UPDATES:
Siena’s senior leadership team, principals, and Board of Directors have recommitted ourselves to the belief that students learn best in person, in community, with teachers. All students will engage in in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year.
Keys to a successful return: we have a responsibility to each other to follow our safety guidelines inside and outside of school. This is the only way we can maintain the option of in-person learning and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Our commitment to each other must include:
- Practicing good hygiene and washing hands often
- Avoiding large gatherings
- Staying home when sick
As a reminder, here is the link to at-home screening.
Here are some tips when it comes to sanitizing your tablets and phones.
Is it okay to use a disinfectant on my Chromebook/iPad/cell phone? Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your device, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your device in any cleaning agents. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.
Back To School FAQ
What is COVID-19?
On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”. There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.
What are the symptoms?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
Is there a vaccine?
Yes! Vaccines are available to anyone over the age of 5. Please contact your doctor or local health department if you would like to be vaccinated.
Who is Siena using for guidance on COVID-19?
CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, City of Racine Health Department, Central Racine County Health Department.
What are the quarantine times?
- A 5-day quarantine period will be in place for Siena students, faculty, staff, and employees who test positive for COVID. People may return on Day 6 if their symptoms have resolved and are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
- Those who test positive and return on Day 6 must wear a mask until Day 10.
Will you be screening for temperatures upon entry to school?
No. All families and employees are expected to screen for temperature and signs of infectious illness on a daily basis. School staff will screen students who appear symptomatic. Teachers who observe ill students will send them to the main office. School staff will screen students who appear symptomatic. Teachers who observe ill students will send them to the main office.
What happens if my child gets sick at school?
Students who present with symptoms of influenza like illness or COVID-19 during the school day will safely rest in each school’s identified isolation room while waiting for the arrival of a parent or guardian. The school principal or designee will contact the student’s parent or guardian to pick up the student as soon as possible. A pre-identified staff person, wearing personal protective equipment, will stay with the student while awaiting the parent or guardian’s arrival.
When should I keep my child at home?
If someone in your home has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibits symptoms, your child should be quarantined for five days. A child should never be sent to school if they have a fever of over 100.4, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. Additionally, students should never come to school if they have an itchy rash, eye infection with discharge, and active lice or nits. Students must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
What if my child is diagnosed with COVID-19?
If your child or an immediate family member is diagnosed, please let your principal know so that we can investigate contact, disinfect appropriately, communicate clearly, and help your family in any way. Your child will be excluded from school (including sports/activities) and would be quarantined by the health department until at least five days have passed since symptoms began and at least 24 hours symptom-free including fever free without the use of medication. Note: those who test positive must wear a mask for 10 days.
What if my child or an immediate family member is exposed?
A friendly reminder that if your student or someone in your household is awaiting viral COVID test results, your student must not come to school until you have the results of those tests. The school secretary or principal must see an image of the test result in myChart or other official patient documentation.
If your child HAS NOT BEEN VACCINATED, was not masked, was exposed to someone who tested positive, was exposed to someone who is awaiting testing results, and was within 6 feet of that person for 15 minutes or more, your child will be excluded from school (including sports/activities) and would be quarantined by the health department until at least 10 days have passed since symptoms began and at least 24 hours symptom-free including fever free without the use of medication. If your child is exposed, please let your principal know so that we can investigate direct contact, continue instruction at home, disinfect appropriately, communicate clearly, and help your family in any way.
What if my child's teacher or other school staff are diagnosed or are presenting with COVID symptoms?
If your child’s teacher is diagnosed, you will receive a communication directly from your school, including information on continued instruction, cleaning procedures, etc. The teacher will be excluded from school and would be quarantined by the health department until at least five (5) days have passed since symptoms began and at least 24 hours symptom-free including fever free without the use of medication. Staff may return on Day 6 ONLY if their symptoms have resolved and they are fever-free.
Will everyone in the class need to quarantine if someone tests positive?
Parents will be notified if their child has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This notification will contain guidance and information about the need to quarantine. Decisions about quarantine will be made in consultation with local health departments. Quarantine and closure decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
What would cause a school(s) to close?
Decisions about the closing of a school or multiple schools/buildings due to high COVID numbers will be made by Siena Catholic Schools of Racine in consultation with the City of Racine Public Health Department and Central Racine County Health Department. Quarantine and closure decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
What kind of tests do you accept?
Laboratory tests (not at-home tests) are required to determine if someone is negative. We will require proof of a negative test result via myChart or other official documentation.
What is considered "fully vaccinated"?
The CDC considers those who are fully vaccinated to have received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. Up-to-date is defined as a person who has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses when eligible. Pfizer boosters are available for those ages 12+, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters are available for those ages 18+.
I already had COVID. Do I still need to quarantine?
