Health & Safety Handbook

This handbook lays out the policies and procedures that Aidan Montessori School (the “School”) will use to reduce risks related to COVID-19 during the 2021-2022 school year. We believe these protocols represent an important step in living responsibly with this virus. While the information in this document describes the protocols that we have established to minimize exposure to our community, the School cannot guarantee that COVID-19 or other communicable diseases will not occur during participation in our programs. In addition, while our strategies employ policies and procedures that support current scientific and medical information, this Handbook and the School’s protocols are subject to change as the public health situation is fluid and our understanding of it may change. The Handbook will reside online and will be updated as the situation warrants.

The policies in this Handbook are applicable to families who are enrolled at the School during the 2021-22 school year. These policies either supplement or supersede the School’s existing policies as listed in the Parent Handbook. If a policy in the Parent Handbook conflicts with a policy in the Health & Safety Handbook, then the policies in this Handbook will control and supersede the policies in the Parent Handbook.

Dear Aidan Community,

I hope that this message finds you all safe and well. The Administrative team has updated this Handbook so that families may be aware of  the School’s COVID-19 policies and procedures  for the coming school year. Please review the Handbook and let us know if you have any questions or feedback. Please also note that we will revise and update the Handbook as we continue to stay on top of guidance and recommendations.

At heart, the Montessori ethos is about taking care of each other. All of our students, even our youngest, are taught by our trained teachers that we are all part of a caring community. For example, when a student finishes a piece of work, they are encouraged to carefully put the work away back on its tray in the assigned place because another student may wish to use those materials next. The Montessori values we try to instill in our students through our curriculum reach up to the rest of our school. 

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 whirlwind, many parents have reached out to me with messages of support, constructive feedback, and offers to help. Many staff and volunteers have devoted countless hours--working cooperatively, creatively, and thoughtfully--all in service of doing the best we can for our strong Montessori community. I continue to be thankful for the Grace and Courtesy exhibited by our community--our staff, students, and parents--as we live through this incredibly unique and challenging time in history. 

Wishing you good health, love, and resilience,

Kevin Clark

Head of School

Dear Aidan Community,

I am thrilled to continue our work to keep Aidan healthy and safe. I strive to create and maintain positive and long-lasting relationships with the members of our community, both in person and online.

As the School Nurse, my central focus is the health and well-being of all the members of the Aidan community. My responsibilities include working with parents, teachers, administration, and our regulatory agencies to ensure that our children receive appropriate medical care while on campus. Under the circumstances presented by COVID-19, I am actively assisting with screening, managing, tracing, and reporting of information that is vital to maintaining the good health of everyone in our school. 

Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. While my full name is Alexandra, I go by Lexi, and I can be reached at l.pollack@aidanschool.org. I look forward to working with you all in our partnership to keep our Aidan community safe.

Sincerely,

Alexandra (Lexi) Pollack, BSN, RN, CPN

School Nurse

HEALTHY COMMUNITY 

• Establishing and reinforcing a culture of health, safety, and shared responsibility;
• Prioritizing staying home when sick; 
• Being supportive of testing; 
• Implementing procedures when there is a case; 
• Enhancing protection for high-risk members of our community.

HEALTHY SCHEDULES

• Managing transition times and locations; 
• Modifying attendance as necessary.

HEALTHY CLASSROOMS

• Wearing face coverings; 
• Washing hands frequently; 
• Making lunchtime safer; 
• Maximizing physical distancing to protect individuals; 
• Maximizing distancing between groups of students.

HEALTHY ACTIVITIES

• Providing recess; 
• Modifying physical education; 
• Reimagining music and theater classes; 
• Providing safe exercise routines for children; 
• Adding structure to outdoor activities.

HEALTHY BUILDING 

• Increasing fresh air ventilation; 
• Using Direct Outside Air HVAC system;
• Cleaning air with an infrared air cleaning system;
• Supplementing with portable air cleaners; 
• Using plexiglass as physical barriers; 
• Reducing infrastructure contact; 
• Keeping surfaces clean and enhancing cleaning protocols; 
• Focusing on bathroom hygiene; 
• Reducing density in the school building.

We must take a collective approach when it comes to mitigating the risks involved with  COVID-19. Each family depends on the cooperation of the others to keep the entire community safe. Therefore, we ask our families to abide by the following practices:

• Please be on the alert for any signs of illness in your child. Symptoms of COVID-19 are described in this handbook in addition to the health screening Magnus App. It is imperative that you keep your child at home if they are sick, even if you think it is unlikely they have COVID-19. We ask parents to err on the side of keeping their children home when considering whether to send their child to school should they show any signs of illness or discomfort. Students and staff that develop symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend school and should quarantine at home and consult with their healthcare providers and/or seek testing.
• Parents are required to conduct a pre-screening each day at home by subjectively monitoring for health and signs of sickness and taking their children’s temperature every morning. Parents will be responsible for entering this information via the Magnus App on their phone or tablet prior to arriving at Aidan. If this is not done before arriving at school, parents should expect to fill out a paper copy of the questions at the school. 
• It is recommended by the DC Department of Health that students and staff should also stay home and get tested if anyone in their household is symptomatic, even if they themselves do not have symptoms. (Persons who are up-to-date on their  COVID-19 vaccine should only get tested if they develop symptoms).
• ​​​​​​​Consistent with our Parent Handbook, it is even more critical that all students are up-to-date with their vaccinations. Parents are also strongly encouraged to get influenza (flu) shots for every member of their family. We will only permit medical exemptions to vaccinations, confirmed in writing by the child’s health care provider.
• ​​​​​​​Develop a plan to pick up your child from School within thirty (30) minutes should you be notified by the School that your child is being sent home due to any illness.
• ​​​​​​​Keep your contact information up to date with the School.
• ​​​​​​​We understand that some of the arrival procedures may be upsetting to children, especially students who are new to school. We will do our best to make the arrival process as smooth and non-disruptive as possible. We ask that parents please go over the arrival procedures with their children, including the symptoms check, so that it is not a surprise for them on day one.​​​​​​​
• Please send the following items in your child’s backpack: at least two (2) well-fitted and comfortable face coverings; two (2) snacks; water bottle; lunch with placemat and necessary utensils; change of clothes; an individually-sized container of hand sanitizer; and outdoor gear appropriate for the weather (e.g. raincoat, rain pants, boots, hat, mittens, snow gear). Please label everything with your child’s name. Please make sure your child can open and close all lunch containers. 
• The following travel guidelines are based on previous guidelines from the DC DOH that Aidan has decided to maintain.  
  • For domestic and international travel, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated persons should get tested 3-5 days after returning home from their trip and can return to school once the test results have been submitted, as long as the results are negative and the person is not feeling symptomatic. If there is no COVID test done, a self-quarantine of 10 days should be performed. 
  • For persons who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination, or those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days, there is no need for testing or quarantine post-domestic travel as long as they do not have any symptoms. For  these same persons who have traveled internationally, they should get tested 3-5 days after their return home, but do not need to participate in a quarantine, unless they become symptomatic. 
• If there is suspicion that you or someone in your family may have COVID-19, you should get tested 5-7 days after the exposure. You must immediately notify the School of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in your family and of any exposure to COVID-19, erring on the side of notifying the School of any possible exposure so we can help you protect our community. 
  • For all persons who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination, if there is exposure to someone with active COVID-19 whether in their household or not, they will be asked to test 5-7 days after exposure, wear a mask in all indoor public places for 10 days after the last exposure, and monitor symptoms for 14 days after their last exposure. If any symptoms arise, they should stay home from school and get tested again. If no symptoms arise, these persons will be allowed to attend school during this time.
  • Please follow this flowchart to determine if your child should stay home from school, and for how long: For Household Members of Someone Who Tested Positive for COVID-19 ​​​​​​​
• If your child or a member of your family or household is high risk or particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 as defined by the Centers for Disease Control, you must notify the School immediately. ​​​​​​​
• Please read communications from the School.
• Please follow re-entry guidelines as explained in this handbook (see "Health & Safety Protocols - Re-Entry Guidelines" under Healthy Community).

