The Roeper School | COVID-19 Where Gifted Students Love to Learn

Welcome to Roeper’s COVID-19 Response Information Center.

Our goal is to help you stay on top of the school’s planning for the 2020-21 school year by placing news and updates in one easy-to-find location. Here you’ll find copies of communications that have been shared with the community and FAQs, as well as some recommended resources. During the school year, this page will be your resource for changes and updates.

^{Last updated: 04.30.21 @ 13:20.}

Responsible Health Practices Convenant

During our Town Hall sessions, David Feldman referred to the Community Agreement below as a “Covenant,” a type of understanding that suggests a moral obligation rather than a legal document. Indeed, a covenant suggests the type of bond we are creating with one another as we embrace the opportunity to return in-person to campus. We have a responsibility to live by this agreement to support the health and well-being of all members of the community choosing to be in classrooms and within our buildings. The care we show for one another is demonstrated by our commitment to live by this agreement. Our ability to have live teaching and learning is dependent on our collective success in living by this agreement. We are interdependent in our ability to sustain in-person instruction.

Please take the time to read and discuss this document with your family and know that its content is not a set of suggestions or recommendations, rather this is a bond between us, guidelines required for you to participate in our in-person program.

Safety Protocol - FAQ

List of 20 frequently asked questions.

What if there is a case of COVID-19 on campus? Updated

The campus affected will close for three days while a deep cleaning of the campus is completed and while school officials work with the Oakland County Health Department on contact tracing. During this time, the school will determine which cohorts, groups, or campuses will undergo a 14-day quarantine.
If a student or employee has any COVID-related symptoms (not explained by a diagnosed pre-existing condition), how long must they stay home? Updated
- For 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND
- until 72 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND
- until 24 hours free of symptoms of COVID-19 (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.)
What are some common symptoms of COVID-19? New
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Will fogging be included in the weekly cleaning procedures?

Cleaning procedures were reviewed and updates were made to the cleaning contractor nightly and weekly procedures.

The weekly procedures include fogging common areas – bathrooms, stairwells/hallways and high touch surfaces on Friday evening using GE Fight Bac RTU disinfectant (citric acid).?
Is the safety of ventilation systems being considered, especially for the older buildings on campus, to ensure the safety of staff and students when in person learning resumes?

Yes. We are upgrading all HVAC system filters on both campuses from MERV-8 to MERV-13 , and will provide HEPA air purifiers in all rooms that do not receive filtered air from HVAC system. The Domes will not be used as classrooms for students.
During a quarantine period for a student, may the student still participate in the educational program?

During the quarantine period for a student, the student may –and is encouraged to—participate in RHLP 2.0.
Is there a threshold of positive cases that will determine if the school closes?

A decision to close the School will be guided by requirements and recommendations from the State of Michigan, the Oakland County Health Department, and from our medical experts.
How will social distancing measures be put in place in the classroom?

Physical Distancing: All students and teachers from Stage II through Grade 12 will practice 6 feet of physical distancing when possible.  All classrooms on both campuses have lower occupancy limits based on square footage and social distancing requirements.  Both teachers and parents are encouraged to teach and reinforce the how and why of physical distancing as well as other safety guidelines.

In the Lower School, students will be provided with their own “toolbox” containing essential supplies such as pencils, crayons, etc., for their use only. Teachers will reinforce the use of students only using their own items.  In addition, all soft furniture has been removed from classrooms and relocated to larger spaces. 
Since we will not be assigning student cohorts at the Birmingham campus (as we are at the Bloomfield campus), how are we minimizing the risk of exposure in the MS/US? How will this impact contact tracing at the M/US?
Due to the ?asynchronous ?nature of our gifted learners, creating pods of students who remain together during the day is not a possibility for Roeper M/US. We will therefore? be reducing, but not restricting movement, in the building. When movement is necessary it will be done in the safest ways possible including one-way hallways or stairwells/hallways cordoned off for one-way traffic on each side. Scheduling is being done in a manner that ensures? students will still be able to take courses that ?fit with their academic and personal goals while also ?keeping within the new guidelines for room capacity and social distancing.??

There are several key course offerings that remain a challenge during this pandemic including band, choir, ?and PE. Our teachers are working closely with our health and wellness team to develop creative solutions? to these challenges, including making use of outdoor spaces.

