PHDS looks to a safe opening

Posted

Providence Hebrew Day School makes student safety of paramount importance. To that end we have been following the guidelines of the governor and Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) for all reopening considerations.

Our first step was the formation of a school reopening committee that consisted of the school’s administrators and education committee chair as well as technology expert, a physician and a lawyer. The school reviewed all the RIDE guidelines and the committee came up with a set of custom written plans that conform to the state’s various levels of opening. These have been posted on our website (www.phdschool.org/covid19) and were sent to all teachers and parents. We opened a two-week comment period that allowed our stakeholders to ask any questions. Due to the size of our school, creating such plans was easier than for a larger school.

The school is investing in sanitization equipment for the building, sanitizing stations throughout the building, plexiglass dividers, masks and other equipment needed to allow school to open should the state allow it. In addition, we have technology in place should we need to return to a distance-learning model or a hybrid model. We are also prepared to offer a distance- learning model to students who need it.

We look forward to a safe opening of school, planned for Sept. 1, in the format deemed best by the state’s experts for all students and teachers.

Submitted by Providence Hebrew Day School