As best as they are able, based on their developmental stage and level of skill, our children will be asked to do the following in-class:

• During times of LOW transmission in the Aidan community, or the greater DC community, students and staff will generally not be required to wear masks while indoors or outside of the building. There are reasons in which a person would be required to wear a mask at school, which are as follows: experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, unvaccinated members participating in the Test-to-Stay program, any members who are able to return from isolation on Day 6 after being diagnosed with COVID-19, members who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination after being exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the household. We understand that this is a family decision as much as a school decision and we will support the inclusion and autonomy of each person's choice on whether to wear a mask or not while at school.
• During times of MODERATE transmission in the Aidan community, or the greater DC community, those members of the community who are immunocompromised or at high risk of severe disease should speak with their doctors to determine if they need to wear masks in the school building or implement any other precautions to protect themselves. Any person who fits the criteria listed under LOW transmission must wear a mask at school, as well.
• In HIGH transmission, Primary and Elementary students will be required to wear face coverings at all times in the building except when eating, drinking or otherwise permitted by the supervising adult(s). The school reserves the right to require masks be worn at recess and during ASP.  We will provide designated locations for “mask breaks” should an individual student require temporary respite. Based on previous guidance, students under the age of two in our Toddler program will not be required to wear face coverings. Additional information about face coverings appears below.  
• Parents of children with breathing problems such as asthma or other complications should discuss these with the School Nurse and their doctor to determine if accommodations are appropriate.
• Per the DC Department of Health School & Childcare Guidance, it is not necessary to remain distanced at this time. However, there are different instances in which our community members would be considered a “close contact” to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 based on a physical distance of six (6) feet and a physical distance of three (3) feet from one another. Close contacts are considered any person who is within 6 feet of distance, for 15 minutes, over a 24 hour period of time with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The exception to this rule (where a close contact is someone who is between 3-6 feet of distance, for 15 minutes, over a 24 hour period of time) is between any two students at school.
• Students will be expected to wash hands often and to follow hygienic hand washing techniques, which will be taught and reinforced by our teachers and staff. (See "Health & Safety Protocols - Hand Washing & Hand Sanitizer" under Healthy Community). 
• Students will be asked to follow recommended protocols for safe sneezing and coughing—e.g. sneeze or cough into one’s elbow, also sometimes called the “batwing” technique.
• Students will be encouraged to tell adults as soon as possible whenever they experience any symptoms of COVID-19 or otherwise feel unwell or uncomfortable. (See "Health & Safety Protocols - COVID-19 Symptoms" under Healthy Community). 

For an up-to-date listing of coronavirus resources, school communication, and information on the School’s policies and procedures, visit the “Coronavirus Information” page found on Aidan’s website.

We have established and will adhere to best practices as have been outlined by the CDC and our DC regulatory agencies, in consultation with our School Nurse, cleaning company, and  Chief of Operations. The School will continue to monitor CDC and other guidance regarding safe practices relating to COVID-19 and will update or revise the handbook, including health and safety protocols, as the School deems necessary. 

Our School Nurse is also available to address questions and concerns.

Nurse’s Office

Location

First office to the right immediately upon entering the school lobby (former front office).

Contact Information

Lexi Pollack - l.pollack@aidanschool.org

Who will be permitted in the building? 

• Based on the low rate of transmission in our Aidan community, and the greater DC community, we are welcoming visitors back into the building. We will still ask parents to stay outside of the building for arrival and dismissal, unless there is an emergency. Parents, and any other visitors, will be asked not to enter the building unless approved by the School. Visitors must contact the School in advance and wait outside until granted entry. Any parent/visitor will be health screened, including temperature-taking and entry questions, and asked to show proof of vaccination. We will also ask visitors to send rapid COVID test results to Nurse Lexi within 24 hours of entering the building. If there is no test done, or if the test is negative but the visitor is having COVID-like symptoms, the visitor must wear a mask while within the building. 
• Visitors must confirm personal contact information to facilitate infection contact tracing, if needed. In addition to COVID-19 precautions, any visitors permitted in the building must also follow pre-COVID-19 School procedures for security by signing-in and wearing a visitor pass.
• Everyone who enters the School building will be required to sanitize their hands before entering. 
• The school welcomes the return of in-person events. The school is at liberty to ask and require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for persons to attend certain in-person events. All attendees should fill out a COVID Event Questionnaire, provided by the school, either online or in-person before the event. In this form, there will be questions about the attendee’s name, phone number, and email address that we will keep for 30 days in order to aid the DOH contact tracing team in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19.
  • If an attendee has tested negative for COVID-19, but is still experiencing some COVID-like symptoms, they should wear a mask at all times during the event, unless actively eating or drinking, regardless of vaccination status. Aidan will provide disposable masks to anyone who comes to the event without one.
  • Perform frequent hygiene. There will be multiple hand sanitizer stations around the premises. Key times to perform hand hygiene include: 
    • When arriving at the venue;
    • Before and after eating or drinking;
    • Before and after putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings;
    • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • In the event that you wish to plan a school-related event that is not run by Aidan, the school has put together suggested guidelines for families.

How will we keep items clean and disinfected? 

• Hand washing is one of the best defenses against spread of the virus and it will be required often during the day.  See protocols for proper hand washing in "Health & Safety Protocols (Hand Washing & Hand Sanitizer).
• All persons in the building and on campus should sanitize their hands before entering a classroom. Multiple sanitizing stations have been installed at key positions throughout the building. Protocol for proper hand sanitizer use is described below. 
• All students will be directed to clean the tops of their tables before leaving class. The classrooms will also be cleaned by our professional cleaning crew as described below.
• While current evidence suggests that COVID-19 is not transmitted by touching everyday objects, we are exercising an abundance of caution in keeping Montessori materials clean.
• Further details about cleaning/disinfecting protocols appear in "Health & Safety Protocols (Hand Washing & Hand Sanitizer)".

