SCIS COVID-19: COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Last updated September 9, 2021

SCIS COVID-19 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

From the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, our highest priority has been the health and safety of every member of our community. We are committed to making SCIS a safe space to learn and to work for all Dragons. In order to do so, we have developed a detailed plan, which is outlined below, based on regulations provided to us by our related government authorities. We understand that keeping each individual healthy and safe requires constant vigilance by the entire community. This effort and our shared commitment to it is a positive reminder of how the C in SCIS is more important now than ever before.

Throughout this web page, reference is made to fever and/or COVID-19 symptoms. In accordance with government regulations, a fever is a body temperature of 37.3 Celsius or above.

UPDATES TO SCIS TRAVEL GUIDELINES

We consistently review the guidelines and mandates provided by our various governing authorities related to travel. School employees and students often have heightened levels of restrictions in place for travel outside of Shanghai. As such, we will update our SCIS Travel Guidelines via this site regularly to reflect the most recent changes, and significant changes will be communicated via ‘Community Update’ emails.  

Travel Restrictions (as of September 8, 2021):

• General Restrictions:  
  • Travel outside of Shanghai should be limited for all employees, families, and students. 
  • If one must travel for a critical or emergency matter, travel should be limited to identified low-risk zones within China.  
  • Anyone traveling outside of Shanghai, regardless of the destination’s risk-level, should be prepared to face additional and unexpected government-mandated control measures such as being stranded outside of Shanghai due to travel restrictions, required quarantine, and/or additional Covid-19 Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT). 
  • Students who have access to campus restricted due to a family’s choice to travel outside of Shanghai will be marked absent; thus, additional provisions such as virtual learning will not be made available. 

If you are truly unable to limit travel outside of Shanghai, please note the following requirements:  

• Pre-Departure Requirements: SCIS will continue to uphold the requirement to collect information, prior to departure, for all students and employees who will travel outside of Shanghai. Prior to your departure from Shanghai, please provide all travel details via the SCIS Travel Form. 
• Requirements Upon Re-entry to Shanghai: Regardless of the risk level of the location traveled to, all returning students are required to monitor their health symptoms for 14 consecutive days via the SCIS Traveler Health Declaration Survey. In addition, we will continue to require the daily submission of the Travel QR code, the Student Health Form, and temperature checks.  

Please note the following for those that may have travelled to or through a low-risk zone, reasonable-risk area, a medium-risk zone, or a high-risk zone:  

• Low-Risk Zone: Should a student or school employee return to Shanghai from a low-risk zone, they will be asked to submit a Covid-19 Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)* (the test must be taken within 48 hours of the return to campus date) and, upon submission of the negative test results, monitor their health symptoms for 14 consecutive days via the SCIS Traveler Health Declaration Survey. Once the nurse has confirmed receipt of the nucleic acid test results and the individual is healthy (I.e., has no symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, loss of smell, or diarrhea) they may enter school while completing the 14 days of monitoring their health symptoms. 

• Reasonable Risk Area: A reasonable-risk area is defined as an area that is at risk of epidemic control issues due to proximity to identified medium- and high-risk zones. Should a student, school employee, or any member of their household return to Shanghai from a reasonable-risk area they will be asked to submit a Covid-19 Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)* (the test must be taken within 48 hours of the return to campus date) and, upon submission of the negative test results, monitor their health symptoms for 14 consecutive days via the SCIS Traveler Health Declaration Survey. Once the nurse has confirmed receipt of the nucleic acid test results and the individual is healthy (I.e., has no symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, loss of smell, or diarrhea) they may enter school while completing the 14 days of monitoring their health symptoms.  
  • SCIS will assess if a location traveled to or through is identified as a reasonable-risk area with the help of local authorities using travel survey results. If you are uncertain if you have traveled to or through a reasonable-risk area, please email us at travel@scis-china.org. 

• Medium Risk Zone: Should a student, school employee, or any member of their household return to Shanghai from a medium-risk area, the entire household must complete 14 days of Community Health Management (centralized observation or home-based will be determined by the community health bureau). This means the family will need to report each household member’s body temperature and health status to the neighborhood health unit each day. Additionally, the household members must submit to a Covid-19 Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)*. At the end of the 14-day Community Health Management period, another Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) should be conducted (totaling 2 Nucleic Acid Tests). 

• High-Risk Zone: Should a student, school employee, or any member of their household return to Shanghai from a high-risk area, they must complete a 14-day Centralized Isolation Health Observation (hotel-based quarantine). This means the individual will need to remain in a centralized quarantine location for 14 days. The returning household member must submit to a Covid-19 nucleic acid test* on the first and last day of quarantine. Those who are in good health and have achieved two negative test results will be able to apply to return home and, in the case of a student or school employee, return to campus.  

