Princeton Academy's COVID-19 Response and Plan

The PASH Forward plan is subject to change, and many of our procedures are meant to be flexible and adaptable given the ever-changing landscape of this pandemic.

Princeton Academy is committed to maintaining a strong partnership with you and to remaining true to our mission and values with an emphasis on flexibility, mindfulness, and understanding as we navigate each new scenario.

Currently, Princeton Academy maintains a Hybrid Learning model and offers enrolled families two learning modality options:

1. In-person learning (5 full days a week)
2. Remote learning (5 full days a week)

Our Guiding Principles

Protect the physical and mental health and safety of students, faculty, and staff
Provide the Princeton Academy academic experience in an environment in which each student thrives — whether on campus or at home
Be compliant and closely adhere to guidelines from the State of New Jersey, NJDOH, Princeton Health Department, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Maintain our strong sense of community
Ensure access and equity for all students
Deepen school–family partnerships
Establish innovative and effective use of campus spaces and places

PASH Forward: Coming Back Together Plan

Health and Safety

CAMPUS AND FACILITY UPDATES

Enhanced cleaning protocols

Electrostatic sanitizing (daily)
Disinfecting of common spaces after use (playground and bathrooms)
Strictly adhere to CDC/EPA guidelines and policies

Geothermal HVAC System and Upgrades
Princeton Academy has a state of the art HVAC system that is well suited to the current pandemic:

Each classroom has its own air handling unit, therefore the risk of room-to-room transmission is greatly reduced
Each air handler will be retrofitted with high-efficiency filtration MERV 13 + and high-output UVC lamps that are capable of inactivating airborne and surface molds, bacteria, and viruses
Sophisticated controls system and separate outdoor air delivery system enable us to increase outdoor air levels and modulate building and room pressurization
We will go room-by-room and look at the airflow pattern and put the teacher in the best spot relative to the students

SCHOOL OPERATIONS
We are blessed with an expansive campus of nearly 50 acres, large classrooms and small class sizes. We feel confident that because of Princeton Academy’s unique attributes we will be able to reopen on a five-day schedule for In-person Learning. We will strive to maintain as many of the school traditions that we love while mitigating risk and keeping our community safe.

We will practice physical distancing (3 feet or greater) in classrooms and throughout campus
All students, faculty and staff will be required to wear a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status (except during lunch)
Students, faculty and staff will have the option of wearing a mask while outdoors while maintaining 3 feet distancing
Our ample outdoor spaces will be used as alternative classrooms, including tents
All visitors to campus will be by appointment and will adhere to all school health protocols, including wearing a face covering regardless of vaccination status
Mandatory hand washing every 90 to 120 minutes
Lunch and snacks will be eaten in classrooms/ outdoor spaces and brought from home
At this time, Princeton Academy will only allow school facilitated food deliveries to campus
All field trips scheduled for the fall and winter are under close consideration

Classrooms and Student Wellness

Princeton Academy is committed to bringing out the best in boys in every learning environment.

It is vital to note that while the school cannot prevent all risks, we can as a community work together to limit the exposure to the threats caused by COVID-19. We are confident that we must all do our part and be all in to keep our community healthy and safe.

The school is diligently planning the best ways to group students and deliver dynamic learning while keeping educators and students safe. School leaders are incorporating the following measures to ensure health and safety:

Maintaining and reimagining school/community gatherings such as One School Friday Thank Yous, liturgies and assemblies to keep familiarity and consistency for students while staying safe
Continuing to be mindful of grouping students in order to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and aid in contact tracing if the need should arise
Organizing classroom transitions to establish physically distanced traffic flow in hallways and staircases
Establishing physically distanced traffic flow in hallways and staircases
Supporting each student socially and emotionally throughout the year

Learning, Technology and Community

Princeton Academy has invested in various hardware and software to aid in the delivery of a dynamic Hybrid Distance Learning program. Thanks to the generosity of many families and the creation of a COVID Relief Fund, we have been able to acquire the necessary tools to provide students with the best learning experience whether they are on campus or at home. Here are some of the innovative technologies that we are working toward employing in the fall:

Expanding our 1:1 device program to all students K-8
Repurposing previously shared devices
Increasing campus Internet bandwidth
Expanding and redistributing wifi access points
Implementing OWL and Swivl technologies to classrooms where pedagogically and logistically appropriate; implementing iPads on tripods or wide-angle webcams in some other classrooms/spaces

THE ARTS, PE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS

With guidance from our national and regional arts associations, we are planning to create modified but meaningful experiences in music, visual and performing arts. The goal is for our students to continue to develop their artistry and skills, even while adhering to state and local health guidelines. To this end, we plan on working with educators to reorganize for smaller musical ensembles and flexibility in instruction. Music, visual and performing arts will be physically distanced and outdoor alternative classroom spaces will be utilized.

Decisions regarding the format of large indoor performances will be determined in advance of each event.

Princeton Academy’s mission and educational philosophy emphasizes the active movement of boys to support learning. With this in mind, we plan to continue PE class in the fall while adhering to current safety protocols.

Regarding Middle School Athletics, we are closely monitoring NJSIAA guidelines. Start dates for fall sports are:

Soccer (A and B) and Cross Country - Thursday, September 9
Golf - Monday, September 13

CALENDAR, BEFORE CARE AND AFTER CARE
Large-group events this fall, and perhaps for the entire school year, will be modified based on applicable guidelines. Our One School Calendar is being reviewed and adjusted to indicate which events may have to be changed with respect to groupings and capacities. Information about specific events will be available as we approach September.

For planning purposes, we intend to offer Before School Care, After School Care and Middle School Homework Club through our Extended Day Programs including Extended Day Classes.

Preparing and Supporting Our Faculty and Staff

Princeton Academy is fully committed to supporting our educators and staff as we prepare for the fall. From professional development to training, we are providing resources to help our educators and staff feel prepared and safe. Our goal is to maintain our academic excellence while staying true to our mission. We are currently working with educators to:

Support the delivery of joyful learning amidst pandemic
Identify the materials, tools and platforms that worked best in various learning modalities
Identify additional resources and professional development opportunities to enhance learning in all settings
Take advantage of further training with our current digital platforms
Create a balanced approach for all learners, whether on campus or at home, with appropriate academic support and challenge

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