CAISL’s draft planning for the opening of classes on campus.
Mid-August 2021 Update: There is much we do not know as the legal framework from the health and education authorities is not yet published. Below is how CAISL will proceed with school opening until we know specifics from the government. This could occur at any point from now until the Portuguese schools open in mid-September. Once we have the framework from the government, this will be quickly updated and the CAISL community alerted via email.
We were quite fortunate last year that Portugal mandated school closure only for a very few weeks during the school year. We are hopeful that we will continue into 21-22 as we ended 20-21—with classes on campus!
We also know that while this is our hope, it is not at all certain. Also, if last year’s pattern continues, the government will send occasional “bubbles” into precautionary isolation at times.
CAISL is prepared for either scenario. Our remote learning system (called Class@Home) will be taught to all students early in the school year “just in case.”
A “bubble” is a self-isolating group of students who are together throughout the day and generally do not intersect physically with students from other “bubbles.”
EC ¾ through 10th Grade
These students will be in “bubbles” (+/- 20 in each bubble) and will remain together at all times without physically interacting with other “bubbles.”
During the strictest of precautions, the bubbles would not even have recess or any classes with those not in their small bubble.
CAISL’s plan is to start with these bubbles during most of the day but to have grade-levels (which are 2 or 3 bubbles) able to have recess outside together and occasional classes in large spaces.
11th/12th Grade
These students have such variable schedules/courses that they cannot be in “bubbles.” These young adults are most able to maintain physical distancing, masks, hygiene requirements and we have faith that they will do so and be good role models for younger students.
In Portuguese schools last year, all people 5th grade and over were required to wear masks at all times (except when eating/drinking or engaged in physical activity such as PE). The decision by the Portuguese government to start the mandate at 5th grade was based at least partially on the way Portuguese schools are organized with students in 5th grade in “2nd cycle” and usually fully separated from younger students.
CAISL plans to continue having 3rd and 4th graders wear masks because of the way our building is organized with the “Upper Elementary” students all on the same floor of the Elementary Building.
Last year for a very brief period we also required masks for 1st and 2nd graders in response to the increase of virus spread in Portugal right after spring break. Because the virus spread is statistically higher right now (September 2021), we are expecting all students in 1st and 2nd grade to wear masks when inside the classroom.
HAND WASHING
Focus on frequent hand-hygiene is essential. Automatic taps have been installed in most bathrooms, gel dispensers and individual gel bottles are available throughout the school. A few “portable sinks” have been added in key areas.
DISINFECTING
CAISL’s own cleaning staff has been enhanced by additional cleaning staff from our outsourced company. This will allow cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces on a continuing schedule, including playground equipment.
To keep everyone safe, it is essential that you monitor your own health and that of everyone living with you in the following way:
Take your temperature and that of everyone with whom you live every morning prior to leaving.
If the temperature of anyone with whom you live is elevated (defined as above 37.5 ºC/99.5º F when taken by armpit or mouth), everyone needs to stay home. This includes NOT sending your child/ren to school even if their own temperature is not elevated.
Monitor daily the symptomswhich could be Covid related of each person with whom you live. All need to stay home if any display any of the following symptoms:
A new persistent cough
Breathing problems
Loss of taste or smell
Have the individual(s) who are displaying any of the above symptoms take a rapid/home test.
If that test is negative, that still does not “clear” any member of the family to come to school. Everyone must stay home until you have consulted with SNS or your family doctor for advice. Keep the CAISL Nursing Team informed.
If that test is positive, everyone must continue to stay home. Call SNS (800 24 24 24) and let the CAISL Nursing Team know. At that point, the instructions of SNS will be followed.
Contact with those Positive (or potentially so)
If you or anyone living in your home is in contact with an individual who has tested positive or is in the process of being tested, the situation will be (by law) followed by SNS and everyone living in the home must stay in isolation until cleared by SNS.
Keep the CAISL Nursing Team informed.
Be aware that
The CAISL Nursing Team has the responsibility and the authority to mandate that any individual not come to campus until they receive either SNS or private doctor confirmation that the individual can return in safety for self and others.
It is the Nursing Team’s decision as to when SNS authorization is required and when that of a private doctor will suffice.
This is always a big challenge, getting 700 students onto campus from school buses and parent cars.
The instructions below refer to students coming/leaving in private vehicles or school buses. Instructions for older students who are "independent leavers" will be addressed later. No student will be dismissed from class (either to parents or independently) until the CAISL buses have left.
PRIVATE VEHICLES
Drop-Off
Parents may drive onto campus
• Entering through the front gate so that their child(ren) exit the car on campus at the entrance to the school building closest to their bubbles. For Early Childhood and younger Elementary Children, there will be CAISL staff there to collect your child and ensure he/she gets to the classroom. Upper Elementary children should not need staff assistance once they know where their classes are.