For those that have completed the requirements established for Low-, Reasonable-, Medium-, or High-risk zones, the following steps are required before your child may return to campus: 

• In order to apply to return to school the student will need to take a nucleic acid test (NAT)* within 48 hours of campus entry date and provide the report of the test results via email to the school clinic who will confirm your results and access to campus. 
  • Hongqiao ECE Campus: hq-ece-nurse@scis-china.org 
  • Hongqiao Main Campus: hq-nurse@scis-china.org 
  • Pudong Campus: pd-nurse@scis-china.org 

Please reference this site to determine risk levels around China. (For non-Mandarin readers, this site is most easily viewed using Google Chrome on the computer for translation. )

Travel Restrictions for those Returning from Outside of China:  

SCIS community members that are returning from outside of Mainland China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, are required to: 

• Report travel history to the school via the SCIS Travel Form
• Complete the current 14 + 7 days of centralized and at-home quarantine (students and employees will not be able to enter campus during this entire 21-day period) 
• Submit a Nucleic Acid Test (NAT)* taken within 48 hours of the campus entry date and provide the report of the test results via email to the school clinic who will confirm your results and ability access to campus:  
  • Hongqiao ECE Campus: hq-ece-nurse@scis-china.org  
  • Hongqiao Main Campus: hq-nurse@scis-china.org  
  • Pudong Campus: pd-nurse@scis-china.org

*Please note, the antibody test (PCR) is not a required test for verifying return to campus.

CAMPUS ENTRY PROTOCOL - ARRIVAL BY GATE OR SCHOOL BUS

Entry Requirements: All SCIS employees, students, parents, approved guests and vendors entering an SCIS campus (or bus) must meet the following requirements: 

• Present a green travel code** to enter 
• Have a temperature of 37.2 or below 
• Everyone is required to wear a mask upon gate entry and exit as well as at all times while on the school bus. 
  • Students and employees* should have a mask in their possession however it is not required to be worn once on campus. 

*Operational staff, Cafeteria employees, Guards, Nurses, as well as all faculty and staff that work directly with students in Nursery to Kindergarten are required to wear a mask throughout the school day.   

Health Forms: 

• Students: Must present the SCIS Daily Student Health Card on school days. 
• Parents & Approved Guests: Must present the Parent/Visitor Health Declaration form to enter 
  • We would appreciate it if you could please print and complete the form in advance of your arrival. If this is not possible, we will have additional copies available at the gate. 

*Green Travel Code: 

• This is different than the previous health code, please follow these instructions to learn how to access the code. 
  • Students Grade 6 and under may use their parent's code. 
  • Parents may display the code from their phones at the gate or to the bus monitor.   
• A color print of a screen capture from the same date may also be accepted.
• As the Travel Code tracks your travel history, it will only begin working 14 days after receiving your China SIM card** 
  • For those who are new to China and have a new China SIM card, thus do not yet have access to a working Travel Code, the School Clinic may grant special entry approval by providing a “Bus / Campus Entry Pass” which can be used to enter the campus / bus in the interim until the Travel Code is working 
  • To apply for this special approval, all SCIS employees, students, parents, approved guests and vendors must first meet the Clinic Nurse at the campus entrance and submit their: 
    • Quarantine release paperwork; and, 
    • a nucleic acid test (from a testing location within Shanghai) report taken within 48 hours of the campus entry date 
• Upon approval, the School Clinic will provide a signed “Bus / Campus Entry Pass” which can be used to enter the campus/bus  
• This pass is only valid for up to 14 days and can be used in the interim until the Travel Code is working 
• This pass should be presented to the School Guard if entering campus through the front gate or the Bus Monitor if riding the school bus 
• Once the Travel Code is working, the Green Travel Code should be presented daily 
• During this period, adherence to the Community Health Guidelines and travel restrictions as outlined by the school are required 

Exit/Re-entry Requirements: 

• Students are unable to exit and re-enter a campus on the same day without administrator approval. 
• Employees should limit their campus exits and re-entries for work related matters (travel to other campus, required off-site meeting, etc.). Personal and non-time sensitive work-related matters should be handled before or after school hours. 

Deliveries: 

• SCIS Employees: Outside deliveries are possible, except between 
  • HQ Main & PD Campuses: 7:45 - 8:00 and 2:45 - 3:15 
  • HQ ECE Campus: 7:45-8:30 and 2:45-3:15 
  • Students (*Eligibility will be based on divisional admin approval): May also accept deliveries, except between 7:45 – 8:00 and 2:45 – 3:15.   
    • *The process for this will be outlined by divisional administration to ensure that doing so is not a disruption to gate procedures, student learning, or our adherence to COVID-19 health regulations. 

