We are consulting with local medical experts, government guidelines, and academic advising agencies as we plan to responsibly and reasonably return to campus on August 20. In addition, our Pandemic Response Team, composed of health experts from our school and community is working to guide health and safety preparedness and response planning.
As we prepare for the upcoming school year ACA is uniquely positioned and equipped to offer a solid academic program with the ability to flex as needed to adjust to COVID-19 requirements. Our regular program can operate under current CDC guidelines for reopening schools because:
As we prepare for the upcoming school year ACA is uniquely positioned and equipped to offer a solid academic program with the ability to flex as needed to adjust to COVID-19 requirements. Our regular program can operate under current CDC guidelines for reopening schools because:
- On a full central day, fewer than 100 people are present in the school building.
- We can easily separate into groups smaller than 25 when indoors.
- Our classes are small, with the average class around 12 students.
- Our spacious church building has multiple exits and rooms.
The Basics of Opening
Classrooms have been adjusted to create at least 6 feet of space between student's desks or tables. If the current face covering mandate is in place at the start of school, students will not be required to wear face coverings during classes. Face shields or masks will be required when physical distancing is not possible, such as in the hallways while switching classes. (Note in the pictures below, textbooks indicate the places students will sit in classrooms which have extra desks.)
Lunch and open gym time will be outdoors whenever the weather allows. Otherwise, students will spread out to sit in the cafeteria and gymnasium maintaining 6 feet between themselves. We expect seeing friends sitting in large circles on the floor or grass, enjoying each other's company while eating lunch.
Each classroom will be equipped to live stream to students who are isolating at home. Students at home will be able to participate in class in real-time, asking questions and enjoying group discussions.
Each classroom will be equipped to live stream to students who are isolating at home. Students at home will be able to participate in class in real-time, asking questions and enjoying group discussions.
Phases of Response
Our preparation includes identifying multiple phases of mitigation in order to nimbly respond to any changes to the COVID-19 situation in Lancaster County. These include:
Plan A - Caution
Plan B - Modified Classrooms
Plan C - Limited Classroom Days
Plan D - Distance Learning
Plan A - Caution
- Temperature and wellness checks for all faculty, staff, and students before entering the school building.
- Regular hand washing - students will wash hands as soon as they arrive, at the start and end of open gym time and at the start and end of lunch.
- High contact areas around the school will be cleaned during the school day as needed/recommended, and all areas will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.
- All classes have the ability to live stream to students who are at home.
- Anyone showing any sign of illness is required to stay at home.
- Any student, faculty, or staff who is exposed to COVID-19 will self-quarantine at home following current recommendations. If a teacher must be quarantined at home, they will have the ability to live stream into the classroom.
- If a student or a family member is in a high risk category, families are encouraged to evaluate their needs, consult with CDC guidelines and their health care professional, and choose between the live-stream and in-person options as appropriate for their situation.
Plan B - Modified Classrooms
- All Plan A modifications apply.
- Each grade level or section of a grade level is assigned a specific classroom and will follow their regular schedule. Teachers rotate classrooms instead of the students.
- Students are assigned a specific desk that is not shared with anyone else, and will clean their desk space at the end of each school day.
- Classroom desks are spaced to allow for separation to the maximum extent feasible.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be located at the door of every classroom for students to use every time they enter or leave a classroom.
- Middle and high school groups are separated at all times, limiting total student exposure to 30-35 students.
- Middle school students meet in the upper level of the school and use the front entrance; High school students meet in the lower level of the school and use the back entrance.
- All students will eat lunch in their classrooms.
- Gym time is outside when possible. When the weather is poor, middle school and high school rotate gym use on different days.
Plan C - Limited Classroom Days
- All Plan A modifications and most Plan B modifications apply.
- Middle school students attend classes on Tuesdays with live video classes at home on Thursdays.
- High school students attend classes on Mondays and Thursdays with live video classes at home on Tuesdays.
Plan D - Distance Learning
- This option will be used if any ACA student or faculty/staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or if the governor mandates a closure of private, religious schools.
- Classes are held at home with live streamed or recorded classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, as appropriate for specific classes and grade levels.
A detailed mitigation plan has been developed by our Pandemic Response Team.