Students are expected to be in school every day. However, we know that illness – especially in the current situation – may prevent students from attending on one or more days. Students who are asked to stay home as a result of a positive COVID test, need to quarantine because of a COVID exposure, or who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID, must communicate with Dr. Cassidy. (As per the school policy, students who would like to miss 3 or more days for any reason – other than medical or a school-sponsored trip – must clear this through Mrs. Tuorto and Dr. Lamourt before making any plans).

All students should have access to classroom materials and assignments through Google Classroom. In addition, if a student is going to miss one or more days of school, the student should reach out to each of his/her teachers to notify them of their absence and confirm any assignments. There is no virtual option for classes at this time.

Masks: Masks are required everyday indoors. Masks may be removed when outdoors. Masks are also required in school vehicles.

• If the mask requirement is dropped at some point, SBP may implement a mask requirement at any time during the school year if there is an increased threat of COVID-19 - or other viral infections - being spread in the community.
• Masks must be worn properly - tightly covering the nose and mouth completely. Masks should be made of cotton or cotton beads, breathable, and be 2-3 layers thick. Masks with exhalation valves or vents, bandanas, and neck gaiters are not acceptable. Plastic face shields are not acceptable alternatives. Please see the guidance from the CDC for more information on masks.

Distancing/Room Set-up: Students should be seated 3-6 feet apart and facing the same direction whenever possible. Podding of desks or grouping of students around tables is not recommended at this time. However, the instructional needs of the classroom should be factored into any decision about space set up or distancing in the classroom.

Daily Symptoms Check: We will continue to require students and faculty to complete the daily symptoms checklist on Magnus. The checklist has been updated to reflect the current guidance. All students will continue to check their temperature using our facial scanners upon arrival.

Hand Sanitizing Stations: Sanitizing stations will continue to be made available in all classrooms and in many locations throughout the school.

General operating hours: SBP will return to our full open and operational status. Breakfast will be available beginning at 7:00 AM.

• Elementary Division students will enter through the William St. HAB gate next to the Library and gather in the library. The gate will be open from 7:15 - 8:00 each morning. Students who arrive before or after this time should use the 520 entrance.
• Middle Division students will enter through the Williams St. gate next to St. Mary's Hall. The gate will be open from 7:15 - 8:00 each morning. Students who arrive before or after this time should use the 520 entrance.
• Girls Prep Division students will enter through the Glass Doors that lead to the Auditorium and gather in in the Commons. The doors will be open from 7:15 - 8:00 each morning. Students who arrive before or after this time should use the 520 entrance.
• Boys Prep Division students will enter through the 520 entrance anf gather in the Cafeteria/Shanley Gym.

Convocation: During Summer Phase, Convo was held outside for the Prep Divisions and in the Church for the Middle Division. For the fall, it is expected that we will return to inside convocation:

• Boys Prep Division: Shanley Gym or Dalton Gym.
• Girls Prep Division: Auditorium.
• Middle Division: St. Mary's Church.

Symptoms: Any students who arrive with symptoms similar to COVID-19 will be immediately instructed to return home or moved to an isolated area if they can not leave immediately. Students who have a temperature above 100.0 on the facial scanner will be re-checked with an oral thermometer if there are no other symptoms. If they still have a fever, they will be sent home immediately. A rapid Antigen test may be administered with parental permission.

Nurse: The nurse's office has been moved back to the cafeteria with extra space built in. There is space for isolating students with COVID symptoms.

Testing: In the Fall, we intend to begin randomized testing of unvaccinated students. Faculty/staff and Athletes who are unvaccinated are required to be tested weekly. More details about that testing will be provided to specific groups. We will conduct rapid testing - with parental permission - of anyone showing possible symptoms of COVID-19.

Cafeteria / Meals: Grab and Go breakfast will be made available at all entrances around 7:00 AM.
For Lunch: Elementary Division students will receive and eat lunch in their classrooms. Middle Division students will eat in the cafeteria. Prep Division students will usually eat in the cafeteria, but may have days of lunch in classrooms.

Visitors/Parents/Alumni: We welcome visitors, parents, and alumni who have a specific purpose to be on the property. All visitors must follow the same symptoms checks as outlined above. Virtual meetings with parents and other visitors are still possible.

Lockers and Locker Rooms: Lockers will be available to students to the extent possible. Students are still encouraged to bring as little as possible to school each day. Students are also encouraged to bring all items home each day - leaving nothing in their lockers overnight.

St. Benedict's has now obtained a CLIA Waiver from the State of NJ to be able to perform certain medical tests without having to go through another healthcare provider or lab. To that end, we can now conduct COVID-19 rapid tests on our own. We have been doing this for months now and it has helped to keep us safe through the Backpacking Project, the Overnights, and our recent COVID cases. We will continue to perform rapid testing before major events that will have students in close proximity for long periods of time. In addition, we will use our rapid testing to check students who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID with parental permission. Finally, we may use our rapid tests to perform randomized testing of unvaccinated students.

St. Benedict's athletics and activities are up and running at full strength. We will contniue to work to make the practice and competitions as safe as possible. We will follow all guidance issued by the NJSIAA and any other governing bodies.

Unvaccinated students will be required to quarantine if they come into contact with a COVID positive person. This means that the student will have to miss several days of practice or meetings while on their quarantine. Anyone who tests positive for COVID, regardless of vaccination status, will have to isolate.

All HVAC units have upgraded HEPA filters which are rated to filter out 99% of all pathogens in the air. In addition, simple fans and hepa filters have been put in all classrooms and public spaces to additionally filter the air.

Upon notification of a possible or confirmed case of COVID, the individual will be isolated and removed from school ASAP. Any students suspected of having close contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or longer) will be asked to quarantine for a minimum of 7 days (provided they receive a negative COVID test on day 5 or later). Others - regardless of vaccination status - who may have been exposed (same classroom, locker room, or other spaces) but not necessarily in close contact will be asked to undergo rapid testing on one or more occasions in the days following the potential exposure. Parents will be required to grant permission before any testing is done. Any student who does not submit to testing may be asked to quarantine as outlined above.

Updated guidance from the State of NJ says that students may not need to quarantine as a result of an exposure if all of the students have consistently and correctly worn their masks. We will evaluate whether or not this guidance applies to each situation.

We will not be making notifications to the entire community of every COVID case. However, we will provide updates on a regular basis to keep everyone informed of the health of the community.

All Leahy House residents are requried to be vaccinated.

Everyone who comes on the Monastic grounds of Newark Abbey and St. Benedict's Prep MUST fill out our Daily COVID-19 Checklist.

Those who have Magnus Health account, MUST do so by logging into their portal (watch how-to video).

Back to School Message from Fr. Edwin
July 2021

The best way to stop the spread of any virus is to prevent it from moving from one person to another. According to the best available information, the best way to avoid transmission of the coronavirus is to wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Since the virus seems to be spread primarily through contact with contaminated surfaces, this is the single most important thing people can do to stop the spread. To that end, we are encouraging everyone to:

• Wash Hands: Wash hands frequently throughout the day. Vigorously scrub hands (especially fingers) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching face: Avoid touching eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
• Carry tissues: Coughing or sneezing into tissue is more sanitary than clothing.
• Wash clothing: Frequent washing of clothing (especially school hoodies) is important for general hygiene. (Please note: if people are coughing or sneezing into their clothing, the clothing is now contaminated.)
• Clean phones, computer keyboards, headphones / airpods and other electronic equipment regularly. Check with manufacturers about proper ways to disinfect equipment without damaging it.