How will we keep our hands clean at School?

Healthy Hand Hygiene

Washing hands helps to prevent the spread of infections from one person to the next. All children and staff will engage in healthy hand hygiene at the following times: 

• Arrival to the classroom and after breaks;
• Before and after each work period;
• Before and after eating or handling food;
• After using the toilet or helping a child use the bathroom;
• After coming in contact with body fluids;
• After playing outdoors;
• After handling garbage;
• Before and after touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Six Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way 

1. Wet your hands with clean, warm running water and apply liquid soap. 
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, palms, between your fingers, and under your nails. 
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. 
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. Continuing to rub them together.
5. Dry your hands using a clean paper towel or air dry them. 
6. Turn the water off by using the paper towel.

After assisting children with handwashing, staff will wash their own hands. Please practice this protocol at home with your child(ren) often.

Hand Sanitizer

Use hand sanitizer when you cannot use soap and water. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. There will be hand sanitizer stations conveniently located throughout the building. 

Three Steps to Properly Use Hand Sanitizer

1. Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand. Please read the label to learn the correct amount. 
2. Rub your hands together vigorously.  
3. Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.

Will students be required to wear face coverings?

Face coverings for school use are KN94, N95, disposable or 2-3 layer cotton/cloth reusable apparel that closely fit and cover the mouth and nose. The use of face coverings is intended to protect everybody in the classroom; face coverings reduce the risk of both transmitting and contracting a viral infection.  

As of March 10, 2022, we have adopted the following procedures relating to face coverings:

• During times of LOW transmission in the Aidan community, or the greater DC community, students and staff will generally not be required to wear masks while indoors or outside of the building. There are reasons in which a person would be required to wear a mask at school, which are as follows: experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, unvaccinated members participating in the Test-to-Stay program, any members who are able to return from isolation on Day 6 after being diagnosed with COVID-19, members who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination after being exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the household. We understand that this is a family decision as much as a school decision and we will support the inclusion and autonomy of each person's choice on whether to wear a mask or not while at school.
• During times of MODERATE transmission in the Aidan community, or the greater DC community, those members of the community who are immunocompromised or at high risk of severe disease should wear masks in the school building to protect themselves. Any person who fits the criteria previously listed under being required to wear a mask during LOW transmission must wear a mask at school, as well.
• In HIGH transmission, students over the age of 2 and staff will be required to wear face coverings at all times in the building except when eating, drinking or otherwise permitted by the supervising adult(s). The school reserves the right to enforce masking as they see fit.
  • Every member of the Aidan community will supply their own face coverings. The School will have disposable face coverings available only as back-up should a community member forget theirs, run out, or face other complications. Students will be expected to bring at least two (2) new/clean/laundered face coverings to school every day.
  • Parents should have their children practice putting on, wearing, and removing a face covering before the school year starts. We recommend that parents experiment and find a style of face covering for their child that is well-fitted (minimal gaps and slippage) and comfortable so that their child does not frequently touch their face to adjust their face covering. See CDC guidance such as this video that you can view with your child. For recommendations on safe and comfortable mask brands, please reach out to Nurse Lexi or a fellow Aidan parent.

How will we monitor students for symptoms of COVID-19? 

Please see details for checks upon arrival below. Children’s temperatures may be checked throughout the day at the discretion of the School Nurse or Teachers. Families are also asked to monitor their children’s temperature and keep them home if they show signs of illness. See “Family Roles and Responsibilities” section above. 

Members of our community will be denied entry to the school building if any of the following symptoms are present:

• Temperature over 100.4°F 
• Replying “yes” when asked if medications were used to lower an individual’s temperature.
• Any of the following symptoms that are new or unexplained: 
  • Any one of the following Red Flag Symptoms
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
    • New or worsening cough
    • Fever of 100.4°F or higher (measured or subjective) (UPDATED 10/5)
  • OR at least two (2) of the following symptoms:
    • Chills
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • An unusual amount of tiredness
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Runny nose or congestion
    • Diarrhea
• The school is at liberty to deny the entry or ask for students to be picked up from school based on their own judgment, and may feel the need to send children home for any one symptom.
• A student who has had a close contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and has not followed the proper return-to-school guidelines. 
• Has not completed their post-travel testing and/or quarantine per Aidan’s guidelines listed above.
• We have adopted a previous policy presented by the DC DOH that any unvaccinated students and staff who are not up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccination should get COVID tested at the same time if anyone in their household is symptomatic, even if they themselves do not have symptoms. (Persons who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccine should only get tested if they develop symptoms)
  • If testing is not done, it is recommended that the staff/student not attend school while the symptomatic household member’s test result is pending.
    • If the result is negative, the student can return to school. If the result is positive, the student should quarantine at home and expect outreach from the DC Health Contract Tracing team.

Monitoring with the Magnus App

We use the COVID-19 Screening within the Magnus Health App to monitor the symptoms of all students and staff members. Families will be responsible for completing a health survey for their child each morning prior to arriving at the school, preferably by 7:45 AM. If the app is filled after 7:45 AM, then please expect to show your Magnus "GO" message to the staff member at your child's designated drop-off entrance. 

Please review these instructions for information on how to login to Magnus, to download the Magnus Health App, and to access the COVID-19 Screening.

If you have any difficulty accessing Magnus Health through Aidan’s Parent Portal, then please contact Nicole Goodman. If you have any difficulty completing the screening or other Magnus-related questions, please contact Nurse Lexi Pollack. 

How to Set Up & Access Your Magnus Health Account & Magnus Mobile App:

1. Log in to Aidan’s Parent Portal. On the Parent Portal homepage, click the green button, “Magnus Health Login” located on the right side of the page. 
2. After clicking the green “Magnus Health Login” button, parents will be taken to the Magnus Health web browser where they will be prompted to set up a password.
3. Parents will also need to update their login credentials for the mobile app and may do so by hovering over their name in the Magnus web portal and selecting “Change Credentials”. 
4. After updating your credentials, you will need to download the Magnus mobile app. Download the “Magnus Health” app from the Google Play Store or Download the “Magnus Mobile V2” app from the Apple Store and login using your newly created username/password combination. If your device allows it, you can also set up the biometric login for easier access.

