COVID-19 Information

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Hafa Adai Students, Parents, and Guardians,

 

We would like to share the news that we have been given the opportunity to to open up for face-to-face learning and will be back to in person classes beginning on Monday, September 20, 2021.  Please read Executive Order 2021-23 from Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-09 relative to school operations.  

 

We look forward to seeing our students in person again and working with our students to help prepare them for the end of the quarter and exams. We have worked diligently to ensure that procedures are in place to abide by all Public Health guidelines and will be resuming classes as normal on Monday.  

 

We will continue to require students to wear masks, wash their hands, and watch their distance. Our reopening plan can be viewed here.  These protocols are in line with the executive orders and DPHSS guidelines related to schools.  The protocols include surveillance testing and contact tracing instructions that we have been using.  Please be assured that FDMS has been at the forefront of providing testing and contact tracing for the Catholic schools and the Archdiocese of Agaña.  With just about every positive case in Catholic schools or parishes, FDMS has been involved in mitigating the situation.  We definitely will continue this effort with our own students, employees, and families.  

 

With the opening of face-to-face instruction, we are also allowed to resume all athletic practices.  Student athletes should hear from their coaches regarding practices.  Game schedules will be announced at a later date.   All coaches and players who are at least 16 are required by Executive Order 2021-23 to show proof that they are vaccinated or test weekly for COVID-19.  To assist in this regard, all team members who may need COVID-19 testing can have this done on campus.  Please schedule at http://fatherduenas.com/covid19.  

 

We trust that you and your family will do all you can to keep our students safe, and we will do the same.  Please encourage your students to limit where they go and the number of people with whom they interact.  

 

We do expect our students to be physically present for face-to-face learning.  The only students we expect to remain online are those who are in isolation, quarantine, off-island, or who have made a special request with the administration to remain online for health reasons.  However, for the rest of the first quarter, we will allow parents to indicate whether their student will be on campus or online.  If a parent or guardian wishes to keep a student online, this form must be completed.  Parents or guardians who make this decision agree to ensure that the student is logged in at the appropriate time, dressed appropriately, keeps his camera on, engaged in the lesson without distractions, and submitting assignments as required by the teacher.  We need parents and guardians to assist in this effort as many students distract themselves when online for classes.  We want students to succeed, but many of them take online classes very lightly and neglect the requirements.  This schedule is subject to change.

(This schedule was updated on 09/26/2021.)


 

We thank all of you for working with us to ensure that this remains a safe environment, and we know that our protocols will have to be in place to maintain student, faculty, and staff safety, which is of the utmost importance.  

 

I pray that God may continue to bless us.  Stay safe.  

Ismael C. Perez

Principal

 

2122 FDMS COVID-19 Reopening Plan

Executive Order 2021-23

DPHSS Guidance Memo 2021-09 

 

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     To facilitate online classes, we have a limited supply of laptops that we can have students borrow. These were procured through federal grants. If you would like to avail of this opportunity, please complete this form. This opportunity is open to students who do not have a laptop or have to share a laptop with other family members.

2122 FDMS Laptop Request Form

 

 

 

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FATHER DUEÑAS MEMORIAL SCHOOL

IN-CLASS OPERATING PLANS AND MITIGATION PLANS

 

All who visit the campus are to wear a mask, wash their hands, and watch their distance from others.

  

1. ENTRANCE PROTOCOLS, MASK USE
   1. All students and employees will use designated entrances in the Quad and Cafeteria. All personnel must undergo temperature screenings and hand sanitization prior to entry.
   2. Essential visitors must enter through the front part of the quad (designated entrance). All non-essential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving other groups must schedule visits with the front office.
   3. Masks must be worn at all times while on campus. Everyone without a mask will be provided masks upon arrival. Acceptable face masks (tightly woven fabric, w/o exhalation valves) must be worn by all on campus such that the mouth and nose are covered.
   4. FDMS adopts the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for face coverings for certain populations and situations, including those with certain medical conditions.  This includes students with disabilities and those who cannot safely wear a mask.  Determinations for mask wearing by these individuals will be made by the administration on a case by case basis as required by federal disability laws.  

2. PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT & SOCIAL DISTANCING
   1. School offices, the library, and cafeteria have barriers/shields/partitions to ensure safety. 
   2. Face masks are mandatory for ALL while not actively eating or drinking.
   3. Hand sanitizers will be available in every classroom and office to include all spaces on campus where people are present. 
   4. Face shields may be worn in addition to face mask, not lieu of. If used, face shields must fit properly and can be cleaned/disinfected between use.
   5. All individuals must maintain a distance of at least 3ft within classrooms; 6ft outside classrooms.
   6. Physical distancing must be maximized between adults and students; when masks cannot be worn; during activities when exhalation occurs, and in common areas such as school lobbies and auditoriums. 
   7. The 6-feet distancing must be maintained between cohorts if employed. 
   8. Classrooms have all been reorganized to maximize layout for social distancing to include the removal of non essential furniture when feasible. 
   9. Desks are all faced in the same direction. 
   10. All non- essential interaction among teachers and staff will be decreased/eliminated.
3. CLEANING, SANITIZING, and VENTILATION
   1. Conducts daily cleaning and disinfection of facilities, including cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces/workspace of a sick student/employee, high touch surfaces, and uses a cleaning and disinfecting checklist.  
   2. Students are discouraged from sharing classroom supplies, textbooks, and equipment amongst each other. 
   3. High-efficiency particulate air fan/filtration systems (HEPA-filters) will be utilized in every usable indoor space. 
   4. Ventilation systems will be properly taken care of to minimize air from blowing from one person directly to another person.
   5. Toilet facilities and hand wash sinks will be thoroughly and frequently cleaned and disinfected; uses EPA approved disinfectant
   6. Provides and maintains adequate materials and supplies to help prevent transmission (i.e., well stocked handwashing stations).  Seven additional hand washing stations have been constructed around the campus.  
   7. When hand washing is not available hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) will be used and stored properly.  
   8. Refillable water stations will be accessible to students and staff, while drinking fountains are strictly OFF LIMITS.
   9. The standard cleaning solution will be alcohol with a concentration of at least 60% or a bleach solution with one-third cup of bleach for every gallon of water or an EPA approved disinfectant designated to kill the coronavirus.
4. SPORTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
   1. Athletes must wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth when not actively participating in an athletic activity and maintain 6-feet of separation from others when not on the field of play or when engaged in play/activity, whenever possible; face shield or goggles can be worn with a face mask
   2. Coaches, officials, and spectators must wear a face mask and maintain physical distance
   3. Athletes and coaches avoid high fives, handshakes, fist bumps,or hugs
   4. Physical guides will be provided, such as tape in the dugouts, benches, restrooms, concession area, or other shared or athlete staging areas
   5. Signage that promotes behaviors, which prevent the spread of COVID-19, will be posted at the entrance and throughout the facility for coaches, athletes, officials, spectators, and other persons to observe
5. TRANSPORTATION
   1. A transportation plan will be developed in collaboration with the school’s transportation provider
   2. The transportation plan, which includes all minimum requirements according to the applicable DPHSS Guidance Memo, will be kept in the administrative office of bus operations, and will be available to DPHSS for contact tracing and case investigation purposes
6. FOOD SERVICE AND SCHOOL MEALS
   1. 3-feet physical distance will be maintained between students when moving through the service line and while eating and drinking
   2. The mixing of students from different classrooms will be limited 
   3. All high-touch surfaces will be frequently cleaned; food-contact surfaces are washed, rinsed, and sanitized before and after meals
   4. Proper hand washing will take place before, after, and during shifts; before and after eating; after using the toilet; and in between tasks or changing gloves
   5. A minimum of 6-feet physical distance will be used between cohorts if employed.
7. INFORMATION TO BE SHARED 
   1. FDMS will have signs at the entrance of their main office, and around campus, reminding both students, visitors, and employees on:
      1. How to stop the spread of COVID-19
      2. Wearing masks or proper face coverings
      3. Washing hands properly or sanitizing of hands
      4. Watching distance (social distancing)
      5. What to do if feeling ill 
