This is an ongoing series following Jemicy’s navigation of the COVID pandemic.
The Jemicy School is one of the few schools in Maryland that is hosting in-person instruction.
Jemicy has many new policies to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in the school: all students must wear masks and social distance, students can only go one way through the hallway, students have an option to attend school online, and class sizes have been altered.
According to its website, “Jemicy’s plan for reopening our campuses is informed by recommendations provided by the CDC, MSDE, AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), and Harvard School of Public Health). Working within those guidelines, our “re-entry team,” (administration, a Hopkins’ epidemiologist, an ER doctor, and nurses) developed a “layered” defense protocol because we understand that no single control strategy alone can limit the transmission of COVID-19.”
Ben Shifrin believes the precautions are effective so far. “I think it is going fantastically, better than I had even anticipated, because our students are in school and those that are virtual. We are now on week five, and people thought we wouldn’t make it through the first week, now week five and going strong.”
Jemicy did however move to virtual learning for the student body once already.
Jemicy classes were held virtually October 15-16 and then the week ending on Friday, October 23 due to at least one positive COVID case. Teachers were required to come to campus and teach the kids virtually during that time.
Students were informed by email the evening of the 14th that classes would be held by GoogleMeet Thursday and Friday along with a schedule and parents received an email that identified, “an upper school student was identified as a close contact to a positive Covid individual, ” and that the campus would be closed.
The school followed by email stating that,” If you do not hear from [Health Department], they do not feel your child is in danger. I understand the concern of parents and appreciate the questions I received following yesterday’s notification. I can promise you that we will remain as transparent as possible.
Jemicy ended up with a total of 4 COVID cases during the time the student body was virtual. The first case moved the school to the online model, but three other students tested positive during that time but were not connected to the initial case, prompting the extended campus closure.
Members on campus that suspect they were in contact with someone who tests positive, or generally feel sick, are encouraged to stay home and not return until after getting a negative test result.
“It is crucial that you let us know if your child has been in close contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms, awaiting test results, or has a confirmed case of COVID-19. Additionally, If anyone in your household is ill, please make sure to keep your student home,” read the follow-up email.
Generally, students feel the school is doing a good job of monitoring the COVID situation, yet are suffering from fatigue from all the precautions.
One junior, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “It’s OK I guess. The masks are a pain and the 80 min class can be a nightmare, but otherwise OK.”
A fellow classmate, who also didn’t want to go on record, is struggling with the precautions.
“My biggest problem is social distancing; I’ll wear a mask, but social distancing can be a pain.”
Tali Gheiler ‘22 thinks there are some benefits to the new schedule.
“I think it’s pretty good. I like the longer classes. They’re better because you can actually do an assignment.”
All in all, the response can best be described as a typical teenage “fine” to the new school policies met to protect students and faculty on campus.
The big question now is, what are schools going to do in the winter?
With the increase in cases, both in Maryland and nationwide, there will be less opportunities to have mask breaks outside. Also, what will the Jemicy policy be for snow days, as well as all the unanswered questions about sports?
A recent interview with Mr. Shifrin shed some light on these questions.
Q: How will the school change overall during the winter?
A: “Well I think in the winter we are going to be extra cautious knowing that the virus does not [do] as well in the winter as it does in the summer. It’s going to be harder to be outside so I think our mask breaks are going to be shorter but more of them. We are going to have to dress [warm and]…just being observant of temperatures and making sure when it’s too cold that we stay indoors, the safest way we can. I think as long as we keep social distance, as long as we wear our masks, and do what we are supposed to, it will be fine.”
Q: How are snow days going to work?
A: “Most schools now don’t believe in snow days since all kids will be virtual. We decided that at Jemicy we will not break that tradition; there is something about a snow day. So if there is a snowstorm, and if we’re off more than one day, the first day will be a free day, meaning no school, [and] if we have to be off more than one day for that snowstorm, the second, third, fourth days will be virtual. So the first day of the storm is a freebie.”
Q: Are we doing sports in the winter?
A: “I do not have the answer yet. Our first goal was to get the kids back into school which we did. We’re looking at what we can do with sports and depending on what the positivity rate is. We’d like to start sports in the winter but safety is our priority. Maybe by winter we’ll be able to do it.”
Q: Is there anything else you want to say about the rising COVID cases in the winter?
A: “I think what we need to do is look at what they’re doing Europe, even though they’re going to lock down. Their schools are staying open because the transmission is not as bad between kids. We need to protect our teachers but the good news at Jemicy is our students are following protocol doing what they need to do to keep us safe. If we lose that, we’re going to have to go virtual. I think the majority of the kids would want us to stay in school if we can.”
MOOSE PRINTS 