How to Complete Daily COVID-19 Screening (Video Tutorial):

1. Log in to the Magnus mobile app each morning (Note: The only way to access the COVID-19 survey is through the mobile app. It cannot be accessed through a web browser.)
2. Click on your child’s name and then select the “Covid-19” icon located at the middle-bottom of the menu.
3. Click on “COVID 19 Screening” and please fill out the questionnaire with the most honest and up-to-date information.
4. Press “Save” and follow the instructions that come up on the next page. Parents will receive either a “GO” or “STOP” message. If you have any questions on your results, please contact Nurse Lexi.
5. If you have multiple children who attend Aidan, please complete the screening process for each child. In addition, if one of your children gets a "STOP" page after their test, please go back and edit your response to question 12 on your other child(ren)’'s questionnaires.
6. Be ready to show your child’s “GO” message when you escort your child to their designated entrance point once you arrive at Aidan.

Important Things to Note About Magnus:

1. The only way to access the COVID-19 survey is through the mobile app. It cannot be accessed through a web browser. 
2. If the app does not allow you to fill out the questionnaire one morning, please try deleting and re-downloading the app before emailing the school.
3. There will always be paper copies available at the school in the instance you are unable to fill out the questionnaire or show that it has been filled out.

What if there is a suspected COVID-19 case in our community?

The measures we adopt around COVID-19 are designed to help keep our entire community safe and to minimize spread. To that end:

• The decision to exclude any community member from entry or to send someone home will be at the discretion of the School administration, which includes the School Nurse. 
• If a student has COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival at School, the School reserves the right to deny entry to the student.
• Community members who are experiencing symptoms of any communicable illness, such as strep throat, hand/foot/mouth disease, or the flu, also will be expected to stay at home, per existing policies in the Parent Handbook. 
• The School requests that all families and staff notify the School immediately of any exposure to COVID-19, so that the School may be aware of potential exposure and make appropriate assessments. After exposure or in the event of a suspected case, the student may need to quarantine or participate in Test-to-Stay, depending on the exposure and vaccination status of the individual, a mandatory quarantine of 5-10 days, depending on testing type and status, is required for all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals prior to returning to school.
• Unvaccinated or students who are not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination that have had a close contact with someone at school or ASP/Discovery who has a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 are able to participate in our Test-to-Stay program.

Test-To-Stay

• This only applies to unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated individuals, as fully vaccinated students are not required to quarantine after exposure, unless symptomatic.
• Children who qualify for Test-to-Stay must: 
  • Test immediately after finding out they were exposed, and again before 7:30 AM on days 3, 5, and 7 after exposure;
  • Wear a mask while participating and stay distant from other community members during times when their mask must be removed;
  • Stay home and isolate if they become symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19.
• Does your child qualify for Test-to-Stay? 
  • YES (all of these must be true)
    • My child is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against COVID-19.
    • The close contact happened at Aidan during school, ASP, or Discovery.
  • NO (if any of these apply)
    • My child is “up-to-date” on their COVID-19 vaccine and may continue to be in school without quarantining.
    • The close contact happened in the household or an activity outside of Aidan.
    • My child is experiencing COVID-like symptoms after being in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
    • My child tested positive for COVID-19.
    • My child is in a toddler classroom.
    • My child's quarantine requirements are due to recent travel.
• If your child qualifies for Test-to-Stay based on the list above (YES), please follow the steps below. 
  • Test your child immediately (within 24 hours after exposure), and then again in the mornings of day 3, 5, & 7 after exposure.
  • If using a home rapid test, mark your test with the date and students initials.
  • Take a picture of the test, with the markings, after waiting the full 15 minutes for it to result.
  • Send the picture to Nurse Lexi via email before 7:30 AM.
  • Send your child to the school wearing a mask, and extra masks in their backpack.
• Test Results:
  • If the test is negative, your child is eligible to attend school.
  • If the test is positive, your child is not eligible to attend school. Please fill out this form as soon as possible, and alert Nurse Lexi.
    • If the results come back positive, and the person is asymptomatic, the isolation period clock restarts and they will have to quarantine for an additional 5-10 days. If the person becomes symptomatic, the isolation period clock restarts and they will need to be retested and quarantined for an additional amount of time.
    • If someone who is participating in the TTS program tests positive for one of their morning tests, the days for close contacts to be tested will start again. For example, if one child participating in TTS test positive on their day 5 morning test, the close contacts of that child will begin again with the ‘immediate’ test, then day 3, 5, & 7. This could happen multiple times if more children become positive during their morning tests. This might also lead to students not being eligible for TTS and having to stay home to quarantine due to their close contact being mask-less or outside of school activities.
• What Type of Test To Use:
  • For “Test-to-Stay” at home rapid tests are accepted and preferred, but PCR tests are also accepted. The PCR testing we do at the school on Tuesdays does not count for the Test-to-Stay morning tests.
  • Links to find tests: Test Yourself DC, Free Government Tests, Amazon iHealth Home Tests, Amazon OnGo Home Tests, DC Testing Sites
  • If you are unable to obtain enough home tests, the school has a small supply of test kits that can be used by our students who meet the criteria for TTS.
• Individuals who are “up-to-date” on their COVID-19 vaccines and are considered a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 also do not qualify for Test-to-Stay:
  • MUST
    • Test on day 5-7 after exposure. 
    • Monitor symptoms for 10 days after the exposure (Day 0-10), and isolate if they begin to have any symptoms.
    • Wear a mask while around other people at all times for 10 days after exposure (Day 0-10).
    • Begin isolation if they become symptomatic or test positive. 
  • Toddlers
    • Per DC DOH guidelines (page 2-3), our Toddler community students are not eligible for the Test-to-Stay program. After an exposure, students under the age of 2 years old, will be asked to stay home for 10 days, returning on Day 11 after exposure. For those toddler students who are 2 years and older, the minimum length of quarantine is 5 days. They may return to school after 5 days (Day 6 after exposure) if there is a COVID test done on day 5, the results come back negative, and they remain asymptomatic. If the individual is not tested, they must stay home for a full 10 days, returning on Day 11 after exposure. 
  • Primary and Elementary who do not qualify for Test-to-Stay
    • For those who are a close contact to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, and/or not eligible for the TTS program, must stay out of school for a minimum of 5 days. They may return to school after 5 days (Day 6 after exposure) if there is a COVID test done on day 5, the results come back negative, and they remain asymptomatic. If no test is done, they may return to school on Day 11, after 10 days of quarantining. All test results must continue to be sent to Nurse Lexi.
  • Note: People who are up-to-date on their COVID vaccine or have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days do not need to quarantine after exposure, as long as they remain asymptomatic.

