FAQ

SAFETY PROTOCOL FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND STAFF OF BIG APPLE ACADEMY

Big Apple Academy’s safety protocol to open its doors once again during the COVID-19 public health emergency was developed based upon the latest CDC guidance for COVID-19 prevention in schools and the current mandates by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. This safety protocol is SUBJECT TO CHANGE, depending upon additional mandates in response to the dynamic nature of the pandemic. Strictly following the safety protocol is essential. All parents, students, and members of the Big Apple Academy staff are required to adhere to the following procedures:

ARRIVAL

Upon entry into the building, all students will be given hand sanitizer to disinfect their hands, after which students will be taken directly to the classrooms. Students will also undergo a non-invasive temperature check via the TELA VISOR installed in the lobby of each building and will then proceed directly to their classrooms.

PARENTS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE SCHOOL BUILDING.

INSTRUCTIONAL TIME

During lessons, all students are expected to sit behind their own desk cubicles. While sitting at the desk, students do not need to wear masks and/or face shields

When students and staff must travel along school corridors or other common spaces, MASKS ARE RECOMMENDED (as per CDC) but not required.

ALL STAFF IS RECOMMENDED (as per CDC) TO WEAR MASKS AND/OR FACE SHIELDS.

LUNCHROOM

All students will enter the cafeteria via ENTRANCE B and leave via ENTRANCE A.

All lunch tables are equipped with SAFETY BARRIERS.

Upon entry and exit, all students will be given hand sanitizers. All students are recommended (as per CDC) to wear masks until the food is served.

To minimize student movement throughout the school, each classroom will be provided with bottled water and disposable cups on a daily basis

COVID RESPONSE TEAM

During lessons, while students are in their classrooms, the COVID Response Team will do the following:

1. Utilize sprays and wipes of disinfectant, sanitize all staircase railings.
2. Use spray disinfectant to sanitizer student lockers.
3. Use sprays to disinfect school corridors, stairways, and other common areas.
4. Continuously check for the presence of sanitizing liquid in the Sanitizer Stations that have been installed along school corridors.

WHILE PERFORMING ALL OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED, THE COVID RESPONSE TEAM MUST WEAR SAFETY GLOVES

PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS

  1. Entry into the school building is PROHIBITED.
  2. If you need to pick up your child earlier than the Dismissal Time, you are required to call the school office at least 30 minutes prior to pick up time.

When you arrive at the school building, please notify the security guards and wait for your child outside. A member of staff will collect your child and escort him/her to you. This process can be lengthened depending on what the class is doing; therefore, please plan your time accordingly.

While located near the school premises and when speaking to any member of the school staff, it is RECOMMENDED (as per CDC) TO WEAR A MASK

3. PARENTS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING AND PARKING ALONG LAKE STREET.

The School Principal, at his own discretion, reserves the right to dismiss a student from in-person instruction to the ONLINE (LIVE STREAM EDUCATION) if parents disregard the SAFETY PROTOCOL OF THE BIG APPLE ACADEMY.

DISMISSAL TIME

Parents picking up their children are RECOMMENDED (as per CDC) to wear masks and MUST enter via the SCHOOL SIDE YARD. When you arrive at the school building, please notify the security guards and wait for your child outside. A member of staff will collect your child and escort him/her to you. This process can be lengthened depending on what the class is doing; therefore, please plan your time accordingly.

  1. PARENTS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM STANDING NEAR SCHOOL ENTRANCES DURING BUS DROP-OFF PERIODS.
  2. WHILE WAITING IN THE SCHOOL SIDE YARD, PLEASE OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND REFRAIN FROM SMOKING.

TRANSPORTATION

The Big Apple Academy will provide students with bus services. In doing so, the following protocol and procedures will be observed to ensure the safety and health of our students and staff.

  1. School buses will be disinfected twice a day before student pick-up and after drop-off periods.
  2. Busy contact areas will be disinfected after each pickup and drop-off.
  3. School bus drivers, monitors, and attendants will not carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses.
  4. Air conditioning systems and air circulation systems on the school buses will always be operational.

IN CASE A CHILD GETS SICK DURING THE DAY

We have developed the following protocol for students and staff who develop ANY COVID OR FLU-LIKE symptoms in school.

  1. To minimize transmission to others, we will isolate the student who develops ANY symptoms from other students and staff. This student will be given a mask to wear if he/she does not have one.
  2. A classroom teacher will immediately notify the parents of this student. The parents must make all efforts to pick up the child as soon as possible.
  3. Parents MUST notify the school office of the child’s diagnosis within 12-24 hours.
  4. This child will be able to return to school in case of COVID-19 in 5 days with a doctor’s note or, if it is not related to COVID-19, at any time with a doctor’s note as well.
  5. If the number of positive cases exceeds 5 per class, the school principal will reserve the right to close the class from in-person instruction and transition all students in that class to Live Stream Learning for the period of 5 days

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