2021/2022 Roadmap

A guide to keeping our students healthy and learning in-person.

The 2021/2022 Roadmap is guided by the assumption that the COVID-19 health crisis will continue as we return this fall. McGillis will continue to respond quickly to circumstances in our own School community, as well as conditions in our city and county. As we plan to return to in-person learning, we are taking a cautious and layered approach with the goals to keep our community healthy and our students learning on campus.

Values Driven in a Time of Crisis

VALUES DRIVEN IN A TIME OF CRISIS

The McGillis School is rooted in values that guide the way we live and learn in our School community. In this time of crisis, our values continue to provide our North Star. Every McGillis student, teacher, and staff member is a member of our Kehilah, and therefore should be known, valued, and cared for. We all have a right to expect both emotional and physical safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this means members of our community can reasonably expect a heightened level of concern for their health and wellbeing. This lies within our values of Derech Eretz and Tikkun Olam. While it is possible that students, teachers, or staff members will be exposed to COVID-19 in the course of their work or studies, everyone can expect that our greatest efforts and reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent illness in our School.

Derech Eretz, having respect for all, guides our interactions with others — friends and strangers, students and adults — to be self-aware, respectful, and courteous. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this means complying willingly with rules and policies designed to keep our community safe and healthy. This means thinking of others, appreciating that their risk tolerance might be lower than ours, and adjusting our behavior with sensitivity and respect. This means respecting policies, decisions, and expectations, even when inconvenient to ourselves.

In some communities, measures taken to prevent COVID-19 have ignited conflicts between the liberty of individuals and perceptions of the common good. We expect our values of Derech Eretz, Tikkun Olam, and Gemilut Hasadim to remind us of our duties to others and demonstrate our shared commitment of respect for our Kehilah.

Our values will guide our interactions and actions, including how all members of our community and visitors:

wear high quality, well-fitting, multi-layered face masks, wash and disinfect their hands frequently, and mind physical distancing norms;
interact with each other in and out of the classroom, and take responsibility for maintaining a healthy environment;
treat others—teachers, maintenance staff, kitchen staff, office administrators, administrators, etc.—as people worthy of their respect and deserving of safety themselves;
follow self-screening guidelines for symptoms of illness and refrain from coming to campus when symptomatic; and
comply with self-quarantine rules regarding exposure to COVID-19.

Guiding Principles

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Our entire McGillis community has remained committed to the challenges that the pandemic has presented, and unfortunately, continues to present. However, we’ve proven our steadfast commitment and our guiding principles will continue to help us navigate the ongoing uncertainties that are likely to continue as we begin the new school year.

Our Guiding Principles:

Protecting the health and safety, including the physical health and the social-emotional well-being, of our kehilah is our top priority;
Delivering our mission and values in a program that inspires and prepares our learners for a lifetime of creating a better world;
Committing as a community to adopt the necessary measures, protocols, and expectations to ensure a safe and healthy community with the goal to keep our students learning on campus; and,
Knowing that reducing risk to zero is impossible, we will follow public health and safety guidelines, utilizing the Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake County Health Department, and the CDC’s coronavirus guidelines as our main reference points for our ongoing assessment of risk.

Community Commitment

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

McGillis re-introduces our Community Commitment and asks all families to recommit to the measures, protocols, and expectations that will ensure a safe and healthy community as we continue to recognize the presence and possible impact of COVID-19 in our community.

As champions of our Community Commitment, each one of us should feel free to encourage one another when we notice that we may not be complying with the norms of our protocols, understanding that they’re most often not breached with intention, but rather lack of attention.

In-Person Learning

IN-PERSON TEACHING & LEARNING

During the 2021/2022 school year, McGillis intends to only offer in-person learning and will not offer classes regularly via Zoom.

In-person learning is a traditional school experience with students attending school in person five days a week. Students are able to capitalize on classroom environments that provide engaging social interaction and feedback.

A layered mitigation strategy offers a cautious approach to keep our community healthy and our students learning on campus.

Concurrent cases in our community will always lead the School to consider the best course of action, which could include in-person learning as usual for all students, remote learning for a grade level, classroom, or subgroup of students, or remote learning for our entire student population until the health of our community improves.

Protocols

McGillis “Test to Return” Due to Symptoms Protocol:

The School strongly recommends, all students and employees, regardless of vaccination status, to test when returning to School after an absence due to symptoms.

If a negative test is not submitted to the School upon return, the School will administer a rapid antigen test.
If you do NOT want your student tested, please email health@mcgillisschool.org.
If parents/guardians have not yet provided consent for testing, parent/guardian consent is required.

McGillis “Test to Stay” Positive Household Contact Protocol:

To return to School when there is a household member that tests positive, assuming the household member is in isolation and there isn’t continuous ongoing exposure:

Fully vaccinated students and employees must participate in daily rapid antigen testing at School for 5-7 days in order to return to in-person learning, assuming student/employee is symptom-free.
Fully vaccinated students and employees that do not participate in daily rapid testing at School for 5-7 days, are unable to return to in-person learning for 5-7 days.

