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I really hope that all families are well and hope is on the horizon for more normalcy. In my previous newsletter, I had announced that on Feb 17 we would start the process for opening K – 4th, which we did and K – 4 students are in school on a hybrid schedule this week.

Today, March 1, Philadelphia announced they are rolling back some restrictions in the city. Here are some highlights: Outdoor catered events are permitted with a maximum of 100 people. The previous limit was 50 people, Indoor catered events remain prohibited, Religious services can increase capacity to 20%, an increase from the previous restriction of 10%, Retail stores can have 20 people per 1,000 square feet -- an increase from the current restriction of 10 people per 1,000 square feet.

The 6 foot-rule in the County of Philadelphia does still remain in place. So, we are incrementally going up the grades to gauge interest in having students come in for hybrid twice a week. Since we have students in K – 4 in for hybrid, it is now time to focus on grades 5 and 6. We will be sending an interest Google Form out to families tomorrow in grades 5 and 6 only for now.

There have been many concerns from School District of Philly teachers about the ventilation in their public schools. As you know, CAP has been on top of all of the latest ventilation systems for our school. HVAC (air handlers) fan setting is set to “always-on” for better air circulation and outside airflow and filter levels were increased to MERV 13 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) which filters down to 0.3-1.0 micron particle size. Also, CAP has installed ionizers throughout the entire building. Ionization is a commercially available technology that produces a stream of ions that can capture gaseous and particulate contaminants in the air, including the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and kills them. CAP still has electrostatic sprayers and daily periodic and nightly deep cleaning procedures.

If you have any questions about the hybrid in-school model, please do not hesitate to call the Elementary or High School offices.

Take care,

Dr. Alberta O’Brien

Chief Executive Officer

New Calendar Year Reopening Plans 2021

Good afternoon CAP Families,

Happy New Year! I hope you had a chance to see the video of introduction for the new calendar year that is attached to this newsletter. We are excited by the prospect of a new year, hopefully, filled with new beginnings.

CAP Reopening Plans

Grades K - 4

On February 17th, we will begin the process of making plans for the rest of the school year for grades K – 4. Each grade’s families will be notified and asked about their personal decisions to be hybrid or virtual and bussing. This is not a start date but a decision date for families. Please remember that students always have the option to remain virtual all school year.

Grades 5 - 12

On March 1st, we will begin the process of making plans for the rest of the school year for grades 5 – 12. Each grade’s families will be notified and asked about their on their personal decisions to be hybrid or virtual and bussing. This is not a start date but a decision date for families. Please remember that students have the option remain virtual all school year.

FAQs

1. What level of community transmission in Philadelphia right now? Substantial (see the chart in the link below)

2. Will we open the school on February 17th for K – 4? No, we will be discussing plans then.

3. Will we open the school on March 1st for 5 – 12? As of now, the city is still substantial (please see the chart) and does not recommend in-person instruction for older students. We will decide on March 1st direction.

4. Do we do anything right now to get ready to return? No, CAP will notify parents per grade after the dates above.CAP will determine next steps then. Please remember that students have the option to remain virtual all school year.

5. Will there be transportation? Ms. Marchetti will contact parents in regards to bussing needs if that arises.

6. What if my child has complex needs? The support staff will be contacting you.

School Closure Guidelines from the PA Department of Education (created January 7th, 2021) This is the updated school model instruction table for Pennsylvania schools.

Incidence Rate per 100,000 Residents (Most Recent 7 Days)

AND/OR

PCR Percent Positivity (Most Recent 7 Days

Level of Community Transmission in the County

Low

<5%

AND/OR

<10

Moderate

10 to <100

OR

5% to <10%

Substantial

≥100

OR

≥ 10%

Recommended Instructional Models*

Full in-person Model OR Blended Learning Model

Blended Learning Model OR Full Remote Learning Model

Blended Learning Model for Elementary Only OR Full Remote Learning Model

*For all instructional models, it may be appropriate for a school entity to provide in-person instruction for targeted student populations (i.e., students with disabilities, English Learners, etc.) regardless of grade.

Community Academy of Philadelphia, CS Symptom Home Screening Tool

Group A

1 or More symptoms

Cough
Shortness of breath
New olfactory disorder
New taste disorder

Group B

2 or more symptoms

Fever (measured or subjective)
Chills
Rigors
Myalgia
Headache
Sore throat
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Congestion or runny nose

Student Temperature? Must be less than 100 degrees.
Are you/is the student taking any medication to treat or reduce fever such as Ibuprofen (i.e. Advil, Motrin) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol)? If so, do not come to school.
Are you/is the student experiencing any of the following? If so, do not come to school.

Take care,

Alberta P. O’Brien, EdD

Chief Executive Officer

If your child is absent, send email to:

absent@communityacademy.org

For general questions, send email to:

Info@communityacademy.org

For admission questions, send email to:

admissions@communityacademy.org

For PowerSchool questions, usernames, and passwords, send email to:

powerinfo@communityacademy.org

School Bus problems: