Hinei mah tov u'mah na'eem, shevet achim gam yachad
How good and how pleasant it is for us to be together.
Our tradition teaches, Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh, the entire community is responsible for one another. Indeed, each of our individual actions can have a direct impact on our larger Senesh community. By leading with empathy, and in the spirit of moving from “me” to “we”, we ask for every member of our community to commit to the health, safety, and success of the 2020-21 school year by getting a COVID-19 test before the start of school and by following a set of community guidelines.
|
|
COVID-19 Testing
Senesh is partnering with PM Pediatrics as a COVID-19 testing resource and site. PM Pediatrics is an urgent care facility with a Cobble Hill location less than a mile from the school where Senesh will have a dedicated contact to facilitate efficient scheduling and testing for both students and staff.
PM Pediatrics is currently offering the nasal swab (PCR) COVID-19 test with a 2.4 day turnaround time. HIPAA waiver forms signed by parents and faculty will allow the school to collect real-time test results. PM Pediatrics in Cobble Hill will have hours dedicated to Senesh students on September 2nd and 3rd from 9am-noon. Alternate times for appointments can be set directly with PM pediatrics. Test results will be available before school starts the following week and sent directly to school.
PM Pediatrics requires a telehealth screening when they will ask about symptoms, travel, and potential COVID exposure prior to giving the COVID-19 test. We will send information soon about who to contact at PM Pediatrics to schedule the telehealth screening and subsequent COVID-19 test. The cost of the screening and test will be covered by the student’s health insurance. PM Pediatrics takes many kinds of insurance.
Families may opt to utilize other testing facilities and send their results to Director of Operations Nathalie Cabot at ncabot@hannahsenesh.org. If you are testing at a site other than PM Pediatrics, please take account that testing times may vary greatly and parents should account for longer turnaround times, but please make sure your test is done between August 31st and September 3rd.
No child will be allowed to begin school without proof of a negative COVID-19 test that is dated no earlier than Monday, August 31st. Staff will also be tested prior to their return to Senesh. Following testing, all members of our community are expected to abide by the Senesh Community Guidelines noted below. This is the best way for all of us to begin the year together and keep our children in school.
Please note, this year we will require flu shots for all students. PM Pediatrics will also offer flu shots to Senesh students. We will update you when flu shots become available.
We appreciate your partnership and collaboration in keeping our community safe and healthy.
|
|
SENESH COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
We know that every household has adopted various behaviors in response to the threat of COVID-19. Our goal is to keep our community safe and our children in school. We hope these guidelines offer us a singular roadmap to follow so that all of us - parents, students, and staff - feel as safe and comfortable as possible and mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in our community. We will be organizing meetings by pods so that parents can discuss these guidelines together and agree on how to practice them in a way that is comfortable and safe for all. We are grateful knowing that each family and staff member will hold themselves accountable and ensure the overall well being of our community.
MASKS
-
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
GROUPS
- Limit playdates to one-on-one interactions to ensure social distancing is possible and ensure children are masked.
-
Avoid group gatherings. This includes multi-family get-togethers, group playdates and sleepovers, team sports, and birthday parties.
-
Limit your own interactions with adults outside your household; always social distance and wear a mask.
OUTDOOR SPACE
-
Choose outdoor activities over indoor activities whenever possible.
- Use masks and practice social distancing
TRANSPORTATION
-
If carpooling, wear masks, ride with windows open, and leave space between passengers.
-
If using public transportation, wear a mask, wash hands/use hand sanitizer after exiting, and leave space between people to allow for physical distancing.
-
Follow the NY State Travel Advisories regarding necessary quarantines following travel to states on the list.
ILLNESS
-
Provide accurate and timely submission of daily morning health screenings.
-
Keep children home from school if they have any symptoms of illness.
HYGIENE
-
Model and practice hand hygiene: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and/or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
-
We would strongly prefer Senesh families only participate in virtual extracurricular activities for the fall semester.
-
Should you choose to participate in in-person extracurricular activities, please take all precautions (masks, distancing, sanitizing) and be advised that contact with a positive case from an extracurricular activity will result in a 14-day quarantine.
HOUSEHOLD
-
Caregivers, babysitters, nannies, and cleaners who live outside of your home, should wear masks and practice social distancing and good hygiene. If possible limit the number of people you have working with your family.
WELLNESS
-
Schedule visits to health care providers to make sure their children stay up-to-date on well child visits that include routine and mandatory vaccines including for the flu.
-
Model a positive attitude with your children. Their emotional well-being is ours to protect and we know that children are greatly influenced by their family’s behaviors and attitudes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
