Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Any student who displays any symptom of illness will be sent home. PLEASE do not send an ill child to school. In the past, it has been possible to care for students with certain low-level illnesses and have them remain in school. This is NOT the case at this time. Symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and nausea are all reasons to keep your child home and observe for 24 hours. If the symptoms continue or worsen, keep the student home and contact your child’s health care provider. If a student presents to a staff member with these complaints or symptoms, they MUST go home. Please have a backup plan in the event your child needs to be picked up from school – we CANNOT send an ill student home on the bus! Multiple symptoms will determine the need for you to take your student for a COVID-19 test.
If a student attending in-person learning needs to be absent due to health concerns, they MAY log in virtually to the classroom to participate instruction and be marked present for the day!
2. Please contact Mrs. Lanier at klanier@bcps.org or at 443-809-7954 if your student is being tested for COVID-19 or there is a positive test result in a household member. Direct contact quarantine must be followed. If a positive case is determined at Mays Chapel, Office of Health Services will assist for contact tracing and contacting affected families, as well as assist us in informing the school community.
3. Hand sanitizer will be readily available in the building, as well as having the opportunity to wash hands using soap and water. Students will wash their hands when entering the classroom upon arrival, as well as when returning from lunch, recess, and special areas. Students ARE permitted to bring their own hand sanitizer.
4. Students should pack extra masks when coming to school. If a mask gets soiled, wet, breaks, etc. the student will readily have a backup. Teachers will also have a small supply of replacement masks for students.
5. Water fountains will not be operational at this time; therefore we ask that all students bring a water bottle to school.
6. To maintain 6-feet social distancing, student lockers will not be in use. To reduce clutter, we ask that the only items brought to school be a necessity for you child’s school day. All items will remain at student desks.
7. Students leaving the classroom to use the bathroom will be monitored to assure that proper social distancing can take place. This also applies to assigned seating and distancing in the cafeteria.
8. If a student requires nursing intervention, a staff member will contact the nurse before sending the child to the health suite. Necessary care will be determined at that time. All teachers will have an advanced first-aid kit for basic needs that do not require an injury or illness assessment, thus reducing health suite visits and the chance of illness exposure.
9. Students WILL go outside, weather permitting. To prevent cross-contamination, we cannot allow students to borrow coats and outdoor gear. Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately! If your student needs a winter coat, please email Lori Counsell, our school counselor at lcounsell@bcps.org
10. Our Building Operations Supervisor and her team have been working tirelessly to maintain the highest level possible of cleaning and sanitation. Appropriate signs have been posted around the building, including markers on floors to maintain social distancing. Rooms will be cleaned every evening, and high-touch areas throughout the school will be cleaned on an ongoing basis throughout the day. Classroom materials, equipment, and plexiglass dividers will be cleaned daily.
We greatly appreciate the cooperation of everyone as we reopen schools for hybrid learning. With the collaboration of our school staff, administration, service providers, and our families, we look forward to a successful re-entry to Mays Chapel!
Should you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Lanier, school nurse at klanier@bcps.org or call the health suite directly at 443-809-7954.