If a child becomes ill at school, they will be sent home as soon as possible. Classroom staff will follow the following isolation procedures for children: 

1. The classroom staff will inform the School Nurse immediately of observed symptoms, and the child will be moved to isolation in the nurse’s office. 
2. The child will be offered a disposable face covering if the child is not wearing one. 
3. The child will be kept separate from well children in the nurse’s office and staff contact will be limited as much as reasonably possible, while ensuring the safety and supervision of the child until they leave. 
4. The child will rest in the isolation area in the nurse’s office.
5. The nurse or a staff member will contact parents to come to School to pick up the child in a timely manner, within 30 minutes.
6. If the sick child has a sibling at school, the sibling will also be sent home at the same time to be evaluated. The sibling may return when the symptomatic child has received negative COVID-19 test results and they have been sent to the school nurse.
7. Once a parent has left with the symptomatic child, the isolation area will be cleaned and disinfected. Materials, surfaces, and furniture touched by the child who is sent home will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized by staff and/or our contracted cleaners according to CDC guidelines.
8. Notification of the community will be in accordance with our policies listed below.

A School community member who tests positive for COVID-19 or who lives in the same household as an individual who tests positive must share this information with the School Nurse. The School Nurse will report this information to public health authorities as required by applicable law if this has not already been done. 

In the event of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in our community, the School will conduct its own contact tracing by looking into who the positive individual has had close contact in the 48 hours before symptoms appeared or positive test results, whichever comes first. Contact tracing is a strategy used to determine who has been exposed to a disease to help stop spread. Finding people who are close contacts of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 can help prevent further spread of the virus. When there are 5 cases in our school within a 5 day period of time, the school nurse will notify the appropriate agencies.

The School is depending on families to continue transparent communication about students’ health in order to ensure a trusting and supportive environment. In addition to relying on families to self-monitor and report using the Magnus App, the School will monitor absenteeism among children using our standard procedures. Absenteeism due to symptoms will not be penalized. Absences and the reason therefore will be recorded by classroom personnel daily and reported as required. Any unusual patterns of illness in any classroom will be considered when evaluating the need for temporary or long-term classroom or building closures.

The School will follow recommendations from local health authorities in regard to contact tracing, suspension of on-campus operations, and/or notifications to the community. The building or areas thereof may be temporarily closed for deep cleaning if a COVID-19 diagnosed individual has been present at School. The School may also need to close a classroom, a floor, or the entire building in the case of a COVID-19 breakout in the community.

Community COVID-19 Testing

The School may decide to periodically require community COVID-19 testing, baseline or otherwise, or testing of subsets of our community. We will notify our community as soon as possible should we require testing.

How will the School communicate news of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis in our community? 

The School is required to report cases of COVID-19 to the District of Columbia’s Department of Health when there have been 5 or more cases over a period of 5 days. . We will inform the affected community members via email if a child or employee has tested positive for COVID-19, similarly to the way families are informed of other potentially contagious conditions at School. Families will be made aware of possible exposures to infection, and information about their child’s involvement in Test-to-Stay, but the identity of infected persons will be kept confidential.

We will communicate via phone call, email, and/or Remind: 

• with families, if their child has been in close contact with someone at School who has tested positive for COVID-19. 
• with staff, if they have been in close contact with someone at School who has tested positive for COVID-19. 
• with the entire School community if there are any closures within the school.

All parents should make sure that they are signed up to receive notifications from the School through our text-based system, Remind. Click here to join the Aidan Community on Remind. This system was procured by the School for use in emergency situations and has been used for emergency communications only, such as mid-day snow day releases. Given that some situations related to COVID-19 may be time-sensitive, it is possible that the School will expand the use of the Remind app in the coming year should circumstances warrant it. Additionally, the School usually replicates communications of this sort by email and as a banner on its website.

When can a child return to School following their illness?

• A child who develops symptoms of COVID-19 should be evaluated by a medical professional and/or get PCR tested before returning to school. A note from the medical professional that includes the alternate diagnosis or negative COVID test results is required and must be presented to the School Nurse before the child can return to school. If the results come back negative, please continue to keep the child home while they are not feeling well or they are unable to participate in the life of the classroom. Once they return, if they continue to have symptoms, they will need to wear a mask while around others at school and/or ASP/Discovery.
• If a child is diagnosed with COVID-19, they can return to school once they meet the criteria below: 
  • Being fever-free without antipyretic medication for 24 hours.
  • Take a rapid/at home test 5 days after initially testing positive or the onset of symptoms, whichever came first. If the test is negative, they may return to school on Day 6. If the test is positive, they must stay home and can return to school on Day 11.
    • If a student is cleared to return to school on Day 6, they must wear a mask while at school until Day 11.
  • Any symptoms the person experienced, if they experienced any, must be improving. If the child did not have symptoms, then they are cleared to return to school 10 days after the positive test.
• Individuals who are higher-risk or immunocompromised may require longer isolation at home after a COVID-19 illness and should consult with their medical professional prior to returning to school.
• If a child has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and is not tested or evaluated by a medical professional, they can return to school when they meet the return-to-school criteria for a person who has recovered from COVID-19.
• Our School Nurse will help monitor all symptoms associated with COVID-19 in children. For children who have recovered from COVID-19, the School Nurse will also help monitor for symptoms of Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
• Fully vaccinated people who are close contacts of someone with COVID-19, who do not live in their household, do not need to quarantine, but they should:
  • Get a COVID-19 test 5-7 days after the date they were exposed. Isolate if the test is positive.
  • Wear a mask in all public indoor settings for 10 days after the date they were exposed.
  • Consider wearing a mask at home for 10 days if they live with someone who is immunocompromised.
  • Monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days from their exposure, and isolate if they develop symptoms.

What if my family member is in a vulnerable or high-risk group?

High-risk individuals should communicate their risk and preferred accommodations to the School as identified and recommended by a physician. The School will accommodate them to the extent that it is able. Families are encouraged to coordinate decision-making around the child’s care with the family health care provider if there are specific health concerns, chronic disease, or complex social or emotional dynamics in the home. The School will  support at-risk community members to the extent that it is reasonably possible in the judgment of the School. Our School Nurse is also available for consultation and guidance. 

The DC Department of Health and CDC continue to express that vaccination is the most important thing one can do to prevent severe illness that can accompany COVID-19. Aidan supports and strongly encourages vaccines for age-eligible children. 

Vaccine Requirements

For the 2021-2022 school year, Aidan requires that all faculty and staff be fully up-to-date on their COVID vaccines per DC Mayor Order 2021-109. This vaccine requirement will remain in effect as a condition of employment for the 2022-2023 school year. 

The District of Columbia passed a law (§ 38–502.01) that went into effect on March 1, 2022, requiring that all students in DC public, private, parochial, and independent schools be vaccinated as they become age eligible. This law takes effect as of the 2022-2023 school year, and Aidan is obliged to follow it, as are all district schools. Therefore, all age-eligible students must be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations for enrollment in the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. 

If you are planning on your child having a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine, please read the criteria for an exemption in this DC law (§ 38–506). In order to attain this form, you must reach out to your local Department of Health (DC if you live in DC, MD if you live in MD, or VA if you live in VA). The school and public do not have access to the required forms. Once you have attained and completed the form, you must upload it with your child’s Universal Health Certificate to the Magnus Health app.

Who is considered “up-to-date” on their COVID-19 vaccine?

• Persons 12 years of age and older who have received two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine within the past 5 months, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the past 2 months.
• Persons 12 years of age and older who have received one booster dose after 5 months have passed since their initial two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or those who have received one booster dose after 2 months have passed since their initial one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
• Children between the ages of 5-11 years old who have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and 14 days have passed.

Uploading Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination to Magnus

If your child is up-to-date on their COVID vaccination and/or recently received their second vaccination or booster, then please be sure to upload any documentation to the Magnus Health App. Students are not considered up-to-date unless their vaccine documentation has been uploaded to Magnus and 14 days have passed since they received their second dose. 

Steps for Uploading Proof of Vaccination

1. Log in to Magnus through either the web portal or Magnus app.
2. Click on your child’s name and then upload a picture of your child’s vaccination card under the ‘Covid 19 Vaccination Card’ requirement under the "To Do List". You can also find this requirement by visiting the "Student Health Tracker" from the mobile dashboard. 
3. Submit your child’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination to Magnus on the website or app by using scanned versions or photos of the vaccination card. Please be sure the image you are uploading is a  PDF, PNG, JPG, JPEG, BMP, or GIF file.
4. Once submitted, the school nurse will go through and either ‘approve’ or ‘reject’ your card. Please periodically check back to make sure it has been approved. If your paperwork has been rejected, an explanation will be provided.

Visiting the School and Vaccination Status

Visitors who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination must do the following when coming to our school:

• Send a copy of your vaccination record (if you have not done so previously) to the school nurse at l.pollack@aidanschool.org.
• If you would prefer to not wear a mask during your visit, you must take a rapid/at-home COVID test within 24 hours of your visit, and send the results to the school nurse at l.pollack@aidanschool.org.
  • If you choose not to take a test, you will need to wear a mask during your visit.
  • If you have taken a test, the results are negative, but you are experiencing any lingering or explainable symptoms (sniffles from allergies, a cough that has lasted a week and a half but you have tested negative, etc.) you will be asked to wear a mask, regardless of the origin of symptoms.
• Not have any new or unexplained symptoms on the day of your visit.

Visitors who are not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination, or are unvaccinated, must do the following when coming to our school:

• Take a rapid/at-home test within 24 hours of your visit, and send the results to the school nurse at l.pollack@aidanschool.org
• Not have any new or unexplained symptoms on the day of your visit.
• Wear a mask for the entire duration of your visit, even if your COVID test results are negative.

Please note that all visitors, whether up-to-date on their COVID-19 or not, must coordinate their visit with the appropriate parties prior to their visit.

Vaccine Resources & Information

• https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccine
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/your-vaccination.html
• https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/vaccines
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859
• https://eua.modernatx.com/covid19vaccine-eua/
• https://www.pfizer.com/products/product-detail/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine

Primary and Elementary students will have separate ASP programs. Students in the ASP program will wear face coverings if they are experiencing symptoms, are participating in the Test-to-Stay program, or have decided they would like to wear one. ASP will involve combined classrooms, which elevates the level of risk, the potential for needing to mask or participate in Test-to-Stay, and the potential of infection. Regardless, parents need to be aware of both the mitigation and risk involved when enrolling in ASP.

Gap care will be provided for our Primary and Toddler students. Please contact the School for further details should you require gap care.

Please be aware that we adopt these procedures in order to mitigate health risks in our community.

Arrival

Arrival and class start times have been amended for best flow, given safe practices. Arrival window will be 8:00-8:30 AM for all classrooms. 

• Before you arrive at school, by 7:45 AM, the COVID-19 Screening in the Magnus App must be completed for each child. If the screening is completed after 7:45 AM, be prepared to show the app to your child's teacher at drop-off. 
• Parents/caregivers will see School personnel outside the building, directing traffic, helping with myriad logistics, but the Arrival Team will no longer assist children from cars. 
• Elementary students may be dropped off via the carpool line in front of the school and they will be ushered to the proper entrance. Elementary students do not need a parent to escort them to the door. Walk up elementary student drop off is also allowed, although we ask that parents not stay on the sidewalk in front of the school in order to reduce congestion.
• Parents/caregivers of primary and toddler students must legally park (they may do so in the drop off lane in front of the building) and escort their child(ren) to their designated door(s) (see below for entry points). If parents have more than one child, they will have to go to each separate entrance. Please maintain an acceptable physical distance when maneuvering around others. 
• At each entrance, parents may be asked a series of questions pertaining to COVID-19 symptoms, and asked to show the results screen from the morning’s COVID-19 Screening in Magnus.
• Parents/caregivers of primary and toddler students are asked to wait for those results and the “all clear” signal before leaving the premises. If there is any uncertainty, the School Nurse will make the final decision about whether or not a child may attend. Parents of elementary students will be contacted via phone by the school nurse if there are any questions or issues.
• No parents/caregivers will be allowed into the building or on the playground during these times.
• Siblings will need to be walked to their respective doorways/entry points as stated in the section below. 

Designated Entry Points

The entrances below detail the path that the students will take to their respective classrooms. Parents/caregivers will not be allowed into the school building and should escort their children to the classroom assistants waiting outside each entry point. 

Mulberry, Dogwood (Purple #1)

Students will come up the main front steps, enter through the lobby and turn left to their respective classrooms.

Sweet Gum (Green #2)

Students will enter through the main gate on the black top and use the corner door at the southeast end of their room.

Sassafras, Mountain Silverbell (Red #3)

Students will enter through the small gate on the black top and enter Toddler rooms through the outside doors in the overhang. 

Redbud, Persimmon (Yellow #4)

Students will enter through the side gate on Woodley Road, and into the south blue door, up the yellow stairway to their classrooms.

Magnolia, Red Oak (Blue #5)

Students will enter through the top of the back stairs in the alley behind the school building. Students will go directly to their classrooms on the third floor up the blue stairwell.

 

Late Arrival 

If you arrive after 8:30 AM, please ring the doorbell at the main entrance and wait with your child until a staff person comes to the door. You must stay with your child until they have been screened and permitted to enter. No parents/caregivers will be allowed in the building. 

Dismissal

Dismissal Times

Please take note of the dismissal times below:

• Half-Day Toddler: 11:15-11:30 AM
• Full-Day Toddler & Primary:  2:45 - 3:00 PM
• Elementary: 3:45 - 4:00 PM

Students will stay in their classrooms and be dismissed by two-way radios. Parents or guardians will arrive in a predetermined window of time and present their name placard in the driver’s side window or let an administrative official know which child to call. Primary and Toddler parents/caregivers should retrieve their child from their designated entrance point and should plan to park their car if driving. Elementary students will be brought to the front of the school and parents/caregivers may remain in their cars as their children are dismissed. 

