Covid period teaching & learning policy

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Reviewed on 16 July 2020

SKT International College is pleased to announce COVID period teaching and learning policy. The policy contains guidelines and procedures to ensure a safe and positive environment for all of our community.

The plans for re-opening SKT’s physical campus for face-to-face alternative learning are constantly changing. As a result, these plans will be updated as we develop new ideas, and explore new instructional opportunities.

We plan to reopen the SKT campus for regular classes on Thursday, 13 August. However, if the government does not permit opening physical classes, we shall start online teaching and learning on the 13th August, the same date. Our COVID period Teaching Learning reopening plan realizes special measures and structures that are unique to the health risks. We will adapt our procedures as needed.

The reopening of SKT International College will be guided by the following principles:

  • Health and safety of students and staff.
  • Myanmar Government guidelines
  • School routines which optimize social/emotional/academic learning.
  • Clear expectations for teachers and students during this crisis
  • Observing the principles of our mission, vision, and strategic themes.

This is an exciting time for SKT as we re-imagine school, learn from the past and prepare for new academic opportunities. We look forward to working with you to accomplish these goals for the benefit of everyone.

Health and Safety Guidelines

Sick students

Students with symptoms of any kind should not come to school or if at school, they will be sent home. We must adhere to this procedure more rigorously than before. Only after students have been symptom-free for 48 hours without the use of medication will they be allowed to attend again. However, in case symptoms worsen, we strongly recommend medical treatment immediately. Parents should know about local medical resources for health advice on when to consult a physician or seek emergency medical care. Students who have come into contact with a confirmed COVID19 infected person should stay at home and follow Myanmar Health Authority Instructions.

School Nurse’s Office

A pass from the nurse will be absolutely necessary in order to return to class.

Two-meter distance

  • Two-meter markers will be placed outside classroom doors.
  • Students must maintain two meters (6 feet) distance from each other throughout the school day both in the class and when transitioning to/from recess and PE.

Cleaning of buildings and classrooms

  • Hand sanitizer, available in multiple locations on the exterior of all campus buildings, inside the classrooms and in multiple locations in school corridors. Hand sanitizers must be frequently used
  • Handrails, door handles, light switches, elevator buttons etc. will be sanitized on a continuous daily basis by the housekeeping staff.
  • Toilets and sinks will be sanitized on a continuous daily basis by the housekeeping staff.
  • All rooms will undergo deep cleaning at the end of each day.
  • All rooms will also be disinfected with UV light regularly.
Arrival and dismissal expectations

The following expectations and procedures are intended to ensure the health safety and hygiene standards:

Arrivals

  • Visitors are not permitted on campus during school hours, 7:45 – 3:30.
  • Everyone must wear a face mask/shield to enter or leave the campus. All students and teachers must wear a face mask/shield at all times on the campus.
  • Primary and secondary levels must use separate designated entrances.
  • Washbasins with running water and liquid soap will be provided at the entrances of the school. Students are to wash their hands before and after entering the campus.
  • Temperatures will be taken prior to entering the campus.
  • All movement around and within the building must keep 2 meters distance.
  • Students, faculty, and staff are not allowed to be in school if they show any symptoms of illness and must be symptom-free for 48 hours before returning.
  • Students are allowed on campus only for the duration of the school day or when they are involved in a scheduled activity.
  • Students may not enter the campus before 7:45 am.
  • As students arrive, students must obey the social distancing markings on the entrance pathways, steps and side gate, and pathways within the campus.
  • Students who enter the facilities will report directly to their classroom.
    Students enter the campus without parents/guardians with the exception of Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten parents who accompany their child.
  • Parents must immediately leave the campus after dropping their child to class.
  • Students will make their way to their classroom.
  • Students must sanitize or wash hands when entering the campus at the turnstiles.
  • Students must adhere to the 2-meter rule when entering and exiting the campus.
  • Students bring only the minimal that is needed and take it all to the classroom.
  • Students who arrive late must enter using the main entrance and sign in at the office as usual.
  • If a child who is late needs guidance, the School Office can be called and arrangements will be made to pick the child up at the front gate.

Dismissal

  • Each grade will be given a designated dismissal time.
  • Primary students will be taken to the dismissal area by teachers or released to their designated place.
Entering and exiting the classroom

Beginning of the day:

  • Students will bring all their belongings with them to the classroom, including extra clothing and bags.
  • Before removing any clothing or items from their bags, students must wash their hands for 20 seconds.
  • Students must keep their face masks/shields on during the classes at all times.  