Other safety precautions include:
Classrooms will be used for students to eat meals at school because distancing guidelines cannot be met in our current cafeterias.????
Serving and Café staff will use barrier protection, including gloves, face shields, and surgical masks.? Students, teachers, and food service staff will wash hands before and after every meal.????
Meals at the Middle and Upper School will be pre-ordered through an app. Details to come.?
In addition to the School’s regular daily cleaning schedule, surface areas, including sinks, restrooms, doorknobs, and other high-touch points, will be sanitized twice each school day by custodial personnel. High touch areas in classroom spaces, including desks and tables will be cleaned and disinfected after every class. The School will meet state requirements asking for cleaning within 4-hour time periods. School buildings will also be cleaned at night. All cleaning products used by the School meet CDC standards for effectiveness against COVID-19.?
Teachers will be taking attendance in all classes for, among other purposes, any necessary contract tracing.
If a teacher or staff person was in a classroom full of children, and that teacher later finds out that they have COVID-19 while they were in the classroom, must all the class be quarantined, or only those children who were within 6 feet of the teacher for 15 minutes or more?

The entire class must be quarantined and monitor for COVID-19-related symptoms.
If a teacher or staff member has a household member that tests positive but does not have symptoms, can the teacher or staff member come to work anyway and monitor for symptoms?

No, asymptomatic people who test positive can still spread the virus. A teacher or staff member that has a household member that tests positive and is considered a close contact must quarantine during the household member's isolation period and 14 days after the isolation period ends.
What happens if a student develops COVID-19 symptoms while at school?

COVID-19 ISOLATION POLICY

Any student and employee who becomes ill with symptoms of COVID-19 and cannot immediately depart campus must wear a face mask covering and remain isolated in one of the designated health isolation rooms while awaiting departure. Staff will monitor and supervise the student or employee until he/she departs campus. A parent or appointed family representative will be required to promptly come to campus to pick-up students. The parent or family representative will meet with the School Administration upon arrival. Once he/she is able to leave, the student or employee must depart campus immediately and cannot re-enter school buildings or grounds until he/she receives approval from the School Administration.

COVID-19 ISOLATION LOCATIONS

The School has designated specific spaces on each campus to serve as health isolation rooms. Located near entrances/exits, these spaces provide privacy for COVID-19 symptomatic individuals and offer isolation from the school community.
Can the mask requirement at the Lower School be reconsidered? Have we taken into account advice from early childhood experts as well as medical experts?

Yes. Our decision on face masks (as on all issues) at the Lower School are informed by advice from early childhood experts as well as medical experts, including the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatricians.

All students in the Lower School, including Stage I, should be instructed in how to wear face masks as well as other hygiene protocol. We understand the developmental challenges of very young children and will continue to focus our attention and instruction on how to wear a mask. Students and families should be taught how to properly wear (cover nose and mouth) a cloth face covering, to maintain hand hygiene when removing for meals and physical activity, and for replacing and maintaining (washing regularly) a cloth face covering. Masks should be either medical masks or cloth masks that are a minimum 2-ply heavy material.  Gaiters or bandanas are not sufficient.
Children who have trouble breathing or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance should not wear cloth face coverings.
Will students, faculty and staff be provided PPE?

The school will provide each student on the Birmingham campus one see-through face shield to start the year; additionally, all teachers and staff on both campuses will receive one face shield. Students, faculty, and staff are asked to bring in their own masks (medical or, if cloth, at least 2-ply heavy material) to accommodate personal mask preferences. The School will maintain a supply of disposable masks on campus as extra inventory.
What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?

Isolation is for people who are COVID positive. It separates people who are infected with the virus from people who are not infected. It usually lasts 10 days.

Quarantine is for people who are well but are exposed to someone who is COVID positive. It keeps someone who might have be infected with the virus away from others. It lasts 14 days since the last possible exposure.
What if my child presents symptoms of COVID-19?

COVID-19 SYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS

Parents and guardians are required to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. The presence of any unexplained symptoms, including cough, nasal congestion or runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell, or shortness of breath, should prompt the parent or guardian to keep the student home from school and follow up with their primary care provider.

Individuals who present symptoms of COVID-19 at school must immediately depart campus. Students who develop a fever or become ill with COVID-19 symptoms at school should wear a mask and be transported by their parent or guardian, emergency contact, or ambulance if clinically unstable, for off-site evaluation and testing. Employees who develop a fever or become ill with COVID-19 symptoms at school should wear a mask and be transported for off-site evaluation and testing.

Symptomatic students and employees sent home from school should be kept home until they have been released from isolation according to the Oakland County Health Department, LARA, State of Michigan and/or CDC guidelines.
How will the School handle positive cases of COVID-19?

POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES

The School will cooperate with the local public health department if a case of COVID-19 is identified within the school community. The School will notify local health officials, staff, and students immediately of any possible case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable federal and state privacy laws.

Families should be notified of the presence of any laboratory positive or clinically diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in the classroom and/or school to encourage closer observation for any symptoms at home.

Employees and Students with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should only return to School after they are no longer infectious. The Administration in coordination with local health officials will provide instruction about return to School, using the most current guidelines from the Oakland County Health Department, LARA, State of Michigan and/or CDC for this determination.

When a COVID-19 case is identified, the School will temporarily close campus spaces in which the positive individual may have occupied to perform deep cleaning and disinfecting. These spaces will remain closed for at least 24 hours before cleaning to minimize the risk of any airborne particles.

CONTACT TRACING

Contact tracing is a key strategy to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The local health department will initiate contact tracing, following regular public health practice. Anyone who was within close contact of the infected case (less than six feet apart for 15+ minutes) will be asked to self-quarantine for up to 14 days after exposure. Local health officials, depending on the situation, may identify other contacts who require quarantine. The School may be asked to confidentially help the health department by collecting data and contact information of those exposed.
What thought was given to having students and staff have a negative test before returning to campus?

A great deal of thought was given to this. Right now, tests provide inconsistent results, including a 30% rate of false negatives, and those results could take a week or more to come in. Also, tests are quite uncomfortable, even painful. If testing were to become more reliable with a faster turnaround, we would reconsider.
In terms of campus operations will there be specific direction of traffic in terms of entering/exiting the build, stairwells being used to go up or down and follow of traffic in the hallway?

Yes – we will be implementing all those items.
Where will sick students be isolated on campus?

In designated isolation rooms and the school is exploring the idea of using portable tents.

Technology FAQ

List of 2 frequently asked questions.

Are Stage IV - US students being asked to bring their own laptop to school each day? How much of the curriculum will be delivered this way, time wise, for on-site students? What is the process for students who cannot buy a new device?

Yes, Stage IV – US students should bring their own laptop to and from campus each day. (Stage IV students will need these to attend Specials classes which will be taught remotely to all students, including those on campus.)

The amount of curriculum delivered remotely will depend on the class and grade level. More information can be found in the Return to Roeper: Fall Plan individual Stage and grade sections. For additional questions, you should contact the appropriate Division Director.

Families needing assistance with issues related to devices or Internet access should contact the Technology Department at techsupport@roeper.org.
Need technical assistance?

Contact Brian @ brian.durst@roeper.org

Financial Well-Being FAQ

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

Will tuition be reduced for students who chose to participate in the Roeper Home Learning Program or if the Governor requires schools to close and all students to learn remotely?

Our faculty and staff are more committed than ever to providing a strong Roeper education. The Home Learning Program requires an all hands on deck approach, with our staff, technology team, faculty, maintenance technicians, and administrative staff putting in countless hours to ensure our students have the optimal learning environment at home. And of course, we have to continue to maintain the physical spaces on our campuses. Unfortunately, none of this leads to a cost savings for the school.

Teaching and learning will continue and, therefore, Roeper will continue to collect the annual tuition. Families who are experiencing an extreme hardship due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should contact Carolyn Lett (carolyn.lett@roeper.org), Financial Aid Coordinator, to receive information about financial aid. For information about restructuring your current payment plan, email Loree Kelly (loree.kelly@roeper.org) in the Business Office.
How will my FACTS payment plan be affected if I am waiting to make a final decision about the 20-21 academic year until more information is available in July?

FACTS payments will remain active until the School receives an official letter of withdrawal. If you need to defer your July 2020 installment until August 2020, please contact Loree Kelly at loree.kelly@roeper.org.
Payment for the insurance plan is not billed until August. You will see a debit and a credit for the tuition insurance on your August billing statement that reflects you have the insurance coverage, but no payment will be required for it as the school will be covering the cost for all families for the 20-21 school year.

The Board has decided that the School will cover the cost of the Tuition Refund Insurance premiums for the 2020-21 academic year. Our hope is this added benefit will help offset challenges the community may face in the upcoming school year.  The deadline for enrolling in this insurance is Friday, August 7, 2020.

