North Side of the Main House by Dillon H. '20 in 7th Grade

COVID-19 Mitigation PlanSabot at Stony Point

Updated November 2021

Table of ContentsLayered Prevention Strategies 3

Community Expectations 5

If Someone Is Feeling Sick . . . . 6

If Someone is a Close Contact . . . 8

If a Community Member Tests Positive . . . 10

Additional Considerations 11

Preschool-Specific Considerations 12

Frequently Asked Questions 13

Resources 15

Sabot at Stony Point COVID-19 Mitigation Plan2Nov 9, 2021

Layered Prevention StrategiesSabot will implement protocols and practices to prioritize the health and safety of ourstudents, their families, and our faculty and staff to mitigate disease transmission andmaintain a healthy environment. Prevention is most effective when as many strategies aspossible are layered together. As a result, the School will adhere to health and safetyprotocols in accordance with the Virginia Department of Healthʼs layered approach of multipleprevention strategies, determining changes to layers as appropriate. These strategies and anychanges will be informed by levels of community transmission, local vaccine coverage, andthe level of impact to the School.

Promoting vaccination: Vaccination is theleading public health prevention strategy.Sabot encourages all those who are able tobe vaccinated to take advantage of theopportunity.

Encouraging consistent and correct useof masks: All students, faculty, staff,parents/guardians, and visitors must weara mask while on campus.

Utilizing physical distancing: K - 8classroom space will accommodatephysical distancing of at least three (3) feetbetween students. If maintaining 3 feetdistance is not possible in classrooms attimes, the School will be mindful of otherprevention strategies like masks, stayinghome when sick, etc.

Providing access to proper ventilation:HVAC systems have MERV13 filters installedand adjusted to achieve maximum airflow.

Implementing hand hygiene andrespiratory etiquette: Students and staffwill continue to practice correcthandwashing, and hand sanitizer will beavailable throughout campus.

Cleaning and maintaining healthyfacilities: Sabot will continue to performregular cleaning and disinfecting ofhigh-touch surfaces.

Staying home when sick and gettingtested: Students and faculty who havesymptoms of infectious illness should stayhome from school and see a health careprovider for testing and care.

Combining contact tracing with isolationand quarantine: The School will continueto work closely with the VirginiaDepartment of Health to determineappropriate action steps should a studentor faculty member be diagnosed withCOVID-19.

We are also exploring implementing diagnostic testing in coordination with the VirginiaDepartment of Health (VDH) and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

Sabot at Stony Point COVID-19 Mitigation Plan3Nov 9, 2021

Community ExpectationsTo maintain a safe and healthy campus environment, we ask for the full cooperation andsupport of every person in our Sabot family — students, parents/guardians, faculty, and staff.This commitment is integral to protect one another and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19in the school community and the community at large.

We encourage everyone to continue to be vigilant during your time out of school and tocontinue to consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for traveland other safety measures.

At home, families can also help by teaching and reinforcing safety protocols with theirchildren.

● Encourage frequent hand washing.● Practice coughing and sneezing into elbows.● Practice wearing face coverings and the appropriate way to put on and remove them.● Teach healthy hygiene practices.● Continue regular doctor visits and well-child appointments.● Keep immunizations and physicals current. Health forms are on the Forms tab.

Mask PolicySabot is following the current recommendation of the VDH regarding mask-wearing.

Therefore, faculty, staff, students, parents/guardians, and any visitors must wear facecoverings on campus

● indoors at all times regardless of vaccination status, and ● outdoors when physical distancing of six (6) feet cannot be maintained, which includes

carpool.

Exceptions include● when eating indoors and outdoors, as long as six (6) feet can be maintained● when faculty/staff are alone in a space indoors (eg. their office or classroom)

Faculty will continue to encourage student mask breaks when outdoors and when distancingcan be maintained.

Everyone in our community is invited to wear a mask at any time regardless of the policy.

In support of this policy, we ask parents/guardians to help their children practice wearing facecoverings and the appropriate way to put on and remove them. (Mask Wearing & AcclimationSuggestions)

Sabot at Stony Point COVID-19 Mitigation Plan4Nov 9, 2021

In addition to the mask that a child comes to school with each day, parents/guardians areasked to provide an additional clean mask for their child in a sealed ʻziplocʼ bag labeled withthe childʼs name for storage with their teacher.

Masks must have a proper fit in which the nose and mouth are covered and must be worn inthat manner.

