We are excited to welcome our students back to campus next week. Please see our Q & A below that answers many questions you may have regarding our plans for our return to school.
Why is enrollment at Magnolia Heights School an advantage for families who are concerned about a return to school this fall?
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MHS is an independent school, and as such, our Head of School and Board of Trustees are free to make decisions in the best interest of our families without interference from a state department of education, a legislature, or a school district office. We readily seek out and embrace the wisdom and best practice recommendations of medical professionals and welcome any statewide directives issued by our public health officials with regard to the safe operation of our school environment. However, because Magnolia Heights is not a public school, and therefore not regulated by the Department of Education and other bureaucratic layers, we are able to respond with greater agility to ensure a stable and continuous learning environment for the students entrusted to our care.
Will Magnolia Heights open for in-person, on-campus learning on August 7?
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Yes. Obviously, we cannot predict what will happen over the next months. However, our administration is finalizing plans that include our students and faculty all being on the Hill this fall in a safe, face to face learning environment.
Will Magnolia Heights have extra-curricular and co-curricular activities in the fall when school starts?
How will the school ensure that employees and students are healthy to return to school in August?
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We do not plan to take temperatures each day. While the school will do its part in attempting to mitigate exposure during the school day, it is important that our families take an active part in ensuring the same precautionary measures before and after school.
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100.4 is considered temperature for children
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If a child appears feverish or ill, the child will put their mask on and go to the school nurse.
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If a student registers a temperature at school, they will be required to stay home for a minimum of 2 additional school days. They will report to the school nurse for an admit slip when they return to school.
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A school nurse has been employed to oversee the daily health of students, faculty, and staff.
Will the school provide cleaning supplies for the teachers and classrooms?
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Yes. We have collected all of the hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, gloves, etc. that we had left over from last year. We will continue to purchase these supplies as needed. Hand sanitizer and soap for adequate hand cleansing will be available in numerous new places throughout campus.
Will the cleaning service clean daily and provide deep cleaning in the evenings?
Will employees and students be required to wear masks?
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Masks will be worn while moving. For example, in the halls between classes, on the way to the lunchroom or restrooms. Masks will not be required when seated in the classroom or after being seated at the lunch table unless social distancing cannot be achieved. Students will be instructed by the school nurse on how to properly wear their mask.
Since masks are required during certain times of the day, can my student bring their own mask?
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Yes, but it must be a solid color, no prints or writing. Any exceptions to this must be approved by the administration.
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We are also providing navy masks for students or they can choose to wear a disposable mask. Elementary students will be issued lanyards to help them keep up with their masks. Secondary students may receive a lanyard upon request.
Will family members of students be allowed in the school buildings?
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We have adjusted our “open door” policy over the last few years in the interest of the physical safety of our students. Until further notice and in the interest of the safety of our students and faculty, we will continue to limit access to campus during the school day. Should for any reason you need to enter the school buildings, you must call the school offices before entering.
Will my child still have recess?
Will Magnolia Heights move to remote learning if a staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19?
If my family has to be quarantined for a period of time, what protocols will be followed and will the school serve my children via remote learning until we can return?
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Please know that confidentiality laws will be followed, but we will also follow guidelines for contact tracing and notification as outlined by the CDC. We recommend that parents keep their child at home for 5 days or provide a negative test result. Magnolia Heights will accommodate your student’s academic needs for the period of time that is needed.
What will happen if a teacher or student reports they have been “exposed” to COVID-19?
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Again, confidentiality will be maintained. Exposure will not necessarily require a class, grade level, or our entire school to move to remote learning. As guidance from the CDC and local and state health officials changes, we will in turn adjust our response as the guidelines regarding exposure change.
Will we use the cafeteria, playground, gyms, water fountains usage, bathrooms, and other common areas?
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Yes, we will use the common space areas. However, capacity may be limited to accommodate health and safety requirements. We will have new guidelines, protocols, and expectations for these areas. Students will be expected to use water bottle filling stations. We are modifying restrooms to be touchless as well. Hand sanitizer will be available at all entrances and in classrooms.