Students will use the same applicable hallway, stairwell, door, and gate as they used in the morning during arrival in reverse order. Students will then walk to their parents at their designated entry and either walk to their car, load, and drive away, or depart on foot/bike/scooter.

Early Pick-Up

If for any reason you must pick your child up early, please let your child’s teacher know in advance AND you must also let the office (202-387-2700) know that day. Then, call the office when you arrive at the front of the School. Remain outside the building and School personnel will bring your child and dismiss them to you at the front door. 

Preparation in class of lunch, snacks, and water:

• For this year, we are re-instituting group snacks, sent in by families, on a rotating basis. Teachers will serve group snacks rather than children serving themselves. Toddler and Primary families are asked to contribute food for their child’s class; and will usually be asked once in the fall and once in the spring. Toddler families are usually asked to provide food three times a year. If your child is enrolled in ASP, you will be asked to provide snack foods for the group, usually twice a year. Elementary students will bring their own snacks.
• Each child will bring their own lunch from home. Parents should send a cloth placemat with children to put under their food and eating items. Usual food allergy plans will remain in place, and families will be made aware of their classroom’s guidelines from information found on the classroom portal page.
• ​​​​​​​Children must also bring their own water bottles to school. Students will no longer be able to drink directly from a water fountain, but the quick-fill (touch-less) component of our two (2) water fountains will be available to students to refill their bottles. They are located in the lobby and on the ground floor outside the rear of the Toddler rooms. 
• ​​​​​​​Staff will assist children as they wash their hands prior to and immediately after eating. Staff will wash their hands before assisting children and/or after helping them eat. 
• ​​​​​​​Children or teaching assistants will clean the areas where they ate to the best of their abilities, with staff following up as needed.
• ​​​​​​​Food serving and preparation equipment, including those items used in individual practical life lessons for children, will be used in a modified manner in order to safely bring food preparation back into the curriculum. The School will provide dining/drinking utensils in emergencies when items are forgotten at home. Please see your class portal page for specific guidance. Any plates or other utensils will be washed in the dishwasher before being used again.

For nap time, children’s mats will be spaced out with alternating head to toe arrangements to maximize the distance between them. As recommended by the DC Department of Health, children who choose to wear masks will remove them while they are napping.

• Parents should send at least two (2) freshly laundered, well-fitted, and comfortable face coverings every day in case they need or decide to put one on during the day.
• We intend to make use of outdoor spaces as frequently as we can and as is allowed by the weather. We ask parents to send their children appropriately dressed for the weather, as they should assume that the day will include an outdoor learning component. Appropriate gear may include raincoats, boots, warm coats, hats, and gloves or mittens. Per existing school policy, umbrellas are not permitted.
• ​​​​​​​The use of face coverings will be determined by the current status of the Aidan and greater DC transmission. The school reserves the right to reinstate the mask policy as they see fit.
• ​​​​​​​The building recently had a new HVAC system installed. This system is a Direct Outside Air System (DOAS) supplemented with an infrared air cleaning system. Air flow is a key mitigation procedure, and our new system will enhance this greatly.

• All students will clean the tops of their tables before leaving class. Objects touched by a student, such as Montessori materials, will be cleaned as necessary.

Field trips and Elementary going-outs will be modified to be up to our standards of safety. Children may be brought off campus in staff-supervised outings to approved locations, such as the Marriott lawn and Tregaron Conservancy, for a walk around the block, or for walks to local parks or areas.

Being outdoors is an acceptable and preferred option for learning. Access to various recess spaces operate on a rotating schedule to ensure that groups of students can be kept separated from each other as much as possible. Students will bring their water bottles to recess since the outside fountain will be turned off for safety purposes. They will be able to refill their water bottles at the existing filling stations. Teachers will encourage students to refrain from sharing water bottles.

It is our intention to make use of outdoor spaces as frequently as we can and as is allowed by the weather. It is imperative that children come dressed properly to participate. These items may include raincoats, boots, warm coats, hats, and mittens or gloves. Umbrellas are not permitted.

Because our teachers are vaccinated, PE, Music, Art, and Foreign Languages will return to normal schedules and in person instruction.

The ventilation and air quality in the School building has been upgraded through the installation of a new HVAC system which includes the use of direct outside air and an infrared air cleaning system. We will continue to use HEPA grade air filters in classrooms and throughout the School.

The School follows the national standards for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of educational facilities for children. These efforts include the following: 

• Staff will routinely clean surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, including Montessori materials. They will be cleaned at least once a day. Safe, approved products will be available in classrooms for use by an adult.
• Materials that children have placed in their mouths or that are otherwise contaminated by body fluids will be set aside until they may be appropriately cleaned prior to being used by the next person. 
• Machine washable, cloth materials will be laundered as necessary. There is an adequate supply of many of these items, like towels, dusting and polishing mitts, such that these activities will not be compromised. 
• Each class will establish easy-to-follow guides to indicate the ebb and flow of materials as they are used and cleaned.
• All high touch areas, listed below, within the classrooms will be cleaned, and disinfected if necessary, at least once per day.
• High touch areas, listed below, throughout the shared space of the school will be cleaned and disinfected midway through the day.
• Electrostatic Spraying Technology will be used to disinfect our environments at the end of each day. The charge extends to even the hard to reach places and coats them evenly and effectively. 
• Deep cleans of the classroom will be done by our cleaning company in any classroom where there is a positive COVID case. If it has been at least 3 days since the positive individual has been in the building, this deep clean will not be done.

The entire building will be cleaned daily and disinfected by our contracted cleaners according to CDC standards. They will also be implementing a midday cleaning of shared spaces. These processes and products have been enhanced to help counter possible transmission of the virus, per public health guidelines. High touch areas will receive more frequent cleaning and/or disinfecting. Such areas include tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, toilets, faucets, sinks, water bottle filling stations, elevator buttons, railings, etc.

Students will be allowed to visit the library at designated times during the day, as to not come across another cohort of students.  Children may bring books home. When they are returned, books will be disinfected by the librarian before being made available again. An online library system has been acquired so that students may access online reading resources. (UPDATED 10/5)

Signage will be posted throughout buildings as a reminder of proper hygiene procedures. Hand sanitizer will be available at classroom doors and at the entrances and exits of buildings and individuals entering and exiting will be expected to use the sanitizer. We will remind all members of our community about the proper procedures for wiping noses, mouths and eyes, when coughing or sneezing, and after using the toilet. Frequent hand washing will be encouraged, with direct oversight and supervision of our youngest students.

We use a variety of posters with words and/or pictures for the convenience of all our students, those who can read and those who are pre-readers. These signs will include reminders emphasizing safe practices.

Q: Who will be responsible for overseeing all of the enhanced health and safety practices at school?  

A: All Faculty, Staff, and Administrators will be responsible for overseeing and guiding the observance of these procedures.

Q: What will arrival and dismissal look like?

