CMS COVID Response: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to wear a mask? Will a face shield work?
Yes, CMS will be requiring
everyone--students, staff, parents, and visitors--to wear a mask at all times while in the building. When outdoors and socially distanced (6ft or more space between individuals) masks will NOT be required. Lunch time will be the only exception indoors. Face shields will not be an acceptable alternative for students, unless under the recommendation of a medical professional. Staff may consider wearing a face shield during a lecture or lesson, but will be required to wear a mask when moving throughout the classroom. In other words, face shields will only be allowed for staff while presenting at the board/front of the room.
When will the school be forced to close?
School closing will be a joint decision between the school and Public Health based on the number of cases, cluster of cases, outbreaks as well as number of staff that will have to be excluded due to exposure.
What happens if someone tests positive in my child’s class?
As long as social distancing is maintained and face coverings are worn at all times, students/staff will NOT be considered close contacts to a confirmed case.
Will you provide sanitizer?
CMS will have hand sanitizer dispensers located at the entrances of classrooms. We also have sinks in most classrooms for students to wash their hands.
Can CMS require a student or staff to be tested if they have a fever or symptoms?
Individuals with a fever and other symptoms of COVID without an alternate physician diagnosis will be required to submit negative results prior to returning to CMS.
Does the HVAC system at CMS cycle in fresh air?
Due to the age of the heating system at CMS we can’t automatically cycle in fresh air. To make up for this, we will be opening the windows and doors regularly to cycle fresh air into the building and classrooms.
If we have another lockdown, which schedule will we follow?
This will depend on what the Governor decides. If we move into a Phase 3 (and the Governor allows schools to stay open) we could continue in person classes with our Hybrid plan as this plan limits the number of people in any room to 10 or less.
Can students who are not comfortable with coming to school take their classes online?
Students who can not be in school (for whatever reason) can Zoom into their academic classes. For the Arts classes, staff will not be offering synchronous online classes unless their class moves to remote learning. This will happen if/when we move to an all remote learning plan. Students are encouraged, however, to engage in the posted assignments during this time.
Can students take a partial schedule at school and the rest online in order to reduce social contact?
Students who can not be in school (for whatever reason) can Zoom into their academic classes. For the Arts classes, staff will not be offering synchronous online classes unless their class moves to remote learning. This will happen if/when we move to an all remote learning plan. Students are encouraged, however, to engage in the posted assignments during this time.
If parents are not comfortable with sending a student to school because of COVID, can the student return to school when the threat is reduced or gone?
Yes, of course!
What is the protocol for disinfecting things that students take home and bring back to school?
Students will not be sharing supplies. We encourage students and families to clean and disinfect materials and supplies daily.
Will there be guidelines as to things students may and may not bring to school?
Because we are not using lockers at this time, we encourage students to ONLY bring the supplies they need. They will be required to store their book bag and all other materials (coat, lunch, etc.) in a tote.
Will the school provide extra masks in case a student loses or forgets to bring one?
CMS has a limited supply of extra masks on hand. We encourage families to pack a few extras in their book bag to be sure students always have one on hand.
A person tests positive for Covid, goes through the protocols, and comes back once cleared by a doctor 14 days later. Then a month later gets exposed to COVID from someone else (family member, student, etc.). Do they have to quarantine again even though they’ve already had COVID? Along the same lines, if someone gets an antibody test because they think they may have had this back in February, and the test does confirm they have the antibodies, would they have to quarantine if they are exposed to a person with Covid at some point?
Yes , they will be placed in quarantine. There is evidence of reinfection and we do not know if and how long the immunity lasts from an infection.
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