• Entering through the back gate and having their child(ren) leave the car at the Secondary Driving Bay. There will not be adults here (after the first few days) to help students as they will know where they are going.
Pick-Up
• Grades 6 through 12: Parents may drive onto campus via the back gate and collect their children from the Driving Bay or the parking lot. If your child has a cell phone, you may text him/her to let them know you have arrived and the teacher supervising their bubble will release them from class to meet you. If your child does not have a cell phone, there will be CAISL staff with walkie-talkies to alert teachers inside the building when you have arrived.
Be aware that there are usually a lot of parents waiting to drive onto campus and this creates a nuisance and a traffic hazard in Linhó. Do not arrive early to “beat the traffic” as this is a major cause of the problem. Ideally, the pick-up would be smooth—your alerting your child you are arriving and then your child is waiting at the driving bay when you arrive. No need to park or wait!
• Grades 3 through 5: Once the CAISL school buses have loaded—and then only with the authorization of school personnel—parents may walk in or drive and park in front of the school and come to the area between the Elementary Building and the Reception. Staff there will let your child’s teacher know you have arrived, and he/she will come down to meet you.
• Grades EC3 through 2nd: When CAISL staff permit, you may come onto campus (driving or walking) and go to the outside door of your child’s classroom. The teacher will see you and will release your child to you.
CAISL SCHOOL BUSES
Considering the challenges of drop-off and pick-up, please consider making use of the CAISL Transportation Service.
Last year, the health mandates that the bus companies run at 2/3 capacity. These mandates have not yet been published for 21-22. However, since 2/3 is clearly safer than 100% capacity, CAISL and its bus providers have agreed that they will run at 2/3 capacity.
The Bus Companies have continued their strict procedures as far as disinfecting/sanitizing. The driver, monitor, and all students 3rd and up will have masks on and younger students will have masks for the bus ride (if their parents wish it) or school-provided “shields” specific for the bus ride.
• EC3/4 through 8th Grade Students will eat in their classrooms. Students with school lunch will have it delivered to them.
• High School students (Grades 9 through 12) will be able to go to the cafeteria, choose their lunch from the cafeteria line, and eat in the cafeteria.
HOME LUNCH
• Students may bring lunch from home if they wish. All students except 11th/12th will eat home lunch in their bubble classroom.
o CAISL will provide a limited number of microwaves for student use with adult help for the youngest students.
o For students old enough to use the microwaves independently, maintaining hygiene standards of hand sanitizing and distancing are essential.
o Be aware that CAISL will not provide cup/plates/utensils for students coming with home lunch. They will need to bring these items with them and take them home for washing there. Please do not bring plastic for environmental reasons.
SNACKS & SNACK BAR
• As always, CAISL provides a daily snack for EC 3/4 through 5th Grade.
• Students in 6th through 10th are encouraged to bring a daily snack.
• The Snack Bar will be available to students in 11th/12th Grade.
A decision on these must wait for the government to issue its regulations for schools. We will have field trips by bubble, events which mix bubbles, and those which bring CAISL students into contact with the public and/or other schools as soon as the health precautions allow.
The same as for “field trips,” we just don’t know yet. Our plan, subject to change at a moment’s notice, is to start the after-school physical activities/games we had at the end of last year—with grade-level bubbles. We are hoping to do more types of activities and (ideally) bring back some form of sports but that is still uncertain.
AFTER-SCHOOL CHILD CARE
This will continue to be available for those whose children cannot go home at the end of the day. Historically (pre-pandemic) this applied only to EC 3/4 through 5th Grade but in these pandemic times it is required that you let us know if your child (even 12th Grade!) needs to stay after classes are over. Because of bubble “separation,” we now need to provide adult supervision for all students, even High School.
This After-School Care is without charge IF you let us know in advance as we must ensure personnel organization. If you do not let us know, you will be charged.
All Classes, all Grades start on campus on Wednesday, September 1. If you are a returning family, your child will have a good idea which area of the school he/she needs to go to and there will be teachers to assist them in finding their classrooms.
If you are a new family, you will be getting information on this during New Family Orientation. If you are not able to attend, we will still be sure to let you know how to enter. Don’t worry. There will be many CAISL staff to help!
With special thanks to Associação de Estabelecimentos de Ensino Particular e Cooperativo (www.aeep.pt) for keeping private schools continually updated on the changing government mandates and health requirements and to the Association for the Advancement of International Education (www.aaie.org) for being the primary connection among international schools allowing us to share our concerns and tips throughout this pandemic challenge.
CAISL is a student-centered educational community in which we challenge ourselves and each other to do our best and to make positive contributions to our diverse and ever-changing world.
