UPDATED September 22, 2021
Contact Department: Upper School and Lower School
Oversight Executive: Upper School Principal & Lower School Principal
Scope: These required protocols apply to Upper School, Lower School, child care, and athletics.
Definition of Terms:
Cohort: An assigned group of students.
Primary Cohort: The assigned cohort that an ISI student will be grouped with for activities throughout the school day. ISI will assign all students to a primary cohort based on their grade level. Students may be assigned to additional cohorts based on specific academic programming or participation in childcare, enrichment, and athletics.
Policy Statement: Though increasing numbers of individuals in the United States are receiving Covid-19 vaccines, a high rate of coronavirus transmission persists and there are a number of students in our school community who remain ineligible to receive the vaccination. To mitigate serious health risks to our school community, the following guiding principles have been established and will remain in effect until further notice:
- Cohorts have been established with the goal of limiting the number of individuals any student is exposed to while on campus, while creating the best framework for academic instruction and for social interactions with peers.
- All lower school and upper school students are grouped in primary cohorts by grade level (not class or language track).
- Additional cohorts are permitted for childcare, learning support, upper school language classes, x-block, and athletics.
- Intermingling of cohorts is restricted. Lower school and upper school cohorts will not associate for school events and athletics.
- Classrooms and programming spaces are structured so individuals can remain three to six feet apart, observing social distancing best practices when possible.
- Use of shared and specialist spaces (e.g. cafeterias, gyms, music rooms, libraries) is now permitted, but with limitations on capacity, and with preference given to a single cohort using a space at any given time.
Reason for Policy:
1. Provides guidance on how cohorts will be structured.
2. Aids in contact tracing should it be needed.
Procedures:
1. Cohorts will be structured as follows until further notice:
| Grade Level | Maximum Cohort Size | Cohort Structure |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Year Old | 42 students |
For most of the school day, students remain in their assigned classroom with their class of 14 students (maximum). Students participate in specialist classes in specialist spaces. Lunch served buffet-style in the Lower School cafeteria with the primary cohort. Recess is outside when possible with the primary cohort. Students may be assigned to an additional cohort, not to exceed six students in their grade level, for academic interventions. |
| Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten | 48 students |
For most of the school day, students remain in their assigned classroom with their class of 16 students (maximum). Students participate in specialist classes in specialist spaces. Lunch served buffet-style in the Lower School cafeteria with the primary cohort. Recess is outside when possible with the primary cohort. Students may be assigned to an additional cohort, not to exceed six students in their grade level, for academic interventions. |
| Grades 1 to 5 | 54 students |
For most of the school day, students remain in their assigned classroom with their class of 18 students (maximum). Students participate in specialist classes in specialist spaces. Lunch served buffet-style in the Lower School cafeteria with the primary cohort. Recess is outside when possible with the primary cohort. Students may be assigned to an additional cohort, not to exceed six students in their grade level, for academic interventions. |
| Grades 6 to 7 | 40 students |
Students will be grouped by grade-level cohorts in assigned classrooms or communal spaces for most of the school day, except for language classes and x-block. Students and faculty move between classrooms freely. PE will be held outside when possible or in the Blackwell gym. Middle School students will be served lunch buffet-style in Blackwell with seating in designated areas by primary cohort.
|
| Grades 8 to 10 | 50 students |
Students will be grouped by grade-level cohorts in assigned classrooms or communal spaces for most of the school day, except for language classes and x-block. Students and faculty move between classrooms freely. PE will be held outside when possible or in the Blackwell gym. Middle School students will be served lunch buffet-style in Blackwell with seating in designated areas by primary cohort. Lunch served buffet-style in the Taurel Cafeteria with seating in designated areas by primary cohort. |
| Grades 11 and 12 | 50 students |
Students will be grouped by grade-level cohorts in assigned classrooms or communal spaces for most of the school day, except for language classes and x-block. Students and faculty move between classrooms freely. PE will be held outside when possible or in the gymnasium. Lunch served buffet-style in the Taurel Cafeteria with seating in designated areas by primary cohort. |
| Child Care | Dependent on Registration |
Child care cohorts will be assigned by grade level with a focus on grouping students in a consistent cohort for the duration of the session. Supervised play will happen in a designated location in the building or outside. |
| Enrichment | Dependent on Registration | Enrichment classes function as a cohort during the assigned session. |
| Athletics | Dependent on Registration | Each athletic team will function as a cohort for the duration of the season. |
2. Primary cohort facility assignments are designed to ensure students can be spaced six feet apart if required, in all facilities during all programming with 100% of students on campus.
Related Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html