If you have had COVID within the last 90 days, confirmed by a laboratory test, you do not need to quarantine. If it has been longer than 90 days, you will need to follow the quarantine guidelines.
What is LFS?
Learning from school, meaning face-to-face in school in the classroom.
What precautions are being taken?
- SCREENING: Schools will use single-point entry for students, where a designated staff member(s) will screen students. Isolation rooms will be set up for students who register a temperature of 100.4 or higher.
- MASKS: Any person over the age of five must wear a mask.
- SOCIAL DISTANCING: Signage will be posted throughout each building, encouraging proper social distancing and handwashing, as well as general COVID-19 information. Floor decals will be placed in hallways to indicate traffic flow and social distance. In classrooms, communal tables will be replaced with individual desks and desks will be spaced as far apart as physically possible. Sneeze guards will be available for any remaining communal tables.
- CLEANING: Increased cleaning protocols will be followed: custodial staff will have increased cleaning duties in high-traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces (i.e., bathrooms, handrails, doors, etc.).each classroom will have hand sanitizer and be equipped with disinfectant that teachers will use to spray down surfaces when students leave room; hand sanitizer stations will be located in every room; equipment will be used daily by custodial staff to spray down every room, restroom, and all other areas to disinfectant; if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 the room(s) will be cleaned with an electrostatic machine; documentation will be required in restrooms for frequent sanitizing and checks.
Will students have to wear masks?
No. At this time, masks are optional for all students and staff.
Do faculty/staff have to wear masks?
Yes. Any person over the age of two must wear a mask.
How will classrooms look; will there be changes to classroom layouts?
Student desks will be spread out as much as physically possible (ideally, 3-6 feet apart, but this will not be possible in every room), and the number of desks in each room will be based on enrollment numbers. The first row of desks will remain 6 feet from the teacher’s instructing area. Each classroom will be equipped with a hand sanitizer pump and disinfectant supplies, which teachers will use to disinfect desks in between class periods.
How will school supplies be handled?
To the best of our ability, we will limit the number of contacts children will have and limit the sharing of supplies and materials. Please purchase your school supplies and label with your child’s name. We are aware that supplies such as sanitizing wipes are not available for purchase at this time and are supplementing with disinfecting spray. Any classroom equipment such as microscopes would be disinfected between uses.
How will specials (art, music, Spanish, physical education) be handled?
Whenever possible we will bring classes outside and socially distance for mask breaks. Music and physical education will be held outside when possible. Elementary art and Spanish will be held inside and teachers will go to classrooms vs. students moving. Masks will be required unless running/conditioning.
Will junior high students move from classroom to classroom?
Yes.
Where will students enter the building?
Each school will have a designated single-point entry (to be determined by the principal). Signs will be placed outside of the building to indicate the point of student entry. Signs will also indicate drop-off zones.
How will social distancing work in small classrooms?
The placement of student desks and tables along with in class instructional groupings of students will be evaluated by classroom teachers in order to maintain physical distance among students to the greatest extent possible. Some furniture may be removed to accommodate for greater physical distancing. Alternative learning spaces may also be used for larger classes depending upon the number of students who are learning from school.
Will all students be socially distanced in the classrooms?
We will socially distance to the best extent when possible. The physical makeup of our classrooms and the number of students per class will not allow for every student to be 3-6-feet apart from each other at all times. We will focus our efforts on universal precautions like having students contained to group cohorts, scheduled surface cleaning, hand washing, and using face coverings when in close contact with others.
What about school supplies, specifically sharing supplies?
To the best of our ability we will limit the number of contacts children will have and limit the sharing of supplies and materials. Please purchase your school supplies and label with your child’s name. We are aware that supplies such as sanitizing wipes are not available for purchase at this time and are supplementing with disinfecting spray. Any classroom equipment such as microscopes would be disinfected between uses.
Hand washing is important. How will this be encouraged?
Specific hand washing protocols will be explicitly taught at elementary schools. Bathrooms will be equipped with illustrations/posters that explain proper handwashing techniques.
Will bubblers/water fountains be available for use?
Bottle-filling stations will be available at every school. Students should bring their own water bottle from home, which they will be able to refill at no-touch bottle filling stations. Students will not be allowed to drink directly from bubblers.
What will school visitor policies be?
Only students and school employees are allowed in buildings at this time for safety reasons. No parents/guardians, volunteers, or outside visitors will be allowed in the buildings with the exception of contracted workers. Any approved visitor must set an appointment with administration prior to arriving. All visitors must wear masks.
What about school Masses?
Masses will take place with a limited number of classes at a time; Masses will also be live-streamed. Faith formation will still be provided via religion classes and daily prayers.
What will school cleaning/sanitizing procedures look like?
