RZJHS Reopening Plan 2020-2021/5781
Dear Rochelle Zell Community, On July 14 we shared with you our plan to begin the school year in a hybrid mode of inperson instruction and remote learning. Specifically, each grade and class will be divided into two cohorts – “Kachol” (blue) and “Lavan”(white), with the two cohorts alternating three consecutive (A-B-C) school days in the building and the next A-B-C day cycle learning from home. All RZJHS siblings from the same family will be assigned to the same cohort in order to minimize disruption to the family. Our reopening plan follows guidelines issued jointly by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Generally speaking there are four primary requirements that must be met: 1. Wearing of masks 2. Social distancing 3. Daily symptoms checking or reporting 4. Increased cleaning and disinfection of the school building In the pages that follow you will find detailed information about the specific protocols we are putting in place in order to meet these requirements. We have attempted to do so as clearly and concisely as possible in order to prevent confusion and information overload. If, after a period of time, we determine that our safety protocols are functioning well, and that students and staff feel we have achieved a reasonable level of both safety and comfort with our in-person learning, we may then consider the possibility of enabling all students to come to school every day. Of course, it is also possible we may find ourselves in the situation of needing to revert to remote learning for all, whether as a result of contagion within our school community or due to a mandated school closing by government authorities. That said, regardless of whether a student is at home because of symptoms, or needing to be in quarantine, or being at high risk for serious medical complications in the event of exposure, or simply because the student’s cohort is scheduled to be at home on a given day, we are committed to enabling each student to learn every day, whether in person or remotely, as seamlessly as possible. We know that 5781 – our 20th anniversary year – will be unlike any other school year in our history, but I am abundantly confident that Rochelle Zell Jewish High School will continue to be the same amazing and vibrant community and institution that is has been since its inception. With warm wishes for the coming year, Tony Frank
Informational Meetings and Daily Schedule Parent Information Meetings on Zoom • Monday, August 3rd at 7:00 pm: (9th & 10th grade parents) • Wednesday, August 5th at 7:00 pm: (11th & 12th grade parents)
Student Orientations and First Day of School Students will be required to attend orientations scheduled for the following days and dates: • Monday, August 17th: 9th grade and transfer students (in person at school) • Monday, August 17th: 10th grade (on Zoom) • Tuesday, August 18th: 11th & 12th grades (on Zoom) • Wednesday, August 19th: First day of classes (please note change in date) The school day this year will begin at 8:45 (9:45 on Wednesdays) with 1st period classes. Students are expected to arrive no later than 8:15 (9:15 on Wednesdays) in order to enable our safe entry plan (more information on this in Section 3 below). Tefillah will be scheduled following 1st period classes. A detailed bell schedule and additional information about tefillah will be provided closer to the start of the school year.
Health and Safety Protocols The health and safety of every member of our community depends upon every other member of our community acting responsibly not only when in school, but at all times. School guidelines in regards to masks, social distancing, and good hygiene are also recommended practices outside of school. In regards to travel, it is our expectation that all members of our community will abide by state and local quarantine requirements after visiting regions that have been identified as high risk. Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
• 1095 Lake Cook Road • Deerfield, IL 60015 • www.RZJHS.org
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Health and safety protocols fall into four broad categories: 1. Wearing of masks 2. Social distancing 3. Daily reporting of symptoms 4. Enhanced hygiene measures
1. Wearing of masks While in the building, everyone must wear a mask covering both mouth and nose at all times. This policy will be strictly enforced. Any student who does not comply with this policy consistently will be required to learn remotely from home even when otherwise scheduled to be learning in-person at school. Outdoor space, weather permitting, will be available during lunch, free periods, and potentially during some classes and/or tefillah. When outdoors and socially distancing, students are permitted to remove masks. Students will also be permitted to remove their masks while eating lunch in the dining hall or gym, as long as they maintain a distance of six feet or more from other students. six feet
2. Social Distancing
Classrooms In classrooms, desks will be distanced six feet apart and face in the same direction to enable social distancing. There will be assigned seating for students in order to enable contact tracing if needed. Students may not move the desks. Classrooms will be set up and equipped to enable students learning remotely to Zoom into class. In some cases teachers will organize students who are at home to work asynchronously (offline). Restrooms All restrooms will have a sign prominently displayed indicating the room capacity. Lockers ISBE guidelines recommend against using lockers. For this reason, students will need to use their backpacks to keep their books, computers, and personal belongings. All personal belongings must be taken home every night. Teachers will work with students to reduce the number of heavy items they will need to bring to school each day. As we move closer to the cold-weather months, we will consider whether lockers may be used for coats and boots.
