Frequently Asked Questions 2020 - St. Mary's Dominican High School

Please note, there are some discrepancies between the Student/Parent Handbook and the Frequently Asked Questions on the website. At this time, FAQ information overrides the handbook. This is due to the fluidity of pandemic related information and guidelines.

Answers

SAFETY MEASURES AND PREPARATION

Will visitors be allowed on campus?

In an effort to keep the campus safe, parents and other visitors will not be allowed on campus.

Will there be screening measures for students, faculty, and personnel?

Yes, there will be daily temperature checks of students, faculty, and personnel entering campus.
There will be a limited number of entrances to the campus.
Tents will be set up near the gym. Students may enter from the parking lot and from Pine Street.
At those stations, temperatures of each student and personnel member entering campus will be taken.
All students, faculty, and personnel must wear a Dominican issued mask while on campus.

What happens if my student has temp of 100.4?

Students who initially show a temperature of 100.4 or above will be escorted to a designated area where they will wait 10 minutes before their temperature is retaken. The area can accommodate several people for social distancing.
If the second temperature check is a reading of 100.4 or above, the student will have to return home. Her parent/guardian will be notified, and arrangements made for the student to return home.
If the student is feeling well, she can participate in home learning and not be counted absent.
If a student rides in a carpool, and one person in the carpool has a temperature of 100.4 or above, everyone in the carpool will be sent home for monitoring.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to monitor their daughter for the next 4-5 days, and we ask each of you to keep us informed about your daughter’s progress.
Students/Faculty/Staff with COVID-19 symptoms and/or a positive test who were directed to care for themselves at home may end self-isolation when at least 24 hours have passed since recovery, meaning:
- Fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
- Improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms may discontinue self-isolation when at least 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test and have had no subsequent illness.
- A doctor’s note should be given to Attendance office upon returning to school.
- If the person is sick with non-COVID-19 symptoms, or if the person has tested negative for COVID-19, the person must still be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school. If the person is home schooling from home, the person does not have to wait the 24 hours before resuming school duties.

What hygiene and sanitation measures has Dominican taken?

Dominican follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pandemic guidelines for sanitation and janitorial response. Dominican has a minimum of one month’s supply of sanitation supplies that is stockpiled on the campus. These supplies include hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and spray disinfectant and are housed in a janitorial supply room, located away from student areas.
The augmented sanitation plan includes, but is not limited to: wiping each student’s and teacher’s desk after each period of the school day, wiping classroom door handles every period of the day, sanitizing every restroom at least every 2.5 hours each day, and wiping all stairway handrails every period of the day.
Hand sanitizer stations are provided at each school entrance.
Hand sanitizer is also distributed throughout the school facility.
Each classroom is equipped with hand sanitizer.
Each student will be required to wear a uniform mask throughout the day when she is on campus. One uniform mask will be issued to each student on registration day.
There will be required hand hygiene enforced to meet state, local, and school official guidelines.
Educational materials concerning social distancing/ masks/ hand hygiene are posted throughout the school, on our various on-line platforms, and in discussions with students on registration. For more information on prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html.

Can I purchase masks on campus?

At the beginning of the school year, Dominican will issue one uniform mask per student.
Additional masks will be available to purchase in the Black & White Shop at $8 per mask.
A student can purchase up to two masks.

Will breakfast/lunch be served?

Our food service provider, SAGE Dining Services, will have grab-and-go pre-packaged breakfasts and lunches. There will be a limited menu.
Students will swipe a prepaid SAGE account card.
No cash will be accepted.
Dismissal for lunch will be staggered.
Students will eat in their homerooms where there will be social distancing and monitoring.

Safety protocols of SAGE Dining Services include:

Placing hand sanitizer at the entrances, stations, and tables for student to use often.
Using floor markings and spreading out chairs to direct traffic flow and keep community members 6 feet apart.
Replacing self-service stations (e.g. deli, salad bar with proportioned or served portions).
Providing wrapped cutlery kits, pre-portioned condiments and salad dressings, and bottled beverages.

