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Parent Resources » Response to COVID-19

Response to COVID-19

Hilldale has been hard at work to maintain our rigorous academic standards and our deeply nurturing community during the pandemic. We are committed to supporting our families and our staff. To keep you connected to our decision making, policies, and processes, please utilize these various resources. We are here to help - let us know what we can do for you!
As of 9/8/20, Hilldale School has been authorized to open with a waiver from the County of San Mateo and the State of California for students in K-5.
 
As of 10/19/20, Hilldale School has been authorized to open all classes (following the guidelines for safety) from San Mateo County Health Department. This latest reopening is Hilldale's "Phase 1."  
 
As of 11/16/20, Governor Newsom temporarily suspended the regular two-week cycle of data analysis to determine county tier COVID tests, and San Mateo County was placed back into the red tier. However, the school will remain in Phase 1 at this time. 
Note: The school will not progress into Phase 2 if the county remains in the red tier.
 
Note: If the numbers continue to rise or if 5% of the school's on-campus population tests positive, the school will resort to remote learning. 
THINK SAFETY
Please keep safety in the forefront!
*Wear masks around all people outside of your immediate family.
*Wash hands frequently.
*Do not touch your face.
*Do not get complacent.
*We get through this with vigilance and a mind on the needs of the group.
*Visit through Zoom rather than in person.
 
TRAVEL
It is strongly recommended that you do not travel during this time of increased COVID spread. Here are the recommendations from the CDC regarding travel. 
  • On-Campus families - please complete this form (for each trip) to let us know if you are traveling at all during the upcoming holiday season. It is imperative that we know how to advise you on quarantine and testing to keep your child and all our children, teachers, and families safe. Thank you for being open and honest!
 
TESTING
Hilldale staff tests at least every two months or sooner. Some of you have already had your children tested. Great! Please provide a copy of the report to the school so that we may have it on file.
"Hilldale 20-21 Plan - COVID" includes:
  • Flowcharts for quarantining protocol
  • Hilldale's addressing of each of the Four Pillars of a Safe Re-Opening
  • Movement from one phase of reopening to another (and phase descriptions)
 
"Hilldale School Plan to Open for In-Person Instruction - Phase 1" include:
  • Detailed information on meeting the State of California and the County of San Mateo's guidance and requirements for schools
  • Cleaning & Disinfecting
  • Cohorting
  • Entrance/ Egress (including Pick up & Drop off)
  • Face Coverings
  • Health Screenings
  • Hygiene
  • Contact Tracing
  • Physical Distancing
  • Training
  • Testing
  • Triggers to Returning to Remote Learning
  • Communication Protocol
 
"Hilldale School ADDENDUM - Plan to Open for In-Person Instruction - Phase 1" includes information pertaining to the addition of non-essential worker children and students in Grades 6-8:
  • Cohorting - new guidelines
  • Entrance/ Egress (including Pick up & Drop off) - new guidelines
  • Triggers to Returning to Remote Learning - new guidelines
PHASE 1  - What You Need to Know (Parent Highlights)
 
Please read the above documents for detailed information about Phase 1 and Hilldale's participation in the Four Pillars of Safe Reopening. 
 
MASKS & CAMPUS USE
  1. Masks must be worn by all students and staff all day.
  2. Parents and Visitors are not allowed on campus.
  3. The Office is closed to all people except staff.
DROP OFF & PICK UP
Parents need to remember the following for safety.
  1. Drop Off is only between 8:00 - 8:30 AM. No other arrangements can be accommodated. Pull up to the Hilldale School sign.
  2. Parents must complete the "Health Screening" prior to arriving in the drop off line. This survey will be automatically populated in your inbox from Mr. Lee's Jupiter account.
  3. The On-Campus Supervisor will take your child's temperature immediately upon arrival. Only the student should exit the vehicle.
  4. Parents may not exit their cars. All people in the vehicle should be wearing a mask. Do not drive away until your child is pronounced fever free.
  5. Continue driving up the road and turn around at the cul-de-sac at the top of the hill.
  6. Pick up is only available at one of these four times: 3:30 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:00 PM, and 5:30 PM. At these times, a staff member will be available at the main gate. This is where you should pull up your car. Your child will be called and brought to the main gate. Wednesday's first pick up time is 3:15 PM due to our earlier dismissal.
  7. Parents must have their car mirror sign in the window at the time of drop off.
  8. Parents may not exit their cars.

REMINDERS & CLARIFICATIONS

  1. To refresh yourself on the phases of reopening, what to expect if someone gets sick, and how the school is maintaining safety and security, please see this document.
  2. Uniforms are required for all children this year as it helps to promote engagement and responsibility.
  3. All students need a pair of headphones. Headphones will be provided for on-campus students. 
  4. Hilldale is providing all students with a device (ipad for K; chromebook for 1st-8th).
  5. Up to date immunizations are required for all children.
  6. There will be no Physical Education classes during Phase 1 for several reasons, including that the majority of students will be remote, that exertion produces more air output, and that there will be no PE teacher at school.
  7. Cubbies and lockers will not be used during Phase 1 to prevent students coming into too close proximity with others.
  8. Hot lunch services will not be available during Phase 1.
BUILDINGS
Building A (83 Florence St.) - Lower School building with Kindergarten cohort, Grades 2-3 cohort.
Building B (79 Florence St.) - Middle/Office building with Grade 1 cohort, Grades 4-5 cohort.
Building C (25 Florence St.) - Upper School building with Middle School cohort.
 
NUT-FREE SCHOOL
 
**Hilldale is a PEANUT-FREE & NUT-FREE School due to Fatal Allergies!**
  1. No peanut or nut products are allowed in student lunches or for any other purposes.
  2. Food sharing is never allowed for safety reasons.
If your child is feeling ill (whether at night, on the weekend, or in the morning):
1- Contact Mr. Lee. 
2- Keep your child out of school.
3- Have your child tested or seen by the doctor immediately.
4- Report the test results to the school.
5- Monitor your child's symptoms.
6- Return your child to school only after a negative test result (or doctor's clearance) AND when your child is symptom free for 3 days.
 
If a child or staff is sent home from school because of symptoms:
1- Keep your child out of school.
2- Have your child tested or seen by the doctor immediately.
3- Report the test results to the school.
4- Monitor your child's symptoms.
5- Return your child to school only after a negative test result (or doctor's clearance) AND when your child is symptom free for 3 days.
TERMS:
Case: A Case refers to a person who tests positive
Close Contact: A Close Contact refers to a person who is within 6 feet of a confirmed case for more than 15 minutes, regardless of face covering use.
Indirect Contact: Indirect Contacts are people who may have been in proximity to a Close Contact
 
IF: A family member of a student or staff member OR someone in close contact with a student or staff member (outside the school community) tests positive for COVID-19
THEN:  1- The person is sent home. 2- The Close Contact quarantines for 14 days from the last
exposure to the case. 3- Testing is done; report is sent to Mr. Lee. 4- Indirect Contacts (the cohort) do not need to test or quarantine if Close Contact tests negative.
 
IF: A student or staff member becomes a Close Contact and tests positive they become a Case, and the Indirect Contacts (the cohort) become Close Contacts.
THEN:  1- The cohort is sent home to quarantine for 14 days. 2- Remote instruction is provided to all. 3- Siblings of the cohort are sent home to quarantine for 14 days. 4- Families must report symptoms. 5- Testing may be required. 6- Room will be disinfected thoroughly.