Academics
Flexible K - 12 Fall Reopening Plan

Middle School Reopening Plans

Academic excellence, physical and mental health and wellness, safety and security, equity and relationship-building are all part of our reopening Learning Models.  We look forward to beginning the school year with you and invite you to explore the information related to Middle School teaching and learning for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Daily Operations (Alphabetical)

List of 8 items.

  • Carline and Drop/Off Pick Up Schedule

    We recognize that drop off and pick up schedules in carline will look and feel differently this year.  We are finalizing our plans to provide a safe and efficient drop off and pick up process for students but all students and parents must wear a mask prior to exiting cars or pulling into carline service.

    More details related to on campus drop-off/pick-up schedules will be sent soon.

  • Fine Arts

    For 6th through 8th grades, students will start Fine Arts online much like they did in the spring (student choices were made last spring for the ’20-’21 academic year). The teachers are focusing on fine arts assignments and projects that are virtual for the first half of the year and are planning accordingly.

    There will be no in-person fall concerts and visual arts is exploring digital options for those students.  There will be a blend of synchronous and asynchronous classes during Home Learning.  In the Hybrid/Pod Learning Model phase, the Pods may allow for Fine Arts classes to meet in small groups.

  • Health and Wellness

    We know that supporting our students’ physical, social and emotional well-being is a critical part of the school day.  During Home Learning especially, our Community Days, Chapel, Advisory, P.E. and Social and Emotional curriculum were intentionally designed to further support our students’ physical and emotional health during such a turbulent time. 
    For the transition to On-Campus/Hybrid/Pod Learning, we know there will be anxiety and fear after many months of remote learning and physical distancing.  Our teachers are all being trained to support this transition.  Our Counselors, Chaplains and Health and Wellness teams are prepared to serve our students and to make the transition as smooth as possible.

    While at home

    We recommend providing as much routine and stability at home to help reduce anxiety and stress

    Practice wearing a mask and promote regular hand-washing and sanitization during the day, which will mimic what on-campus health and safety routines will be like

    Begin the routine of daily morning temperature checks, which will be part of our return-to-campus health protocols

  • P.E./Athletics

    Physical education is an important component of a St. Andrew’s education, and physical fitness will be part of the weekly schedule during Home Learning and the transitional Hybrid/Pod Learning model.

    Team sports can occur if conditions allow, but our current Lower/Middle school athletic league (AIPL) has delayed start dates for in-person trainings and practices and has suspended all 5th-8th grade athletic contests until at least October 1st. The league board will meet every two weeks to continually monitor the evolving landscape in Austin, and discuss the possibility of scheduling league games for the fall season. Formal statements from the AIPL statement for 5th-8th grade sports can be found here.

  • Recess/Physical Activity

    Outdoor time and physical activity is critical to the school day.  When we transition to on-campus learning, recess or outdoor free period times will be staggered by learning pod to prevent intermingling between pods.  When we are able to move into our Normal Learning Model, larger groups can mix for a traditional recess period.

  • SAGE Lunch Service

    When we return to campus, St. Andrew’s will provide lunch to all students (no outside food permitted) through SAGE, our food service provider.  Lunches will not be eaten in the cafeteria, rather outside when possible, or in the classroom. 

    SAGE has developed a thoughtful and low-risk approach to providing pre-packaged lunches with a variety of options and snacks for all of our students.  More details can be found here.

  • Schedule

    Advisory assignments were made the week of August 3rd and those Advisories will also serve as Learning Pods during the transition to campus for the Hybrid/Pod Learning Model phase.

    Schedules for Home Learning and the Hybrid/Learning Pod Model can be found on the Middle School Reopening Plan webpage.

    Middle School Home Learning Schedule

  • Technology

    St. Andrew’s is committed to a 1:1 program, where every student has a device (iPads K-4, Chrome Books 5-8, Laptops 9-12).  More information will be coming soon about device distribution to new/incoming and Middle School students.  Upper School students should already have their laptops for the start of the school year.

    Upgrades to our learning management platforms occurred over the summer, including training for our teachers, to better serve our students ­and parents during Home Learning.
    St. Andrew’s is also prepared to support any family who needs Wi-Fi capabilities.  For more information, please reach out to Matt Lipstein, Director of Technology.

Campus Safety (Alphabetical)

List of 16 items.