   2. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, as defined by CDC, are advised not to come to school at all. Sick individuals must inform the FDMS administration, and are recommended to schedule for COVID-19 testing with the FDMS community testing program: https://fatherduenas.com/covid19 
      1. If a student or employee attended school and was potentially infected with COVID-19, the superintendent of Catholic schools, the chancery, the Archdiocese of Agana, and DPHSS will be notified.
      2. If an individual who tested positive had visited the school, contact tracing will commence immediately.  
         1. The index case is to isolate until all three of the following are met:
            1. At least ten days since symptoms first appeared
            2. At least 24 hours with no fever without using fever-reducing medication
            3. Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. 
         2. All seating charts will be collected for classes where that index case visited for over 15 minutes to determine close contacts.
         3. An interview will be conducted to determine other close contacts.  
         4. All fully vaccinated close contacts will be notified to monitor for symptoms.  Fully vaccinated individuals may not need to quarantine or be tested.  Testing is optimal between three to five days.
         5. All close contacts who are not fully vaccinated will be required to quarantine for ten days. 
            1. Should there be no symptoms after the ten days, the close contact may return to school.
            2. Should the close contact test negative starting on the fifth day, the close contact can return on the eighth day.  
            3. Should the close contact develop symptoms, return will not be permitted until all the following three are met.
               1. At least ten days since symptoms first appeared
               2. At least 24 hours with no fever without using fever-reducing medication
               3. Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. 
   3. Role of School Safety Officers
      1. The school safety officers will lead and coordinate the implementation of control measures, enforce safety protocols and ensure both staff and students are familiar with them.
   4. Vulnerable Individuals
      1. For students and employees who are high-risk, vulnerable with underlying medical conditions, reasonable accommodations may be made without risking the health and safety of them and others. 
   5. FDMS promotes COVID-19 vaccination and encourages students, teacher, staff, and volunteers to receive COVID-19 vaccine
   6. Covid-Testing
      1. All individuals who are not fully vaccinated as outlined in EO 2021-19 Section 1.c, will undergo COVID-19 testing. 
         1. Current faculty/staff vaccination rate: 93%
            1. All faculty/staff who are not fully vaccinated will be tested at designated FDMS facility every other week while in-person classes are allowed.
         2. Current student vaccination rate: 83%
            1. All students who are not fully vaccinated (17%)  will be tested at the designated on-campus testing facility. 
            2. Students not fully vaccinated will be tested in five (5) waves, in cohorts of fourteen (14). Students not fully vaccinated can expect to be tested at least once a quarter.  
            3. Testing will be available for all students, faculty, staff, and school families to support contact tracing and suspected cases of COVID-19.  
      2. ALL PERSONNEL to include: students, teachers, and staff are to undergo testing throughout the school year (as needed):
         1. When experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms
         2. If exposed to confirmed/positive case
         3. Who meet criteria for required testing

 

 

     COVID-19 Testing at FDMS is reserved for our students and employees in order to comply with testing requirements as set forth by DPHSS.  We encourage members of the community to take advantage of the testing opportunities at local clinics and sites staffed by DPHSS.  

 

Visitors
     We ask that visitors limit their time on campus.  Should parents need to visit the admin office or business office, please be sure to sign in on the form below. 
 

VISITOR SIGN IN FORM

Drop Off and Parking Information
     Please refer to the map below.  As with our opening in August, we will be having students who are driving to school enter through the gate near the Infant of Prague Nursery.  Students being dropped to school are to enter through the main entrance and circle around toward the chapel and exit on the west entrance after passing through the front parking lot.  Additionally, please note that students who are driving must submit their valid driver's license, valid and current vehicle insurance card, and valid and current vehicle registration.  We will not be assessing parking fees this year, but we will be enforcing compliance with the submission of documents and parking spot assignments.  For students who have already paid parking fees, we will be crediting the tuition account for the full amount paid.  

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