Return to School 20-21 [COVID-19]
Education at AXIS amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
AXIS is committed to offering a robust remote learning program option, AXIS at Home, for all enrolled K-5 students. Students who need a Chromebook can receive one. When onsite schooling is available, AXIS families may choose to learn through AXIS at Home or attend school onsite at AXIS. More information about the AXIS Phases and our Return to School Plan below.
State and Local Public Health Guidance for Schools and Childcare
AXIS is committed to implementation of the public health requirements and recommendations shared by the state and county. From the state and county guidance, we create work instructions for our staff. The guidance changes regularly, and we do our best to keep up on the latest guidance, translate it to practice, and share it here for families. An AXIS team member listens to weekly childcare calls hosted by the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE). We consult and communicate regularly with our School Nurse, who also works at LCDHE. Additionally, back in August all schools were assigned contract tracers who also work for LCDHE, and we proactively reach out to to these contact tracers to ensure we are following guidance.
Larimer County Guidance
- State of COVID in our County
- Please note: AXIS hopes to remain open when Larimer County is in "Protect Our Neighbor," "Safer at Home Level 1: Cautious and Level 2: Concern." AXIS would consider a reduction in onsite learning or closure if Larimer County is in "Level 3: High Risk" and "Stay at Home" Phases.
- Guidance for Schools
- Guidance for Childcare
State Guidance
- Cases and outbreaks in child care and schools (main webpage of state guidance for schools)
- Definitions of the different terms are included on this page.
- See the Frequently Asked Questions for what and how different COVID-19 scenarios will be communicated with families.
- There is also a table of the different COVID-19 case scenarios and steps in the school response.
- At Home Screening Tool (for families, AXIS based the Symptom Checking Form off of this)
- Tools that Schools (including AXIS) use to make decisions:
-
“Child/teacher/staff feels or appears unwell after arriving at school” A screening tool to determine who needs to be sent home from school.
-
“Return to learn: guidance following a positive COVID-19 symptom screen” Tools to determine how long a person needs to stay home after staying/going home sick.
-
“What happens to the contacts?” A tool to determine if classmates or cohort members or close contacts of a sick person need to stay home.
-
“Who is a close contact?” A tool to determine who is a close contact in schools meeting specific criteria for disease prevalence, administrative capacity, and transmission risk mitigation strategies. This tool is not to be used in schools that are using small cohorts of students and staff where the same group of students and staff limit their exposures by staying together for more than one class period.
-
- For previously released preliminary health and safety procedures please scroll down.
- For previously released updates for enrolled AXIS families, please check your email for a link to our updates page, only for enrolled families. All updates are posted on that updates webpage link.
- Visit our shared document to review frequently asked questions and submit your questions.
1) Thank you for keeping your child home when your child has symptomsorif someone in your household is awaiting results of a COVID-19 test (updated 10/12/20)
Nearly every day since opening our doors in mid-August we have had staff stay home, children stay home, and children sent home due to symptoms outlined on the symptom tracking form. Please also keep your child at home when your child or someone in your household has symptoms OR is awaiting COVID-19 test results connected to a "close contact" with someone who has tested positive. Many people who test positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic (show no symptoms). These individuals, including children, may unknowingly spread COVID-19 to others who may respond differently and may become ill (mildly, moderately, or severely).
When you keep your child at home you demonstrate your commitment to keep our AXIS community healthy and our school open. Thank you for doing this, as we know it is not easy to do. We need every AXIS community member to maintain this commitment every day, as failure to do so jeopardizes our ability to offer an onsite program.
2) Notify AXIS of any positive COVID-19 diagnoses or close contacts
Another important action we need staff and families to do is to immediately notify AXIS if you or someone in your household has a positive COVID-19 test (click here for where to get tested - free from county). Recently, we received information that certain AXIS community members were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. While the individual who tested positive was never onsite at AXIS, the AXIS community members notified us so that we could take the appropriate measures guided by the health department. All schools were assigned contact tracers from the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE). We are in close contact with ours because we want to ensure the health of our community and do everything we can to prevent an outbreak (which is two to three cases). Please continue to keep us notified of any positive cases or close contact with positive cases.
