COVID-19 Parent Handbook 2021

Visitors are limited and allowed in the building only if necessary.  All people entering the building must wear a mask, have their temperature checked, and complete the health screening.Social workers, therapists, and paras must show proof of vaccination and wear a well-fitted mask to work with students in our facility.

Masking indoors is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. CDC still recommends all schools require that everyone ages two years and older wear a well-fitting mask indoors consistently and correctly. (CDC, March 2022). All Phyl’s students and staff will be required to wear masks when they are indoors. 

During daily outdoor time students and staff are not required to wear masks. Students who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may also remove their face coverings when participating in movement classes, such as gym or dance. During these classes, students will be spaced more than six feet apart, and air purifiers and windows provide extra ventilation.

All visitors are required to wear masks to gain entry into the building. Social workers, therapists, and paras must show proof of vaccination and wear a well-fitted mask to work with students in our facility.

Upon arrival, students and staff sanitize their hands. Hands will be washed frequently throughout the day with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is available when soap and water are not, and sanitizing stations are conveniently located throughout the facility.

Hard surfaces are wiped down throughout the day, before use, after use, and at the end of each day. Any toys that go into a child’s mouth are disinfected thoroughly. All surfaces and toys are sprayed before leaving the room. 

Staff and students use indoor shoes within classrooms to maintain germ-free floors.

The Elementary students are assigned technology items such as iPads, Chromebooks, and these are sanitized after each use.

Where a class uses a different location (art studio, technology room, science lab, media room, gym, etc.), the room will be sanitized before and after each use.

Each class is considered a ‘pod.’  Classes will be with the same teachers as much as possible.  Each pod/class stays together throughout the day and maintains a 6-foot distance between other pods to enhance safety.  Within the classroom, students are spaced 3 feet apart, and a 6-foot distance is maintained while eating.  All staff members must maintain a 6-foot distance between each other and the students.  For Nursery – Pre-K, each classroom will have mini pods and students will stay within those mini pods for all interactions.

There will be no birthday parties or personal events allowed.  For now, special shows and assemblies will be held virtually.

Our building is well ventilated.  We have an upgraded HVAC system, and each classroom has large operable windows.

Furnishings such as some learning centers and extra shelving have been removed from classrooms to create more space within each room. 

Larger play areas are set up outside of the classroom for safer use.

Children may not bring any personal belongings such as toys or personal items from home. All fabric masks must be laundered after each use. For young students, bedding will be sent home on the last day of each week for mandatory laundering.

Children who are ill or have a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, heavy runny nose, puss/oozing eyes, disease, or conditions, (i.e.- ringworm, head lice, chickenpox, measles, mumps, pink eye, fever over 100 degrees, etc.), will not be admitted to the program. If you have any doubts about your child’s health, please do not bring him or her to school.

If your child appears to be sick or starts to exhibit symptoms while at school, we will notify the parent or guardian immediately. The child must be picked up within one hour of notification.

If it is believed that the child has COVID-19 or has been in contact with anyone believed to have COVID-19, we will ask families to self-quarantine for 10 days regardless of the test result.  The CDC defines close contact as someone who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over 24 hours.  We ask that all parents and staff let us know of any potential exposure immediately.

The child can return to school with a doctor’s note and when his/her temperature is normal for 72 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication. The doctor’s note must be written on official letterhead and clearly state that the child is no longer believed to be contagious.

All families are informed of any positive case of COVID-19 in a person who has been present in the building.  We will follow all required safety protocols of the NYC Department of Health.