Middle School

Schools play a vital role in children’s development and overall well-being. Our goal is to maintain the health, safety and mental wellness of our entire community while providing the nurturing and academically rigorous school environment unique to Pace.

Please ensure that you have reviewed the procedures and protocols posted at www.paceacademy.org/pace-health. The information below applies to the Middle School experience during COVID-19.

A Day in the Life of a Middle School Student

Remote Learning

Two-way Zoom technology allows students learning remotely to remain part of the on-campus classroom experience. From home, students are able to observe and interact with their teachers and fellow students, and classroom boards and presentations are concurrently available in real time. Remote learners follow the same schedule as students attending in person.

If a student plans to learn remotely for an extended period of time, please contact Head of Middle School Graham Anthony. Notification of day-to-day absences should be emailed to Administrative Assistant to the Head of Middle School Kim Thomson.

Prior to Coming to School

We ask that all students, faculty, staff and members of their households answer the following questions before arrival on campus each day:

Fever? Individuals with a temperature over 100.4 F are not permitted on campus. Medication may not be given to reduce or mask a fever.

Feeling Sick? Individuals exhibiting any symptoms of illness are not permitted on campus.

Face Covering? Individuals must wear face coverings except when eating or drinking. Pack an extra in your backpack.

In addition, please ensure that your vehicle and/or your child’s backpack is equipped with hand sanitizer to use prior to arrival. Students must bring their own fully pre-filled water bottle each morning; water fountains are not accessible throughout the day.

Arrival

Students arrive at school between 7:15 and 8:05 a.m. and follow carpool protocol. Students are expected to open their own car doors.
Students are dropped off in the back parking lot as usual
Students must enter through the Garcia Family Middle School Rotunda. A thermal camera is installed at the building entrance, where students, faculty and staff must be screened upon arrival each day. Those showing a fever will be sent home immediately. Individuals must be fever- and symptom-free for 48 hours before returning to campus.
Upon entering the building, students will find sanitation stations with hand sanitizer and disinfecting spray.

Entering the Building

Students who arrive between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. proceed to their grade-level floors and maintain social distancing. One teacher from each grade supervises beginning at 7:15 a.m.
All students are assigned a homeroom on their grade-level floor.
Faculty and staff are in their classrooms prepared to greet students at 7:45 a.m.
At 7:45 a.m., students proceed to their homerooms.

Morning Assemblies

Classroom Procedures

Upon entering classrooms, students will find sanitation stations with hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray. Students and faculty are expected to use hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving each classroom.
Between classes, teachers spray desks with disinfectant; students wipe desks with dry towels and dispose of them before the start of class.
As children enter the classroom, they place their belongings in their designated spaces.
Classrooms are set up in a socially distant manner where feasible.
Teachers continually monitor children’s interactions to ensure classroom safety.
Students supply their own writing utensils and expo markers; there is no sharing of materials.

PE Procedures

If changing clothes is necessary, students change for PE in all four available locker rooms. Students do not need to change on dress-down days, provided they wear PE-appropriate clothing.
PE occurs mostly outside, and only takes place inside when distancing is possible and activities follow athletic regulations.
Students disinfect hands before and after PE.
All equipment used is disinfected after use.

Movement Around Campus

Middle School students rotate between classes per usual.
Students should minimize use of their lockers and instead keep their materials in backpacks and carry the bag from class to class. Wherever possible, teachers avoid requiring large textbooks in class.
The Inman Center Snack Bar is closed at least through the first semester.
Each grade level has been assigned a stairwell to reduce congestion.

Lunch

Recess

Students may enjoy recess in the Inman Center, the Gardens, the back field or on grade-level floors. Students may not bring their own equipment and must use the recess balls provided. Recess balls are kept in grade-specific bins and require teacher assistance to access. After use, balls must be returned to the appropriate bin and disinfected by the teacher on field recess duty.
Students in line for volleyball or four-square must follow social distancing guidelines.
Seventh graders use half of the Inman Center gym floor; eighth graders use the other half.
Masks are required during recess.

We have limited on-campus visitors to those with appointments and essential workers, such as service providers and other vendors, through at least the end of the semester. We will reevaluate this policy on a month-to-month basis and will notify families if and when they may visit and volunteer.
Prior to arriving at the Middle School, all visitors, parents and late students must check in at the Castle front desk for temperature checks before entering campus.
- A staff member will meet late students and walk them to their classrooms.
- If a parent must drop off forgotten materials, they should deliver them to the Castle front desk. A Pace staff member will deliver the materials to the student/classroom.

Pick-Up

After-School Supervision

After-school supervision is available from 3:30-6 p.m.
Students are required to be in a classroom with a proctor on the sixth-grade floor. Multiple rooms are available, each with a proctor.
Students are expected to maintain social distancing; proctors assist in ensuring students are properly distributed between rooms.
Although after-school supervision is available, parents are highly encouraged to pick up students who are not involved in after-school programs as quickly as possible at the conclusion of the school day.