CAMPUS AND FACILITY ACCESS AND USE - ACTIVITIES, ATHLETICS, AND VISITOR ACCESS

Athletics, Performing Arts, and After School Activities: 

• ASA: 
  • We are confirmed to provide SCIS sponsored After School Activities for all divisions. 
  • These can take place from 3:00 – 4:15 pm on school days. 
    • No weekend activities are approved at this time. 
  • At present, outside vendors are not allowed to offer an ASA on any SCIS campus. 
  • Campuses will be swept at 4:15pm and students will be asked to leave campus at that time. 
• Athletics and Performing Arts:   
  • We are confirmed to support the creation of our Upper School athletic teams (Varsity, JV, CISSA) and performing arts clubs.  
  • Practices for athletics and performing arts activities can take place before school and after school as long as the following conditions are met: 
    • Nurses will be available on campus during the pre-determined practice times.
    • Adult supervisors/coaches remain on campus until all students leave campus. 
    • Weekend practices or activities on campus are required to adhere to the same gate entry and visitor requirements as a school day, inclusive of having a nurse present.  
    • Efforts to minimize health risks should be taken when planning practices. 

Fitness Room, Gym, Field, Playground, and Pool Access: 

• Gym/Fitness Rooms: 
  • Students: Gym/Fitness Rooms may be accessed by students as part of Physical Education courses and during supervised after school athletics and activities. 
  • Employees: Access to Gym/Fitness Rooms for employees is permitted while students are not present. 
• Swimming Pools: 
  • Campus swimming pools will be available for student use from 8:00 am-4:30 pm. 
  • Access to swimming pools for employees will be provided when students are not present, with the presence of a lifeguard, and during the hours identified for each campus. 
• Fields/Playground: 
  • School Days: Fields/Playgrounds can be used by students as part of Physical Education and Recess periods. 
  • After School: Fields/Playgrounds are only able to be used as part of planned and supervised ASAs and Athletic Practices. 

Parents and Visitors on Campus: 

• During School Hours:
  • Parents will not be allowed to enter campus while students are on campus (M-F 7:30 am – 3:00 pm) 
• Outside of School Hours: 
  • Parents or visitors will be able to access campus outside of school hours when they have an administrator-approved meeting.
    • Parents and visitors will be given access when attending a planned meeting with administrator approval for campus entry. 
    • All campus entry requirements remain in full effect: 
      • Present the green travel code. 
      • This is different than the previous health code, please follow these instructions to learn how to access the code. 
      • Have a temperature of 37.2 or below. 
      • Maintaining physical distancing. 
      • Wear a mask when entering and exiting the main gate and when inside school buildings. 

TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND SCHOOL DAY ILLNESSES

Students will have their temperature checked a minimum of two times a day. At any time during the day, if the student has a temperature of 37.3 Celsius or above, a member of the Health Team will accompany the student to the quarantine station.  

At the quarantine station, the nurse will:  

• Allow the student to rest for a few minutes and then retake their temperature using a mercury thermometer under the arm.  
• The student will be sent back to class if the second reading of the temperature is 37.2 or below. As with all visits to the clinic, the nurse will record this visit.  
• Follow all regular medical assessment routines if the temperature is 37.3 or above.  
• Call parents/guardians to pick up the student if the temperature is 37.3 or above. *  
• Direct parents/guardians to take their child to the doctor for a follow-up assessment.  

*Parents/guardians should arrive as soon as possible to pick up their child.  

 In order to return to campus after leaving school with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, a student will need:  

• A doctor’s diagnosis: 
  • A negative Nucleic Acid Test (from a Shanghai testing location) result will only be required if the doctor's note recommends the test.  

• To have been fever-free for 48 hours (rather than the previous 24) without fever-reducing medication.  

• To have been symptom-free from vomit and/or diarrhea for 72 hours without the use of medication along with a doctor’s note.  

• To be approved by the SCIS campus nurse. 
  • The nurse will meet the child and parent in front of the campus on the scheduled day of return as the child will not be permitted on the bus that morning.   
  • Contact the campus nurse as follows:  
    • Hongqiao ECE Campus: hq-ece-nurse@scis-china.org  
    • Hongqiao Main Campus: hq-nurse@scis-china.org 
    • Pudong Campus: pd-nurse@scis-china.org  

COVID-19 symptoms:  

• Dry cough  
• Fatigue  
• Difficulty breathing  
• Other symptoms may include: 
  • Sore throat  
  • Body aches  
  • Diarrhea and/or nausea  
  • Vomitting

ILLNESS AT HOME

Students and staff may not come to school if they have a temperature of 37. 3 or above.   

