The School’s health and safety protocols are based on guidance from federal, state, and local authorities (e.g., the CDC, State Department of Education, and the Montgomery County Board of Health) as well as epidemiologists. In terms of travel, the CDC advises: “Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.” The School’s guidance to families is to limit participation off campus to activities that follow the same health and safety protocols observed on campus (frequent hand washing, wearing masks, physical distancing, outdoor vs, indoors, etc). We understand that each family may make decisions regarding activities that don’t meet these protocols and remote learning is available for those situations and families.

As it always does, the School will act on verifiable information it receives regarding the off-campus behavior of students, families, and colleagues when that behavior has a negative impact on the learning/working environment at Shipley. In this case, off-campus behavior that significantly increases the risk of viral exposure would qualify. The first response will be to move a student to distance learning for a period of time. Repeated concerns may result in disciplinary measures.

The short answer is yes and the key issue is ensuring the same on campus protocols are being followed for off campus activities (frequent hand washing, wearing masks, physical distancing, etc). The School recognizes that social gatherings, travel, club sports, and other activities are all valuable in their own ways. Yet, they also all increase viral exposure. Therefore, in order to uphold a family’s end of the partnership, household participation in these activities must be considered carefully, approached with due caution, and prevention measures taken.

We will ask families to follow the same health and safety protocols off campus as we are following indoors (frequent hand washing, wearing masks, physical distancing, outdoor vs. indoor activities etc). Under this guidance, certain activities, such as indoor birthday parties without masks or six foot distancing, and traveling to sports tournaments where these protocols would not be followed, would not meet our community protocols.  If students/families decide to participate in such activities, the remote learning option is available.

There are a variety of circumstances that would require a student to learn online, including repeated inability to maintain the School’s health and safety protocols (e.g., not wearing a mask). The School’s goal is to educate students about the importance of their behavior contributing to the health and safety of the community, rather than relying on discipline.  As with all discipline, the School will make decisions based on individual cases.

Yes, the School plans to conduct random weekly testing after the return to campus. Details will be provided.

Yes, students may return to campus after Labor Day if they present a negative COID-19 Viral PCR results from a test taken between August 31 and September 4.

Yes, if your child(ren) decides to move from remote to on campus learning, a negative COVID test is required.  We encourage all families to consider participating in the on campus orientation during the week of August 31 in the event you decide to return to on campus learning in the future?

Masks are required for students AT ALL TIMES INSIDE, with the exception of while eating. Outside masks may be removed when at physical distances of greater 6-feet (e.g., athletics and PE). While moving around campus a mask should be worn as one might encounter others. 

Masks must be a minimum of two layers. Daily temperature screening at the doors will also confirm that masks are 2+ layers. Masks with air vents are NOT PERMITTED.

Each student will receive a new brown bag at the beginning of each day to store their mask while eating lunch. Students are not required to use a new mask after lunch.

A gaiter must be 2+ layers to meet the school requirements.  Since many gaiters are thinner than typical masks, we recommend having more than two layers and considering the gaiters that have removable filter pockets.  You could also sew a few together to make multiple layers or add a tightly woven cotton layer inside for better protection. 

We will require  students to adhere to this and other health & safety requirements. The first response will be to remind/educate a student about the need for wearing a mask. If a student cannot comply with the protocol, they will be moved to distance learning for a period of time. This is NOT a punishment but is required to keep the student and the community safe and healthy.

The School will continue to rely on data - external (around community spread and positive cases) as well as internal (number of absences, community infection rates) to make decisions.  Please see details on page _____ of the Plan.

Yes, PE class is required for students who are participating in after school sports.

The dress code is modified this year to allow students to come to school dressed for Physical Education (PE). Students need to have (as a minimum) a fresh shirt to change into after PE. The fresh shirt may be another PE shirt or the traditional MS uniform shirt. 

Yes, Upper School students must wear Shipley athletic gear for PE on the days the student has PE. Please note each student has a $200 credit at the School Store to purchase the required gear.

Students and teachers will be expected to wipe down surfaces upon arriving and before exiting a space (e.g., classroom, dining table). In addition, the School has hired additional cleaning crews for cleaning of restrooms and shared or common areas throughout the day.

Yes, classrooms will be cleaned throughout the day as noted above.

The most accurate way to keep up to date on your local district’s bussing plans is to contact your district directly. While many districts do try to keep Shipley informed, the best source is the district.

The Township is unable to extend street parking at this time. There is metered parking at the Bryn Mawr municipal lot by the train station and there is extended street parking within a few blocks of the School.

Shipley believes that in-person learning is best for students, a guiding principal balanced with our commitment to the health and safety of our community and ability to deliver on our mission. Every student and family has the option to select remote learning at any time depending on their individual circumstances.  We will continue to closely monitor the wellbeing of our students and our SEED (Social, Emotional, Ethical Development) Team will continue to be available to support students.  Please feel free to contact Dr. Sharron Russell, Director of Positive Education and Student Support with any questions or concerns about your child(ren)’s wellbeing.

Yes, menus will be posted weekly.

Yes, Lower School parents/guardians will be able to order their student’s lunch for a week at a time. There will be no ala carte lunch this year.

