United Lisbon International School maintains three basic scenarios for providing a high-quality program in the face of issues such as the COVID pandemic, but also other events which might cause partial or full school closures. Our bottom line is to support student learning, provide quality experiences, and support families and students when faced with unforeseen school closures for a variety of reasons. This is considered “a living document”, meaning that it will be updated when the DGS (General Direction of Health) publishes new guidelines or if circumstances change.
In the case of COVID, we follow the Instructions of the Portuguese “Serviço Nacional de Saude” (DGS) and closely watch the guidelines and mandates of the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), WHO and EU for controlling the virus within schools.
Our goals are:
While we maintain three basic operating modes, we also understand that they will need to be adapted to address specific situations. The three scenarios/modes are:
Screening and Temperature Check:
Masks:
Physical distancing
United Lisbon is in the unique and one-time position of having smaller class groups and limited number of grade level sections. Our classrooms are large, and class sizes in year one are relatively small.
To facilitate physical distancing, each stair of the school has been reserved for either up or down flow.
Students are grouped into “bubbles” that have homeroom classes physically distant from each other.
Students maintain their bubbles for lunch and recess areas. Bubbles sit in the cafeteria maintaining distancing, and with a minimum of 4 meters distance between bubbles.
In early childhood and primary the specialist teachers, other than PE, come to the room for their lessons. Each grade level has a homeroom classroom for the core subjects.
Cleaning and disinfection
All classrooms have new ventilation system that is continuously exchanging indoor air with outside air.
Every night the classrooms and common areas are cleaned and disinfected. Tables, desks, and reusable materials are cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Classrooms and tables in the cafeteria used by multiple groups are sanitized before the next group enters
Classrooms and common areas are equipped with hand sanitizer and disinfectant products to wipe down high-contact surfaces during the day.
Other School-Wide Measures
Should a student or adult on campus exhibit symptoms typical of COVID, or have a fever above 37.5 C, steps taken at the school will include:
We recognize that we are dealing with different cultural norms in terms of aversion to or acceptance of risk, but we all share a common goal: to safeguard our children and the people who care for them.
We are all in this together. Therefore, we will need to rely on parents to assist by: