Research

Communication

CuriosityRE-OPENING PLAN

2020/2021

Early Childhood Education

On March 13 2020, as information about COVID-19 began to intensify, the President of

Ghana ordered all schools closed. At the time, the potential impact of COVID-19 on public

health was only just emerging. Our school followed all requirements from the President

and recommendations from the Ghana Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC). The school closure was then extended, and all private schools

closed for the remainder of the academic year.

As the country re-opened and the President lifted the Lockdown/Stay at Home Order, it

became essential that we begin the process of returning staff to work. Similar to the

government’s approach, our process is being done in phases. Please understand, this plan

is subject to change based on the evolving impact of COVID-19. The safety of our staff

and students remains the highest priority and at each of the three stages of our plan we will

closely monitor information from the President, the Ghana Health Services and heed the

recommendations from the CDC.

We are taking this thoughtful and measured approach so we can ensure a smooth transition

back to work and school. As always, please communicate with Management if you have an

individual situation that needs to be addressed.

Stay safe and thank you,

Mrs. Doryumu

Head of School2AIS

THE PROCESS

The Head of School has formed a task force to develop a thoughtful and measured approach for the

smooth re entry back to school. This plan places the highest priority on the health and safety of our

students and staff.

Our task force includes our divisional heads, coordinators, academic dean, faculty and staff members,

the various supervisors and clinical team as well as our parent representatives (See List). Together, we

are all working to plan all aspects of our operations for the resumption of teaching and learning in the

2020-2021 academic year.

Because AIS is a Pre K to Grade 12 school, we have developed a divisional-specific approach as well

as taken all aspects of our key operations into considerations for our re opening, placing great

emphasis on the health and safety guidelines by the CDC and WHO (World Health Organization).

Our plan to safely resume face-to-face classes will be based on the following:

• The President of Ghana’s decrees, regulations and restrictions

• CDC Guidelines for Schools

• Community spread and outbreaks on a regional level

If any of these affect our face-to-face re opening of school, we will begin all lessons virtually and then

move to blended instruction and then transition to face-to-face classes when it deemed safe to do so.

3AIS

TASK FORCE MEMBERSReturn to Work & School Task Force Members

• Mrs. A. Doryumu, Head Of School

• Mrs. Esther Coleman, PA to HOS

• Ms. Joann Ofori, Director of HR/Administration/Boarding

• Ms. Worlase Afatsiawo, Director of Communications/Development

• Ms. Pearl Woods, Coordinator of Admissions

• Mrs. Eunice Semordzi-Kpogli, Chief Financial Officer

• Ms. Helena Aba Christian, Head School Nurse (RSN)

• Mr. Manfred Setor, Supervisor of Facilities/Security

• Mrs. Mary Aikins, Supervisor of Catering Services

• Ms. Mansa Nkrumah, Academic Dean/Secondary Oversight

• Mr. Emmanuel Arthur, DP Coordinator

• Ms. Esther Nondi, MYP Coordinator

• Mrs. Jacqui Borteye, Head of Technology Services/IT Department

• Mrs. Jackie Adeti, LS Division Head

• Mrs. Regina Yeboah-Kyeremeh, EC Division Head

• Mrs. Frema Asante–Adjei, Director of Assessment/Accountability

• Ms. Abigail Opare-Obuobisah , Coordinator of Counselling Services

• Ms. Kafui Felli, Coordinator for SEN

• AIS Parent Representatives

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Our plan was to begin all classes for all grades Pre K to Grade 12 on the 17th of

August 2020, barring any unforeseen circumstances. However, we have decided

that our IB 2 students will have their orientation a week before the 17th. This is

designed to engage them in various well being and virtual training activities to serve

as an introduction to the year and also help them make a full transition back to

school life and routines. IB2 will begin classes on the 17th of August.

All other grade levels will begin their orientation in the week of the 17th and then

start classes on the 24th of August.

We will also conduct orientation and training workshops on our new AIS Virtual

Learning Platform for all parents, according to Academic Divisions.

Furthermore, we will make adjustments to introduce longer weekend breaks spread

across the first semester instead of the week long mid- semester break to ease the

stress of virtual classes.

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INTERIM RE-OPENING PLAN

3 PHASES

PHASE

1

Blended &

Face-to-FaceSafe return to

School

Full – time

Virtual Learning

6AIS

ONLINE (BLENDED) LEARNING:

Your child will participate in a blend of

synchronous (face-to-face instruction)

and asynchronous (teacher- directed

online learning) with regular

modifications to ensure all students

receive a well-balanced and

academically fulfilling experience.

