Fall 2021 • COVID-19

Action Plan & Protocol

WSMF Families may use this link to CONFIDENTIALLY report a positive COVID test result. Once submitted, the main office will follow up regarding procedures. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our community safe.

As we have engaged in the planning of opening Waldorf School at Moraine Farm in for the 2021/2022 academic year, we are being guided by four priorities:

  • Commitment: Our focus – first and foremost – is committing to the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. 
  • Care: Ensuring that we are following the local and state guidelines for reopening, while keeping taking additional steps to care for and honor our values and people.
  • Curriculum: Creating academic opportunities for each of our students and implementing best practices in teaching and learning for our students, whether they are in the classroom, or at home.
  • Community: Striving to preserve traditions, milestones, and touchstones for our community and our shared spirits.

With those as our guiding priorities, it is likely that as the information on COVID-19 in our state and region evolves, schools will need to be prepared to transition from one scenario to another quickly, efficiently, and thoughtfully. 

We are ready for all possibilities and will continue to be in close communication with families not only throughout the summer and fall, but also moving forward, to keep you abreast of any shifts and plans we should prepare for and implement. 

In order to determine the best way forward, Waldorf School at Moraine Farm will continue to monitor the evolution of the local, regional, and national reopening efforts, as well as the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and local health officials.

We look forward to a healthy and whole school year, and to working together in the best interest of our school. 


Our Commitment to

You


Our focus, first and foremost, is the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We are planning our efforts based on the guidance of local and national health guidelines for continued containment and mitigation of COVID-19. As we adapt to this dynamic public health situation, we are also collaborating with school leaders locally, and nationally in order to benefit from their knowledge and expertise. 

We are committed to you. Our teams are continually researching to answer our community’s questions and modifying our plans to meet the changing situation.

Our Commitment to

Care

We have carefully read and acted on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines and will be taking the following action for the start of the 2021-2022 school year:

 

Our Building & Campus

 

Aftercare and Daily Schedule

  • We will continue to offer aftercare
  • Our daily schedule will remain the same

School Layout and Re-Design

  • Restructuring classroom spaces and indoor protocols to promote healthy distance between all that are present in the school building at all times.
  • In accordance with DESE guidelines, we will assure a minimum space of 3 feet apart, when 6 feet can’t be achieved, apart for desks
  • Reinforcing social distancing guidelines with one-way stairwells, and gentle signage reminders
  • Increasing facility ventilation, regularly performing HVAC inspections, and changing filters on an increased basis.

Outdoor Classrooms

  • All classes will be spending increased time outside
  • Engineering outdoor classrooms, outdoor spaces, and our outdoor curriculum to maximize the time on our natural campus

Cleaning & Disinfecting

 

  • Additional hand washing and sanitizing stations in key areas throughout the campus
  • Increasing and deepening our continuous, daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning protocols using approved CDC guidelines
    • Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the building will be performed at the end of each school day.
    • Classes will have all hard surfaces wiped down at least once per day.

Cleaning & Disinfecting

 

  • Additional hand washing and sanitizing stations in key areas throughout the campus
  • Increasing and deepening our continuous, daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning protocols using approved CDC guidelines
    • Handrails, door handles, surfaces, light switches, etc. will be disinfected continuously throughout the day. 
    • All chairs, desks, and otherwise regularly touched surfaces will be cleaned with appropriate disinfectant wipes before and after each class/use. 
    • Toilets and sinks will be cleaned multiple times per day; users will be encouraged to wipe down all surfaces touched before and after use of facilities. 
    • Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the building will be performed at the end of each school day. 
    • Faculty will disinfect classroom supplies and material between use  

Parent Protocols

Communication

  • To limit exposure, no adult visitors or parents/guardians
    will be allowed to enter the school building between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm without an appointment. All visitors will need to sign into a log book and answer a paper COVID questionnaire if they haven’t already filled out MyMedBot online.

  • Parents/guardians/visitors can contact the school by:

    • In-person: speaking to staff/faculty outside in the quad

    • Emailing: info@waldorfmoraine.org

    • Calling the front office: 978-927-8811

    • Meetings: video-conferencing and phone calls

  • WSMF will publish a weekly newsletter to share upcoming events,
    happenings, and updates to the greater community.

  • WSMF will publish a weekly email announcement with
    relevant information specific to the current school community.

Drop off

  • Modified morning greeting
  • Reengineering drop off & pick up to reduce the number of people in the building
    • Drive up drop off for grades 1-8 students
    • Walk up drop off for nursery and kindergarten students
  • Limiting parent access to the school building

Pick Up

  • Nursery and kindergarten end of day circle will continue with students (without parents)
  • Each grade waits in designated spots on the quad with their class teacher, as usual.
    • Faculty will coordinate to bring each child to their car

Student Protocols

 

  • Increased handwashing/hand sanitizing protocols
      • upon arrival to school
      • before eating and after eating
      • after using the restroom
  • Interaction between class groups
    • eliminating school-wide lunches
    • limited shared playground spaces
    • eliminating indoor school-wide assemblies

Student Protocols

 

  • Increased handwashing/hand sanitizing protocols
      • upon arrival to school
      • before eating and after eating
      • before putting on and taking off masks
      • before dismissal
  • Interaction between class groups
    • eliminating school-wide lunches
    • limited shared playground spaces
    • eliminating school-wide assemblies

Personal Protective Equipment 

 

Wearing masks, gloves, and face shields as required and appropriate, in accordance with health and safety guidelines.

Faculty PPE requirements

  • Faculty, staff, and all adults will be required to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth while inside the school working with a student group.

  • Faculty and staff are not required, but may choose, to wear a mask while outside – this decision is at discretion of the faculty member

 

Student PPE requirements

  • In early childhood classes

    • Students in Nursery are not required to wear a mask while inside or outside the building – this decision is at the discretion of the family and will be supported by the teachers.

    • Students in Kindergarten are not required to wear a mask while outside the building – this decision is at the discretion of the family and will be supported by the teachers. They are required when inside the building. 

  • Students in grades 1 through 8, are required to wear masks while inside the school building

    • When students are inside the school, 3-6 feet apart, with a source of fresh air (e.g. an open window), mask breaks may be implemented at the discretion of the faculty member

  • Students in grades 1-8 are not required to wear a mask when outside.

Our Commitment to

Curriculum

The faculty are using best practices to develop robust academic plans that hold true to the core of Waldorf teaching. Our current work involves:

  • Continued utilization of our 220 acres of natural land and resources.
  • Continued curriculum robustness, delivery, and integrity. 
  • Providing curricular materials to families who may have children at home for periods of time.
  • Assessment of student developmental skills and needs.
  • Providing students with social and emotional support.

Please direct any questions to info@waldorfmoraine.org.