Introduction
In March 2020, the impact of COVID-19 on public education was unprecedented. The global health crisis changed, perhaps irrevocably, the way that we interact, instruct and engage in our schools. It served as a call to action and an opportunity to reimagine our instructional models for our changing world, workplace and future. M&M Academy quickly pivoted to distance learning for all students, kindergarten through Grade 12 in March 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic distance learning remained the instructional model for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.M&M Academy followed the guidelines established by the Prince George’s County Health Department, Maryland State Department of Education, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on when it would be safe to reopen the school in-person. M&M Academy is excited to welcome students back to school on Wednesday, September 8 2021.
M&M Academy 2021-2022 COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols
Masks & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Administration, students and staff are required to wear masks inside of school regardless of vaccination status. Extra face masks, hand sanitizer, paper towels, toilet paper and soap will be available throughout the day.
Social Distancing
At least 3-feet of social distancing will be maintained in classrooms and other areas where possible. Maintaining small groups per class will allow the required social distances.
Measuring temperature
Students/staff/parents' temperature will be measured upon arrival, outside the main entrance. No one will be allowed to enter the building without having his/her temperature measured.
Visitors
Visitors must make an appointment with the school prior to arrival and will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Conferences with parents and other meetings that do not need to be held in-person will be held virtually to limit the number of visitors entering school buildings. Parents/visitors will be allowed to enter the front office only. No visits to classrooms are allowed during the school day.
Cleaning & Disinfection
Buildings will be thoroughly cleaned using Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-approved disinfectants at the end of every school day. All touch points, door knobs, and sinks will be cleaned and disinfected daily. Restrooms will be inspected three times per day and sanitized when necessary. The entire building will be disinfected twice daily using Hot Steam Disinfectants.
Lunch
Students will be escorted outside to eat lunch at the picnic area.
Vaccinations
PGCPS recommends COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone age 12 and up to help mitigate school and community spread. All staff are required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.
Quarantines
Students who become sick (fever, coughing, sneezing fatigue,..) will be escorted immediately to an isolation room until picked up. Schools will provide written notification to staff or families following exposure to a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case. If there is a confirmed COVID-19 case at a school or in a classroom, the infected individual will be required to quarantine at home for at least 10 days and be symptom-free before returning to the school building. Employees or students who were in close contact with the COVID-19 positive individual must take the COVID-19 test immediately and quarantine themselves until negative test results are provided; fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine following exposure to a person with confirmed or probable COVID-19 but should monitor for symptoms for 14 days. In the event a single positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed, M&M Academy will close the facility for two days for disinfection and will request that all students and staff take COVID-19 test. We pray for a safe, smooth and beneficial school year for our kids, in sha Allah. You are all invited to join us on Tuesday, Sept. 7 for an open house, parents orientation. In sha Allah. More details about the safety guidelines and the school daily routines will be provided during the open house.
General Assembly
Maximum number of people in any indoor gathering is 15.
Morning Assembly: Group assembly is cancelled during the pandemic. Students will have morning assembly in their classrooms.
Prayer: KG-4th grade will pray in their classroom. 5th- 12 Grades will pray in the main Hall.
All students must have their own prayer rug. Prayer rugs must be kept in book bags and taken home to be washed.
After Care: Students will not be gathering in an aftercare/study hall during the pandemic. Students must stay in their rooms until picked up.
COVID_19 Testing in Maryland
The state of Maryland expanded the testing capacity and created hundreds of testing sites in each and every county. Testing is provided free of charge (no out-of-pocket cost or co-payment regardless of insurance)
To find the testing site near you Click Here