If after deliberations with local authorities, the Head of

School and her team deem it fit that the school is able to carry

out the full physical campus modifications needed to assist

students safely transition to campus.

The President of Ghana

lifts the ban on school

closure.

FACE-TO-FACE LESSONS IN SCHOOL:

Your child will begin the academic year on campus

with the expectation that health and safety protocols

will be observed.

If the school is to close mid-year, students will switch to

full Virtual Learning.

As a family, you are

comfortable with your

child returning to face-to-

face lessons in school.

YES

YES

YES

NO

NO

DirectingThe Options

ORSwitch to Fully Virtual

7AIS

• Plan A: Government Mandated Mid-Year Closure Plan– if schools have to close at some

point during the middle of the school year, we will switch to Virtual Learning.

• Plan B: Schools Remain Closed and the President does not allow schools to reopen, what

will distance learning look like? AIS will switch to Virtual Learning for Semester 1.

• Plan C: A Safe Return to School – if the President of Ghana allows schools to reopen,

parents will be given two options for their children to return to school:

Option 1 – Return fully to Face-to-Face instruction on campus with safety measures in

place or follow a blended approach.

Option 2 – Enroll full time in Association International e-School for the entire 1st

Semester.

Next Step – Prepare for All Options

8AIS

Plan C- SAFE RETURN PLAN

Safe Re-opening Considerations

• Transportation

• Cafeteria & Meal Services

• Cleaning & disinfection protocols

• School Buildings

• Gatherings, visitors, field trips, extra curricular

• Student Travel

• Social & Emotional Support

• Academics

9AIS

Transportation

What will it look like for Boarders?

• Reduce the number of students

• Place no more than 10 to 15 students on each bus / 2 students per seat when feasible

• Install hand sanitizer dispensers on each bus and encourage use when students get on/off bus

• Request students & drivers to wear masks

• Maintain accurate seating chart in the event contact tracing is required

Cafeteria & Meal Service

• We will offer the same menu options for boarders

• Staff will clean and sanitize all serving areas and/or serving carts daily.

• Staff will clean and sanitize all tables inside the dining area after breakfast and dinner and in

between classes daily.

• All other Students will eat snack and lunch in their designated classrooms

• Each class will have separate break and lunch times

• Snack and lunch times will be supervised by the class teacher and / TA

• Students and all staff will wash their hands before and after meals

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Facility Cleaning Protocols

• Administrators will ensure Janitorial staff are scheduled in order to meet the requirements of the daily

cleaning protocols while teachers & students are on campus.

• Additional Janitorial workers have been employed to help meet the demand

• Placement of sanitizers and handwashing mobile stations in every classroom block and around the

school

Classroom:

• All desks and chairs will be disinfected at least once daily

• Common touch points: door knobs/handles, light switches, counter tops etc. will be cleaned frequently

and throughout each day

Restrooms & Lockers

• Fixtures and touch points will be disinfected at least 4 times per day. Complete general

cleaning/disinfection at least once per day.

Common areas (cafeteria, library, computer labs, stairwells, clinic, etc.)

• Disinfected at least once daily, or between groups if possible

• Common touch points: door knobs/handles, light switches, counter tops, hand rails etc. should be

cleaned frequently throughout the day

CLEANING & DISINFECTION

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Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

• Staff & Students will be encouraged to wear masks and face shield when and if they are able

Note: Face coverings/Masks should not be placed on:

- Children younger than 2 years old

- Anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious

- Anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance

• Students will be required to follow the AIS dress code in the Student Handbook when wearing the face mask

• Face shields will be provided for both Staff and Students

• Gloves and PPE outfits will be provided for teachers and staff

12AIS

SCHOOL BUILDING

Front Offices

• Encourage social distancing

• Limit non - essential visitors & volunteers

• Utilize visitor screening protocol

Classroom Layout

• While each Division differs in size and classroom square footage, classroom layouts will vary

• Every effort has been made to put as much distance as possible between students. Class sizes will

be reduced. Students will bring all their belongings to the classroom.

• Student stations will be seated 2 meters apart and all face the same direction whenever feasible

• Remove class items: cushions and carpets to increase distance between student stations

Additional Classroom Considerations

• Remove or discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean or disinfect

• Separate the belongings of each child (EC/ LS) and place in individually labeled containers,

cubbies, or areas of the classroom

• Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the extent possible

• Limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time; clean and disinfect

between use

• Avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids13AIS

Computer Labs

• Extend diagnostic testing windows to reduce the number of students in labs at one time.