Our guiding principle was to ensure a classroom where we could provide authentic two way engagement between the students at home, the teacher and other students in the class and not just serve a stand and deliver modality of teaching.
Video:
In MS and US most classrooms will be equipped with the Vaddio Conference Shot 10 camera to capture the video. It is a PTZ camera with a 10 optical zoom lens. This will enable the teacher to zoom in on the board and then pan to a corner of the room to focus on a group of students discussing as necessary. There are programmable presets so teachers can move quickly between different areas of the classroom to better facilitate discussion groups and a more collaborative learning environment.
Audio:
Each classroom will be equipped with at least one ceiling mic pod from Vaddio which will be installed close to the center of the room to capture audio from all across the room. The mic pod has DSP to cut out ambient noise to provide better sounding audio which is a crucial component to delivering curriculum online. Certain larger classrooms will have an additional mic.
Remote Learning Platform:
Microsoft teams will continue to be our virtual collaboration platform bringing together the virtual meeting experience, synchronous and asynchronous communication and other tools that are integrated directly into teams.

The entire system is tied into existing AV in every classroom so the audio of students learning online would come over the overhead speakers and the video feed of students will be projected to a screen. There is a dedicated computer driving this operation in each classroom. The AV system will be placed on a separate network segment and QOS (quality of service) markers tagged to provide priority over other network traffic.

Yes, We are grateful for the contributions of Dr. Bell and Dr. Rubin of CHOP. We have relied on the guidance of the CDC, and the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education, as well as a host of sources listed in of the plan.

The School has not yet set this criteria and is evaluating a number of programmatic scenarios (e.g., potential closure of only one campus).

Yes, the default expectation is for all students to wear masks/face coverings during the school day, except when eating lunch, in compliance with state mandates. For more information see the plan.

As of now, after school child care (Later Gator, MS/US after school) will be limited if it is offered at all. We recognize the value of these programs to families, and will continue to work through the epidemiological, logistical, and financial challenges presented by the prospect of mixing groups of students and colleagues.

The School will be limiting outside visitors and volunteers and will pursue virtual events, gatherings, and meetings. For example, Back to School nights and conferences will all be held virtually this year.

Please take a look at the revised Important Dates Calendar.

The School’s plans are detailed in the exposure controls and contact tracing part of the Return to Campus plan.

The Division Heads will be sharing communication details, including student schedules, on August 3.

Yes. The Division Heads will be hosting Teams sessions during the week of August 17 to address division and grade specific issues.

We are working with our local township officials to consider revisions to the current off street parking regulations.

Yes. Each team will be limited to one session per day during the traditional two-week preseason beginning August 24. Students and families will be given training session schedules and will be expected to be dropped off at the scheduled practice time and picked up immediately following practice sessions in order to prevent students congregating after practice. Parents/guardians should remain in their cars when dropping off and picking up students-athletes before and after school activities. In case of inclement weather, training sessions may be cancelled and students would need to go home immediately following the school day.

Students will be permitted to leave campus during the day, and if they do so will not be able to return to campus that day.

Yes. The School has installed plexiglass barriers around campus in high traffic and high contact areas such as reception desks, the business office, the school store, as well as on dining tables in Avery Silverman Dining Hall and Yarnall Gym. The School is reviewing its HVAC systems with the assistance of a mechanical engineer to provide indoor spaces with as much fresh and highly filtered air as is feasible consistent with best practices. In addition, most classrooms have operable windows and many of the HVAC units function using 100% outdoor air. All filters have been changed and upgraded if possible.

Yes. Everyone coming to campus must be checked in through one of several Campus Gates. At each gate, each person will complete a screening process including temperature check (must be below 100.4 degrees), face covering check to ensure compliance with Shipley’s face covering specifications:

Shipley’s Face Covering Specifications

MUST -  be at least 2-ply (3+ is preferred)
Note: many neck gaiters are only 1-ply

The School is working to educate the entire community that the COVID crisis calls on families to do their part to ensure collective well-being. There is no way for the School to enforce this responsibility. Rather, it must be a community norm on which we agree, and to which we all commit.

The Divisions will be sending out descriptions and scheduling options by early August. Appointments will be available during the week of August 31.

Yes. The School is working to develop plans to use outdoor spaces for lunch, classes (where online learning can be accommodated), and looking at the potential to rent tents for additional outdoor space.

No. Based on the advice of the public health experts it has consulted, the School is not at this time requiring or providing COVID-19 testing. The School continues to monitor the availability, timeliness, and accuracy of various testing protocols and will regularly reassess this policy.

Unit Zero is a 2-week window (September 8-18) to prepare each student to be an effective learner in each class, in this unique learning environment, during this year like no other. The unit will prepare students and families for remote learning, whether on an occasional basis or should the School as a whole need to switch to that format at some point during the year. Unit Zero will include assessments to ensure each student has demonstrated mastery of the concepts and skills needed. Families will be particularly important partners in student learning this year. Thus, families will be kept closely informed about the nature and timing of Unit Zero as well as ways to support student learning.

Remote learning plans for the 2020-2021 school year have benefitted from what was learned from the Shipley Learns Online experience of last spring. Plans for remote learning will be shared by Division in communication on August 3 and parent/guardian meetings during the week of August 17.

The COVID crisis calls on families to do their part to ensure collective well-being. Expectations will be included in the School and Family Handbooks and families will be asked to affirm their commitment to the expectations outlined in the Handbook.

Yes. Students and their families will be able to move fluidly back and forth from on-campus to remote learning. In the event that Shipley must close its campuses, the School will move to remote learning.