For students who are not fully vaccinated, the School’s existing standard quarantine protocol remains as:

Students may end quarantine on day 10 without testing. You can end quarantine 10 days after the last time you had close contact with the person who tested positive if you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19.
Students may end quarantine on day 7 with a negative test result. You must wait at least 7 days after your exposure to be tested. You can end quarantine if your test is negative and you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

McGillis “Test to Play” Basketball Protocols:

All players test weekly at School, via rapid antigen test.
Vaccinated players may play without masks.
Unvaccinated players must wear masks at all times.
All players, while on the bench, should be masked regardless of vaccination status.
No spectators at McGillis.

If there is a positive case in our community that includes a player, and a practice or game falls inside the window of exposure for other players:

vaccinated players would NOT need to quarantine.
unvaccinated players WOULD need to quarantine IF they were not wearing a mask.

Therefore, unvaccinated players must be vigilant about wearing masks at all times in practices and games.

OUR LAYERED APPROACH

As of the start of the 2021/2022 school year, many of our students are currently not eligible for vaccinations. Therefore, the School will implement a layered prevention strategy to protect our community and support in-person learning, including:

Getting Vaccinated

The CDC and Salt Lake County Health Department acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccination helps protect adults and children ages 5 years and older from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19 and helps protect those around them. We encourage our community of employees, students, and families to be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination series, including booster dose(s) when eligible.

Wearing Masks

As of March 21, 2022, masks are optional indoors and outdoors at school, for students, staff, and visitors.
Everyone should be “mask ready” and have a high-quality mask with them at all times (worn on their wrist or in their pocket) to wear in certain situations such as indoor, large group gatherings, indoor field trips, or while singing.
Some students, staff, and/or visitors may choose to continue wearing a mask for a variety of reasons. They will be encouraged to do so and we will respect their decision.
The COVID Task Force will revisit this policy and adapt the policy as needed.

Testing

Regular testing, in addition to COVID-19 vaccination and wearing masks, is a safe, effective way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help keep school open for in-person learning. Many people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms, but can still spread the virus. Therefore, regular testing helps find people who have the virus before it can spread to others. Finding who has the virus early means steps can be taken to prevent COVID-19 from spreading and causing an outbreak, so school can stay open. Regular testing also means parents or guardians get notified if their child tests positive, allowing them to plan for treatment and take steps to protect the rest of the family from COVID-19.

Testing may be facilitated in circumstances such as:

If a student or staff member has had an exposure to COVID or is experiencing symptoms
In the event of multiple COVID cases in one class
Before an overnight camping trip
See “Requirements After A Positive COVID-19 Test” and “Requirements After A COVID-19 Exposure” for additional testing guidance

Hygiene

Air Filtration

Cleaning

Ongoing Assessment of Our Community’s Health

COVID-19 TASK FORCE

The School’s COVID-19 Task Force Team meets regularly to keep a pulse on what is happening nationally, locally and within our School community. This team regularly assesses our McGillis COVID-19 situation and takes the necessary actions to keep our community’s exposure limited to the highest degree possible.

Annette Accarrino, Director of Marketing & Communications
Jim Brewer, Head of School
Matt Haber, McGillis Board Past-President
Adam Hersh, MD & McGillis Parent
Jen Merino, Health Specialist
Mary-Beth Scholand, MD & McGillis Board of Trustees
Emily Spivak, MD & McGillis Parent
Michael VanTyne, Director of Operations & Technology
Steph Duffy, Covid Coordinator

Requirements After A Positive COVID-19 Test

If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19:

Inform health@mcgillisschool.org
The individual will isolate and remain home for a minimum of 5 days from the day they were tested.
They may return to school on day 6 if they are symptom-free and produce a negative rapid test, and must wear a high-quality mask until day 10. Our health team will also assess each situation on a case-by-case basis.
Multiple active cases in a single classroom or grade may lead to temporary mask usage in school for that classroom or grade.
Rapid antigen tests may be administered as deemed appropriate in response to active cases at the School.

If A Student Experiences Symptoms While at School

Requirements After A COVID-19 Exposure

If a student or staff member is exposed to COVID-19:

Inform health@mcgillisschool.org
Exposed students and staff who are up-to-date on vaccinations, including a booster if eligible, and free of symptoms, may return to school immediately, test, and wear a mask at School for 5 days from the date of exposure.
Students who are not up-to-date on vaccinations and have been exposed must quarantine for 5 days from the date of exposure. They may return to school on day 6 with a negative test collected no earlier than day 5, and wear a mask for days 6-10. Test to return may be utilized if deemed necessary under the circumstance.

