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Pandemic Preparedness

The safety, security, and well-being of our students, employees, and community is our top priority. Greensboro Day School continues to monitor the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and will utilize this webpage to update the community about pandemic preparedness. Specifically, we are monitoring the spread of influenza and novel coronavirus and our community is actively engaged in prevention and preparedness training.
 

Terminology

List of 2 items.

  • Epidemic

    The outbreak of a disease affecting an atypically large number of individuals within a population, community, or geographic region at the same time.

  • Pandemic

    A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new virus strain appears that can spread easily from person to person. A pandemic is a serious public health emergency, which is unpredictable as to timing and severity. Planning for such an outbreak is required to reduce mortality and provide continued services for our community.

Current Viruses We are Monitoring

List of 2 items.

  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

    A respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. 

  • Influenza

    Commonly called the “flu”, is caused by a virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs). The flu season is typically from mid-December through March. The flu virus is spread from person to person by droplet spread. The incubation period is 1-3 days and a person is contagious for the day before signs or symptoms appear until 7 days after onset of symptoms. 
     

Information

List of 9 items.

  • Current Status

    Updated Spring 2021: Greensboro Day School is operating under the BLUE plan in our Operations Plan, and Following Level Two of Pandemic Preparedness Levels.  School is open for on-campus learning, with remote options.  Read more in our operations plan. 
    • Events and trips canceled or postponed
    • Social distancing measures are taken for students and employees
    • Hybrid learning options may be implemented

  • Pandemic Levels of Response

    Our COVID-19 Response Team has implemented a level approach to responding to pandemic outbreaks. As of spring 2021, we are operating under a Level 2 Pandemic Response.

    Pandemic Levels of Responses
     
    Level 1: School is open for all classes and events

    Level 2: School is open for classes
    • Events and trips canceled or postponed
    • Social distancing measures taken for students and employees
    • Hybrid learning options may be implemented
    Level 3: Campus is open to employees only
    • Campus is open to all employees
    • Distance learning plan will go into effect
    • Employees are working on-site (at-risk employees may work offsite)
    • Social Distancing measures applied for employees
    • No campus visitors or students permitted on campus unless students are currently enrolled in special programs
    • Admission Visitors will follow specific protocol
    Level 4: Campus is open to administrative, facilities, and  employees and students working or enrolled in special programs (i.e. summer camp, athletics)
    • Non-program employees and visitors may not access campus
    • Non-program meetings and gatherings may take place by Zoom
    • Social distancing measures applied for employees and students
    • Admission Visitors will follow specific protocol
    Level 5: Campus is closed to students and teaching staff
    • Distance Learning plan implemented, if possible
    • Distance Working plan implemented, if possible
    • Only administrative & facilities staff on site (at-risk employees may work offsite)
    • Meetings and community gatherings by Zoom
    Level 6: Campus is closed
    • Distance Learning plan implemented
    • Distance Working plan implemented
    • Meetings and community gatherings by Zoom

  • Prevention

    • Monitor CDC/WHO/Health Department for information on preparedness, travel, and closures
    • Communicate regularly with the local health department
    • Implement suggested protocols for campus cleaning methods and cleaning frequency including high-contact, high-traffic areas and utilize recommended cleaning supplies for sanitizing
    • Conduct ongoing wellness and hygiene training for students and employees as recommended by the CDC: 
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water when your hands are visibly dirty.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Employees and students should stay home when you are sick (and do not return to school until you are fever-free for 24 hours without medication). Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
    • Provide respiratory and hand hygiene education and training to students and employees and implement such practices in the classroom
    • Monitor illness trends at the grade and division levels
    • Assess all students who have signs or symptoms of illness and report findings to the student's parent or caregiver
    • Discharge students with illness through the Health Room and inform the student’s director/teacher

  • Self Quarantine

    Greensboro Day School is following CDC Travel Warnings and will be requiring community members who have traveled to a CDC Level 3 Country to self-quarantine for 14 days after travel before coming to campus. Visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices for the most updated information.

