Return to Sunday School COVID Plan
September 5, 2020
Bridgetown Baptist Church has for many years offered Sunday School as a way of teaching children about God and His great love for them. COVID took the world by surprise but God is still in control and with much prayer for the lifting of restrictions, we are pleased to be able to offer a re-visioned Sunday School this fall. However, it must be with careful implementation of COVID protocols. We believe that as Christians, we are called to be good citizens and that we are to obey, as much as possible, those who lead and govern us (Rom. 13:1-7). Developed in consultation with the information provided by the government of Nova Scotiahttps://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/faith-based-gatherings-guidelines.pdf which refers Sunday School programs to https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/COVID-19-return-to-Day-Camp-Guidelines.pdf the following are measures we will be taking this fall/winter to help keep all those participating safe and healthy:
*ALL procedures are subject to change as per provincial regulations and instructions.
*For Clarification:
Bubble Groups - groups of no more than 10 (children plus their leader) who will be in the same group of children during the duration of the 5week program. Children are not permitted to switch bubble groups each week and are not subject to social distancing rules within their bubble. Masks are not required within each bubble group, but children or leaders may wear one if they choose.
Bubble Group Leaders - are leaders that remain with their bubble group of children for the full duration of the program and thus are not subject to social distancing rules.
Session/Activity Leaders- staff/volunteers who lead a session or activity and will come in contact with more than one bubble group. These staff will wear a face mask IF or when they need to be closer than 6 ft of the bubble group (ie Bible leader can stand 6 feet away but the games leader or craft leader will need to get closer to the bubble groups)
Screeners - Designated volunteers who will ask COVID related questions upon arrival each day and ask about symptoms. Screeners will wear masks
Contact Leader: This is a designated volunteer who will be available at drop off/pick up for special instructions you may need to give
Sanitizers -For Hands: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with a minimum of 70% alcohol that has been approved by Health Canada may be used by children and staff if they do not have access to soap and water, and if their hands are not visibly soiled. Children will be supervised when using these sanitizers.
ARRIVAL
·Upon arrival, all children will be screened for COVID-19 using a questionnaire suggested by the government of Nova Scotia. Any child showing a fever or cough (new or worsening) or any two or more symptoms including sore throat, runny nose, headache, or shortness of breath (new or worsening) will not be permitted to attend Sunday School.https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/ IF your child develops symptoms during Sunday School, they will be isolated with a socially distanced leader, be asked to wear a mask, and parents contacted for pick-up as per NS outbreak plan for daycares/day camps. Those who are sick must stay home, contact 811, and cannot return until fully recovered. If tested, Public Health will inform the individual or parent (when a child is involved) when isolation may be lifted.
Note:Children or staff who have been identified as having seasonal allergies or who suffer from chronic runny nose/nasal congestion are not required to be excluded.
Masks: Staff will be wearing masks at the time of screening and session leaders when in close contact with children. Bubble leaders (those who stay with bubble groups for entire stay) are not required to wear masks)
·During the drop off/pick-up times it will be asked that parents do not leave their vehicle so that we may ensure physical distancing is being maintained. If a parent must see a staff member in person, we ask that you wear a mask and keep 6ft social distancing. There will be a staff member available in a designated spot if you have special instructions or need to change pick up arrangements. Please go to this area only. Please follow the marked/directed vehicle flow of traffic for drop off/pick up.
While at Sunday School
At the beginning of each session, COVID protocols will be reviewed including but not limited to, social distancing, proper handwashing, hand sanitizing, covering coughs, and sneezes.
· To reduce the risk of transmission, children will be contained within their bubble groups. Each group will not exceed 10 (including leaders) Each group of 10 is exempt from the 2-metre physical distancing requirement. Although exempt, leaders should encourage children not to touch other children and to practice good personal hygiene.
·The frequency of sanitization will be increased. All general locations which are frequently touched such as doorknobs and handles will be cleaned a minimum of twice daily. All toys and equipment will be cleaned before and after the use of each bubble group. Between each session (including rotating sessions for activities) all touchable areas in the activity center will be sanitized prior to a new group of children arriving.
·During snack time children will be required to remain seated with only their bubble group. Handwashing will be enforced. Children will not self-serve and will maintain 6-ft distances in the food serving line.
·All kitchen staff and food servers will be trained and aware of all health and safety measures such as increased hand washing, wearing gloves, and excluding themselves if feeling ill.
·It will be ensured that all people on-site wash their hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer will be used for transitioning from activity to activity. Handwashing will be enforced for meals and toileting and taking meds. These two options will be enforced at a minimum; upon arrival, before and after snacks, after using the toilet, before each session, when taking medications, and after playing outside.
·All hand washing stations will have signs posted demonstrating the proper handwashing techniques and children will be monitored to ensure it is completed.
·All non-essential visitors will be restricted from the Sunday School area to limit transmission (Please phone ahead if you need to speak to a leader and if it can not be resolved over the phone, an appointment time will be arranged)
Joining the Worship Service
For the last session/activity each week, the Sunday School will be joining the worship service, entering the sanctuary using a different entrance than the congregation. Masks will be required. They will remain in their bubble groups with their leaders and will maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from anyone in the sanctuary. At the end of the service, children will exit, remaining separated from the rest of the congregation.