Approved Mask Types● Disposable surgical masks● Cloth masks with at least two-layers

Not Approved● Gaiters● Bandanas● Masks with outflow valves

Space & Physical DistancingSabotʼs physical spaces and teaching approach have always set it apart from other schools.These differences uniquely position Sabot to continue to deliver an exceptionalchild-centered education while meeting the recommendations for maintaining a safe learningenvironment more effectively than traditionally structured programs. We will continue to takeadvantage of our campus and diverse learning environments, and while not required, facultywill continue to make use of outdoor spaces as appropriate.

All students will be on the Sabot campus for the 2021 - 2022 school year, and our lowstudent/teacher ratios allow students and faculty the space to distance as needed. We will nolonger limit cross-cohort interaction as long as faculty, students, and staff wear and use masksappropriately.

Sabot at Stony Point COVID-19 Mitigation Plan5Nov 9, 2021

If Someone Is Feeling Sick . . . .Staying home when sick and getting testedThe most important thing we can do for one another as a community is to stay home when weare feeling ill. Sabot will provide grace, flexibility, and support to any faculty, student, or staffmember who is feeling ill with symptoms of an infectious illness. In return, the Schoolrequests that those feeling ill see a health care provider in order to receive proper testingand/or care.

Symptoms of COVID-19● Fever (>100.4℉) or chills● Cough● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing● Fatigue (more than usual)● Muscles or body aches● Headache● New loss of taste or smell● Sore throat● Congested or runny nose● Nausea or vomiting● Diarrhea

Onset of Symptoms at HomeIf a student is experiencing new and unusual symptoms,

● Stay home.● Notify the school at attendance@sabotatstonypoint.org● If possible, the student should separate themselves at home away from other people

and use a separate bathroom.● Visit a healthcare provider to determine if testing is needed and/or to receive an

alternate diagnosis. This applies to anyone with or without a COVID-19 vaccination.

Onset of Symptoms at SchoolShould a student display any symptoms of COVID-19 at school, the School will

● Evaluate symptoms.o If the symptoms are new and unusual for the child, we will

▪ Separate the child from others.▪ Send the child home without delay.

o If there is another explanation for symptoms (e.g. chronic condition or knownsymptoms), we will

▪ Take the childʼs temperature.

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● If the child does not have a fever and has not been a closecontact of someone with COVID-19, they may resume normalactivities when able.

● If the child does have a fever, we willo Separate the child from others.o Send the child home without delay.o Require that the child visit a healthcare provider to

determine if testing is needed and/or to receive analternate diagnosis.

When can a student with an alternate diagnosis return to school?A student may return to school as long as they have no fever for at least 24 hours withoutfever-reducing medicine and are free of symptoms of nausea, diarrhea and vomiting for atleast 24 hours without the aid of medication.

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If Someone is a Close Contact . . .Who is a close contact?A close contact is

● Someone who has been within 6 feet of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

● Someone who has direct exposure to respiratory secretions (e.g. being coughed orsneezed on, sharing a drinking glass or utensils, kissing).

● Someone caring for a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.● Someone living with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

People with COVID-19 can pass the COVID-19 virus to their close contacts starting from 2 daysbefore they become sick/experience symptoms (or 2 days before they test positive if theynever had symptoms) until the end of their isolation period.

K- 12 Close Contact ExceptionIn indoor and outdoor K-12 settings, a student who was within 3 - 6 feet of an infected studentis not considered a close contact as long as both students were wearing well-fitting masks theentire time. The K-12 exception does not apply to teachers, staff or other adults.

If a student had close contact with someone with COVID-19 . . .● They should stay home and away from others (quarantine), unless they are not

required to do so.○ Those not required to quarantine are:

■ Those who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as long as they donot have symptoms. Fully vaccinated means 2 weeks or more havepassed since getting the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer orModerna), or 2 weeks or more have passed since getting 1 dose of asingle-dose vaccine.(Please note that the School must have confirmation of vaccinationon record in order to not require quarantine.)

● Their health should be monitored for 14 days a�er last contact.○ The VDH and CDC recommend that it is safest to stay home for 14 days. If this

creates undue physical, mental, and economic hardship, please discuss withthe School the option of a 10-day quarantine.

● They should get tested for COVID-19.○ If they are not fully vaccinated, they should get tested immediately and again 5

- 7 days a�er exposure if the first test was negative.○ If they are fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms, they should get tested 5

to 7 days a�er exposure.

