Testing, Tracing & Distance Learning

COVID-19 Testing
   The following is Sacred Heart’s procedure when working with an individual who may be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.  These protocols were created from the document released by the NYS Department of Health, New York State Education Department, and consultation with the Rensselaer County Department of Health.

• COVID-19 Testing
     The following is Sacred Heart’s procedure when working with an individual who may be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.  These protocols were created from the document released by the NYS Department of Health, New York State Education Department, and consultation with the Rensselaer County Department of Health.
• Sacred Heart will keep self-assessment and sign in sheets to be able to give to the Rensselaer County Department of Health in the event of a positive COVID-19 test for contract tracing. 
•  Any individual who answers “yes” to any of the questions on the self-assessment questionaire/checklist will not be allowed to enter the school portion of the building. (updated 9/17/20)
• Individuals will need to be seen by a doctor if exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19 or get a COVID-19 test (10/5/20).
• If a doctor determines that an individual does not have COVID-19, the individual will need to provide a doctor's note and follow any guidelines related to that diagnosis (ie: strep throuat, flu, etc.) before being allowed back into the building (10/5/20)
• Individuals who need a COVID-19 test will not be allowed back into the building until they receive the results of that test. 
• Individuals with potential symptoms of COVID-19 who test negative may return to school with a copy of their negative test results and symptoms are improving (10/5/20).
• Individuals who test positive will not be allowed back into the building until the following are completed:
• Rensselaer County Department of Health (or county health department of residence) has released the individual from quarantine and 10 days since onset of symptomms; and Individual's symptoms are improving; and Individual has been fever free for at tleast 72 hours without fever reducing medicines (10/5/20)
• When your child is in isolation, all members of your household must guarantine at home until relaesed by the local health department, (typically 14 days) including other children who may reside in the house (10/5/20).

   When referring, sourcing, and/or administering testing, the school will work with the following providers:
The Rensselaer County Department of Health.  Their number is 518-270-2655.  Individuals who need a COVID-19 test should contact their doctor or call one of the testing sites.  Testing site information can be found on the Rensselaer County Department of Health website at www.rensco.com/departments/public-health/  

Contact Tracing
Sacred Heartwill notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 diagnostic test result by an individual within school facilities or on school grounds, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. 
To assist the local health department with tracing the transmission of COVID-19, the school has developed and maintained a plan to trace all contacts of exposed individuals in accordance with protocols, training, and tools provided through the New York State Contact Tracing Program.  
The school may assist with contact tracing by:

1. Keeping accurate attendance records of students and staff members
2. Ensuring student schedules are up to date 
3. Keeping a log of any visitor which includes date and time and where in the school they visited
4. Assisting the local health departments in tracing all contacts of the individual in accordance with the protocol, training, and tools provided through the NYS Contact Tracing Program

   The principal will contact the Rensselaer County Department of Health and provide them the information above, as well as information of those who may have been exposed to that individual in school for the Department of Health to contract trace.   

   Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state laws and regulations. School staff should not try to determine who is to be excluded from school based on contact without guidance and direction from the local health department. 

   For more information about how COVID-19 containment efforts will be communicated to students, families, and staff members, visit the Communication/Family and Community Engagement sectionof our reopening plan.

Remote/Hybrid Instruction 
   Given the possibility that communities may experience spikes in COVID-19 cases at any point during the school year, which may prompt short or long-term school closures, the school has developed a hybrid/blended learning model and schedule that can continue as is in a fully remote environment.

   Instruction will not only focus on “core” subject areas to the exclusion of elective courses. Consideration has been given to prioritizing hands-on and lab-based activities while students are onsite in school buildings. All instruction will continue to be aligned to the New York State Learning Standards. 

   As noted previously, student schedules will remain the same whether instruction is in person or remote so that students do not encounter conflicts wherein synchronous lessons for different subjects are offered simultaneously.

   Remote learning opportunities for secondary students will include a greater emphasis on synchronous instruction, with teachers finding ways to provide live instruction and lessons to students. While recording of live lessons is still essential for students unable to attend at a scheduled time, teachers will ensure that their students are directly engaged with them and their class peers in experiential learning on a regular basis.

   To ensure high-quality remote learning experiences, we will standardize the use of a single online learning platform, to the extent possible, and develop a common, coordinated set of guidelines for teachers to follow when using the platform with students.

   Grading practices will follow a standards-based framework designed to provide direct feedback regarding students’ mastery of course content. 

   All families will have the option of continuing with child’s/children learning online via our distance learning model.  Classes in grades K-6 will be utilizing Google Classroom for all their assignments and live class meetings.  A hybrid instruction model would be available on a case by case basis.  

   Students participating in the distance learning model would be required to attend via Google Hangout morning prayers, afternoon prayers, Thursday Mass at 9:00am as well as the following instructional periods throughout the day for classroom instruction.  Times would be consistent throughout the week so families can plan when live instruction will take place.  Teachers will be available during the live session for questions from students who are distance learning.  In addition, teachers will record their lesson and make this available for students to watch later.  

   Due dates and grading will be consistent throughout K-6.  More information about specific dates and times will be available in mid-late August for individual classes.  Teachers will be able to respond to students and provide feedback through their work submissions within the Google classrooms setting.  

   Should the need arise for Sacred Heart to go to distance learning due to a closure caused by COVID-19, students will follow their quarantine schedule.   This schedule will be available to families in Ocotber (10/5/20).