How will students learn about Existing and evolving health and safety protocols and expectations?
Students and parents/guardians receive regular communications, the most recent being an email titled Important Spring Update. In addition, the Oldfields Community Guidebook outlines the expectations and responsibilities of all community members. Orientation included training on safety protocols for our students and regular guidance is provided throughout the year.
Protocols and policies allow for community members to safely move around campus and take into consideration traffic patterns, occupancy loads, mask-wearing and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols, frequent hand washing, and social distancing throughout campus. Additionally, high touch areas are frequently cleaned and sanitized.
Have Faculty and Staff been vaccinated?
Considered essential workers in the State of Maryland, all faculty and staff were offered access to the vaccinations in February. The majority of employees have now been fully vaccinated.
Do students, faculty, and staff need to have a COVID-19 test before Returning to school?
Students, faculty, and staff are required to have a COVID-19 test prior to arrival on campus. Proof of a negative test within a five to nine day time period prior to arrival must be provided to the Oldfields Health Center at HealthCtrNurses@OldfieldsSchool.org or uploaded to Magnus Health in order to join the on-campus community. In addition, a second test may be administered once all students have returned.
*IMPORTANT TO NOTE: We will NOT accept a rapid test result, with the exception of the Accula PCR testing system.
If a situation arises when the Health Center feels a test is required, students, faculty or staff, maybe asked to retest.
Do students need to quarantine before arriving on campus?
Yes, students are required to self-quarantine for a period of 10 days prior to traveling to campus. Due to government regulations and CDC guidance, information on quarantine and testing procedures can vary for our student groups We consider students in four categories: (1) international students, (2) domestic boarding students within driving distance to campus, (3) domestic boarding students who will need a flight or public transportation to arrive on campus, and (4) day students.
What is the difference between self-Isolation and self-Quarantining?
According to the CDC, quarantine “separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.” This means that individuals should avoid unnecessary travel, avoid non-essential social interactions and activities, limit contact with individuals outside of their immediate household, and stay at home as much as possible.
According to the CDC, isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. If a student has symptoms or diagnosis that requires isolation, her campus departure plan will be enacted and she will not be able to leave the designated isolation area, where she will be monitored by a healthcare professional until she can be safe in the care of her parent, guardian, or designated host.
What is a campus departure plan?
Each student is required to have a campus departure plan in place prior to arrival on campus. This plan is enacted for a positive COVID-19 test, other medical situations, or other circumstances that require the student to depart campus within a 24-hour period. Medical determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Health Center staff and/or local healthcare professionals.
What happens if a community member becomes infected?
Oldfields has an action plan to ensure that we are prepared in the event a member of our community tests positive. Steps will be taken to protect the impacted individual, as well as the community as a whole. We are prepared for testing as necessary. Oldfields will follow isolation protocols, initiate the individual’s campus departure plan, and follow local public health procedures for contact tracing.
What if a community member doesn’t feel well?
Each day community members will be required to perform a self-assessment utilizing the Magnus App on their phones prior to arriving on campus or leaving their dorm/residence. If having any symptoms, non-residential community members should remain at home and contact the Health Center. Residential community members should follow the health and safety protocols that were outlined during orientation
What PPE items are required for students for the 2020-2021 school year?
Each student purchased a school mask pack for $10, which includes five (5) different color masks—one for each day of the academic week—and a laundry bag. Each mask includes a place for personal labeling. In addition, special masks for athletic and after-school activities are provided and collected after each activity for sanitation.
What precautions is the school taking in regards to cleaning, disinfecting, and Air quality?
Academic buildings are cleaned and disinfected every night. High touch surfaces (including but not limited to door knobs, handles, push plates, bars inside and out, bathroom fixtures, handrails, and classroom desks are disinfected mid-day.
Dorms are cleaned and disinfected daily. Bathrooms and high touch surfaces are disinfected again mid-day. The gym is cleaned and disinfected daily, with additional disinfecting when the schedule for utilization is finalized. This includes the bathrooms, weight room, cardio room, Pilates room, and high touch surfaces. Common areas receive daily cleaning and disinfecting, with high touch surfaces receiving an additional disinfection mid-day.
The indoor air filtration system in the Rodney Academic Building has been modified to reduce the number of small particles circulating through the building, providing cleaner air. Plans are in place to expand similar filtering systems throughout the dorms and common areas.
What are the best preventative measures for COVID-19 and the flu?
We encourage you to read How to Protect Yourself from the CDC and know how it spreads. Additionally:
- Wash your hands often.
- Adhere to physical distancing practices of six feet or more.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect often.
- Monitor your health daily.
What if I have more questions/concerns about the health and safety of my student during the 2020-2021 school year?
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Health Center at HealthCtrNurses@OldfieldsSchool.org.