Montgomery Connects - FAQS
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions. These decisions are based on the best available modeling data on COVID-19 conditions, with guidance from our local and state partners. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available. Please submit any additional questions to the COVID-19 Reopening Task Force.
- Health and Safety
- General Questions
- Remote Learning - Lower School
- Remote Learning - Middle School
- On Campus Learning
Health and Safety
Are visitors allowed on campus?
Please review the COVID-19 Campus Access Policy for details about visiting campus.
Are students, faculty, and staff required to be tested for COVID-10 before the start of the school year?
Due to limited availability of accurate testing and extended turnaround times, COVID-19 tests are not required to return to school.
What are the exclusion from and return to school requirements?
Please refer to the COVID-19 Attendance Guide.
When will masks be required?
Masks must be worn by students, teachers, faculty, and staff at all times when indoors. There will be frequent mask breaks scheduled throughout the day.
What is the protocol for keeping masks clean?
Children should bring multiple masks to school each day and a plastic bag to put dirty masks in to bring home and be washed.
Is a face shield an acceptable substitute for a mask?
No.
How will you encourage social distancing?
The initial weeks of school will be focused on acclimating our students to their new learning environment while practicing daily routines and healthy behaviors.
We have eliminated areas where children gather closely together, like locker areas, cubby areas, and changing for gym uniforms in the locker rooms. We have also taken away the areas where students would gather to play on rugs, etc. Desks are separated far apart and reading group tables have been put away to maintain social distance.
Is the Dental Form required for the 2020-2021 School Year?
Yes, it is required for students in grades K, 3, and 7.
Is the flu vaccine required for the 2020-2021 School Year?
The flu vaccine is not required but strongly recommended.
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Isolate case and exclude from school for 10 days from symptom onset or test date or 3 days after symptoms/fever resolve - whichever is longer.
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Identify contact(s), quarantine, and exclude exposed contacts (including the entire cohort) for 14 days after the last date the case was present at school while infectious.
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Disinfect and clean classroom and primary spaces where case spent significant time.
We will have 1-2 isolation rooms (doors closed, windows open). Child will be sent directly to the approved caregivers car from the back of Bell Hall for pick up.
Those who travel to a known hotspot, especially one on Pennsylvania’s list, must quarantine for 14 days upon return. If a household member travels but the child does not, the child does not need to quarantine. Please refer to this website for the most up-to-date list of hotpots.
We are asking families to notify us of any travel plans so that, together, we can take all appropriate measures to keep our community safe.
No, documentation of a COVID test is not required every time a child has a fever.
Yes, there will be frequent cleaning breaks throughout the school day.
Will children be handling clorox wipes to clean surfaces or will teachers?
No, children will not handle alcohol based wipes.
Yes, our cleaning service will continue to conduct enhanced cleaning procedures every evening.
Will emotional support be available for students?
Our school counselor will have time to meet with each grade level to cover Social Emotional Learning (SEL) topics. Our counselor will also be available by appointment to meet with parents and/or students as needed.
General Questions
How often are you reassessing your plans?
We are reviewing the newest information provided by our local and state resources on a daily basis. The Reopening Task Force meets every 2 weeks to assess trends and to ensure our plan aligns with the necessary requirements and is in the best interest of our students, faculty, and staff.
What is the protocol for going from Remote to In-Person Learning and vice versa?
Our goal is to make this as seamless as possible, with the reality that students may need to go remote at a moments’ notice. The Canvas pages will be set up to help students join classes, etc from home when needed.
Will lunch be provided? Where will students eat lunch?
Weather permitting, we plan to have lunch outside daily. Our chef is developing a lunch system where lunches will be delivered to the students in their classrooms.
What investments has the school made in technology?
Teacher computers have been upgraded to handle more robust needs that come with remote learning. In addition to new laptops, most teachers will be using new conference camera/microphone interfaces for better quality picture and sound. The school has also upgraded to Zoom for education, allowing for enhanced features during classes. Teachers have also received additional training on the use of the Canvas Learning Management System.
In addition to the technology, Mrs. Rose Collins has been appointed as the school’s Educational Technology Specialist. As the ETS, Mrs. Collins will partner with Director of Technology, Jared Hamilton to support teachers and learners in their use of technology and the school’s continued growth in technology learning. Mrs. Collins will also continue serving as a LS technology teacher on a part-time basis.
What systems will we be using? Will training be provided for parents?
