Dear Parents:
As we move into the Labor Day holiday, I know many—if not all—of you are awaiting a health update. I am happy to report that, as a direct result of your efforts and cooperation, Bayside Academy has remained COVID-free for the first few weeks of school. It is rewarding to see how successful we have been up to this point in dealing with COVID-19, and it is wonderful news that we have had zero positive cases on campus thus far. Thankfully, we have only had 40 students temporarily isolated or quarantined due to symptoms since the start of school. As we head into the long holiday weekend, we need to remain mindful of maintaining health and safety measures so we can continue on this trajectory. It is my hope that we sustain this success once we return next week.
We understand that to measure the risk/prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, two of the primary metrics that medical professionals look at are cases per day and positivity rates. If a county has declining new cases for more than 14 days, they are considered low risk, and positivity rates of less than 10% (or a significant decrease in the percentage positive) would be considered safe. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Baldwin County currently has a low positivity rate, and cases in Baldwin County have been in a downward trajectory for 14+ days, so we are currently in a low risk category.
We are grateful for the declining rate of new cases in our area and for the success we have had here at Bayside. However, the administration, Board of Trustees, and our Medical Advisory Task Force believe it is not yet safe to change from Operating Mode ORANGE.
Your hard work is allowing us to make some adjustments to Operating Mode ORANGE to allow for a more “normal” environment while still maintaining a safe atmosphere for our students and staff. The list below shows some restrictions that will be loosened within ORANGE:
• Upper School
- All 9-12 students will return to campus full-time (5 days per week) beginning the week of September 14 should prevalence at Bayside remain low next week.
- Clubs will begin meetings after Labor Day, beginning with a virtual club fair. Clubs will meet on a staggered schedule and will be able to meet in-person and abide by social distancing guidelines.
- We are working with 12th graders to brainstorm senior privileges and what we may be able to do for them since traditional privileges are not feasible during Operating Mode ORANGE.
• Intermediate School
- Students may exit their cars at 7:40 a.m. Students will wait outside the door closest to their classroom wearing face coverings and maintaining social distance.
- 3rd grade: Front first-floor entry
- 4th grade: North first-floor entry
- 5th grade: North second-floor entry
- 6th grade: Front second-floor entry
- We will begin to allow limited student movement for fifth and sixth grade between teacher's classrooms for core classes. Teachers have trained students on directional hallways, entrances, and exits.
- Fifth and sixth grade students may use lockers in the hallway. Lockers have been assigned in a staggered system by homeroom, and only one homeroom will go to the lockers at a time. Locker setup day will be Thursday, September 10.
- In third and fourth grade, students will begin to go to the art room for art classes. Other enrichment classes will be taught in person (rather than virtually) in their homerooms.
- In fifth and sixth grade, students will attend performing arts and band classes in the enrichment teachers' classrooms. Art and Spanish will be taught in person (rather than virtually) in homerooms. Additionally, classes will alternate eating lunch in the SAC with four students per table.
• Lower School
- Classes will be split in half for enrichment, allowing teachers to teach in person rather than virtually.
- Students will move to PE, STEAM, and music.
- Classes will play together on the playground rather than one class at a time.
• Athletics
- Homecoming will be postponed from the current September 25 date in hopes that some activities may be able to take place.
- Our athletic attendance policy at home events is in compliance with AHSAA requirements. Given the size of our athletic venues, this should allow for at least two immediate family members of the athletes competing in the event to attend. Any additional seating that would be available would be given to Boosters Club members. All requirements for face coverings and social distancing still apply.
Additionally, we are excited to inform you that afternoon enrichment programs and YDL offerings are starting up for our Lower and Intermediate School students.
With the Labor Day weekend upon us, we believe it is necessary to remain in this modified version of ORANGE for at least the next two weeks. We have set the date of September 18 to revisit our current status. Division Heads will be sending more detailed information regarding these plans. Please remember to follow all social distancing guidelines over the long weekend so that we can have a safe return to campus following the holiday.
Respectfully,