• Disinfect using manufacturer approved cleaning materials between each use.

Other Common Areas

• Each Division Head will work with the appropriate staff to develop a plan that allows

for a reduced number of students gathering, to the extent feasible, in the following

areas:

• Pick - up/drop - off areas

• Recess/playground

• Restrooms

Hallways & Student Lockers

• Administrators/Division Heads/ Supervisors/ Facilities Rep. will determine distance and flow pattern

through hallways, mark flooring and walls appropriately

• Abandon or stagger the use of lockers

• Student water dispensers will NOT be available for use

• Students will bring their own personal water in water bottles

14AIS

Clinic Protocols

• Follow already established procedures regarding students who are ill and need to be sent home

• An isolation area will be established in the School Clinic and clearly labeled

• Chairs, cots, countertops, equipment, etc. will be disinfected after each use

• Mid-day temperature checks for all students and staff will be instituted

Gatherings & Events

• Pursue virtual group events, gatherings, or meetings, if possible, and promote social distancing if

events are held

• Limit group size to small numbers

Extra Curricular

• Some extra –curricular will be virtually held ; others will not be offered

Field Trips

• Teachers are encouraged to pursue virtual activities and events in lieu of field trips

Student Travel

• Students are discouraged from non-essential travel

• If students travel to a high-risk region, they are asked to notify the school Administrator/

Division Heads and also undergo health screening protocols as per our policy

• Student may be asked to self-monitor and possibly self-isolate

• Schools will continue to follow the AIS attendance policy

15AIS

Social & Emotional Well-Being

Living in uncertain times warrants the need to implement well-planned interventions to

ensure that the safety and well being of our community is catered for. The AIS

Counseling Department will implement a three-prong mental well-being plan for its

staff and students.

Staff Training on Youth & Mental Health, First Aid

-recognizing the signs of anxiety, grief, and trauma in students

-building resilience / becoming an emotionally-intelligent teacher

-completing a stress-buster program

-providing mental health resources to teachers to empower and increase awareness

Student Support

-continue mandated mental health education for grades 6-12

-actively engage students in social emotional learning curriculum called Footpath

-include a unique recreational program called “Amplify” to enhance recreational learning

-provide sessions on dangers on cyber bullying and an online student feedback session

-Utilize mindfulness activities with grades Pre-K – 5 with interactive resources provided by

Assessment and Development Coordinator and the counselling Staff

-incorporate 35 minutes Study Skills session called “I-SOAR”

16AIS

LEARNING SUPPORT & INCLUSIVE VIRTUAL TRAINING

Our Learning Resource SEN team will continue to remain an important and relevant

aspect of promoting inclusion to insure that our students who require special support

are not left behind.

• To keep supporting our students, AIS will institute a joint support system where

parents and our SEN teachers will meet Bi-weekly virtually to review different

interventions and strategies to help students

• A special needs virtual training will be provided for parents to review different

learning strategies for the different learning needs of students online

• To bridge gaps in learning we will utilize baseline data for reading and

mathematics to determine the instructional gaps and plan accordingly for

interventions utilizing the MTSS process (Multi-Tiered System of Support)

• Curriculum maps will be updated to allow opportunities for spiral review of

2019-2020 last quarter standards

• Progress checks will be conducted bi-weekly with parents virtually, to monitor

effectiveness for all student learning throughout the school year

17AIS

ON CAMPUS LEARNING

In adapting to the “ New Normal” a new way of thinking about learning is important for all

members of our community. Specific to each Division will be the protocols and daily routine

that allow for reasonable physical distance, limitations on the use of communal spaces, and

other strategies for maintaining a healthy and safe environment.

Effective Home-School Partnership:

We will seek to provide prompt and regular feedback to all our parents through Google Zoom or Meet this

academic year in order to meet the needs of every student in the following areas:

• Areas that need improvement: what is working and what is not

• Solicit parent feedback and recommendations

• Have regular ongoing meetings to inform parent of important updates through the Communications Team

For Students in all Divisions:

• Pick-up & drop-off times will be staggered to allow for physical distancing and a controlled entry to

campus and health screening protocols

• Frequent hand washing with soap and water will be enforced.

• Each child will have his or her own supplies to minimize the sharing of high-touch materials.