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
• 1095 Lake Cook Road • Deerfield, IL 60015 • www.RZJHS.org
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Hallways and Stairwells The main/center stairwell is reserved for 9th and 12th grade students. Tenth and 11th grade students will use the stairwell on the east side of the building (near the dining hall) to move between levels/floors during the day. Seniors only may also use the south stairwell between the first floor (athletic wing) and second floor (senior hallway). Elevators Elevators will be restricted to faculty and staff, and students who are unable to use the stairs for a medical reason. Free Periods Students may go to one of four areas: Beit Knesset, dining hall, gym, outdoors (weather permitting). Tables and chairs will be set up to allow for social distancing and may not be moved. There will be no sports in the gym during free periods. Furniture will be removed from hallways to promote social distancing. The library will be closed to students until further notice. Front Office No students will be admitted to the front office unless they need to take medicine in the nurse's office. Shared computers and materials are no longer available. Office copiers will not be available for student use. Academic Services and Social Services The student lounge will be closed until further notice. Appointments must be made in advance with Mrs. Steinberg, Ms. Dauber, Ms. Gordon or Ms. Reese. Visitors by Appointment Only Parents and Board members may visit the school by appointment only. A health questionnaire must be filled out prior to entering the building. Virtual meetings are encouraged. No other guests will be permitted at this time. Maintenance from outside vendors will not be conducted during school hours unless there is an emergency need.
3. Daily reporting of symptoms Every day all students and staff need to attest that they are symptom-free via a questionnaire on our Magnus Health app, by 7:30 am (please download the app prior to August 18th). Once the questionnaire is completed, students will receive a red light (not cleared to attend in person) or green light (cleared to attend in person). The app will automatically send the report to the school. Student fobs to enter the school have been disabled.
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
• 1095 Lake Cook Road • Deerfield, IL 60015 • www.RZJHS.org
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Anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms, e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, fatigue, muscle and body aches, headache, sore throat, the new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea will not be allowed to enter the building until cleared to do so by their physician, in consultation with the school nurse. Once given clearance via the app, students and staff may come to school. Students should plan to arrive at school no later than 8:15 am (9:15 am on Wednesdays). At the front entry, there will be two doorways to enter. There will be markings to help people maintain distance before entering the building. Students will enter the building and wait in the gym, socially distanced, until they are permitted to report to their first period classroom. Students may not congregate in the hallways at any time during the school day. Late Arrival/Early Dismissal Any student may arrive late or leave early if their schedules allow them to do so. Permission slips are no longer needed and parents do not need to call the front desk. Students will be checked in when they arrive and checked out when they leave. Student Illness If a student becomes ill during school hours, they will be sent to the nurse’s office now located in the athletic wing and will then be sent home, once we have contacted the student's parent. The student will be cleared to return to school only by their physician, in consultation with the school nurse. If a student is on prescribed medicine that needs to be taken on a regular basis they will visit the front office nurse's station as usual.
4. Enhanced hygiene measures Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizer Everyone entering the building must use hand sanitizer at the kiosks in the lobby, before entering any classroom and again when leaving any classroom. There will be hand-sanitizing dispensers installed outside every classroom and throughout the building. Cleaning and Disinfecting Rochelle Zell has created an extensive program for cleaning and sanitization according to CDC and ISBE guidelines. The products we are using are safe and effective. We have purchased MERV 13 air filters for our HVAC system. The filters will be replaced every two months. Each room will have “clean air” canisters that will help sanitize the air, and classroom doors will remain open to increase air circulation. Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
• 1095 Lake Cook Road • Deerfield, IL 60015 • www.RZJHS.org
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Touch-less hand sanitizer dispensers are being installed outside every classroom and in strategic places around the building like entrances and on stairwell landings. Touch-less towel dispensers have been installed in every bathroom. We will provide disinfectant wipes for students to wipe down their desks at the end of each class. Throughout the day during every period, maintenance staff will be disinfecting high touch surfaces and the restrooms. At the end of the day, an entire cleaning will occur following CDC and ISBE guidelines. Food at School There will be no food service until further notice. Students will need to bring their own lunch. Students may only eat (including snacks) in the dining hall, gym or outside when weather permits. Tables and chairs will be set up to allow for social distancing and may not be moved. Microwaves and toasters will not be available. The Rochelle Zell Jewish High School kashrut policy should be followed. Meat lunch may only be brought into school on Tuesdays, which are designated as meat/pareve lunch days. All other days of the week are dairy/pareve. Once we have had a chance to settle into our new routines, we will look into resuming the option of students occasionally being able to order, in advance, from area kosher restaurants. Water Fountains While water fountains will be turned off, touch-less water bottle refilling stations have been installed and will be available in the first-floor athletic wing, 2nd floor and 3rd floor. Students should bring water bottles with them to school.
! s r e g i Go T In the coming days we will add a dedicated page to our school website to provide you with updated information about our health and safety protocols, as well as links to other informational resources.
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School
• 1095 Lake Cook Road • Deerfield, IL 60015 • www.RZJHS.org
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Rochelle Zell Jewish High School creates a culture of academic excellence that inspires and prepares our students to think critically, achieve their full potential, and live Judaism as responsible and involved citizens in the modern world.
1095 Lake Cook Rd • Deerfield, IL 60015 847.470.6700 • www.RZJHS.org A partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community