Sage FAQs

Will water fountains be available?

No, water fountains will be turned off and will not be used.
Instead, students are encouraged to bring a minimum of two bottles of water to school every day.
Additional bottles of water can be purchased from SAGE Dining Services.

INSTRUCTIONAL

When is registration?

The schedule for registration is:

Thursday, August 13 – 8th Grade
Friday, August 14 – 12th Grade
Monday, August 17 – 11th Grade
Tuesday, August 18 – 10th Grade
Wednesday, August 19 – 9th Grade

Because no visitors are allowed on campus, only students are permitted to attend registration and orientation.

When is first full day of school?

As always, the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are our primary focus. In order to comply with state, local, and archdiocesan recommendations and guidelines for safe school reopening, the August school calendar has been revised.
The first day of class for all students is scheduled for Thursday, August 20. Students will be notified if they attend that first day on campus or virtually.
On days that a student does home distance learning, she will not need to be in school uniform.

When do eighth graders start classes?

Eighth graders will attend on-campus classes every day in a Traditional School Setting (TSS), barring the Governor or Department of Health issuing a return to Phase One or Stay at Home Order.

What about other grade levels?

All students in grades 9-12, will be in a Hybrid School Setting (HSS).
Every two weeks, the administration will review state and local health recommendations and assess the feasibility of bringing more students/class levels to campus for their classes.

Will there be a discount on tuition?

Dominican will not be discounting tuition.
In terms of finance, we plan and budget with contingencies in mind, and we will work with families and tuition according to need.

What type of learning will Dominican be using?

Dominican will start the 2020-2021 school year with a hybrid school setting (HSS).
In the Hybrid School Setting (HSS), 8th grade students will attend on-campus classes every day.
9th grade through 12th grade student will participate in synchronous learning. Students will be separated into two groups based on last name and will attend on-campus classes every other day. On days that students are not scheduled to be on campus for class, they will participate in real-time synchronous delivery of instruction using their computing devices and the applications associated with Microsoft 365.
If a family is not comfortable sending their student(s) to on-campus classes or if a student is in quarantine at home because she has the symptoms of COVID-19, but is well enough to participate in classes, she will be able to participate in synchronous delivery of instruction with her teachers and classmates.
For students who are participating in the on-campus learning, greater physical distancing will be achieved for grades 9-12 because only half of the alphabet will be present at any one time. Additionally, attention is being given to class sizes and matching them to classrooms that can accommodate maximum social distancing.
Hybrid School Setting (HSS) will be evaluated every two weeks

Will my daughter receive five days of instruction a week?

Yes. In all three models, students will attend all their classes every day, whether virtually or on-campus face-to-face. In Traditional School Setting (TSS) and Hybrid School Setting (HSS), students will be expected to complete assignments, assessments, and other work in both hard copy as well as in on-line or electronic formats.

Can I opt for virtual synchronous learning only?

Should a family not be comfortable sending their student(s) to on-campus classes or if a student is put into quarantine but is well enough to participate in classes, she will be able to participate in synchronous delivery of instruction with her teachers and classmates.
Yes, please email Katy Alexander, Dean of Student Services, at kalexander@stmdhs.org, who will provide additional information.

What learning management system are you using?

Microsoft 365
Central to the success of hybrid and at-home instruction is our learning management system, Microsoft 365, and its related applications. All students are required to have a device compatible with this learning system.
Training for students, professional development for faculty, and previous in class use has prepared returning students and teachers and will prepare in-coming students and teachers. Students need to register all devices they use on campus. This will be accomplished during technology training for all incoming students.
All courses have amended syllabi to account for pre-assessment for in-coming students and to account for any gaps that may have occurred in home learning for incoming and returning students. All courses have adjusted curriculum and allow for covering and recovering of foundational material from fourth quarter of the previous school year that was either not covered or not covered in the necessary depth for success in future courses.
In all three models, students will attend all of their classes every day, whether virtually or on-campus face-to-face. In Traditional School Setting (TSS) and Hybrid School Setting (HSS), students will be expected to complete assignments, assessments, and other work in both hard copy as well as on-line or electronic formats. If a decision to return to home learning only is made, students will transition to an all on-line format for instruction as well as assessments, assignments, and other work, using our learning management system. Grading policies have been updated in the school handbook for the coming year. As the time for standardized testing in the fall semester approaches, decisions on test administration will be based on recommendations of College Board as well as state, local, and educational protocols.