• Each child will bring his/her own sanitizer.18AIS

• We will reduce class size to a maximum of 10 students (may be 12 if needed)

• We will have a staggered start and end of day (the need to think about families with

multiple children - so not too far apart).

Suggested Arrival Time:

• 08:00am - 08:45am - Gr. 2 - 5

• 8:45am - 9:30am - EC1 - Gr. 1

Upon Arrival

• children are dropped-off at one of the 2 entrances by division - social distancing lines

on floor at entrance points

• EC Pre K - KG drop-off at EC Entrance

• Gr. 1-5 - Use Main entrance for drop-off

• We will measure temperatures of all entering each campus at each entrance - 2 people at each station measuring temperatures

• We will provide masks and face shields for all teachers and staff. If required by authorities, we will also provide for all students.

These must be worn in and outside of the classroom.

• Students go directly to their classroom on entry accompanied by teachers and teaching assistance after health and safety protocols.

• Any movement in the hallways – 2 meters apart and stay to the right side of the hallway/staircase

• Sanitizers available in each corridor. All teachers and students must wash or sanitize hand at least every hour - and before and after all

meals or “touch” activities

ELEMENTARY:

19AIS

Upon entering the classroom

• Students keep backpack/ sweater etc. in their classroom

• Limit materials brought from home. Materials brought to school should stay in school.

• In-class expectations:

○ Maintain 1.5 meters distancing at all times - students given individual desks

where possible or appropriate

○ Students bring own materials (i.e. pencil case with necessary material)

○ Limit shared materials to individual classes only (these will follow normal cleaning

arrangements). If items used for multiple groups, then they must be sanitized before

use with a different group.

■ Tablets and laptops will be assigned to all students.

Teacher Allocations/Expectations

• Students re-distributed into class groups of no more than 10. Each group will have an

assigned teacher who teaches this group for all learning - we will set up methods of

recording attendance in these new class groups

• We will survey all parents to determine how many students will return - this will allow us

to group those students returning

• Specialist teachers, like Learning Support, French/Spanish, Music, Art, or PE, will be

assigned to the newly created classes as their class teacher. All teachers will plan together

as teams to maintain consistency and uniformity

20AIS

• Specialist classes will be taught by the class teacher - so these programmes will need to

be greatly modified and almost certainly reduced.

• Grade Level teachers to ensure the primary focus is on Math, Literacy and Science.

The foreign Language programme will need to be significantly modified, largely

happening using online resources.

• We will allocate teachers based on the best possible use of their expertise and

experience.

Planning

Lesson planning remains the responsibility of the normal Grade Level teaching

team.

Daily schedule

Programme is primarily focused on Math, Literacy and Science.

Specialist classes

Specialist lessons, if they occur, will be significantly modified and will be taught by the

class teacher except foreign Language Classes.

Daily Lessons

Snacks

• Brought from home

• Eaten in classroom

• Wash hands before and after

21AIS

Morning Break/Lunch Break Expectations

• Modified play - no ball games and no contact games

• Students will go out for short breaks in small groups in a staggered manner and keep

social distancing.

• Wash hands before and after

Lunch

• Students either bring from home or buy from school. Bought food from the cafeteria

will be delivered to the classroom and eaten in class

• Wash hands before and after eating

Supervision

• This is largely done by Teachers and Teacher Assistants.

Dismissal/Pick up

• We will have a staggered end of day

After School Program

• We will Not have our after-school care - as this will have to involve mixing of all

students - which undoes all the work we have done in modifying the normal teaching

day

Health declaration

• All parents must sign a health declaration - which will outline what parents must do to

ensure potentially ill children do not return to school. We will then send out regular

reminders about this. All parents must consent to keeping a child who is ill off campus

22AIS

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

For Middle and High School students, we will have to resort to a Schedule that reduces the

number of students at any one time. The prescribed guidelines calls for roughly 50% of last

year’s student density.

If necessary a rotation will be created that supports the learning needs and required

instructional hours for the IB & IGCSE programs. The need to adopt alternate schedules will

depend entirely on this years student numbers. Therefore, we are strongly considering the

blended program such as:

• Students are on campus on alternate weeks and Learning online at home when they are

not on campus. (1 week face-to face and 1 week virtual learning) OR

• Some students on campus alternate days and learning virtually at home when they are not

on campus.

Rationale

• We will have a staggered start and end of day (need to think about families with multiple

children - so not spaced too far apart).