3) AXIS communication of COVID-19 cases and close contacts
In regard to communication, we will follow public health guidance on communication (see Frequently Asked Questions). We will also comply with our legal responsibilities to protect confidential information about our staff, students, and families. This means information about AXIS community members (staff and students) who have close contact with others who test positive for COVID-19 will not be communicated with families and staff. We will communicate with families and staff when/if AXIS community members test positive, but due to privacy laws, no additional information will be shared about individuals with staff or families. You can view sample communications on the state school guidance webpage.
4) Close contact with a person who is positive requires a 14-day quarantine
In accordance with public health school guidance, when a member of the AXIS community is a "close contact" of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they will be away from the AXIS onsite program for a minimum of 14 days. If they are feeling well during this time, they should participate in AXIS at Home remote learning (or teaching, if a staff member). Please see the expectations for parents shared by Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE).
5) Important AXIS COVID-19 procedures (Based on updated guidance)
We need you to continue to support our AXIS community in following all of the public health recommendations and requirements, so that we can keep our AXIS community safe and healthy - and keep classrooms and our school open.
- Keep your child home if they are experiencing any of the symptoms, even if you believe the symptoms are not from COVID-19.
- If your child is attending onsite learning, please complete this quick form to notify AXIS of any absence: http://axiscolorado.org/absent/.
- Date and complete the symptom check form on the sheet protector every morning and place in your car dashboard on the right corner for easy visibility.
- Have someone available who can pick your child up promptly (within 30 minutes from when we call) from the COVID-19 exclusion space at the southeast side of the building, when they are experiencing symptoms at school.
- Direct and support your child and family with the 3Ws:
-
- Wash your hands
- Watch your distance
- Wear your mask
-
6) AXIS at Home is always an option
Please remember, you have the option to have your child learning through AXIS at Home or AXIS onsite (as public health conditions allow, see update on our webpage regarding the county status and levels). To switch your child’s learning location simply complete this form.
7) Links to updated state and county guidance
We know the guidance above can be overwhelming, yet we offer it in its entirety for full transparency. The LCDHE has let us know this guidance will continue to be updated regularly.
AXIS is committed to following the state and local public health guidance on the required and recommended procedures:
- County guidance
- State school guidance
AXIS Return to School Overview and Phases
AXIS International Academy has established and continues to refine a Return to School Plan in collaboration with local health officials, our authorizer the Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI), and AXIS stakeholders (who include local public health and mental health experts) through the AXIS Return to School Committee, our expanded School Accountability Committee (SAC). We feel very fortunate to be a small school with already established smaller class sizes learning in classrooms larger than average local classroom for most classes. As public health conditions and health and safety recommendations shift, the Return to School Plan will shift as well. This Plan is applicable to both the preschool and K-5 onsite program. Many additional details are below and forthcoming.
In accordance with other school districts, AXIS has also established "phases" (please click the link to view the phases). These phases were designed around public health requirements set around maximum group sizes, which was how groups were prioritized in the spring during COVID closure and re-opening. If public health orders or requirements mandate certain group sizes, AXIS onsite will shift into the corresponding phase. Currently, through our conversations with the local county health department there is conversation about shifting away from group sizes. Throughout this school year, we will stay in communication with health officials, and we will adapt our phases as needed. Any changes will communicated here on this webpage and shared via our school wide newsletter.
Important Components:
- AXIS ONSITE: Attend AXIS five days a week, fully onsite (as public health conditions and orders allow)
- AXIS Onsite is unavailable until October 16.
- If AXIS Onsite is forced to close due to public health conditions and orders, AXIS Educare will open to provide childcare for families who need it. Remote learning will be supported onsite through AXIS childcare.
- Start in AXIS Onsite and pivot to AXIS at Home temporarily due to family health needs.
