Mustangs (re)Unite 2.0
Current Learning Model
February 22
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P-4 Students on Campus
-
5-12 Students in Hybrid model
Upcoming Changes
- P-4 Students on Campus
- Grades 5 and 12 return to full on campus in early March (Goal transition date is March 1)
- Grades 6-11 in Hybrid model
February 1 Compliance Team Update
From the COVID Compliance Team at Breck
February 1, 2021
At the February 1, 2021, Compliance Update with Dr. Anderson and Dr. Hernández, they shared the below guidelines for Breck community travel. To view this presentation in full, click on the video above.
Off-Campus Expectations
The safety of our on-campus community is dependent on our individual off-campus behaviors. We know that the risk of COVID-19 is everywhere. Regardless of location, we are asking that Breck community members abide by the following protocols at all times as doing so will mitigate risk off campus and thereby on our campus.
- Wear a mask at all times when outside your home.
- Maintain physical distancing (6+ feet apart) from those not in your immediate family.
- Avoid gatherings of large groups of people.
- Avoid any gatherings where these practices are not being followed.
- Wash hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
If you choose to be in a situation where these protocols cannot be followed, or you find yourself in a situation where these protocols are not followed, we ask that you self quarantine and return to Breck after 7 days and a negative PCR COVID test.
If you are exposed to a lab confirmed positive COVID case, you are asked to contact our health services immediately at healthreporting@breckschool.org. Please know that we are abiding by a 14 day quarantine in the event of exposure to a lab confirmed positive COVID case.
Head of School Letters
Recent Updates
- Learning Models (February 22)
- Posted latest compliances team update and meeting recording
Our instructional models - January 19
Below families can learn more about the instructional model currently offered at Breck as well as our plans moving forward.
Our Current Model - Program Updates by Division
Upper School Program Updates
- Following our design for moving between learning modes
- Daily schedule stays the same
- Additional focus on advisory, tutorial, and community building
Grades 7-8 Program Updates
- Following our design for moving between learning modes
- Daily schedule stays the same
- Additional focus on advisory, tutorial, and community building
Grades 5-6 Program Updates
- Remain in current model
- Breck’s administrative team continues to evaluate
Lower School Program Updates:
As a Lower School team, we’ve begun preparations for moving to distance learning so that we are ready if/when this comes. Our goal is to continue the strong learning experiences we engage our students in when they are in school. Preparations will continue on the upcoming faculty planning days, November 18 and 30. We are fortunate to approach this work with our previous experiences and your feedback from last spring, as well as the design and tech support from our innovation specialists.
Calendar and Schedules
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Breck move to Distance Learning for grades 7-12?
- Why does Lower School have priority to attend school every day when older students cannot?
- What increased measures is Breck taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
- Does my student still need to check-in daily with the ProtectWell app during Distance Learning? What if we currently use a health screening card?
- Will transportation charges be adjusted for the time Breck is in Hybrid mode? Distance learning?
- Will lunch fee credits be issued?
- Athletics?
- Is anyone allowed to come to campus?
- What are Breck's expectations for off-campus activities?
- What was the model at the beginning of the year?
- Does antibody testing eliminate the need to quarantine?
- What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
- After I get my 2nd dose of the vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask?
Why did Breck move to Distance Learning for grades 7-12?
Why does Lower School have priority to attend school every day when older students cannot?
What increased measures is Breck taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Does my student still need to check-in daily with the ProtectWell app during Distance Learning? What if we currently use a health screening card?
Will transportation charges be adjusted for the time Breck is in Hybrid mode? Distance learning?
Will lunch fee credits be issued?
Athletics?
Is anyone allowed to come to campus?
What are Breck's expectations for off-campus activities?
What was the model at the beginning of the year?
Does antibody testing eliminate the need to quarantine?
What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
After I get my 2nd dose of the vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask?
Operating Models Throughout the Year
Our Mustangs (re)Unite plan is built around three main models while allowing for flexibility between them throughout the year. While we want nothing more than to return to normal operations as soon as possible, we will approach the year with the health and safety of our students and community as our priority. It is important to note that we are prepared to increase or decrease student population on campus as the situation allows.
Responsive to community feedback. Driven by research and practice. Built by Breck Faculty.