Increased cleaning protocols will be followed: custodial staff will have increased cleaning duties in high-traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces (i.e., bathrooms, handrails, doors, etc.). Each classroom will have hand sanitizer and be equipped with a disinfectant that teachers will use to spray down surfaces at the end of the day; hand sanitizer stations will be located in every room; equipment will be used daily by custodial staff to spray down every room, restroom, and all other areas to disinfect; if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 the room(s) will be cleaned with an electrostatic machine; documentation will be required in restrooms for frequent sanitizing and checks.
How will buildings be disinfected in the event that a student tests positive for COVID-19?
In the event of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, Siena is contracting with a company to disinfect any areas/schools with an electrostatic disinfectant sprayer.
How will traffic flow be controlled?
Hallways will have floor stickers indicating the direction of traffic flow. Bathrooms will be limited to 50% capacity. Signs will be posted in each bathroom, indicating the capacity limit. Floor decals will indicate 6 feet of space where waiting in line is required (i.e., near bathrooms and bubblers).
How will air flow/ventilation be optimized in classrooms?
Classroom unit ventilators will run 24/7 to ensure continuous fresh air intake and air flow. For rooms that do not have unit ventilators, fans and window A/C units will be used. Windows can also remain open. When fans and/or window A/C units are used, they must be placed in areas of the room that do not allow air to be blown directly from one person to another.
Where will students eat lunch?
All students in school will have access to foodservice. Students will be eating lunch in designated spaces. Eating surfaces will be sanitized prior to, between, and after student use, by building staff. Sanitizing solutions and supplies will be provided by the Food Services Department. Logistics for serving and eating lunch will be specific to each school; the primary focus of lunch plans will be on physical distancing measures, keeping students with their primary cohort, and insuring students remain in their assigned lunch location seats. These practices will assist with reducing transmission of illness and any potential contact tracing.
What kind of food service will/will not be available?
Breakfast will be grab-and-go and eaten in the classroom. One hot lunch option will be available; no ala carte items will be available.
What about bussing?
All students will be required to wear a mask while on the bus. Students will have assigned seats in alternating rows. Bus pick up locations will follow social distancing and have limited number of students. Busses will be filled from back to front as students enter.
Will students still be able to participate in athletics?
High school athletics will follow the requirements of the WIAA and the health department. Grade school athletics will continue in accordance with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Will students still participate in field trips?
Field trips are restricted until further notice.
How will grade schools handle recess?
Elementary school students will still participate in recess as a homeroom/cohort; times will vary.
How will the high school handle study hall?
Students will have access to study hall teacher for support per their schedule.
What about birthday treats, shared food, holiday parties, etc.?
All treats, shared food, gifts, etc. are restricted until further notice.
Will my school give my child a mask?
If a student wishes to wear a mask, families are asked to provide disposable/cloth face masks for their child(ren). Disposable masks are also available to those who forget their mask at home.
Are younger students exempt from wearing masks?
Yes. Per the CDC and the City of Racine Public Health Department, anyone under the age of five does not have to wear a mask.
What kind of masks are acceptable?
Masks are optional at this time. If worn, masks should be clean and made of cloth or disposable. Note: cloth masks should be washed daily, so please keep this in mind when purchasing. Masks must be appropriate for school and may not contain foul language, inappropriate images, controversial patterns/sayings. Vented/filtered/gaiter masks are not acceptable. Bandanas are not allowed. If a mask is deemed inappropriate, a disposable mask will be provided to the student. It is recommended to have your child’s initials on the mask.
How will you enforce wearing masks?
At this time, masks are optional for all students and staff. Anyone who tests positive for COVID will quarantine for five days and then be required to wear a mask for an additional five days once they return to school.
Will masks be required all day?
Masks are optional for students and staff. Masks may be removed when eating, drinking, exercising, and while outdoors when social distancing is possible. Restrictions are subject to change per state and local ordinances.
What if someone comes to school without a mask?
A disposable mask will be issued to students or staff who come to school without a mask and wish to wear one.
If parents choose to withdraw their student(s), will their child(ren) be guaranteed enrollment in 2022-23?
No. Siena Catholic Schools of Racine cannot guarantee enrollment once a family withdraws.
If parents choose to withdraw their student(s), do they lose their Choice eligibility?
Yes. If a Choice family chooses to withdraw their student(s), that family is forfeiting their Choice eligibility at any Siena Catholic School for the remainder of the academic year.
How will we be communicated with?
K-8 schools will use PowerSchool and Class Dojo; SCHS will use PowerSchool.
Siena Catholic Schools of Racine ignites a spirit of excellence in faith, knowledge, and service, inspiring students to be who God created them to be.
- Service: We serve God’s children through Catholic education.
- Education: We educate the whole child in mind, body, and spirit.
- Tradition: We honor our Dominican roots through prayer, study, service, and community.
- Collaboration: We work with families, parishes, and partners to build and strengthen communities.
- Innovation: We develop innovative thinkers and problem solvers.
- Excellence: We strive for excellence in all we do.