On Thursday, Sept. 3, the Ohio Department of Health issued an order encouraging families and requiring schools and local health departments to report information about positive COVID-19 cases in children. The goals of the order are to provide communities with information to minimize the further transmission of COVID-19 and to allow local health officials to begin timely contact tracing. Parents/guardians are being asked to report to St. Benedict Catholic School, via phone 216-662-9380 or email to Mrs. Oriti at loriti@stbenedictohio.com, new positive COVID-19 cases for their children enrolled, from preschool-aged through grade 8, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8. St. Benedict Catholic School will then notify affected students/parents (in same classroom and building if applicable) and the Cuyahoga County Health Department within 24 hours of learning of student and/or staff cases.
Prior to coming to school each and every day, parents must conduct a health check of their child to assess whether the child is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms include: Fever over 100° F, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and/or diarrhea.
All students will have temperature screenings daily before entering the building using infrared thermometers. Any child exhibiting a temperature with 100° or higher will not be permitted in school. Children must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Families and staff members must notify the school if they have been exposed to COVID-19 and are quarantined, or if a family member has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or is being isolated.
Personnel and students with known exposure to someone with diagnosed COVID-19 must self-quarantine at home for fourteen (14) days.
Children who are ill with Covid-19 type symptoms will be isolated in the COVID Clinic while waiting for pick up. Pick up will occur along the bus driveway. Contact the school upon arrival, and your child will be brought to your car. Have a reliable pick-up alternative in the event you are unable to pick-up yourself.
Hand sanitizing stations are provided at all school entrances, high traffic areas, and in classrooms. Signage is in place throughout the building to remind students.
All faculty and staff are required to wear face masks. Students in grades K - 8 are required to wear face masks in school, with the exception of lunch. Face masks must be school appropriate. Face shields and “gator face coverings” are NOT acceptable substitutes. Masks may not be traded.
Extra disposable face masks are available through the classroom teacher.
Hands will be washed following recess and prior to eating lunch.
Scheduled restroom breaks and mask breaks will occur. Students will be distanced in the bathrooms during these breaks. If the restroom is needed at other times, visible prompts will be in effect, allowing not more than four (4) students in a bathroom. Students will be reminded about hand washing. Hands will be sanitized every time a child enters a classroom.
Classrooms, as well as all high-contact areas of the building commonly used, will be cleaned and sanitized daily. Common areas, such as banisters, door handles, and bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized frequently throughout each day.
Classroom windows and doors will remain open for ventilation.
Students will use their own supplies, manipulatives and books. Lockers will not be used.
Students are to bring water bottles to school. Drinking fountains will be closed, but water bottles may be refilled as needed at the water fountains.
Students will eat lunch in their classrooms. School lunches will be brought directly to the classrooms.
Classroom teachers will be changing classrooms, not the students. Teachers are encouraged to take their classes outside as weather permits.
Visitors are not permitted in the school building, unless an appointment as been made in advance. This begins on Thursday; parents will not be permitted to take children to their classrooms.
Regarding uniform: For the entire month of October, in-person students may wear their P.E. uniforms with tennis shoes, St. Benedict Spirit Wear with tennis shoes, uniform walking shorts with polos and school shoes, or the regular school uniform. The online Handbook has more information.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Arrival by Car:
Temperature checks will be conducted by school personnel before students exit the vehicles.
Remain in line until the vehicles in front of you move. Please do not line jump!
It is a good idea to not be running the heater excessively, causing the child to because overheated on the way to school
If your child appears to be running a temperature, you will be asked to pull over and we will conduct a second temperature reading after waiting a few minutes
Students may begin arriving at 7:30am. Since arrival will take longer due to temperature checks, please plan ahead.
Arrival by Walking
Students in Gr. 1-3: Use the Main Entrance. Temperatures will be taken.
Students in Gr. 4-5: Use the Gym Entrance by the playground. Temperatures will be taken.
Students in Gr. 6-8: Use the Driveway Entrance by the Parish Office
Dismissal by Car:
Drivers should wait by their vehicles
1st/2nd Floor: Dismissed alphabetically, beginning at 2:40 PM