Levels of Decision Making
Our paramount priority is the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff. As we make decisions, we will lean into:
- Research-based approach
- Prioritize transparent and regular communication
- Effective training and education
- Reducing risk
Below, we have provided a framework for our decision making as we move between models and levels of distance learning and on-campus instruction. While our reopening model accounts for Lower School on campus and 50% capacity of Middle and Upper School, we may increase or decrease the student population on campus based on the below criteria.
Level | External Environment/COVID Conditions | Learning at Breck |
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In all circumstances, we will consider recommendations and/or directives from the CDC, MDH, MDE, and the Governor's office to determine our instructional model. Case counts per 10,000 are as noted by https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/stats/wschool.pdf |
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Mustangs (re)Unite |
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Understanding that we cannot mitigate every risk, we are working hard to create our school community to be as low risk as possible. Students, families, faculty, and staff will need to both assume a level of risk of their own and partner with Breck to proactively mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in their families and homes.
Reducing Risk
A clear understanding of the risk level of our shared environment and our structured response to these risks can provide an increased sense of confidence and calm as we return to educational and work activities over the coming year. Our school environment is considered “medium” risk for exposure to COVID-19 based on authoritative criteria from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Our goal is to use a hierarchy of control measures to further reduce that risk as far as possible so that our shared environment truly becomes a “low” risk environment where people can feel safe and focus on learning and growth. This hierarchy of controls includes:
- Engineering - i.e., building use and ventilation, facility maintenance, and repairs
- Administrative - i.e., reduced class sizes, decreased time in common spaces, and a commitment to physical distancing
- Personal Protective Equipment - i.e., wearing of masks, screening, reduced sharing of supplies
Our Compliance Planning Team is composed of working groups focused on meeting the following goals and objectives:
- Plan and implement strategies for physical distancing and reducing density. This includes, but is not limited to, maximizing usable space, facility zoning (e.g., one-way hallways), facility modifications/layout, and maximizing ventilation
- Plan and implement wellness, health safety, screening and preventative hygiene measures. These measures include increased health staffing, sick bay, screening procedures, building ingress/egress, PPE, hand washing, preventative hygiene, etc.
- Plan and implement cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting protocols in compliance with CDC and MDH guidelines and in consultation with public health experts. Different protocols for different scenarios will be applicable (e.g., if a positive case is reported in a classroom).
Health and Wellness
In order to welcome students back to campus during Breck Summer Programs and again this fall for the start of the academic year, we've made a number of changes to our health and wellness policies. For information relating to Breck Summer Programs, visit their website here. Below are highlights for the start of the academic year. It is not all encompassing and will continue to be updated throughout the summer. For even more information, visit our COVID Handbook below.
Healthy Community
- Family Health Commitment
- Health Screening at Home
- Symptoms-Based Approach
- Testing
- Contact Tracing
- Increased Signage and Health & Wellness Campaigns
- ProtectWell, Health Screening Cards and Health and Wellness Status Tracking
- Protecting High-Risk Students and Staff
- COVID Response Team and Research
Family Health Commitment
Health Screening at Home
Symptoms-Based Approach
Testing
Contact Tracing
Increased Signage and Health & Wellness Campaigns
ProtectWell, Health Screening Cards and Health and Wellness Status Tracking
Protecting High-Risk Students and Staff
COVID Response Team and Research
Healthy Classrooms
Healthy Building
- Ventilation and air flow
- Restroom hygiene
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Designated hallway and common space usage
- Preparing our facilities team
- Remote Learning and Classroom Technology
- Reduced in-person group events and gatherings
Ventilation and air flow
Restroom hygiene
Cleaning and disinfection
Designated hallway and common space usage
Preparing our facilities team
Remote Learning and Classroom Technology
Reduced in-person group events and gatherings
Healthy Programs and Activities
How you can help
As we shared above, the partnership between the school and our families is critical to keeping our community healthy and safe. Here is how you can help at home:
- Monitor your child for symptoms.
- Encourage frequent hand washing and healthy hand washing techniques.
- Avoid large-group gatherings outside of the Breck community.
- Continue regular well-child visits to your pediatrician or healthcare provider.
- Practice wearing a face-covering during family outings and activities in public.
- Monitor your child's mental health by providing space to ask questions and talk freely about COVID-19 and other concerns.
- Connect with our Student Support Team. Our counselors, school nurse, and chaplains are available to help and support students.