Reopening Plan

As we return to campus, the School realizes that some members of our community are particularly vulnerable to illness and infection. As a result, we are taking additional steps to protect those members who are at a higher risk of infection. These steps include: 

• Providing flexible learning environments for boys who are unable or unwilling to return to campus due to a health concern related to the student or to an immediate family member

• Requiring masks and specific hygiene practices (such as hand washing) throughout the day to reduce the spread of germs

If a student or staff member is feeling sick at all, they should stay home. 

In the event a member of the community becomes sick or demonstrates a history of exposure while on campus, steps will be taken to care for that person in a designated COVID-19 area in Centennial Hall. 

Any individual experiencing symptoms will be isolated to protect them and other members of the community. Students and staff members will be escorted to a designated area in Centennial Hall, where they will be monitored by a member of the School’s health staff until they can depart campus safely. Emergency contacts will be notified and will be asked to arrange for the student or staff member to be picked up within an hour. The emergency contact will also be directed to contact their primary care provider for evaluation and treatment directives. After departing campus, individuals should go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on the severity of their symptoms and follow guidelines given to them by their provider.

Students who develop COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been in close contact (as defined by the CDC) with an individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 must have their parent or guardian contact their son's Division Head and the Health Office as soon as possible. 

Students dismissed from school due to illness will be required to follow The Haverford School 2020-21 Wellness Policy - When to Stay Home Guidelines. Any child dismissed from school with a fever at or above 100.4° will require a physician's clearance to return to school.

In the event a member of the Haverford School community is diagnosed with COVID-19 or has a close contact exposure to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, the School will provide support to the individual and their family. A close contact exposure is defined as being within six feet of someone who is COVID-19 positive for more than 15 minutes. 

If someone is diagnosed with COVID-19 or qualifies as a close contact exposure, members of the School's health office will work directly with officials from the Montgomery County Department of Health to determine next steps. 

The School will review the student or faculty/staff member's schedule and support contact tracing efforts by notifying other individuals who may have been exposed. Areas frequented or visited by that individual will be sanitized and cleaned. 

Communication regarding a diagnosed individual and/or close contact exposures will be done under the guidance and requirements of the Montgomery County Department of Health and other state and national authorities. Each situation of a positive case and/or close contact exposure will be dealt with by the School's health office and will be done so confidentially.

All members of the community will be required to wash hands several times a day, as keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Our community will be required to wash hands several times a day, including:

• before and after eating food,
• after using the restroom,
• after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing,
• after playing outside,
• after touching garbage,
• after handling high-touch items, such as door handles, tables, carts, screens, or other items frequently touched by others,
• before touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or face.

Everyone should wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.  

According to local and federal health authorities, wearing masks can protect against the spread of germs and COVID-19, which is why all members of our community will be required to wear a mask each day at school while not drinking or eating. Students and staff will be required to wear a mask at all times, including during times of transition, arriving at and departing from campus, and in the restrooms. Masks should only be worn one day at a time and be laundered before being used again. 

We understand that prolonged use of masks could be difficult for some, especially our youngest boys. The Lower School community will have "mask breaks" throughout the day when it is safe to do so and when physical distancing can be maintained. 

Members of our community who cannot wear a mask due to medical reasons must contact their Division Head and Theresa McCarthy at tmccarthy@haverford.org. 

We have reimagined our learning spaces to provide a safe environment for our students. Each classroom will be set up to allow for six feet of separation between each student’s desk. 

The Haverford School must adhere to guidelines that allow for the proper amount of space in classrooms and other learning spaces. Each room has a capacity designation determined by a formula which takes into account the following:

• The square footage of the room
• Student space needs, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Faculty space needs
• Pathways needed to enter/exit a room

At the start of each day, the facilities team will check each classroom to ensure proper spacing is in place. During the day, teachers will be responsible for ensuring proper separation is maintained throughout the day.

Any parent or guardian that is able to pick up/drop off their student is encouraged to do so. If your student is taking a bus to campus, please note that The Haverford School will support the policies and procedures of the 15 school districts that transport our students. Students awaiting pick up are required to comply with physical distancing regulations. Masks will be worn during both student drop off and pick up. Car line pick up times will be staggered to enhance physical distancing.

• Lower School: As in years past, the Lower School will have a staggered dismissal time beginning at 2:30 p.m. and ending at 3:15 p.m.
• Middle School: Middle School will continue to have a staggered dismissal, with boys departing campus between 3:30-4 p.m.
• Upper School: For Upper School students with a scheduled class, Fifth and Sixth Formers will depart campus starting at 2:45 p.m. Third and Fourth Formers will be dismissed at 2:55 p.m. 