Suggested Arrival Time

• 07:30am - 08:00am - Gr. 6 - 12

Upon Arrival

• Parents drop-off children - social distancing lines on floor at entrance points

• Use Main School entrance.23AIS

• We will measure temperatures of all entering - 2 people at each station measuring

temperatures

• We will provide masks and face shields for all teachers. If required by authorities, we

will also provide for all students. These must be worn in and outside of the classroom

• Students go directly to their classroom on entry accompanied by teachers after

completing health and safety protocols.

• Any movement in the hallways - two meters apart and stay to the right side of the

hallway/staircase

• Sanitizers available in each corridor. All teachers and students must wash or sanitize

hand at least every hour - and before and after all meals or “touch” activities

Upon entering the classroom

• Students keep backpack, jacket/sweaters, etc. in their classroom

• Limit materials brought from home. Materials brought to school should stay in

school.

• In class expectations:

○ Maintain two meters distancing at all times - students given individual desks

where possible or appropriate

○ Students bring own materials (i.e. pencil case with necessary material)

○ Limit shared materials to individual classes only (these will follow normal

cleaning arrangements). If items used for multiple groups then they must be

sanitized before use with a different group.

■ laptops will be assigned to all students.

24AIS

Teacher Allocations/Expectations

• Students re-distributed into class groups of no more than 10. Subject teachers

assigned to each group

• We will survey all parents to determine how many students will return - this will

allow us to group those students returning

Planning

Lesson planning remains the responsibility of subject specific teaching team

under the heads of department

Grading

• Minimum of 1 grade per week per subject as stated in Student Progression Plan

& the AIS Student Hand Book..

• Make-up work policies as stated in the AIS Hand Book.

Daily schedule

Daily Lessons and Specialist classes

Will follow normal schedule and requirements

Snacks

• Brought from home

• Eaten in classroom

• Wash hands before and after 25AIS

Morning Break/Lunch Break Expectations

• Modified play - no ball games and no contact games

• Student will go out for short breaks in small groups in a staggered manner and

keep social distancing.

Lunch

• Students either bring from home or buy from school. Bought food from cafeteria

will be delivered to the classroom and eaten in class

• Wash hands before and after eating

Supervision

• This is largely done by all teachers

Dismissal/Pick up

• We will have a staggered end of day

After School Program

• There will be no after school program- as this will have to involve mixing of all

students - which undoes all the work we have done in modifying the normal

teaching day.

Health declaration

• All parents must sign a health declaration - which will outline what parents must

do to ensure potentially ill children do not return to school. We will then send out

regular reminders about this. 26AIS

Contingency Plan for Confirmed Case

Contingency Plan for Confirmed Case

If a confirmed case enters the school, regardless of community transmission,

Association International School will implement a short-term closure based

on guidance from the Head Nurse and Local Health Services.

Additionally, Association International School will work with local health

officials to determine the next steps to mitigate the outbreak, i.e.

communication, contact tracing, cleaning and disinfecting protocols, etc.

27AIS

The Board has approved an additional budget to prepare the campus with all the necessary

outfitting of equipment and resources as well as the purchase of our own unique AIS

Virtual Learning Platform. The purchasing of additional learning resources, Ed Tech tools,

student tablets and laptops and additional software memberships and online applications,

is very necessary to support our online learning platform and to ensure we deliver the best

educational program for our students. Furthermore, health and safety equipment, PPE’s

and additional furniture will be purchased to create extra and Eco learning spaces to

ensure social distancing. The increase in our budget due to the above measures, in light of

the reduction of our enrollment numbers, is necessary to ensure the safety and health of

our students and faculty, and to ensure a smooth transition back to school and learning.

AIS tuition rates, therefore, will remain the same as the 2019-2020 academic year without

increase.

• We encourage families to reach out to the Finance Office for assistance in payment

according to our payment plan

• There will be no payment plan fee. This additional fee has been waived for the 2020-

2021 academic year.

• Our exchange rates remain the same as last year’s

• Parents experiencing hardship should contact the Head of School for other options

For any Questions, Clarifications or Concerns, please contact

our Communications Team at 0261101229 / 0303936559r

OTHER MATTERS & QUESTIONS

28AIS

Please note, the information in this PDF is meant for the consumption of AIS

Parents and Stakeholders only. Any reproduction of this is prohibited.

Thank you for your support Thank you for your support

29AIS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Ghana Health Services

Ghana Ministry of Education

Hernando School District (USA)

International School of Basel

International School Services

World Health Organization

30AIS