School is open, we have students on campus and we have students learning online!
Our first two days have gone well. The decision by the principals to go with a staggered start, only having a limited number of grades come on a day, was a wise choice. We have been able to work on improving our systems including bringing students on to campus, recess, lunch, and dismissal with a smaller number of students.
We had about 120 students on campus on Thursday and about 180 students on Friday. The numbers will increase each day to a peak of about 350 students on campus each day by the end of this week.
We have already started making changes to our protocols, largely for lunch, based on having students on campus and seeing how they behave. The students seem to be tolerating wearing the masks without too much difficulty. The older students have been doing well physically distancing.
Based on my informal poll of students as they leave, the children are happy to be back at school.
I would like to remind parents of a few things.
1. Remember to take your child(ren)’s temperature every day before school and ask if they have any of the Covid-19 symptoms. Students or parents cannot come to campus if they have a fever or other Covid-19 symptoms. The daily checklist is attached in English and French.
2. Students should not arrive on campus before 8:00 am. The classrooms are not open and we are not able to supervise them as we have in the past. We are accepting students early this week, but starting on September 14, students will not be allowed to walk onto campus or get out of their cars until 8:00 am.
3. The campus is open from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm for students in grades 6 to 12 by themselves or younger students with a parent or caretaker. Masks are required entering and leaving campus. You may remove your masks if you are with your household group and well away (more than 2 meters) from other people.
A reminder to parents and students using the pool, you must wear a mask if you are in the pool area but not swimming. You should not wear a mask in the water.
I am thrilled to have students on campus. In order for us to continue to have classes on campus, it is everyone’s responsibility to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
1. Wear a mask
2. Physically distance
3. Wash or sanitize
4. Stay home when ill
On Monday afternoon, the campus lost all internet service. In communicating with our vendor, we learned that their system was down and they were working to fix the issue. Internet was restored on campus by 4:45 pm. We are sorry for the loss of the online lessons during this time.
Thanks,
Alan
Alan Knobloch, Director International School of Dakar