CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings, June 18, 2020
Fresh Air
All indoor classrooms and offices will have open doors and windows, even when HVAC is running, to ensure fresh air flow. Air filters are cleaned and replaced frequently.
Testing for COVID-19
All staff are required to take multiple COVID-19 tests and provide proof of negative test results before welcoming students back to campus. We are currently reviewing the possibility of all parents also taking a COVID-19 test prior to returning to campus. More information to follow.
Should you or your child/ren have a COVID-19 test at any time in the school year, you and your household contacts should practice social distancing and remain home until you receive the results of your test. Follow the recommended guidance once you receive your test results.
Familiarizing Students and Parents to the New Guidelines on Campus
All students and parents are invited to visit campus in small groups (3-5 students with teachers) the week before school starts. Teachers will practice the new guidelines in a playful, relaxed, and thoughtful manner to begin familiarizing students with these new customs. More details about signing up for time slots to follow.
Moving to Remote Learning
Our objective is to be on campus together. We will toggle onto remote learning when we are unable to provide a learning environment on campus which is safe for our students. Possible reasons to move to remote learning:
- Confirmed positive case of COVID-19 within the community
- Significant percentage of teachers absent
- Significant percentage of students absent
- Extended rain (because much of our learning is outside)
- Excessive heat (because much of our learning is outside)
- Stay at Home orders issued by the government
*CDC, the California Department of Public Health, the California Department of Education, the Ventura County Office of Education, OSHA, and Ventura County Public Health, California Association of Independent Schools, National Association of Independent Schools.
Staff and visitor guidelines are available here.