During the day:

  • Students must wash their hands at least every two hours as well as before meals, after recess, after PE, after using the toilet or any other time they enter the classroom.

End of the day:

  • Students sanitize their hands when walking through the main entrance.
  • Students are to depart while wearing face masks.
Use of materials

Classrooms and the use of materials

    • Prior to and after class hours, housekeeping will be responsible for sanitizing the classroom.
    • During class hours, teachers and teaching assistants will be responsible for sanitizing classroom and materials like markers, teacher’s desk, erasers, active board pens etc.
    • Prior to the start of class, all materials will be sanitized by students while supervised by teachers (computers, books, materials).
    • Disinfectant, hand sanitizer, and paper towels will be provided to each classroom.
    • All personal items must be cleaned twice daily. If they cannot be cleaned they should not be brought to school.
    • All toys and manipulatives will be cleaned after school.
    • All soft toys and pillows/cushions/blankets removed from classrooms.
    • iPads, laptops, mice, phones are allowed, however, they cannot be shared.
    • iPads, laptops, mice, phones need to be wiped before and after use several times daily with tech-friendly cleaning wipes.
    • Class pencils/pens, scissors, glue sticks, rulers will be wiped down after use by the assistant teachers/teachers. These class items cannot be shared. 
    • Other art materials i.e. pastels etc. used, cleaned and then packed away.
  • No playdough/plasticine/clay.

Classroom libraries closed to elementary. Instead:

  • Pre-K to Kindergarten: a small selection of books will be available daily. Once a child has read the book it must be packed away and cleaned at the end of the day.
  • Year 2 to 6: students will be assigned books from Epic! by their teachers. English teachers will assign a book every day. Teachers should follow up with every child if they have read the assigned books. In case a child has missed reading for 3 consecutive days, parents should be contacted by email to remind them of reading regularly.
Movement of all people in, out and throughout the campus

All movement of students around and within the building is to be supervised by a teacher and adhere to the expected two meters distance. When students are moving around the building, they need to be taught the following expectations. These expectations must then be reinforced consistently by all teachers.

They include:

  • Everyone washes hands before moving to another section of the school.
  • Move on the right when moving up and down the stairs and through the hallways.
  • Stay five steps apart on the stairs.
  • Keep hands and bodies to him/herself.
  • Students must wash hands after using the toilet.
  • Elevators are only to be used when absolutely necessary.
  • Anyone using the elevator must sanitize hands before entering the elevator.
  • Students are not allowed to use the elevator. 

Lunch and snack procedures

All students will eat snacks and lunch in the lunch area at the designated time.

SKT will use the guidelines below:

  • All students and staff wash their hands before and after eating snacks and lunch.
  • Students sit 2 meters apart from each other. 
  • Cleaning staff will use the provided disinfectant to thoroughly clean the tables after students have eaten.

Outdoor play

A revised recess schedule will be created to provide safe opportunities for outdoor recess. 

[Sample Recess Timetable]

Student expectations for outdoor play

  • Students are expected to adhere to all new procedures so the school can follow the guidelines for health and safety.
  • As per the health and safety guidelines, students must play only with their designated group of playmates.
  • Students must maintain a two-meter distance when playing.
  • Students will be able to play on the playground equipment.
  • A washbasin with running water and liquid soap will be provided in the playground. Students must wash their hands before and after using the playground.
Guidelines for School Bus Usage
  • The number of students on the school bus will be limited to ensure physical distancing.
  • Students have to sit at a designated seat with a zig-zag formation, and are not allowed to change seats.
  • The bus driver and students have to wear face masks at all times while on the school bus.
  • Hand sanitizers of 60% alcohol will be provided on the school bus. The students should use hand sanitizers while getting on and off of the school bus. 
  • Disinfecting the school buses will be done on a regular basis. 
  • Air-conditioning on the school buses will not be used and the windows will be opened

Teaching and learning

Teaching

This pandemic period presents a new learning situation. Our goal is to familiarize students with school routines for social/emotional/academic learning within our school environment. Lessons will provide practice for consolidating skills and will focus on new learning where possible. Lessons should enable students to independently practice the skills taught. Therefore, teachers will use teaching materials, strategies and teaching styles that are familiar to the students.

Homework assigned during adaptive learning will allow students to independently revise what has been taught in lessons.

