HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Canterbury School has set forth a host of guidelines to provide for a safe and healthy learning environment for all in our community. Unless mandated by the State, or otherwise advised by health officials, Canterbury will remain open for on-campus instruction. Canterbury will follow all Health Department protocols to send infected or exposed individuals home and close and sanitize any at-risk areas of campus. The Florida Department of Health-Lee County will help guide decisions regarding the closure of a classroom, school, or office.

PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY: Face Coverings 2020-2021

After very thoughtful consideration, and many discussions with local health officials, we have decided that all community members, including students, faculty, and staff, are expected/required to wear face coverings on campus indoors as a protective measure against the spread of COVID-19.

Face coverings are expected/required:

During arrival and dismissal on campus.
Inside classrooms as well as in common areas such as hallways, stairwells, libraries, conference/meeting rooms, etc.
In our Hanno Dining Hall except while eating or drinking.
Whenever social distancing is not feasible while in outdoor settings.

If you are in doubt, the default is to wear a face covering. Everyone on campus should have a daily-clean face covering with them at all times. We would like to encourage our community members to consider the thickness of the face coverings they are using each day. We would also like to discourage the use of face coverings with valves or vents, as noted in the CDC guidelines linked below. Please know that we will provide our students with adequate opportunities to safely take breaks from wearing face coverings.

Face coverings will NOT be expected/required:

During outdoor experiences, or when students are actively engaged in exercise and maintaining social distancing outside.
While in a private office or dedicated space for one person where no other individuals will be present.

As mentioned, our leadership team had thorough discussions with local health officials regarding the use of face coverings and what constitutes exposure that could lead to a positive COVID-19 case. In guidance from the Florida Department of Health-Lee County, exposure is defined as someone having close contact (less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes without a face covering). However, if all involved are wearing face coverings, it may not constitute an exposure. With our goal to allow our students to be physically present in the safest way possible, we believe this is the best option at this time for keeping our community healthy and on campus.

Please see the CDC guidelines for face coverings for more information.

CDC Face Covering Guidelines

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

We will rely on our community to attest that all students, faculty, and staff, arrive at school illness/symptom-free. Students, faculty, and staff should be able to answer NO to the following questions prior to attending school:

Do you have a fever equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit without taking fever-reducing medication?
Are you experiencing any shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
Do you have an unexplained cough or sore throat?
Have you lost your sense of smell or taste?
Do you have muscle aches or chills?
Have you experienced any GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
Have you been asked to self-isolate or instructed to quarantine by a medical professional or local health department official?
Have you been in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or been placed on quarantine for possible contact with COVID-19?

Students, faculty, and staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms during the school day will be isolated and/or asked to go home. Parents should contact their pediatrician for further care and instructions.

Students, faculty, and staff exposed to a student with symptoms will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Parents will be notified of a positive COVID-19 exposure by either the school or the Florida Department of Health.

Students, faculty, and staff must notify the school of any household members with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. To return to school, the student, faculty, or staff must quarantine for 14 days.

Helpful Information from the CDC: COVID-19: Quarantine vs. Isolation

Student, faculty, and staff confidentiality will be protected to the best of the school's ability.

HEALTH & SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS

To maximize academic time, get our students into the classrooms, and accommodate working families, we will be starting classes at 8:00 a.m. on Mondays as well as Tuesdays through Fridays. We ask families and students to arrive no earlier than 7:45 a.m. Monday through Friday.
On-campus visitors will be limited to those who are essential to school operations. Any parents needing to visit campus will require an appointment with the person they are meeting. All visitors will be expected to wear a face covering.
Parents will be required to use the carline for student drop-off and pick-up.
Traffic patterns in hallways and stairwells will be altered to promote social distancing,
Efforts will be made to maximize social distancing inside classrooms. Outdoor spaces will be utilized when possible.
Break time and other large community gathering times will have revised procedures and protocols.
Regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces will occur with daily use of newly purchased disinfectant foggers.
Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the day. We will limit the number of students utilizing restrooms at one time.
School nurses and administration will provide ongoing training and education for students, faculty, and staff, on proper hygiene techniques. Increased signage will also be placed throughout the campus.
Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout campus buildings.
Frequent handwashing and/or use of hand sanitizer will be encouraged for all students, faculty and staff.
Additional touchless water dispensers will be available throughout the campus.
Off-campus trips are postponed until further notice.

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