Albuquerque Academy Community Webinar Summary
February 4, 2021
View the webinar recording here.
News from the New Mexico Department of Health
The January 29, 2021 public health order made changes regarding the operations of private schools that will allow Albuquerque Academy to bring all students who opt for in-person learning to campus at the same time.
- NEW: Private schools may operate with an occupancy of 50% fire code capacity for indoor spaces.
- SAME: Private schools must close immediately for 14 days in the case of four positive COVID rapid responses within a 14-day period.
In Person vs Online Choice
- Based on the information provided at our January 14 webinar, 23% of students opted to remain with online learning.
- Parents may submit a new choice now that we’ve made changes to our plans based on the January 29 public health orders.
- Watch your inbox for an email that notes your original decision and a link for updating your decision. These emails will be sent in waves based on return dates.
- Families will also have the option to change their decision after spring break, to which they will commit for the rest of the trimester.
Start Dates for Students Who Have Opted for In-Person Learning
- Monday, February 8: grades 6-7
- Tuesday, February 16: grades 8-9 and 12
- Monday, February 22: grades 10-11
COVID Surveillance Testing for Students
- 100% of students who plan to come to campus for classes and/or activities prior to the first day back on campus
- Fridays random 20% testing thereafter
- EXCEPTION: 100% of students will be tested again after spring break.
- During initial testing
- Bring student ID.
- Students will sign the community pledge.
- Parking permits will be distributed.
- A positive test result on a Friday means….
- The class meets online Monday and Tuesday.
- Students in classes tested again Wednesday.
- If the rest of class is negative, in-person classes resume on Thursday.
Online Classes After Spring Break
- March 17-29: spring break
- Classes resume March 30 ONLINE.
- Two-week online/quarantine period to accommodate travel
- In-person classes resume April 13 unless the public health order regarding travel quarantine changes.
Daily Schedules
Because there will be more students on campus, there will be staggered start times to avoid crowding at dropoff and pickup and during class changes. Students in grades 8-12 will receive new schedules indicating their class times.
- 6-7 students will begin at 8:50 a.m. – View schedules here.
- 8-9 students will begin at 8:50 or 9 a.m. – View schedules here.
- 10-12 students will begin at 8:40 or 8:50 a.m. – View schedules here.
Weekly Schedule
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: in-person learning
- Wednesdays: all students online
- EXCEPTION: On Wednesday, February 17, 8-9 students and seniors will have in-person classes. This is a short week, and we want to give them two days to adapt to new routines.
Severe Weather
In the case of severe weather, students and faculty will have an online day. Notification will be sent by text and email.
Arrival and Departure
To reduce the number of students on campus and limit the potential for mixing, all students should plan to arrive just before their first class and leave immediately after their last class.
- Study hall options: Morning and afternoon study halls will be available for families who need extended time.
- For the 6-7 division, study hall will be available in the West Campus Dining Hall 8-8:50 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. 6-7 students who do not have performing arts that day will remain in their last-period classroom until study hall begins.
- For grades 8-12, study hall hours are 7:45 a.m. -5 p.m. in the East Campus Dining Hall.
- Extracurriculars: In addition to activities students may already be participating in, the Ex Ed department will offer after-school extracurriculars. Students must sign up in advance.
- 10-12 schedule gaps: Students may leave campus, go to study hall, relax outside, use the fitness center (by appointment), or meet with teachers.
- Everyone will be scanned onto campus each day.
- All gates will be open at the beginning and end of the school day.
- The Harper gate will be locked during the school day.
- Community members leaving campus between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. — including 10-12 students with a free B block — will be scanned off.
- Parents may enter buildings to sign out their students, but they must be masked.
- For 6-7 drop-off and pick-up, use three lots — P4 behind the visual arts building, the p5 lot at the 6-7 circle, or P6 next to the natatorium. View the campus map here. Form two lines as indicated by the cones. Please use the lot closest to your entrance. All three gates will be open when school starts and ends.
- Drop-off and pick-up procedures and student parking will be covered in orientations for students in grades 8-12.
Lunch Procedures
- Students will eat outside in small groups (five students or fewer) while remaining socially distanced.
- Adults will monitor outdoor spaces to ensure adherence to safety protocols.
- Students options for SAGE lunches will receive a 50% credit on their account; those bringing lunch will receive a 100% credit.
Schedule Extras
- Advising: In grades 8-12, advising will no longer take place during lunch. Advisers will complete their weekly curriculum at a time and place determined by the adviser and clearly communicated to students. 6-7 advising will most likely take place during lunch.
- 10-12 Health and College Knowledge: Classes will be held during free blocks.
Safety Measures
- Faculty will monitor hallways to discourage lingering and crowding.
- Staggered schedules reduce density at class changes.
- Ex Ed faculty will monitor outdoor traffic between East Campus and mid campus between classes.
- Lockers and commons will not be used.
- Library closed except for classes; path-side pickup available.
- Everyone must wear their IDs.
- Traffic flow is indicated by arrows and signs.
- Follow health and safety community expectations.
- Classroom protocols include wearing masks, sanitizing when entering the room, maintaining a six-foot distance, and cleaning desks, chairs, and other surfaces at the end of class.
- Masks must cover nose and mouth with a snug fit. Bandanas, masks with valves, gaiters, and single-layer cloth masks are not allowed.
- HVAC air filters upgraded to MERV 13, turning over air about four times per hour
- Teaching spaces equipped with air purifiers, turning over air another two to four times per hour
- UV light strips
- Seven ionized aerosol sprayers used by custodial team
Student Orientations
- February 8: Zoom webinars
- February 10 & 11: grades 8-12, in person with spring trimester advisee groups
- Watch for email invitations.
Spring Trimester Supply Pickup
- Tuesday, February 16: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 17: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, February 18: 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Teachers will email their students by Monday, February 15 about what they need.
Events
Tentative plans are being made to celebrate traditional spring events, including prom, senior week, and graduation; career day; the ninth-grade formal; seventh- and eighth-grade celebrations; the sixth-grade Olympics; and Ex Ed trips.
Extracurriculars
- Online or in person, following safety protocols
- Students attending classes online may participate in in-person extracurriculars as long as they take part in COVID screenings.
- Get the latest details about athletics here.
