RETURNING TO SCHOOL
​2020-2021
In developing our plan to return to school, we have studied the health recommendations for schools, reviewed the plans of schools similar to LLS, sought the input of our host churches, considered your feedback, established an LLS Health Director, and—most importantly—we have called upon the Lord for wisdom. We know that this year will involve inconveniences for us all, but they are small in comparison to the benefits of our students returning to school in person.
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To help us implement the plan below, we are pleased to have Dr. Debra Nickell joining our staff. Dr. Nickell is a Physician Assistant and earned her Ph.D. in Health Communication and an M.B.A. in Health Services Management. Dr. Nickell will be a great help to us so that the teachers and administration may focus on their primary task of educating our students.

We hope and pray that these inconveniences will be temporary and that the need will recede as the year progresses, in which case we will revise and update as we go along. This will be a year for flexibility all around! No human plan is perfect, but we seek your consideration of the one below in light of a mutual desire for our halls to be filled again with the joy of students and teachers, and for our classrooms to be filled with the nurture of our children—mind, body, and soul.
Foundations for our decision-making
1. We will first and foremost submit to Biblical authority and wisdom.
  •  Fear is not to be the basis for our decisions. (John 14:27; Psalms 56:3; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Chronicles 20:15)
  •  We are to obey God and respect authority. (Romans 13:1-6; Titus 3:1-2; Psalms 118:8-9)
  • We live in a fallen world. (Romans 8:20-23)
 
2. We will pursue the mission of school.
 
3. We will consider recommendations from reputable sources—for example, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), WHO (World Health Organization), KDE (Kentucky Department of Education).
 
4. We will not use media sources or anecdotal evidence as the basis for decisions.

5. Unique Consideration for LLS:
  • ​LLS already enjoys a 40% decreased risk of exposure due to its three day a week on campus schedule. This also allows for 3-4 days of zero campus contact for both students and faculty.
  • The small size of the student population in general presents much less exposure-risk than most schools.
  • LLS has very small class sizes, allowing for “cohorting” to a much greater degree than most schools.
LLS PRECAUTIONS
1. SCHOOL OPENING
  • The CDC, AAP, and WHO have all recommended opening with in-person classes.
  • Lexington Latin School opens to in-person classes Tuesday, September 8.
  • Opening Ceremony
    • No opening ceremony for the Lower School
    • Modified ceremony for Upper School (still to be determined)

​2. MASKS
  • We will ask all students to wear masks during certain activities as recommended by the CDC. This will include activities where physical distancing is challenging.
  • If you have a reason your student can’t wear a mask, please email the Health Director so we can consider additional precautions: [email protected]
  • Masks should be solid, muted colors without logos.  All students should bring a mask with them and have readily available throughout the day.
  • Parents are encouraged to review the CDC's Recommendations for Masks in Schools.

​3. ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
  • Parents will review the “Lexington Latin School Daily Home Screening Checklist” each morning for each child.  If your child will remain home based on the checklist, follow the reporting instructions on the form. 
  • Masks are strongly recommended: 
    • for arrival and dismissal,
    • while travelling in hallways,   
    • when in close contact with others (< 6ft). 
  • Arrival and dismissal may take longer. 
  • Temperatures for all students and visitors will be taken before entering the building.  
  • Students will move directly to their classrooms or physically distanced spaces upon arrival.
  • Individual pickup locations and procedures are being finalized and will be communicated soon.

4. CLASSROOMS
  • ​LLS classes are small, allowing classes to be seated at least 3' to 6' apart (WHO and AAP guidelines).  Most classes are able to maintain 6’ distancing (CDC guidelines).
  • K-4th grades will be self-contained cohorts and we are arranging schedules to further limit exposure between classes. 
  • 5th-6th grades will be self-contained, excluding Latin and Math. 
  • Students in grades 7-12 will require some class mixing for academic reasons.
  • We will guide students at appropriate times to wear a mask in the classroom. LLS students will be distanced in the classroom and are usually working quietly at their desks therefore masks would not be required. If students are in lines, working at the board, or otherwise working closely with others, masks are strongly recommended.