  • Campus Preparedness

    • Monitor CDC/WHO/Health Department for information on preparedness, travel, and closures
    • Communicate updates with the GDS community 
    • Provide training for employees, students, and families for online platforms such as Zoom (grades 5-12) and Seesaw (early childhood and grades 1-4) in the event of a suspension of school
    • Utilize the GDS Pandemic Plan and the GDS Emergency Preparedness Plan for School Suspension as needed
    • Greensboro Day School will follow CDC Guidelines for a comprehensive campus cleaning of all buildings prior to campus reopening. 

  • Upcoming Greensboro Day School Trips and Activities

    All school events, activities, field trips, athletic practices and games, auxiliary programs and facility rentals are monitored on a daily basis. If upcoming events will be changed, Division Directors will communicate information. Visit our calendar page to see an updated school calendar.

  • Responding to Global Pandemics

    Greensboro Day School will follow the Greensboro Day School Pandemic Plan. If a pandemic or any other natural disaster forces the temporary closure of campus, Greensboro Day School will follow our Emergency Preparedness Plan for School Closure and will be prepared to provide an alternative method for teaching and learning.

  • On-Campus Health Room

    Greensboro Day School has a Health Room equipped with two full-time nurses and part-time nursing staff to serve our student and employee community. Linda Register, RN, is the Director of Health Services and can be reached at: 336.288.8590 x219 or via email at lindaregister@greensboroday.org. Read more about our Health Room here. 
     

  • Greensboro Day School’s Statement: COVID-19 Employee Vaccination

    GDS shares in the community excitement of receiving vaccine priority status extended to educators and school employees by the State of North Carolina.  As an educational institution, GDS believes in the efficacy of COVID vaccines and encourages all faculty and staff to be vaccinated. We project that nearly 85% of our faculty and staff employees will, by choice, be fully vaccinated on or before April 1, 2021.  Given the Emergency Authorization Status of current COVID vaccines, we do not require vaccines as a condition of employment at this time. We recognize and respect that this is a confidential medical decision involving many factors and fully support employees in making the decision they believe is in their best interest. To that end, we ask that ALL members of the Greensboro Day School community respect the privacy of others and refrain from questions or discussions about vaccines.  If GDS employees are involved in the contact tracing process during an active positive COVID-19 case, the GDS Health Center staff may ask the employees for their vaccination status. Casual conversations between GDS community members on the topic of COVID vaccinations and inquiries as to whether or not someone has been vaccinated are strongly discouraged.  In keeping with best practices and current recommendations from NCDHHS and the CDC, the School’s policies, procedures, and mitigation strategies as outlined in the COVID-19 Operations Plan will remain in place until further notice for all members of the Greensboro Day School community, regardless of their vaccination status. 

Archived 2019-20 GDS Communication

Resources

Community Resources

CDC and Coronavirus updates 
The World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO interactive map tracking the virus spread. 
Directory of local health departments
CDC Travel Information
Influenza and COVID-19 Recommended Cleaning Products
The WHO Myth Busters

Resources for Parents when Talking to Children

Have questions about school procedures during COVID? Have a great idea to share with the leadership team? Let our team know by emailing COVIDTeam@greensboroday.org

Face Coverings / Masks

  • Must cover nose and mouth
  • Masks should be two-ply, with ear loops and cannot be see-through when held up to light
  • Change your mask every day
  • No face coverings or masks with valves, vents, holes or mesh will be permitted
  • No neck gaiters or bandanas
  • Extra masks will be available in the division offices
  • All students and employees should have one face covering on when they exit their vehicle and a backup mask if needed
  • Greensboro Day School face covering/mask requirements are guided by CDC recommendations.
Updated September 30, 2020

Greensboro Day School develops the intellectual, ethical, and interpersonal foundations students need to become constructive contributors to the world.

5401 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC 27455
(336) 288-8590