Pathway to Recovery Plan

Masks will be required for everyone on campus. Students can purchase a SHA uniform mask from Anchors-Aweigh. All students will wear the uniform mask. The mask is 3-ply jersey cotton and is available in red and white, adult and youth sizes. Please mark your daughter’s name in her mask. 

• However, if you prefer your daughter wear an alternate mask, it must be a solid color mask without a logo. All masks must be CDC approved. 
• Unacceptable masks: bandana, gaitor, and non-CDC approved.
• All masks must be worn according to CDC guidelines, covering the mouth and nose.

When it comes to masks, we are reminded of Madeleine Sophie’s comment “Your example more than your words will be an eloquent lesson to the world.”  Scientists and medical personnel have shown that masks, hand washing and distancing are essential ways to limit transmission. 

The COVID-19 Screening Form can be accessed by clicking here. It is easily accessed from the website homepage>quicklinks.

Students in grades K-8 will remain in their assigned classroom whenever possible to decrease the amount of disinfecting needed throughout the day. The third floor of the school House will be limited to MS students and their teachers, The second floor of the School House will be limited to the Lower School and their teachers. The 1st floor science lab will be limited to LS science classes and their teacher. The gym will be used by the LS/MS/US when the weather conditions prevent outside classes. Upper School students will be assigned to cohorts whenever possible. Restricting access by division will limit contact with multiple cohorts throughout the day and decrease exposure to COVID-19.

Snack and/or Lunch

• Students should bring a water bottle to school each day. Please label the water bottle with your daughter’s name. 
• All students need to bring a snack to school each day in a bag or lunch kit. Please include a paper or cloth napkin to use as a placemat.
• All students need to bring a complete lunch to school each day in a bag or lunch kit.  Please include a second cloth or paper napkin that we can use as a placemat, and a napkin and utensils. Students will not have access to a microwave oven.
• Student meals will be served in classrooms.  Students will bring their own meals. Students will avoid sharing food and utensils and the safety of children with food allergies will be prioritized.
• Lunch will be eaten in the classroom if outdoor dining is not an option.

Visitor Policy

Priority will be given to evaluate and determine if virtual group events, gatherings, or meetings should be hosted in lieu of on campus gatherings and social distancing of at least 6 feet between people will be required if events are held. Group size will be limited to meet current guidelines. The inclusion of nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations will be limited whenever possible – especially to those individuals who are not from the local geographic area (e.g. community, town, city, county).

Priority will be given to include virtual activities and events in lieu of field trips, student assemblies, special performances, school-wide parent meetings, and spirit nights, whenever possible.

Priority will be given to options to convene sporting events and participation in sports activities in ways that minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to players, families, coaches, and the community.

The Health & Safety Re-Entry Plan was designed to protect the health and safety of the entire Sacred Heart Community - students, families, faculty, staff and visitors. It was developed with the guidance of the Sacred Heart Academy Health and Safety Strategy Team and aligns with the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Pennsylvania Department of Public Health (PDPH), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the National Business Officers Association (NBOA), and the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS). 

Employees will be trained through professional development during the In-Service training on September 1, 2 and 3, 2020.  Additionally, the faculty will be required to complete the following Safe Schools online modules:

• Coronavirus Awareness-10 minutes
• Coronavirus CDC Guidelines for Cloth Face coverings -9 minutes 
• Coronavirus Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Workplace -10 minutes
• Coronavirus Managing Your Stress and Anxiety- 12 minutes

The parents will be invited to attend a virtual meeting before the start of school to learn about plans in place for opening school in the fall of 2020. Speakers will include administration and medical professionals.

Faculty and staff will receive professional development during inservice days on September 2,3 and 4 on best practices during the COVID 19 pandemic. 

The students will be sent a “Welcome Back to School” video that will introduce the new drop-off and pick up procedures, hallway directions, face mask requirements, physical distancing requirements and other important changes to the school day due to COVID-19. They will also be trained on the first day of school during orientation.

The Sophie Center will be used for before care. Parents will drop off and pick up at Red Doors. 

Extended Day

After much reading, thought, and conversation we have determined that the mixed group of students for after school would not align with our present plan to keep students in cohorts. Therefore, the Extended Day after school program will not be in session during the first semester.  We plan to revisit this decision in December and will notify you of our plans for the second semester. 

The locker room is closed.  Students should wear their gym uniform to school on gym days.

Lower and Middle School

• Early Arrival in the Sophie Center: 7:30 – 8:00 AM
• Arrival: 8:00 – 8:20 AM with Homeroom beginning at 8:20 AM
• Dismissal: Car Line: 3:00 PM and Bus Line: 3:20 PM
• Communication regarding arrival and dismissal procedures will be communicated to the SHA community in the coming weeks.

Individually and collectively we need to place our community first this fall. This shared responsibility is at the heart of Goal 5 of a Sacred Heart education, “All members of the school community show respect, acceptance and concern for themselves and for others.”  Please take some time to read the Sacred Heart Academy Community in Partnership Agreement here with your daughter.