We will be using Canvas again this year, but much more so than last year. Teachers will provide video tutorials to help parents learn where everything is on their Canvas page. This will especially enhance our learning experience when students are learning from home.
What supplies do our children need?
The supply lists for each grade can be found here, and are posted under Quicklinks our website. In addition, students in Lower School are asked to bring a spare face mask to leave at school and a beach towel to take outside for our outdoor learning spaces.
Will there be weekly Chapel? Will the classes host individual chapel?
Yes, Chapel will be held remotely as it was in the spring. Individual classes will host their chapels.
Remote Learning - Lower School
Will lessons be live streamed?
Yes, we will have many lessons each day, live streamed.
What will a typical day look like if all students are remote?
If all students are remote, this would be an example of a Lower School schedule.
How much interaction will students have with the teacher?
The students will have daily interactions with their classroom teacher and classmates. Parents/students can sign up to schedule individual time with their teacher.
How much interaction will students have with other students?
Students will have time to interact during class time Zoom sessions, including morning meetings and subject matter instruction, including special area classes.
How do I know that my child won’t fall behind?
Teachers will make sure they help students who are falling behind and will communicate with parents about any concerns. Canvas will enable teachers to give feedback on assignments, which is accessible to parents so they can easily see their child’s assignment status at a glance.
How will my child(ren) socialize if they have to stay at home?
There will be opportunities during the school day, such as morning meetings, closing circles, etc.
How will specials be handled remotely?
Unlike last spring, special area classes will be required and included in the weekly schedule. Special area teachers will also record their lessons in case students are unable to attend for any reason
How do students collaborate on projects if they’re learning from home?
We can easily assign groups and have students work together through Zoom. Some small group instruction will be taking place regularly within the younger grades as well.
How will students be held accountable?
Teachers will be making sure that students are being responsible in completing assignments. There will be parent/teacher communication regularly. We are all here to help support our learners and to make them feel comfortable asking for help.
Will academic assistance be available for students?
Yes. Parents can contact their child's teacher and/or our school counselor regarding concerns with their child’s academic progress. Our counselor and teacher will work with the family to determine best course of action to support the needs of the student.
Remote Learning - Middle School
What will a typical day look like if all students are remote?
If all students are remote, this would be an example of a Middle School schedule.
Will lessons be live streamed?
Yes, we will have many lessons each day, live streamed.
How much interaction will students have with the teacher?
The students will have daily interactions with their teachers and classmates during academic sessions, Advisory, and Morning Zoom sessions.
How much interaction will students have with other students?
Students will have time to interact during class time Zoom sessions and Advisory Zoom sessions.
How do I know that my child won’t fall behind?
Teachers will make sure they help students who are falling behind and will communicate with parents about any concerns.
How will my child(ren) socialize if they have to stay at home?
There will be opportunities during the school day, such as Morning Exercise time and Advisory.
How will specials be handled remotely?
Unlike last spring, special area classes will be required and included in the weekly schedule. Special area teachers will also record their lessons in case students are unable to attend for any reason
How do students collaborate on projects if they’re learning from home?
We can easily assign groups and have students work together through Zoom.
How will students be held accountable?
Teachers will be making sure that students are being responsible in completing assignments. There will be parent/teacher communication regularly. We are all here to help support our learners and to make them feel comfortable asking for help.
Will academic assistance be available for students?
Yes. Parents can contact advisor and/or our school counselor regarding concerns with their child’s academic progress. Our counselor and advisor/ content-area teacher will work with the family to determine best course of action to support the needs of the student.
On Campus Learning
What is the maximum amount of students in each class?
The amount of students for each grade varies, as it is determined by our physical space capacity.
How are you keeping the students separated?
In Lower School, each class will be its own cohort group.
In Middle School, each grade level will be its own cohort group.
How often will my child be outdoors?
Much time will be spent in the outdoor classroom space. Every class has an outdoor space to use for classroom instruction.
Will students be required to wear a uniform?
Yes, uniforms will still be required.
How can we prepare our kids for a different Montgomery?
We suggest practicing the following activities at home:
- Visually show and practice keeping six-foot distance (use the invisible bubble method!).
- Practice wearing a cloth face covering.
- Encourage frequent hand washing (and proper hand washing)
- Practice coughing and sneezing into elbow and wash hands immediately after
- Add daily symptoms surveillance to daily routine
- Keep hands away from face