The 2020-21 School year at New Dominion School will begin with a HYBRID SCHEDULE to comply with the expectations outlined in Governor Walz’ July 30, 2020 executive order for returning to school. The plan (outlined in red print below) will be used for the entirety of Term 1 at NDS. This plan will remain in place unless other executive orders, directions from Nexus-Gerard Family Healing, or expectations from Austin Public Schools requires a change.
Start Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 (Only Normandy, Villa and Chateau will attend since it is a Wednesday)
Hybrid A/B Schedule:
- Normandy, Villa and Chateau dorms will attend school in the school building on Mondays and Wednesdays and every other Friday. (See schedule below).
- Marseille, Bordeaux and Cherbourg will attend school in the school building on Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Friday. (See schedule below).
- When students are not in school, the dorm staff and school staff will coordinate efforts to bring instruction to the youth. This ensures a daily educational component for every student.
Safety and Preventative Measures to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus:
- Students will be in classrooms with only youth from their dorms.
- There may be day students attending from local areas in some classes. Covid symptom checklists, temperature taking, hand washing and all other protocols related to the safety of our youth will be required of these youth also.
- Classrooms will be cleaned and sanitized before and after a new dorm of students enter or leave.
- Each dorm will have a designated entrance to the school.
- Each dorm will have an assigned bathroom to use while in the building.
- Classrooms will be cleaned every morning and afternoon and as needed throughout the day.
- Common surfaces such as doorknobs will be cleaned throughout the day.
- Frequent handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer will be required for all students and staff.
- All staff members will be wearing masks and/or face shields while the youth are in the building and when they are working near other employees.
- Social distance of at least 6 feet will be required at all times, unless proximity is necessary to keep a youth safe.
- Students will be provided with masks and face shields to use while in school. Each student will be required to wear a mask or face shield at school unless there is a medical, developmental or behavioral health condition that warrants an exception.
- Any student who has a temperature of over 100 degrees or reports a new Covid related symptom before school starts will not be allowed to attend school for the day and will follow the protocol established by Gerard’s Covid response plan. If these symptoms occur during the school day, the student will report back to the dorms immediately.
- Drinking fountains have been turned off in the building. Students can bring their own water bottles to school if they prefer. We will have some bottled water available if needed.