5. LUNCH
  • Lower School:  In an effort to distance and maintain cohorts, we will spread out tables in the gym or students will eat in their classrooms.  Classes may eat outside as weather permits.
  • Upper School:  Students will be divided into two groups for separate lunch periods:  7th-8th and 9th-12th. Students may eat outside as weather permits. 

6. PARTICULAR CLASSES
  • P.E./Recess
    • P.E./Recess will take place with a single class or cohort;
    • P.E./Recess will be held outside as weather permits. 
    • Parents may direct their children on whether to wear a mask during P.E./Recess.
  • Choir
    • We will begin the school year with music appreciation.  
    • Choir will resume when appropriate.
  • Art
    • Students will have individual supplies and will attend art class in their cohort.

7. RESTROOM BREAKS
  • K-6th classes will be using staggered restroom breaks.
  • 7th-12th students will continue to be given staggered restroom breaks throughout the day to reduce crowding during class changes.

8. HYGIENE & SANITIZATION
  • High touch surfaces will be sanitized regularly.
  • Communal items will be eliminated where possible.
  • Students will be reminded to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
  • Students will use personal water bottles (drinking fountains will be closed). 
  • Proper and frequent handwashing will be encouraged. 

9. ONLINE ACCESS TO CLASSROOMS
  • ​If a student is healthy but quarantined at home, we will try to provide online access to a classroom through Zoom.
  • In K-6th, we will typically only broadcast one teacher per grade.
 
10. SCHOOL / CLASSROOM CLOSURE
  • According to the CDC, “A single case of COVID-19 in a school would not likely warrant closing the entire school, especially if levels of community transmission are not high."
  • Individual classrooms or buildings may close for 2 to 5 days for disinfection and up to 14 days if a student, visitor, or staff member is diagnosed with Covid-19 and was at school within 2 days before showing symptoms.
  • We will alert you by email in the event of a closure.
When Should My Child Stay Home?
Parent Actions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This section will expand over time! Please send your questions to Dr. Nickell: [email protected]
 
Will my child be required to wear a mask all day?
  •  No.  According to CDC and AAP guidelines, it is recommended certain children not wear masks.  It is not required that children wear masks if they are able to practice the recommended physical distancing.  Teachers will guide students when mask wearing is recommended (hallways, working at the board or other areas of potential close contact).
 
My child has been diagnosed with Covid-19. When can he (she) return to school?
  •  Your child may return after at least 24 hours with NO symptoms and NO fever reducing medication. A negative test is not required. 
 
What does “close contact” mean?
  •  Close contact, as defined by the CDC: “For COVID-19, a close contact is defined as anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 48 hours before the person began feeling sick until the time the patient was isolated.”
 
What about travel? 
  •  The Kentucky Department of Public Health Travel Advisory recommends a 14-day self-quarantine for travelers who travelled to certain states.
  • Please check for updated travel advisories prior to travel.  We recommend no travel to advisory states within two weeks of the start of school or during the school year. 
REFERENCES

KEY DOCUMENTS

Click below to download the LLS Daily Home Screening Checklist. 
LLS Daily Home Screening Checklist
File Size: 81 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Click below to download the LLS Plan to Return, outlined above, collected into one document.
LLS Plan to Return (8/18/20)
File Size: 108 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT:

LLS Health Director:
Dr. Nickell
[email protected]
Lower School Office:
(859) 940-7485
[email protected]
Upper School Office:
(859) 429-8654
​[email protected]

Lexington Latin School
Lower School Information
Jr. K–6th Grade

859-940-7485
[email protected]

Located on the campus of
Ashland Avenue Baptist Church
483 West Reynolds Road
Lexington, Kentucky  40503

Lexington Latin School
​Upper School Information
​7th–12th Grade

859-429-8654
​​[email protected]

Located on the campus of
Anchor Baptist Church
3601 Winthrop Drive
Lexington, Kentucky  40514
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY: Lexington Latin School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It doesn't discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.