Communications

Absenteeism

Accommodations may be made for students who experience prolonged absences due to a positive COVID diagnosis, quarantine due to exposure to COVID, or a severe illness or injury that keeps them home for longer than one week in duration. Students who find themselves ill and not able to attend school may work asynchronously on school work if they are healthy enough, and will be caught up upon their return by their teacher(s).

School COVID-19 Response

The McGillis School will be prepared for the rise in prevalence, or the risk of a rise in prevalence for COVID-19 in our School community. The School will continue to consult with our COVID Task Force to determine the appropriate action and response to a COVID-19 positive case. The response will be determined based on policy considerations from CDC, UDOH, SL County Health Department, and circumstances around each situation. Concurrent cases in our community will always lead the School to consider the best course of action, which could include in-person learning as usual for all students, remote learning for a grade level, classroom, or subgroup of students, or remote learning for our entire student population until the health of our community improves.

OTHER HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Health Screening

Classroom Seating

Classroom Distancing

Classroom Mitigations

Lunch

McGillis students will continue to eat lunch outdoors and will only eat indoors under challenging weather or air conditions. Lunch will be provided each day and will be provided in containers. Lunches brought from home should be nut free. McGillis will aim to return to our more typical lunch operations when it is safe to do so and in adherence to all current restaurant and kitchen recommendations from the SL County Health Department. Our community should anticipate another full year of eating lunch outdoors.

Water & Snacks

McGillis students should come to school each day with a filled water bottle; there are 2 bottle fillers available for students to refill their bottles. Drinking fountains will remain disabled at the start of the school year, and will remain off until further notice. Students are also encouraged to bring their own nut free snack from home. All treats shared in School must be store bought and prepared in a professional kitchen.

Student Gatherings

Students may gather indoors in groups organized by and supervised by faculty/staff in various areas where large groups can gather (MAC, Library, Gathering Space, Dining Hall, etc.). The School will refrain from All-School in-person gatherings (grades K-8 combined) until it is deemed safe to do so. For example, for an event such as Shabbat, it’s feasible the School may combine three grades together in a large space, but it will be some time before we return to All-School Shabbat with all the students in the MAC together. McGillis will carefully monitor the success and feasibility of larger student gatherings as the year progresses.

ATHLETICS, ACTIVITIES, & EVENTS

Athletics

McGillis intends to resume participation in our Athletics programs. The School will compete against other schools in our league, both traveling to other schools and hosting schools to play on our campus and in our MAC. Masks may be worn during competitions, depending on the current COVID climate and the advice of our community health experts. Indoor athletics attendance may be restricted to players and coaches only depending upon COVID climate and recommendations. More details will be shared for each sport in advance of the season’s start, as protocols may vary depending on the season and indoor versus outdoor sports.

McGillis “Test to Play” Basketball Protocols:

All players test weekly at School, via rapid antigen test.
All players must wear masks at all times.
No spectators at McGillis.

If there is a positive case in our community that includes a player, and a practice or game falls inside the window of exposure for other players:

vaccinated players would NOT need to quarantine.
unvaccinated players WOULD need to quarantine IF they were not wearing a mask.

Therefore, unvaccinated players must be vigilant about wearing masks at all times in practices and games.

Field Trips & Class Trips

McGillis will conduct field trips with regularity. Our buses will include 14 passengers and 1 driver and windows will remain open and masks worn when traveling. Class trips will resume as feasible according to the destination, the guidelines and practices of community partners, and the nature of the trip. Details for each trip will be shared in advance for the grade the trip pertains to.

COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students and employees participating in overnight trips. Any exemptions will need to be approved by the Head of School.

According to the CDC, individuals are considered up-to-date on vaccinations if they have had all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including 2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna or 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson, plus any booster dose(s) when eligible.

Middle School Dances

Library

Extended Care

Drop Off & Pick Up

Limited Campus Access

Parent Volunteers

In-Person Community Events

Our McGillis community is eager to gather in-person again for events. We anticipate offering in-person events that will be modified according to the current COVID climate and advice from our health experts. At this time, our Back To School Night will be virtual given it’s a larger community event, and we intend to host our Grade Level Socials this fall in-person. As the year progresses, we will determine our ability to gather in-person for other events.

Together we can.

Recent Roadmap Updates:

2021/2022 Roadmap PDF

The wellness of our community is the social responsibility of each and every one of us. As a community, and as a society, we have a responsibility to each other to do what is best for our collective whole.

REVIEW OUR Community Commitment

McGillis has our children's safety and learning as top priorities. Over the last year when much of the world is unpredictable, we've found comfort in our McGillis community knowing that everyone is working towards a common goal of keeping our family safe, happy, and healthy."

Jaimi and Ryan Nielson, Parents of Owen ’25 & Olive ’29

Are you interested in learning more about our 2021/2022 Roadmap?

Call 801-583-0094 to set up your visit today!

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