Dismissal / Pick Up
·Children will be dismissed systematically in small groups. Please note that this will take longer. At the end of the weekly Sunday School program, we ask that children and parents promptly leave the church property, while maintaining the 2 meters (6 feet) physical distancing guidelines.
·During the drop off/pick-up times it will be asked that parents do not leave their vehicle so that we may ensure physical distancing is being maintained. If a parent must see a leader in person, we ask that you wear a mask and keep 6ft social distancing. There will be a leader available in a designated spot if you have special instructions or need to change pick up arrangements. Please go to this area only. Please follow the marked/directed vehicle flow of traffic for drop off/pick up.
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Other Requirements
We will be keeping a list of names of those attending each week. The purpose of this is twofold:
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It will assist us in monitoring the number of people attending each week and in each group bubble.
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In the case of someone being infected with COVID-19, we may be required to provide authorities with the names of people with whom the infected person may have come into contact.
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This list will be kept in the church office and will remain confidential unless requested by government authorities.
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Masks are optional for children while at Sunday School. HOWEVER, If your child will feel more comfortable wearing a mask while they are here, they are welcome to come to Sunday School with one – however, we are not allowed to regulate that other kids in their group will have to wear them in the presence of your child.
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There is so much information out there and it is ever-changing. Although you may have heard of new information from FB or your family doctor, we are bound to follow the regulations of the Government of Nova Scotia- even if it seems “over the top.” When these regulations change, we will apply the new regulations to our unique Sunday School situation.
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How Can YOU Help us?
We are committed to a safe Sunday School, but let’s be completely honest...we can not GUARANTEE your child will not come in contact with COVID anymore than daycare or the grocery store can. We will employ weekly checklists for leaders/volunteers, BUBBLE groups, additional cleaning and sanitizing, and be hypervigilant of hygiene (gone are the days of “a little dirt never hurt”).
You can help us:
·Pre-register online (see FB page for registration). We are only accepting a maximum of 36 children at one time on a first come first serve basis. Only online or phone registration will be considered.
·Start preparing your child with the idea that Sunday School will be a little different (still tons of fun) but with more safety rules than ever!
·Practice washing hands for 20 full seconds. This seems like a long time if children are not used to it, so start this timing of washing hands.
·Practice covering the mouth and nose during coughing or sneezing with a tissue or a flexed elbow, and disposing of used tissues in the garbage container, followed by hand hygiene (handwashing/hand sanitizer).
·Be honest with us...WE DETEST that we may have to refuse children to Sunday School but for everyone’s safety -- PLEASE keep your child home if they are feeling ill or are exhibiting the symptoms.
Children or staff who are sick with fever or cough (new or worsening) or 2 or more symptoms including sore throat, runny nose, headache, or shortness of breath (new or worsening) must stay home, contact 811, and cannot return until fully recovered. If tested, Public Health will inform the individual or parent (when a child is involved) when isolation may be lifted.
Ultimately, If an outbreak is declared, we MUST CLOSE and are not permitted to reopen until advised by Public Health. If we all do our part, we minimize the risk of this happening.
OUTBREAK MANAGEMENT PLAN:
What is considered an outbreak when dealing with a confirmed case or a suspect case of COVID-19?
One confirmed case of COVID-19 (Individual who tests positive for the virus causing COVID-19);
OR
Two or more suspect cases of COVID-19. A suspect case is defined as:
a child/staff that has fever or cough (new or worsening) or 2 or more symptoms including sore throat, runny nose, headache or shortness of breath (new or worsening)
If a facility is required to be closed because of an outbreak, Public Health will give the directive to the facility.
·If exclusion/isolation is required, ensure that measures are in place to inform parents/guardians and staff of the situation and of how important this control measure is. Proper exclusion/isolation is one of the most important and effective measures in controlling the spread of disease to others. Parental and staff cooperation is critical. The facility must have an area that can be designated to isolate a staff or child that becomes symptomatic during the day while waiting to be picked-up. Pick-up is to occur within an hour of notification. Parents must be aware that this is an expectation.
·Symptomatic children must be immediately separated from others in a supervised area until they can go home. Where possible, anyone providing care to an ill child should maintain a distance of 2 meters.
·It would be important that the group of combined children/staff the symptomatic child was in, not mix with the rest of the Sunday School population until the ‘suspect case’ is assessed.
·If a 2-meter distance cannot be maintained from an ill child, if circumstances allow, the child should wear a community mask. Note: Masks are not recommended for children under two years of age.
·Environmental cleaning and disinfection of the isolation area must be conducted once the ill child/staff has left the facility.
·If an outbreak is confirmed, post appropriate notices for parents/guardians at all entrances to the facility to ensure that disease information is available for staff and parents/guardians if needed or requested.
·Ill staff must immediately isolate from all others and wear a community mask until they are able to leave the facility.
·Hygiene and respiratory etiquette must be practiced while the ill child/staff is waiting to be picked up.
This is absolutely a challenging unprecedented time. Due to the speed at which new information becomes available, and how serious this situation is to everyone, we aim to provide updates as necessary on the Bridgetown Baptist Church FB page. Please check back regularly for updates.