If necessary, how will distance learning be conducted? Will we have more structure?
What will my student’s school distance learning schedule look like?
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Secondary students’ schedules will mirror (synchronous) with their on campus schedule. Students will attend each 50 minute class at its scheduled time through Zoom. Attendance will be taken. Should that option not work, students and parents may choose distance learning offered through MAIS. This must be approved by the administration.
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Elementary students’ schedules will be given by the classroom teacher based on the schedule he/she follows in the classroom. Direct instruction will be synchronous using Google Meet within the Google Classroom, which is similar to Zoom. Teachers will set up a time to have one on one question and answer with those students using the distance learning option. All of these details will be discussed during the parent/teacher conference that is held when a student is transitioning to the distance learning option.
When can I switch to distance learning?
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Students can switch to distance learning at the end of a grading period (progress reports, report cards) A conference with the child’s principal and parents is required before a switch can be made.
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If a family prefers a student to learn remotely rather than in-person, please reach out and let us know by Friday, July 31, so we may work to serve you. After this date, students will only be able to enroll as remote learning students by special permission with documentation as needed or if they are quarantined due to COVID-19.
Can a student continue to play sports if they are enrolled in distance learning?
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Yes, as long as the student is in good standing, attending their online classes, and maintaining their grades, they will be able to play sports. When students are attending on campus class, they must attend at least one half day of school to attend athletic practice. This policy will also apply to students who choose distance learning.
Will there be parallel and dyslexia resources available for those enrolled in distance learning?
Will there be orientation for 7th graders and new students needing Canvas instruction?
How will tests be administered for students who choose distance learning?
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Students choosing distance learning will come to campus to take tests during scheduled proctored test sessions to ensure test integrity.
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Arrangements will be made for students participating in Distance Learning due to a need to quarantine.
Will my child be required to take all tests at school? What will be the schedule, and how will I be notified of that schedule?
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Secondary students Teachers will determine what tests need to be taken at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For example, major tests such as chapter or comprehensive tests may require the student to come to the school. Other tests such as quizzes and pop tests may be given online at the teacher’s discretion. Proctors will monitor afternoon test sessions for distance learning students. Students tests will be assigned through both RenWeb and Canvas on the teachers lesson plans.
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Elementary students participating in distance learning will take their tests on Friday no matter what day it is scheduled for that week. For example, if a science test is scheduled for Tuesday, math on Wednesday, and spelling on Thursday, they will take all three of them on Friday. Those students will report to the extended care room at 1:00 on Friday and a teacher will be there to proctor the tests that they are taking. If a child is sick, we will allow them to make up their tests when they return to school.
Will the school provide my elementary child with a device if we must move to distance learning?
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Yes. As we are already a 1:1 school and have an adequate amount of devices for all students. Our IT department is putting measures in place to ensure all devices are working properly and well maintained. While our secondary students are very familiar with their devices and Canvas, our Learning Management System, we found that our Elementary students were not as adept as switching to online learning. We are planning to address this through classroom instruction, taking devices home for homework on occasion, and a series of parent/teacher meetings that will help acclimate students, parents, and even grandparents or caregivers should we have to return to distance learning.
If my student or my household has a family member with a health condition that causes my family to prefer remote learning instead of in-person learning, will Magnolia Heights School serve my student remotely on August 7, instead of in-person?
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Yes. We wish to best meet the safety needs of our students and families. If you have a question in this area, or have a need to have your student learn remotely, please reach out and let us know as soon as possible so we may work to serve you. Please email [email protected] if you know this is a need in your family.
Will there be a reduction in tuition if my family chooses distance learning?
We thank you in advance for your help in keeping our MHS Family safe. While the school will do its part in attempting to mitigate exposure during the school day, it is important that our families take an active part in ensuring the same when the school day ends. We all have the same goal, to have an in-person education experience on campus for our students. So please, even when you are away from MHS, do all you can to stay well!