School Reopening Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, opportunities will be available in each division. Depending on the division, activities such as recess, snack breaks, and study halls will be established according to best practices.

Students and teachers should wear a medical mask or well-constructed cloth mask (following CDC guidelines). It is important, especially for children, that a mask be comfortable and fit well. To that end, colors and patterns are allowable. Mask designs should follow the division’s dress code, which will generally prohibit masks that are scary, political, alcohol/drug related, inappropriate, or distracting. Take a look at Cook Children’s piece on children and masks if you are seeking further information and assistance.

The school will provide an isolation room for any student displaying COVID-19 symptoms in both the Early Childhood Center and the main campus.

A family with an at-risk child is encouraged to communicate with the school nurse, Kim Campbell-Martinez, RN, BSN, before the school year begins. From that point, individual options can be discussed in partnership with the family, nurse, and division head.

Effective communication will be important during the 2020-2021 school year. The school nurse will report a positive COVID-19 case to Tarrant County Public Health to determine next steps, which will include communication with any impacted students, faculty, and staff without violating confidentiality and privacy. The school will have a protocol in place as decisions about returning to school and work are made. In the event of an outbreak or a recommendation to temporarily suspend school operations, the school will shift to distance learning and communicate steps to ensure successful reopening.

Inquiry and reporting to the Health Department will take place if a positive case occurs. The school nurse will follow the direction of the county authorities.

The school will consider the current local county and state guidelines with respect to holiday travel. The CDC has recommended criteria for travelers. 

If a student (current or new) has a clear (no pre-existing medical conditions or injuries), valid physical from the 2019-2020 school year, it will be accepted for the 2020-2021 school year. If not, he/she will need a new physical examination on file in the nurse’s office.

The parents and the school will partner to ensure the safety and well-being of students. The current counseling model in each division remains in place and will be increased as needed.

Outdoor areas, like playgrounds in schools and parks, generally require normal routine cleaning but do not require disinfection. Cleaning and disinfection of wooden surfaces (play structures, benches, tables) or groundcovers (mulch, sand) is not recommended. At the Early Childhood Center and Lower School, staff will work with the housekeeping team to ensure routine cleaning takes place throughout the school day.  

Each classroom contains a COVID-19 Kit that includes cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, extra masks, and gloves. Desks will be sanitized between class changes, where this applies. At the end of the school day, the classroom will be sanitized by the housekeeping staff.

Students will be informed the restrooms will be limited to one-at-a-time usage. Restrooms will be sanitized numerous times daily and again at the end of each day by the school's housekeeping team.

Water fountains will be turned off. Students should bring their own water bottle(s) from home, and the school will also have an inventory of bottled water on hand to accommodate students and staff as needs arise. 
 

• On-Campus Learning - This format encompasses a traditional, face-to-face day with safety modifications in place. Students unable to attend On-Campus Learning can opt into At-Home Learning.
• Distance Learning - This format is designed to serve all students off campus, working from home should campus close for a period of time.

As ECC, LS and MS make class or pod assignments, many factors are considered, such as gender balance, academic levels, social dynamics, and for our Middle School students, elective choices. At this time, it is difficult to balance these factors and honor specific requests.

At-Home Learning will be available on a case-by-case basis. The Oakridge School will serve students who are at high risk, have been exposed to COVID-19, who are ill, and/or students with divisional approval to work from home. The structure will vary by division.

Families can choose the At-Home option at any point during the school year; however, re-entering from At-Home to On-Campus Learning will be available at the start of each grading period only. If an Oakridge family desires At-Home Learning for their child(ren) when the school is open for On-Campus Learning, the family must notify the division head immediately so that the school can plan accordingly. 

Tuition discounts will not be offered for families choosing At-Home Learning. It is costly to prepare the campus and faculty/staff for a return during a pandemic. The resources required to support all learners are not reduced with this format. The school’s decision is in alignment with other independent schools in the area and nationally. 

The school is still evaluating how to stagger campus arrival and departure times to minimize congestion and risk.

Our 90+ acre campus provides numerous opportunities for additional learning spaces as needed. Large indoor common spaces and a multitude of outdoor spaces (as weather permits) will be utilized. 

If additional supplies are needed to minimize shared contact, each division will communicate these needs in advance.

Library resources will be available for all divisions. To keep preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten students at the Early Childhood Center, the library will travel to the ECC to ensure students have access to the resources.  

During the final marking period of 2020, the school shifted its grading model to serve students online. The Oakridge School will return to its traditional, holistic grading philosophy for the fall regardless of the instructional format. Teachers will use numerous indicators in their assessment of students. Refer to divisional handbooks for specific criteria. 

Collaborative work may look different at the start of 2020-2021, but the school remains committed to hands-on learning in the safest way possible. During labs and similar group activities, healthy practices, such as gloves and disinfectant wipes, will be expected. The school, which has a makerspace in each division, will use these spaces somewhat differently, varying the approach from division to division. The instructor for the Early Childhood Center STEAM Room and the Lower School Idea Lab will provide individual materials kits for students to experience engaging, hands-on learning opportunities. Middle School and Upper School students enrolled in courses will access and utilize materials and resources in the Fab Lab and D Lab directly related to the task at hand. The school will limit the number of shared supplies, providing pre-packaged materials and kits when possible. 

Drop off and pick up will vary by division. Division heads will be sending out this information prior to the start of school. For the time being, all students should be dropped off and picked up in the assigned carpool line. Parents and guardians should stay in their vehicles.

In the school’s effort to keep students as separated and safe as possible, the school will not offer before-school care at the start of the school year. The school is planning to offer after-school care for students in preschool through grade 8, but students will need to register in advance. After-school care information will be sent out before the school year begins.

Oakridge faculty and staff are lifelong learners who continue to fine-tune their approaches to classroom pedagogy. Moreover, recent teacher professional development has been predominantly virtual, with teachers attending conferences like Lausanne Learning’s Teach Tech, ISTE Summer Learning Academy, and AP Summer Institutes in addition to Google Classroom training and Apple educator certification. The technology team shared resources over the summer supporting teacher development as well.

The Oakridge faculty and staff have agreed to return for in-service and intensive training earlier than planned, giving them additional time to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.

Students in preschool through grade eight will be permitted to wear athletic shoes during the school day so that they do not have to change shoes for recess and other outdoor activities. Keep in mind that this is a short-term change, and the divisional leaders will keep families informed.

Since no visitors will be allowed on campus at the start of the 2020-2021 school year, students will be required to bring their lunches or purchase meals from Food4Life. If a student forgets his/her lunch, the school will make arrangements with Food4Life to provide a pre-packaged meal. Please notify divisional assistants by phone or email if this situation arises. 

This will be determined and communicated at a later date.

As decisions are made about athletics this fall, as well as special events such as concerts and plays, the school will consider ways to share events with the Oakridge community. 

Student visits will be conducted virtually at the beginning of the school year. During spring and summer, virtual tours were produced for Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School as well as arts and athletics facilities. The admissions office continues to explore creative ways to introduce The Oakridge School to prospective students and families.