Campus Reopening Fall 2020

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

• Q. What type of disinfection/mitigation measures will the Academy implement to keep the community safe?

  A. The Academy plans to increase the frequency of cleaning services, especially in high-traffic and high-touch areas, and use highly-efficient electrostatic foggers to disinfect classrooms, equipment, and common areas throughout campus. For a full list of cleaning mitigation measures, please refer to the Campus Reopening Framework Plan, Section 3.

• Q.  How do I access the COVID-19 Pre-Screening Checklist found on the Academy's homepage?

  A. In order to take the health screening questionnaire, you will need to use your student's Fryeburg Academy email and password. For incoming freshmen and new students, this information was sent in the summer mailing. If you cannot find this information, please contact IT@fryeburgacademy.org.

• Q. Will my student be required to wear a face mask?

  A. Yes. As part of an essential mitigation measure, students, faculty, and staff, and all visitors to campus will be required to wear a face mask/covering while on campus. Students will have access to "mask-free zones' located throughout campus as needed. If a student is unable to wear a mask, we recommend they participate in our remote-learning option. 
  
  Approved face masks must be at least two-ply, cloth or disposable face masks with head or ear straps. (A good rule-of-thumb is if you hold your mask up to the light and can see through it, it’s not thick enough).
  
  Masks with writing other than the FA logo or masks with valves are NOT allowed, as they house buildup of droplet secretions and pose a risk to others. Neck gaiters, bandanas, or attire other than traditional face masks will also NOT be allowed. Please refrain from touching your mask as much as possible throughout the day. 
  
  Fryeburg Academy will provide a cloth mask to any student who needs one. These masks will be available during a student’s first day of school.

• Q. Do all students need a flu shot to return to school?
  

  A. Yes. We highly recommend all students to receive the flu vaccination unless exempted under Maine law.
  
  

• Q. If my student does not have a laptop to participate in remote learning, will the Academy provide one?

  A. Yes. Should your student require a laptop, the Academy will loan a Google Chromebook for his/her use for the entire year. Additionally, the Academy has a limited supply of wifi hotspot devices that are available to families who do not have access to the internet.

• Q. What type of travel restrictions (if any) are there for students and community members?

  A. At this time, we are requesting students and their families, faculty, and staff to avoid all non-essential travel other than to areas designated by Maine authorities as exempt, during school breaks and weekends. If you must travel, we request you notify the school nurse (and Residential Office, if a resident student), and follow all protocols the Academy establishes for your return to campus, which may include testing and quarantine. 
  
  For further protocols that outline specific travel and group gatherings, please see FA's Community Compact, Section 6, #4 of the Campus Reopening Framework.

• Q. What happens if there is a potential outbreak in our county or if the State raises the risk level of COVID-19?

  A. Should the State or county increase the risk-level to "RED" (high risk-level), the Academy would assume a full remote-learning model. At any time, based on current assessment, the Academy may opt to go into a remote-learning model--despite current designated risk levels by local and state health agencies or temporarily close school until further exposure assessment by the school nurse and administration is determined.

• Q. Will students be tested for COVID-19 before the school opening?

  A. At this time, we are requiring all international resident students and students who travel by public transportation to be tested and quarantined until the negative test results are returned. We are focusing on students who are coming from other countries and/or parts of the U.S. that may have higher levels of the coronavirus spread.

• Q. Should a community member become infected with COVID-19, what type of contact tracing will there be and how will the community be notified?

  A. As part of our community conduct expectations (outlined in FA's Community Compact, Section 6, of FA's Campus Reopening Framework) all students, faculty, and staff are required to take the daily COVID-19 Pre-Screening Checklist, prior to arriving at campus. The school nurse will be monitoring this form daily and any symptoms will be auto-flagged. 
  
  If a community member requires a COVID-19 test and is positive, the school nurse will initiate contact tracing. If the exposure is potentially high, the Academy may opt to close the school for a few days until the full extent of exposure is determined. 
  
  The Academy will send out a broadcast email/text alert to all families and community members of the potential exposure.