We have reimagined our learning spaces to provide six feet of space between each students’ desk.

Students will be discouraged from sharing items that are difficult to clean or disinfect. Supplies and equipment will be limited to use by one group of students at a time, with cleaning and disinfecting protocols taking place between uses. Students will not be allowed to share electronic devices, books, toys, and other games or learning aids that are unable to be disinfected appropriately. To the extent possible, student belongings will be separated from others’ in individual storage areas, such as a cubby or locker.

Students should limit the amount of personal items they bring to school. Items that cannot be stored in a personal locker or cubby will have to stay with the student at all times. This will help cut down on cleanliness issues and reduce the amount of items in the School's Lost and Found.

Adjustments will be made for the 2020-21 school year dress code. A mask will be a required element of this year's dress code. Students should bring a mask in the style that supports their needs, but all masks must cover the nose and mouth. 

Middle and Upper School boys will not be required to wear a tie or blazer/jacket for the 2020-21 school year. We require each boy to come to campus in clean garments each day, and we do not expect families to wash/dry clean ties and blazers daily. Further, eliminating blazers and ties helps cut down on the number of items that end up in the School's Lost and Found.

• The Lower School dress code will stay largely the same for the 2020-21 school year. Boys are required to wear a mask, a maroon, white, or gold collared polo shirt (the Haverford rugby shirt is also acceptable), khaki/tan shorts or pants, and close-toed shoes.
• For the 2020-21 school year, Middle School boys will not be required to wear a tie or blazer/jacket to School. Boys are required to wear a mask, a collared button-down or polo shirt, shorts or dress slacks, belt, and close-toed shoes each day.
• Upper School boys will be required to wear a mask each day. They will also be expected to wear a collared button-down or polo shirt, shorts or dress slacks, belt, and close-toed shoes to campus. 

Note that these policies are only in effect for the 2020-21 school year. 

Our community will not utilize the Dining Hall for lunch during the 2020-21 school year. Instead, all boys who signed up for the Meal Plan will have a nutritious lunch delivered to their classroom. 

In order to minimize risk and maintain a healthy environment for our students, faculty, and staff, the School will strictly limit access to campus buildings to all visitors, including parents/guardians, alumni, and volunteers. Only students, faculty, and staff will be allowed on campus or in campus buildings, excluding a situation where a student is ill or injured and/or an alternative is not available. If a visitor must come on campus, they must make an appointment with the building or Division administrative assistant before coming to campus. While on campus, all visitors will be required to check in at the front desk of the building they are visiting, complete a health screening questionnaire, and wear a face mask for the duration of their time on campus.

Keeping the campus clean and sanitized is an important step to ensure the health and safety of our entire community. 

The School's facility team will complete a series of cleaning procedures before, during, and after the school day, including: 

• Cleaning all common areas daily. High-touch surfaces in places like restrooms will be cleaned twice a day,
• Ensuring restrooms are stocked with soap, towels, and sanitizer,
• Additional hand sanitizer stations will be provided in all classrooms, at the entrances of each building, and in other common areas,
• Faculty and staff will be asked to clean their classroom areas and workspaces before and after use, with special attention to high-touch surfaces,
• Following cleaning and sanitizing best practices as set by the CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The Haverford School is working closely with the PIAA and the schools in the Inter-Academic Athletic League. 

Athletics is an important part of the education at Haverford. Information specific to Haverford's fall athletic teams - including those in the Middle School - will be shared in the coming days and weeks. Individual coaches will be in contact with their teams regarding workout plans and additional information. If you have any questions, please contact your coach or Director of Athletics Michael Murphy at mmurphy@haverford.org. 

Over the past several weeks, the Inter-Academic Athletic League member schools have thoughtfully discussed the importance of opening our schools safely for the fall semester, and the vital role that sports play within our school communities. In order to accomplish our goal of safely opening schools, the Inter-Academic Athletic League will delay the start of fall sports until September 14. Updated schedules for the 2020 fall season are being finalized and will be available shortly. The situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve and remains very fluid. League schools will continue to evaluate additional information as it becomes available and utilize this information to alter these plans in the best interest of the safety and welfare of our community. 

Extracurricular activities will be supported in a virtual setting (as possible) for the 2020-21 school year. We understand this is a disappointing requirement. This decision was made to ensure in-classroom learning is as safe as possible.