Why is only half of the student body attending live classes?

To meet state guidelines, only 25 people can meet per class (maximum of 24 students with one adult).

Will there be Physical Education classes?

Students will have Physical Education on days they are on campus and study/free periods when learning from home.
Physical Education syllabi have been modified to include non-contact activities as well as activities that do not require students to share equipment.
Locker rooms will not be used.

SPIRITUAL NEEDS

How will school meet spiritual needs of student?

All academic departments integrate relevant faith-based topics and Catholic teaching as evidenced by the course syllabi and lessons. Consistent with our school mission, vision, and goals, these activities and lessons will continue to be integrated into all classes in either Traditional School Setting (TSS), Home School Setting (HSS), or Non-Traditional School Setting (NTSS).
All classes will begin with prayer. The school community will continue to pray together formally twice per day.
Regular time for prayer and meditation on scripture is provided during all Religion courses.

ATTENDANCE, DISMISSAL, SUPPLIES, FORMS, MICROSOFT TEAMS

How will attendance be taken?

Attendance on campus will be taken through PlusPortals. Similarly, students learning from home will be required to join a Teams meeting at the beginning of every class period. This requirement will allow teachers to take attendance for students learning from home on that day.

How will students be dismissed?

Dismissal times will be staggered for various class levels. Students will be dismissed by grade level, allowing those students who drove to campus to leave first. After the parking lot is cleared, there will be parents’ pick up of students.

What supplies do I need to purchase?

For the School Supply Lists for 2020-2021 School Year, please click on this link to open/download/print the coordinating supply list. https://www.stmarysdominican.org/2020/07/school-supply-lists-for-the-2020-2021-school-year/
Every year we have asked that students purchase almost all their school supplies. The exception has been in the Art Department. In previous years, supplies were communal and shared by various members of the same and other class periods. This year, students will be given art supply packs for their private use on the first day of class on campus.

What forms will I need to sign before my daughter attends school?

Handbook Form, Acceptable Use Policy Form, COVID-19 Consent Form, and Liability Waiver will need to be signed.
The Student/Parent Handbook has been updated with statements about digital teaching and learning, including live instruction.
The Parental/Guardian COVID-19 Consent Form and Liability Waiver has been added to the handbook, and students are required to return the signed form to register for the school year.
The Acceptable Use Policy is part of the handbook and must be signed by the student and her parents to register for the school year.

What is TEAMS and how will it be used?

Synchronous learning using Microsoft Teams allows teachers to interact with students regardless of location. Students may ask questions and/or participate in discussions. Students may also message teachers on a class team or with the chat feature.
Microsoft Teams has been used to make announcements to specific grade levels, clubs, sports teams, or groups of teachers.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS

Will there be extracurricular activities on campus?

The start of club meeting on campus will be conducted virtually until further notice. Students will be able to meet and engage in club activities through Microsoft Teams.

Will there be sports events?

We will follow all policies and protocols of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) pertaining to athletics.

Will there be large assemblies?

Whole school or large activities and assemblies will be postponed until the school moves into a later phase.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Will there be community service projects?

The large school-wide community service projects will continue to take place in either the Traditional School Setting (TSS), Home School Setting (HSS), or Non-Traditional School Setting (NTSS) model. These projects provide support for the broader community, and students will be able to contribute and participate while adhering to social distance guidelines. Students will continue to perform community service hours with organizations and use methods that adhere to social distance guidelines as allowable.

What is the deadline for the Class of 2022 to complete Service Hours?

The service hour requirement deadline for the Class of 2022 will be extended until at least September 2021. Depending on the length of social distancing restrictions we will reassess the deadlines for all grades as needed.