Dear Friendship Families,
I hope you are staying safe and enjoying the summer. We are heading toward a new school year in the midst of an experience none of us could have imagined. While we are excited about the great teaching and learning that will occur across all Friendship Public Charter School campuses this fall, we know that a top priority is the health and safety of our students and staff, and how we are preparing our facilities for a strong reopening.
As part of our commitment to you, we are offering a number of options for when school starts in August - from a weekly schedule that combines school in-person at your FPCS campus and school online at home to school full-time online at home or school full-time on your FPCS campus (for essential workers).
Whichever schedule your child is on, know that the safety and security of all students and staff and our mission to deliver a world-class education are at the forefront of every decision we make. Since the COVID-19 pandemic touched the District in March, Friendship has taken a proactive and comprehensive approach to health and safety. As one of many steps this spring, we began regular deep cleanings of our school buildings using hospital-grade materials - even as students concluded the 2019-20 school year in virtual- and distance-learning. This summer, we continued:
- Deep cleanings of school buildings and grounds to ensure every classroom, hallway, restroom, office, elevator and all other spaces are regularly sanitized.
- Vent cleaning across all campuses.
- Temperature checks for staff and guests entering each building
- Staff training on the most effective safety protocols and operating procedures in alignment with Department of Health and CDC guidance.
- Gathering ample supplies of hand sanitizer, tissues, disinfectants, masks, face shields and more that we will need for in-person operations.
- Laying out new plans to reposition desks, switch out furniture, reorganize classrooms and modify workspaces to maximize social distancing and reduce contamination.
We are committed to maintaining a high standard of health and safety as we welcome back our students, families and staff. Here are several critical safety measures you can expect this school year:
School Entry and Exit Procedures
- Our trained school staff will wear face shields and gloves to conduct daily no-touch temperature screenings of anyone who enters and exits school buildings.
- Students and other persons will not congregate in school lobbies.
- There will be walk-up arrival and departure lanes with appropriate spacing.
- Masks will be worn by staff and students in keeping with the most current CDC and government guidelines. Every student and staff member will be provided masks at the start of school.
- No staff or students may enter the building if they have a high temperature (above 100.4 degrees F or 38 degrees C).
- All campuses will have one or more isolated holding areas and a specific exit for anyone who does not pass our symptoms screening.
- Guests will be limited and we will be unable to accommodate most visitors who are not staff or students.
- Wellness partitions at key points throughout school buildings.
- Social-distancing signage and hand sanitizer stations throughout school buildings.
Safety and Access to Classroom Spaces
- Each classroom will have a limit of 10 students per room based on government guidance.
- All student desks and workspaces will be placed in the classroom 6-feet apart.
- Trained staff wearing face shields will take the temperature of each student at mid-day and end-of-day and enforce frequent hand-washing and hand-sanitization behaviors.
- In support of social distancing and to maximize learning - whether students are in-person on campus or online – every student will have access to real-time classroom instruction through technology provided by schools. Technology tools include cameras in classrooms, iPads, Chromebook and hot spots.
- Each student will have their own box of grade level-appropriate classroom manipulatives and learning tools. Materials will not be shared by multiple students.
- Classroom materials and furniture will be disinfected daily as part of the cleaning routine.
- Classroom electronic devices will be disinfected throughout the school day.
- Building ventilation systems will operate supplemented by room air filters.
- Classroom doors will be closed during classroom use. Students will move through hallways in single columns with appropriate spacing.
Breakfast, Lunch and Snack for Students
- All meals will be eaten in classrooms. Disposable plates and utensils will be used. All seating will be placed 6-feet apart.