- AXIS AT HOME: Learn through AXIS at Home, five days a week, fully at home
-
- Choose AXIS at Home all school year
- Start in AXIS Onsite and pivot to AXIS at Home temporarily due to family health needs
- Receive live teaching, our high-quality curricula (digital and non-digital options), and teaching and support from AXIS staff. You can also request a device if you need one
- Connect with other AXIS families staying at home to collaborate on social needs, childcare, and at home learning support
-
- HYBRID: Combine AXIS onsite and AXIS at Home learning through our hybrid option:
- 4 days AXIS onsite and Fridays through AXIS at Home
- AXIS Onsite is unavailable until October 16.
- If Poudre School District opts to offer 2 days a week, AXIS may need to consider offering a 2 day hybrid option as well based on public health needs.
AXIS Family Programs/ Childcare Schedule
|
Preschool 3-5 years (Tuition-based) |
Kindergarten - 5th Grade |
7:00-8:15 |
Fee-based Before Care, CCCAP accepted |
|
8:15-3:15 |
Tuition-based Preschool |
Educare, remote learning support and tutoring (Free or "share" if you can) |
3:15-5:30 |
Fee-based After Care, CCCAP accepted |
Guiding Publications
These are the guiding publications that form the foundation of evidence-based information that guide AXIS health and safety actions.
Understand the Colorado Phases: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12WLqOpMH02JI0Xza7yYF5amILWQdCGwc/view
American Academy of Pediatrics - "Guidance for School Re-entry:" (see updated message below) https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/
American Academy of Pediatrics - "Guidance for School Re-entry" Updated message: Science and community circumstances must guide decision-making; funding is critical: https://services.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2020/pediatricians-educators-and-superintendents-urge-a-safe-return-to-school-this-fall/
Children's Hospital of CO - "Risk-based approach to reopening schools amid COVID 19:" https://www.childrenscolorado.org/49e98e/globalassets/community/reopening-schools-during-covid19.pdf
CDC Considerations for Schools: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html
AXIS Return to School Plan
The AXIS Return to School Plan encompasses four different key areas: Facilities, Health, and Safety; Educational Program and Professional Development; Student, Staff, Family and Stakeholder Well-being and Support; and Communication. Each of these four key areas are led by an AXIS team member and include AXIS stakeholders. The tables below include the key area and corresponding key procedures (similar to standard operating procedures). From these procedures, work instructions are developed and give step-by-step directions for AXIS staff. Additional details will continue to be added.
Masks will be required, see more here and below.
1. Facilities, Health, and Safety
Key Procedures based on Evidence-based Health Information ("The What") Each key area will have detailed work instructions for implementation across all school areas and the school day ("The When and How") |
Ongoing Daily Procedures (implemented across the day, across classrooms, and across the school):
|
PE
Art/Science/Math
Students will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles. Drinking fountains will be shut off, per county orders, but bottle-filling stations will be open where available.
Recesses, lunches, and students passing in the halls will be staggered to keep students separated. Recess will occur outside with the following protocols
Meals
Outdoor recess
Other Building Usage Notes
|
Daily implementation of Initial Building Entry Procedures (for all who enter AXIS facility):
Daily implementation of Building Exit Procedures:
|
Student Symptom Monitoring: Student symptom and temperature checks are the responsibility of parents/guardians and should be done prior to students getting on the bus or entering school.
Additional Facilities Notes Implement Exclusion Space Procedures:
Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Ventilation
Priority cleaning schedule for buildings:
Transportation
Students who use the CEC/AXIS buses will be expected to follow these protocols:
Follow Public Health Guidelines and Procedures on Quarantines [Student, Staff, Pod(s), School], Closure and Reopening (To be updated soon per County Health Department call July 6, 2020):
AXIS Health and Safety Procedures will be applied to Emergency Drills: fire, lock out, lock down, shelter in place |
AXIS Area Team Members (Team leads are denoted with an asterisk*): Jenny Whitaker,* Angie Nesbit, and Keri Dennison, RN* AXIS School Nurse, and Katie O’Donnell both of Larimer County Health Department
Collaborators: Lacey Scadden, Head of School CECFCW and Ricky Knable, Director of Safety and Security, CEC |
- Please note that the AXIS parking lot will be a ONE WAY flow. No exceptions.