A: The School has altered the arrival and departure protocols to address the COVID-19 era. Arrival will no longer include administrators receiving children from cars. Parents will now need to park in the neighborhood (including the school zone) and walk children to their designated entry door. Each entry door is now exclusively used by one or two classroom communities. Please check the "Arrival & Dismissal" section under Healthy Schedules for information about your classroom’s entry door. At the entry door upon arrival, children will be received/screened by an Aidan staff person before proceeding into the building and to their classrooms. 

Dismissal will take place as follows: Students will stay in their classrooms and be dismissed by two-way radios. Parents or guardians will arrive in a predetermined window of time and present their name placard in the driver’s side window or let an administrative official know which child to call. Primary and Toddler parents should retrieve their child from their designated entrance point and should plan to park their car if driving. Elementary students will be brought to the front of the school and will be dismissed to their cars as their parents and caregivers arrive.

Q: Will my child have to wear a face covering at school?

A: Not necessarily. Based on the level of transmission in the Aidan and/or greater DC community, we will determine the state of masking at our school.

During times of LOW transmission in the Aidan community, or the greater DC community, students and staff will generally not be required to wear masks while indoors or outside of the building. There are reasons in which a person would be required to wear a mask at school, which are as follows: experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, unvaccinated members participating in the Test-to-Stay program, any members who are able to return from isolation on Day 6 after being diagnosed with COVID-19, members who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination after being exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the household. We understand that this is a family decision as much as a school decision and we will support the inclusion and autonomy of each person's choice on whether to wear a mask or not while at school.

During times of MODERATE transmission in the Aidan community, or the greater DC community, those members of the community who are immunocompromised or at high risk of severe disease should wear masks in the school building to protect themselves. Any person who fits the criteria previously listed under being required to wear a mask during LOW transmission must wear a mask at school, as well.

In HIGH transmission, all students above the age of 2 and staff will be required to wear face coverings at all times in the building except when eating, drinking or otherwise permitted by the supervising adult(s). The school reserves the right to enforce masking as they see fit.

Q: How often will hands be washed?

A: At a minimum, all children will wash their hands according to best practices: 

• upon arrival in the morning; 
• whenever they use the bathroom; 
• before and after eating lunch or snack; 
• any time they’ve handled anything dirty such as trash, food waste, etc. 
• as part of the dismissal routine. 

The School has also installed additional hand sanitizing stations throughout the building.

Q: How will you keep the building and Montessori materials safe?

A: The entire building will be routinely cleaned and disinfected by our contracted cleaning staff. All bathrooms will be disinfected at least once per day. Electrostatic Spraying Technology will be used to disinfect our environments at the end of each day. The charge extends to even the hard to reach places and coats them evenly and effectively. Our staff will also clean and disinfect Montessori materials as necessary

The school has also installed signage providing hygiene and safety reminders, additional hand sanitizer stations, updated soap and paper towel dispensers in the bathrooms, and turned off the water fountains (leaving only the water bottle-filling stations).

Q: What should I send in my child’s backpack every day? 

A: Your child’s backpack should include the following items:

• 2 face coverings--well-fitted, comfortable, freshly laundered;
• Water bottle;
• Change of clothes;
• Lunch with placemat and necessary utensils (please make sure your child can open and close all containers);
• Clothing and outdoor gear appropriate for the weather (please label everything with your child’s name).

Q: How much will be done outside in terms of lessons, lunches, specials, etc.?

A: Working outside in the fresh air is ideal, weather permitting. That said, this involves tight coordination between all classrooms in order to arrange and reserve adequate space and ample time. Opportunities to work outside will certainly be considered as much as possible during the times they are not in lessons. 

Q: How will Aidan deal with other groups using the Marriott Lawn during time outside?

A: We recognize that there may be high demand for shared public spaces and we will try to stake out some space on the Marriott Lawn mid-morning to use for PE and Recess as appropriate. If the Marriott lawn is deemed unsafe due to congestion and overuse, we will plan for a nature walk around the neighborhood, visit Tregaron Park, or follow an alternate plan for use of the playground in collaboration with other classes.

Q: What if my child is feeling unwell?

A: Please err on the safe side and keep your child home from school. Please also contact your child’s pediatrician for advice or get them COVID tested. We require a note from your child’s pediatrician explaining that their symptoms are related to something other than COVID, or negative COVID results are required to return to school. Our School Nurse is also available to answer questions.

Q: What if my child starts feeling unwell during the school day?

A: This year the School is taking a conservative approach to signs of illness and is asking everyone--staff and students--to stay home if they do not feel well. Should a student begin to feel unwell during the school day, the student will be isolated in the nurse’s office, have a mask placed on them if they are not already wearing one, and their parents will be called.  Parents will be asked to pick up their child within 30 minutes. If your child goes home for symptoms that are synonymous with COVID-19, we require a note from your child’s pediatrician explaining that their symptoms are related to something other than COVID, or negative COVID results are required to return to school. Parents should plan for this before the School year begins.

Q: If my child is sent home, will my other children be able to remain at school?

A: Out of an abundance of caution, if a child is sent home from school due to symptoms that could be synonymous with COVID-19, then siblings of the sick child will need to wear a mask while in school. Those with symptoms should be PCR tested and remain home until their test results come back. Siblings who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination should be at-home/rapid tested when they arrive home. Students who are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccine do not have to test unless they become symptomatic. Sick children should be picked up from the School within 30-minutes of receiving notification that their child is ill. The siblings may return when a doctor has deemed that the symptoms are not related to COVID, or the negative COVID results come back and are submitted to the school nurse.

If a child is picked up from the School early due to injury, an appointment, in response to a disciplinary matter or because they are unable to fully participate in the life of the classroom, then the siblings of the child may remain at School.

Q: What will happen if someone in our community tests positive?

A: The School will communicate any actions being taken by the School with those whose families are affected by the positive case. Any closing of classrooms, halls or the building will be sent out to the entire school. A child who tests positive for COVID-19 will be permitted to return to school when they:

• Are ever-free without antipyretic medication for 24 hours.
• Take a rapid/at home test 5 days after initially testing positive or the onset of symptoms, whichever came first. If the test is negative, they may return to school on Day 6. If the test is positive, they must stay home and can return to school on Day 11.
• If a student is cleared to return to school on Day 6, they must wear a mask while at school until Day 11.

Any symptoms the person experienced, if they experienced any, must be improving.the symptoms have improved. If the child did not have symptoms, then they are cleared to return to school 10 days after the positive test.

Q: How will I be notified of a positive COVID-19 case in our community?

A: A positive test of any community member (student, parent, employee or parent) will be announced similarly to the way other infectious disease announcements are made, while preserving the anonymity of the infected individual: the School will send an email to the community/classroom involved. In addition to the usual communications, you may receive information about a positive COVID-19 case by way of our Remind system.