Blended learning plan

We are very pleased to offer students not on-campus opportunities for blended learning during this pandemic period learning situation. Students who cannot attend classes on campus will be able to access similar lessons and activities as their classmates who are at school.  Blended learning will not be similar to virtual learning when the campus was closed. Rather,  it will be an opportunity for learning to take place in conjunction with what is happening in the classroom.

Will my child’s classroom teacher be interacting with him or her during blended learning?

Classroom teachers on campus are working with physical classes. Unfortunately, they are not able to coordinate blended learning or work with students who are off-campus. We realize that students at home may be missing their classroom teachers and classmates and this is understandable.

Who should parents contact if they have questions about Home Learning?

Parents and students will be able to contact the respective homeroom teacher first, then by the respective vice-principal if there are any questions or concerns.

Expectations from teachers
  • Secondary teachers will use Google Classroom for all assignments, materials, and communication with the students. Primary teachers will use ClassDojo teaching and learning, and maintaining a positive classroom communication relationship with students and parents. This is followed from the beginning of the school year. 
  • Written feedback on the assignments should be provided within 3 working days. Students should have the opportunity to practice learning at home weekly. 
  • If classroom size does not accommodate social distancing requirements, the class will be divided into 2 groups. The teacher will teach 2 groups at the same time utilizing the assistant teachers. 
  • If a teacher has mild symptoms, the teacher will conduct the class online using a substitute teacher in the classroom.
If the school switches to fully virtual learning:
  • Secondary teachers will teach online for the entire duration of the lesson according to the normal timetable. 
  • The teachers will attend all the meetings online.
  • The documentation will be completed as usual. 
  • Students and teachers are to follow a professional dress code. 
  • In case, the student misses a class for 2 or more days, the teacher will contact the parents by email (include the respective VP and student affairs in the email).
  • If you are sick and unable to conduct online lessons, regular leave procedures apply. (informing the office staff and the VP to inform, sending a substitution work)
Class guidelines for primary section

To prepare for COVID period learning and/or possible school closure, homeroom teachers along with co-teachers and subject teachers will create weekly online assignments to be completed at home. These assignments will be given on Fridays and will be posted on ClassDojo.

Sports and activities

PE Classes

PE classes will maintain regular schedules but with limited class sizes. Classes will be limited to outdoor sports facilities. Any sports equipment used in classes will be thoroughly disinfected before and after every class by the PE assistant teachers. Lessons will be limited to non-contact, socially-distanced fitness activities and games. Students will be required to wash hands upon arrival and at the completion of PE classes. Hand sanitizing stations are available just outside the gym doors.

A washbasin with running water will be provided at the entrance of the Sports area. Students must wash their hands prior and after using the sports facilities.

Co-curricular Activities (CCA)

We will not begin after school activities until we are confident they can be implemented within health and safety guidelines. Once school activities are permitted to begin, they will follow the same guidelines and recommendations as regular classes. CCA class sizes will be limited based on the activity and the size of the available classroom or meeting area. In order to limit contact with non-staff and to prevent additional personnel from being permitted on campus, CCAs will initially only be offered by SKT faculty and staff. Outside vendors and non-staff instructors will not be permitted on campus. CCAs will include academic, art and music classes. In addition, sports CCAs will be limited to non-contact, socially-distanced activities.

Guidelines for teachers and staff to maintain health and safety

Working and collaborating together will look and feel different. It is likely to be awkward and certainly will take getting used to. In addition to following the guidelines for moving around the building, please use the following guidelines:

  • Staff must wipe down their computer, iPad, mouse, etc. several times a day.
  • Staff will use online meetings as much as possible, such as Zoom, Google Meets, etc.
  • When working in the same room, staff will adhere to the two-meter distance guidelines, spread out in meeting rooms, and wash hands before entering the room and after leaving the room.
  • Use of staff rooms is allowed only if adults wash hands when entering and exiting the staff room and apply social distancing expectations.
  • One staff at a time is allowed to use the elevator.
  • The elevator passenger must sanitize hands before entering and after exiting the elevator.

Staff illness

Staff who show symptoms of any kind should not come to school or if at school will be sent home. These procedures will be applied more rigorously than SKT has been used to in the past. Staff with mild symptoms can return to school only if they have been symptom-free for 48 hours without the use of medication. 

If symptoms worsen we strongly recommend medical advice and would encourage staff to look at medical resources giving advice on when to consult a doctor or seek emergency medical care.

Staff who have come into contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID19 must not attend school but adhere to Myanmar Health Authority Instructions and advice.