- As you enter AXIS from Silver Trails Dr. choose the south or north lane (see your assigned spot in the table below):
- South lane for the south spot (C: front doors)
- North lane for west spots (A: Preschool or B: yellow doors)
- Use caution and your turn signals as vehicles may merge going north.
- Drive north to exit right or left onto Bronson.
- Children will need to remain with their parents/guardian in their car while AXIS staff members confirm the symptom checking.
- At the Get Ready for School Social, you will receive a dry erase marker and a laminated household symptom checking sheet.
- You will complete this sheet for your household every morning complete BEFORE leaving to come to school. This will include confirming everyone in your household is symptom free, every morning. You will sign and date it every morning, and place on your car's dashboard.
- All children must exit the RIGHT side of the car. They may need to scoot across to get out of the car. It is dangerous to let your child get out on the left side as cars will be driving through on that side.
- Thank you for being our partners in keeping children safe and healthy!
AXIS Assigned Pick Up and Drop Off Times and Spots One way traffic through AXIS Parking Lot (This table may not show up fully on your mobile phone) |
||||
Drop Off |
Spot A: Childcare Gated Area (West/Center Spot) |
Spot B: Yellow Doors (West/North Spot) |
Spot C: Front Doors/ Main Entrance (South Spot) |
Pick Up |
6:30-7:40 |
Before Care Children (Must be registered with AXIS Family Programs) |
|
|
|
7:40-7:50 |
AXIS Students with CEC Siblings |
|
|
|
7:50-8:00 |
Preschoolers and their K-5 siblings (through gate to cafeteria doors) |
Families with children in only grades 3-5 |
Families with children in both grades K-2 & 3-5, last names A-J |
3:10-3:20 |
8:00-8:10 |
Preschoolers without K-5 siblings (into Preschool room) |
|
Families with children in both K-2 & 3-5, last names K-Z |
3:20-3:30 |
8:50-9:00 |
Home School Enrichment Students |
|
|
3:30 |
|
After Care Children (Must be registered with AXIS Family Programs) |
|
|
3:30-5:30 |
2. Educational Program and Professional Development
Key Procedures based on the Evidence-based Information ("The What") Each key area will have detailed work instructions for implementation across all school areas and the school day ("The When and How") |
|
AXIS Area Team Members (Team leads are denoted with an asterisk*): Candy Winans,* Melissa Schramm, Nicole Bauer AXIS Programs: AXIS Onsite K-5, AXIS Virtual, AXIS Preschool, AXIS Educare, AXIS Home School Enrichment |
3. Student, Staff, Family and Stakeholder Well-being and Support
Key Procedures based on the Evidence-based Health Information ("The What") Each key area will have detailed work instructions for implementation across all school areas and the school day ("The When and How") |
AXIS is committed to the social and emotional health of students, families and staff, especially during these uncertain times. This year PSD Mental Health staff will continue to attend to the needs of students, staff, and families by:
AXIS Teachers and Specialists will:
SummitStone Crisis Services
If you are seeking a mental health assessment or have been referred for an intake, please call (970) 494-4200 to speak with our Access Center. We will schedule you for a virtual appointment. SummitStone Crisis Services at 1217 Riverside Avenue in Fort Collins remains open for Behavioral Health Urgent Care, Mobile Response and Crisis Stabilization Unit services. If community members in crisis are experiencing symptoms or are sick, we encourage the use of our local Crisis Line 970-494-4200 ext. 4 or text TALK to 38255 to receive mental health crisis support. Colorado Crisis Services https://coloradocrisisservices.org Call: (844) 493-8255 Text: “TALK” to 38255
|
AXIS Area Team Members (Team leads are denoted with an asterisk*): Melissa Schramm,* Candy Winans, Chrystina Crown, and Dr. Amy Molina
|
4. Communication
Key Procedures based on the Evidence-based Information ("The What") Each key area will have detailed work instructions for implementation across all school areas and the school day ("The When and How")
|
|
AXIS Area Team Members (Team leads are denoted with an asterisk*): Kari Anne Calarco,* Angie Nesbit, and Darcy Peters; Spanish Language Support and Outreach: Elisa Welch and Tatiana Carol Tur |
Archived COVID-19 Information from the 2019-2020 School Year