School Bus Service
A full bus service will run, although on an amended timetable. Parents will be asked to confirm attendance on the buses for the days their children will come to school. We cannot guarantee the precise number of students on each bus at this time; however, parents should be aware that:
- Since a minority of the student body is coming to school on any one day, the maximum capacity on each bus will be greatly reduced from normal school.
- Seating will be arranged to ensure physical distancing. Students should ONLY sit on the designated seats. Unavailable seats will be blocked off.
- Windows will be open, as reasonable, to ensure ventilation.
- Each bus will receive thorough cleaning with disinfectant prior to each journey.
- Sanitizer spray will be available and mandatory for students entering the bus.
- Masks will be mandatory to ride the bus.
- Eating on the bus is not permitted.
- Sharing items (games, etc.,) on the bus is not permitted.
We ask students and parents lining-up to enter the bus at your bus stop to maximize physical distancing of at least 1 meter as much as possible.
The bus timetable will be different to normal to adjust for the shortened day and will be communicated to bus parents separately.
Campus Access Restrictions
Campus access is ONLY permitted for students whose Grade has been invited to attend and staff, and only then in the case that the following Health Restrictions do not apply:
Health Restrictions
- Someone who is currently diagnosed with an active case of COVID-19.
- Someone who has a fever (37.5 degrees or higher), a persistent cough or cold/flu-like symptoms of any severity.
- Someone who has been in contact with anyone diagnosed with an active case of COVID 19 within the past 14 days.
- Someone who has returned from any other country within the past 14 days.
- Someone who is staying in the same household with anyone who has returned to Japan from a foreign country within the past 14 days.
- Someone who is staying in the same household of a family member (or other close contact) who exhibits a fever, cough or any cold/flu-like symptoms
Access to Campus for Non-Staff/Students
We regret that parents and non-essential visitors may not access campus unless it is for an essential pre-arranged meeting with a staff member. In that case the parent or visitor should first register for their appointment at reception and then, once admitted, remain on campus for the minimum time possible, at all times wearing a mask.
Parents should therefore plan to drop off their child at the school gate where staff will be ready to welcome them and take their temperature. Flexibility for very young children who might need parental support in entering the building/classroom will of course be accommodated, particularly on the first day back.
Conditions with a High Risk of Complications if COVID-19 is Contracted
It is recommended that students/families and staff concerned about high risk conditions consider carefully their need to access campus. High risk conditions are defined by NIS in accordance with the guidelines of the Japanese Ministry of Health and the US Centre for Disease Control as follows: Diabetes, Heart condition, Chronic lung disease or respiratory conditions, receiving dialysis, chemotherapy, immunocompromised, pregnancy and aged 65 or older.
On Arrival
On arrival each staff member or student will have their temperature taken as follows:
- Students will have their temperature taken using a non-contact thermometer on entry to campus. Temperature stations will be established at the bus steps, the main steps, the ELC steps and the Annex entry way. Physical distancing will be maintained as students line-up to have their temperature taken.
- If the temperature is 37.5 or higher the student will be taken to the medical isolation room where the reading will be confirmed by the nurse. If the fever (or any other cold/flu-like symptoms) is/are confirmed parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child immediately.
- Assuming that they do not have a high temperature, students will be asked to enter the building, wash their hands, and go to class/designated spaces, observing all guidelines for wearing masks and physical distancing.
Transitions
As we move around the campus, all staff, students and any approved visitors, will be asked to adhere to the following rules put in place to maximize for safety:
- There will be a ‘keep left’ rule on campus at all times. Walk on the left!
- Certain narrow spaces (e.g. some stairwells) will be designated ‘One Way Only’. These instructions must be followed.
- Wherever possible students should use OUTSIDE routes to move from class to class. Inside routes are available if the outside route is impractical and/or if the outside route is crowded.
- Students should wash their hands with soap and water (ideal) or otherwise use hand sanitiser on each transition around school.
- Students should use the sanitiser kit available in each classroom to wipe down the surfaces they have used with disinfectant when exiting (and if they wish, entering) a new space.
As much as is reasonable, staff will be tasked with supporting, modelling, coaching and supervising students in the above.
Playtime/Recess
Staff may designate different and/or more restricted locations for play/recess than during normal school in order to ensure for supervision of students with regard to safe play and physical distancing as follows:
- Restrictions will be placed on which equipment can be used and/or how many students can use certain play equipment at any given time
- Students will be taught about ‘safe’ activities for play (e.g. drawing with chalk) and unsafe activities (e.g. tag) and staff will support students in making these choices
Lunch
Students may bring lunch from home or collect from Cezars Kitchen. In either case, students must remember to bring their own water bottle.
Lunch will be as follows:
- Students will be supervised in their classrooms or alternative safe spaces inside (or, if possible, outside) as they eat lunch. They will be seated so that they are not facing one another and are physically distant.
- For lunches brought from home, students cannot bring something that needs reheating or adding hot water, etc., - just food that can be eaten straight out of the lunch box / bento.
- In the case of students eating from Cezars Kitchen:
- A bag lunch option (only) will be available in either vegetarian or non-vegetarian form. No further choice will be available, and Cezars Kitchen will post the daily menu on their website as usual
- Students who desire a Cezars Kitchen lunch will be supervised to maximize safety as they line-up outside to collect their bag lunch. On wet weather days the lunch will be brought directly to their classroom area. The kitchen is being modified to maximize safety and students will not share the same keypad to input their PIN number. Hand washing will be required prior to collecting the lunch.
Dismissal
At dismissal time, students will be asked to leave campus as soon as possible as follows:
- Bus riders should go directly to their seats on the bus
- Students who cycle and/or walk home/take public transport should depart campus immediately
- For students being picked up by car, in order to assure physical distancing:
- Secondary students should wait, observing physical distancing, in the Charles Barton Garden/Main steps area until they are called
- Primary students should wait in/outside their classroom as directed by their teacher until they are called
- As cars enter the parking lot drivers will be asked to share the name of the student(s) being collected. A message will then be relayed to the student(s) to come to the bottom of the steps for collection.