  • Adults on Campus

    Limited visitors or volunteers will be allowed on campus initially (screening  will be required); there will be minimal staff on campus to keep our number of adults on campus as low as possible

  • Enhanced Cleaning/Disinfection Schedule:

    Increased cleaning of high touch surfaces as well as overnight deep cleaning will occur daily.

  • Face Coverings

    Face masks required at all time while on campus, unless in an office space with a closed door alone.  The school will provide faculty/staff with face shields and will provide all students with two reusable face masks.  Additional masks will be available on campus for any student who arrives without one.

  • Field Trips, Events, & Group Gatherings

    Based on guidance from local and state health authorities banning large gatherings, all large group gatherings (including chapel services) will be held virtually or postponed until further notice.

  • Health and Well Being

    Pedagogy and classroom practices will provide greater attention to student mental health and well-being to build resilience and cope with the stress or anxiety students may feel in the context of this pandemic.

  • Hygiene

    Students and faculty will follow a regular schedule of handwashing and/or use of hand sanitizer throughout the day. Single use/disposable and individualized items will be provided whenever possible and hand sanitizer stations have been conveniently positioned across both campuses.

  • Learning Pods and decreased mingling of students

    Academic schedules and classroom has been designed to keep students in smaller, consistent learning pods (groups) to prevent potential cross-contamination and community spread. This reduces the risk of viral transmission and allows for discreet cohorts to quarantine in the event of infection without requiring that the entire campus close and transition to Home Learning.

  • Playground and Outdoor Space

    During our initial return to campus, all playground equipment will be closed off for students. Each pod will have a designated space and time for recess and breaks. While play structures will be off-limits, alternative activities that encourage active play will be provided. In addition, students will be asked to wear PPE while outdoors. In addition to recess, multiple outdoor classrooms and trails for use at any time during the school day are being identified. These are designated spaces where teachers can take their students to explore, learn, experiment or experience a change of scenery. 

  • Plexi Glass Shielding

    Plexi-glass shields are being installed in areas where students and/or faculty and staff may populate.

  • Quarantine and Contact Tracing

    If a student or employee has COVID-19, our Director of Health Services will follow the Austin-Travis County Health Authority guidelines for contact tracing and enforcing quarantine measures of those infected and their contacts.  Home Learning will be available for students to support continuity of learning from home during periods of quarantine.

  • SAGE Food Service

    SAGE will continue to provide both lunch and snack services for all students as division specific schedules allow. All items will be single use, disposable and individually packaged. Lunch options will be provided in “grab and go” style prepackaged lunches. Students will eat with only their Pod during the On-Campus/Hybrid Pod Learning model, and each pod will have a separate designated area outdoors for lunch. If the weather does not allow, students will eat in their classrooms.

  • Social Distancing

    Movement on campus will be controlled and directed to reduce the risk of mixing students. Social distancing will be enforced in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms and community spaces when students are on campus.  Signage will installed campus wide to help promote and remind students about social distancing 

  • Travel Policy

    St. Andrew’s recommends no air travel 14 days prior to on-campus learning and limited contact outside of direct family members to limit potential COVID-19 exposures.

  • Updated Sick Policy and Enforcement

    Our sick policy for students and employees has been enhanced and strictly enforced to minimize the number of sick people on campus, as well as to allow continuity of learning from home for mildly ill or asymptomatic students. 

  • Health Screening

    St. Andrew’s has developed a pre-campus screening form that must be completed by all students and faculty (symptoms and temperature) prior to arriving on campus.  Baseline testing will also be provided regularly to all faculty and staff

  • Safe Classroom Practices

    Teaching methods will be adjusted to minimize shared equipment or learning materials between students while on campus. A supply kit for each classroom will include disposable gloves, paper towels, and a spray bottle of disinfecting cleaner and extra surgical masks. Every classroom will also have a dispenser of sanitizer. Students will be provided with training on effective hand washing and hand sanitizer use. Hand washing will occur at the beginning, throughout, and at the end of the school day, including before and after lunch. Effective hand washing and use of hand sanitizer and will be supported and encouraged throughout the day. Faculty will wipe down surfaces and equipment throughout the day as needed.

Middle School Reopening Plan

Health and Safety Plan

    • Health and Wellness Protocols

More Questions? Please visit our full FAQ page or view St. Andrew’s K-12 Reopening Plan.

Lower & Middle School

Upper School