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(Please note that the School must have confirmation of a negativeCOVID-19 test on record in order to not require quarantine.)

○ If they develop symptoms, they should get tested immediately, even if theyalready had a negative test or are fully vaccinated.

If a student lives with someone with COVID-19 . . .If a student is not fully vaccinated and lives with someone with COVID-19, the student shouldstay home for 14 days a�er the last sick member of their household can end isolation andsafely be around others. If household members are able to completely separate from the sickperson, then they should stay home for 14 days a�er their last contact with the person.Complete separation means having no contact, spending no time together in shared spaces,staying in a separate bedroom and using a separate bathroom.

The VDH and CDC recommend that it is safest to stay home for 14 days. If this creates unduephysical, mental, and economic hardship, please discuss with the School the option of a10-day quarantine.

If a student lives with someone who is sick, but not yet diagnosed orawaiting test results . . .According to the accepted definition, someone is not a close contact until they aredetermined to have been in contact with someone who is a confirmed positive case. Thatbeing said, the school community is working hard to keep everyone safe. If you have anyconcerns at all about the health of a family member and it is feasible for your student to stayat home, we strongly support that choice. The School also understands this is not somethingthat is feasible for all.

Regarding vaccinationsAt this point in time the School does not have a vaccination requirement for members of ourcommunity. When it comes to contact tracing though, knowing someoneʼs vaccination statusdetermines whether or not it is necessary for someone to quarantine. To make the contacttracing process easier, the School requests that any family willing to share their studentʼsvaccination card with the School please complete this form. Doing so before a close contactsituation arises will allow the School to act quickly and in good judgement. If instead ofsharing proof, a family would feel more comfortable keeping their vaccinated student at homeand quarantined, please know that we as a school will respect your wishes.

Sabot at Stony Point COVID-19 Mitigation Plan9Nov 9, 2021

If a Student, Faculty or Staff Member TestsPositive . . .School Response to Confirmed COVID-19 DiagnosisFollowing Virginia Department of Health guidelines, the School will notify public healthofficials of any positive test and will also notify any close contacts of the positive case,including faculty, staff, and families of close contacts, balancing both the privacy of ourcommunity members and everyoneʼs health, safety and well being.

A person with a confirmed case - along with siblings, household members, and close contacts- will be excluded from campus until they meet the guidelines for returning to campus. Pleasesee section: If Someone is a Close Contact . . .

Any additional response will depend on the specifics of any event and Sabot will actcautiously and under the guidance of the VDH.

IsolationIsolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected.People who are in insolation should stay home until itʼs safe for them to be around others. Athome, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific “sick room” orarea, and use a separate bathroom (if available).

Most people with COVID-19 can be ʻreleased from isolation and can be around others a�er:● at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, and● At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medications, and● Other symptoms are improving. (Note: The loss of taste or smell might last for weeks

or months a�er recovery. This should not delay the end of isolation.)

If someone has tested positive for COVID-19 but never had any symptoms, they can be aroundothers a�er 10 days have passed since the first positive diagnostic test.

The VDH and CDC recommend that it is safest to stay home for 14 days. If this creates unduephysical, mental, and economic hardship, please discuss with the School the option of a10-day quarantine.

Sabot at Stony Point COVID-19 Mitigation Plan10Nov 9, 2021

Additional ConsiderationsField TripsThe School is allowing field trips on a case-by-case basis. Students and teachers will followthe most up-to-date guidelines for health and safety as offered by the VDH and CDC.

For each field trip, the teacher will send home information and request chaperones. Apermission form will then be sent home. Parents/Guardians must sign the form approving thestudentʼs participation. The permission form will be sent home as far in advance as possible.

Large GatheringsThe School continues to closely monitor changes to guidance by the VDH, CDC, and the stateof Virginia. We will follow best practices for any large gatherings that we may have during theschool year and will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our community members.

Visitors and VolunteersAt a teacher or staff memberʼs invitation, visitors and volunteers are welcome to campus thisyear as long as they are well and consistently and correctly use masks. Please be sure tocheck-in at the main office upon arrival.

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Preschool-Specific ConsiderationsIn addition to the all-school mitigation elements, we are following the guidance of our earlychildhood professional organizations (NAEYC, VAIS) and the government (Virginia Departmentof Education) to employ best practices in the Preschool. This particularly means a focus onthe issues of exposure over time.

The following are some of the elements that we are implementing to address mitigation:

● Utilizing only our largest preschool rooms● Installing outdoor sinks for extra hand washing capacity● Encouraging teachers to utilize the outdoor space in all but the most intemperate

circumstances. Please ensure your child is properly dressed for outdoor activities (SeeCommunity Guide for more details)

Physical Distancing with PreschoolersThe conventional wisdom among early childhood professionals is that physical distancing isnot a real possibility for preschoolers. (That is unless it is done under restraint and threat,which, of course, we would find not only unacceptable but harmful in itself.) However, bylayering other prevention strategies, we will continue to keep our preschoolers safe in adevelopmentally appropriate way.

Comforting ChildrenWe recognize that most if not all preschool children will need comfort at some point in theirclassroom experience. There are several ways teachers can accomplish this and reduce riskwhile doing so.

If a child needs to be held, a teacher can hold their head above the childʼs with their faceaverted. With adults and children breathing at different heights, and masked of course, theexchange of air particles is diminished.

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Frequently Asked Questions1. Last year there was a lot of conversation about cleaning surfaces regularly, does the

School still regularly clean surfaces? What about shared spaces like restrooms? Whatabout if there is a positive case on campus?

According to the CDC, people can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 through contact with surfaces.However, based on available epidemiological data and studies of environmental transmissionfactors, surface transmission is not the main route by which SARS-CoV-2 spreads, and the riskis considered to be low. The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 isthrough exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus. In most situations, cleaningsurfaces using soap or detergent, and not disinfecting, is enough to reduce risk. Disinfection isrecommended in indoor community settings where there has been a suspected or confirmedcase of COVID-19 within the last 24 hours. The risk of fomite transmission can be reduced bywearing masks consistently and correctly, practicing hand hygiene, cleaning, and taking othermeasures to maintain healthy facilities. (Source)

2. Sabot has a beautiful outdoor space. Are teachers and students required to be outsideall day every day as part of our COVID-19 mitigation measures?

Teachers and students are not required to spend all day, every day outside, but insteadteachers are asked to make the best choice for their circumstances (weather, curriculum,student needs, etc). Studies have shown that COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors thanoutdoors and that people are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19 when they are closerthan 6 feet apart from each other for longer periods of time. If an indoor space is wellventilated, masking is enforced and distancing is maintained then the likelihood that studentswill inhale particles suspended in the air that are contaminated with the virus that causesCOVID-19 is decreased. (Source)

3. There are so many different types of COVID-19 tests available. Does the School have apolicy on families using a certain type of test?

There are two types of testing for COVID-19, molecular testing (also known as PCR) andantigen tests (sometimes referred to as rapid tests). Since the beginning of the pandemic,many have heard that the PCR test is the “gold standard” as rapid tests are generally lesssensitive and as a result false negatives are possible. Rapid tests are most accurate when aperson is highly symptomatic. The Virginia Department of Health recommends the mostsensitive and specific test be used where possible but also understands test availability andother circumstances may limit what is available. For Sabot and VDH, it is more important to usfor someone to be tested than what test they use, and we encourage families to work withtheir healthcare providers to find the best possible option. There are cases where ahealthcare provider might recommend a confirmatory PCR test a�er an antigen test. (Source)

4. What has changed in our understanding of COVID-19 since the pandemic started?

Sabot at Stony Point COVID-19 Mitigation Plan13Nov 9, 2021

Although COVID-19 continues to be unpredictable and variants remain to be seen, researchersnow understand how COVID-19 is spread and that asymptomatic and pre-symptomaticpeople can transmit COVID-19. We also know now that masks work and the focus should beon avoiding breathing in other peopleʼs air. This is also why wearing a well-fitting mask is soimportant. Fortunately, this research also means that doctors have a better understanding ofwho is at high risk for developing COVID-19 and how the disease impacts the immune system,thus progress in treating COVID-19 is being made. (Source)

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ResourcesThe focus of our COVID-19 Mitigation Plan is ensuring the safety of our students, their families,and the faculty and staff. We continue to be guided by the directives of the VirginiaDepartment of Health, Department of Social Services, and Department of Education as well asthat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Resources include:

Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Virginia PreK-12 Schools (Virginia Department ofHealth)

Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People (Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention)

When Should a Child Stay Home From School and/or Child Care? (Virginia Department ofHealth)

VDH Algorithm for Evaluating a Child with COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure

What to do if a Student Becomes Sick at School or Reports a new COVID-19 Diagnosis (Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention)

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