Do not send your child to school if: 

• Your child’s temperature is 37.3 degrees Celsius or above. 
• Your child has diarrhea. 
• Your child has been vomiting. 

You are strongly encouraged to keep your child at home if: 

• Your child has a runny nose. 
• Your child is coughing. 
• Your child does not appear to be feeling well. 

If your child develops a fever, diarrhea or vomiting outside of school hours: 

• Email the school clinic with symptoms: 
  • Hongqiao ECE Campus: hq-ece-nurse@scis-china.org  
  • Hongqiao Main Campus: hq-nurse@scis-china.org  
  • Pudong Campus: pd-nurse@scis-china.org)  
• Inform the school to let them know your child will not be attending school. 
  • ECE/Lower School: Email the teacher and transportation. 
  • Upper School: Email the divisional secretary and transportation. 

• Take your child to the doctor and secure a doctor's report with a diagnosis. 
   

 In order to return to campus after being ill with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, students, faculty, or staff will need:  

• A doctor’s note. 
• A negative Nucleic Acid Test result will only be required if the doctor's note recommends the test.  
• To have been fever-free for 48 hours (rather than the previous 24) without fever-reducing medication.  
• To have been symptom free from vomit and/or diarrhea for 72 hours without the use of medication along with a doctor’s note.  
• To be approved by the SCIS campus nurse. 
  • The nurse will meet the child and parent in front of the campus on the scheduled day of return as the child will not be permitted on the bus that morning.   
  • Contact the campus nurse as follows:  
    • Hongqiao ECE Campus: hq-ece-nurse@scis-china.org   
    • Hongqiao Main Campus: hq-nurse@scis-china.org  
    • Pudong Campus: pd-nurse@scis-china.org  

GENERAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE PROTOCOLS

Many of the following health and hygiene habits represent best practices. Now, they are especially important as we work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

GENERAL SAFETY AND CLEANING PROTOCOLS

Classrooms 

• Students and staff will be handwashing/sanitizing consistently throughout the school day. 

• Classroom surfaces will be thoroughly disinfected before and after school each day. Highly used surfaces such as door handles, and handrails are being disinfected on a regular basis. 

• Our campuses continue to follow regular deep cleaning routines, meeting, and surpassing, all specific requirements of the CDC guidelines. 

Outdoor Play 

• Outdoor play will continue at all campuses. 

• Outdoor play schedules will be altered to accommodate proper disinfection of materials between use. 

• Only materials that can be properly disinfected will be used during outdoor play. 

• Students should not wear masks during cardio-related activities. 

Other Areas 

• Toilets will be cleaned consistently throughout the school day. 

• Common spaces and surfaces (including door handles and railings) will be cleaned repeatedly throughout the day. 

School Buses 

In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment while on the school bus, the following protocols must be followed: 

The bus driver and bus monitor will: 

• Be free of fever and COVID-19 symptoms and must always wear a face mask. 

• Present their Shanghai Green QR Travel Code to school and bus company prior to morning pick-ups. 

• Clean and disinfect the bus in the morning and afternoon before pick-up and after drop-off. 

• Keep the bus windows open for proper ventilation, weather permitting. 

• Check the Shanghai Green QR Travel Codes of parents/guardians, record student temperatures and issue hand sanitizer. 

Until further notice, students will not be permitted to ride buses other than their own. 

LUNCH AND SNACK

• Students and staff are not allowed to share food at snack or lunchtime. 

• All students will be directed to wash their hands thoroughly prior to and after eating. 

• Students are permitted to bring in individual commercially sealed and pre-packaged treats for approved celebrations (i.e., birthdays, holidays, etc.).  

DISMISSAL

Parents who are picking up their child must wait outside the gate on the designated areas. Parents are to maintain a one-meter distance and wear masks when waiting for students. 

Parent Pick Up Students 

• Prior to dismissal, all students will have their temperatures checked. If a student has a temperature of 37.3 ºC or above, they will be escorted to the Quarantine Station. 

• Students must wash their hands with soap and water before leaving the classroom. 

Pick up earlier than the scheduled dismissal time: 

• Parent/Guardian must email the classroom teacher (ECE/Lower School) or Divisional secretary (Upper School) prior to the day of early pick-up. 

• Upon arrival at the front gate, the parent will notify the guard who is to be picked up. 

• A staff member will bring the child to the front gate for dismissal. 

Please note that due to current regulations, if a child leaves campus and wants to return the same day, approval is required from administration.