The obligation to pay the tuition for the full academic year is unconditional. In view of this obligation, the School offers the option to participate in the Tuition Refund Plan offered by A.W.G. Dewar Inc. This program is administered by a separate insurance company, and the plan provides an opportunity to insure fees (prepaid and due) in the event of separation after attending (on-site or via the Roeper Home Learning Program) more than fourteen consecutive calendar days beginning with the student’s first day of attendance in the academic year according to the terms of the insurance policy. If you voluntarily withdrawal after this date, the insurance should be in place and cover 60% of the unused yearly insured fees per the terms on the policy. See policy for additional details and terms.

Families participating in the FACTS payment plans are automatically enrolled in the program.

Below is a summary of what is covered under the Tuition Refund Plan. To request adding coverage or if you would like further details, contact Loree Kelly at loree.kelly@roeper.org. To add coverage, you will need to complete and submit a form to Loree.

Withdrawal or absence for medical reasons
In the case of physical medical conditions, the Plan will pay 100% of the unused yearly insured fees, provided the student’s injury or sickness that forces the student to withdraw from school or medical absence lasts for more than four consecutive days.

In the case of mental health conditions, the Plan will pay 60% of the unused yearly insured fees, provided the student’s mental health condition, as referenced in DSM V, forces the student to withdraw from school or medical absence lasts for more than four consecutive days.

Withdrawal for other than medical reasons
If a student must withdraw for non-medical reasons, such as a move, change of objective, financial hardship or voluntary withdrawal, the Plan will pay 60% of the unused yearly insured fees provided the student has withdrawn from school after attending more than fourteen consecutive calendar days beginning with the student’s first class day of attendance in the academic year.

Dismissal from the school
The Plan will pay 75% of the unused yearly insured fees provided the student is dismissed from the school after attending more than fourteen consecutive calendar days beginning with the student’s first class day of attendance in the academic year.
What is covered under the Tuition Refund Insurance plan that Roeper is providing all families for the 20-21 academic year? Updated 8.4.20.

The Board has decided that the School will cover the cost of the Tuition Refund Insurance premiums for the 2020-21 academic year. Our hope is this added benefit will help offset challenges the community may face in the upcoming school year.  The deadline for enrolling in this insurance is Friday, August 7, 2020.

The obligation to pay the tuition for the full academic year is unconditional. In view of this obligation, the School offers the option to participate in the Tuition Refund Plan offered by A.W.G. Dewar Inc. This program is administered by a separate insurance company, and the plan provides an opportunity to insure fees (prepaid and due) in the event of separation after attending (on-site or via the Roeper Home Learning Program) more than fourteen consecutive calendar days beginning with the student’s first day of attendance in the academic year according to the terms of the insurance policy. If you voluntarily withdrawal after this date, the insurance should be in place and cover 60% of the unused yearly insured fees per the terms on the policy. See policy for additional details and terms.

Families participating in the FACTS payment plans are automatically enrolled in the program.

Below is a summary of what is covered under the Tuition Refund Plan. To request adding coverage or if you would like further details, contact Loree Kelly at loree.kelly@roeper.org. To add coverage, you will need to complete and submit a form to Loree.

Withdrawal or absence for medical reasons
In the case of physical medical conditions, the Plan will pay 100% of the unused yearly insured fees, provided the student’s injury or sickness that forces the student to withdraw from school or medical absence lasts for more than four consecutive days.

In the case of mental health conditions, the Plan will pay 60% of the unused yearly insured fees, provided the student’s mental health condition, as referenced in DSM V, forces the student to withdraw from school or medical absence lasts for more than four consecutive days.

Withdrawal for other than medical reasons
If a student must withdraw for non-medical reasons, such as a move, change of objective, financial hardship or voluntary withdrawal, the Plan will pay 60% of the unused yearly insured fees provided the student has withdrawn from school after attending more than fourteen consecutive calendar days beginning with the student’s first class day of attendance in the academic year.

Dismissal from the school
The Plan will pay 75% of the unused yearly insured fees provided the student is dismissed from the school after attending more than fourteen consecutive calendar days beginning with the student’s first class day of attendance in the academic year.
What if I have already purchased Tuition Insurance because I am on a FACTS plan?

Payment for the insurance plan is not billed until August. You will see a debit and a credit for the tuition insurance on your August billing statement that reflects you have the insurance coverage, but no payment will be required for it as the school will be covering the cost for all families for the 20-21 school year.
What if I have already turned in my contract and did not purchase Tuition Insurance for the 20-21 academic year?

Contact Loree Kelly at loree.kelly@roeper.org to request adding coverage. Loree will send you a form that needs to be completed and returned to her. The School will be covering the cost of all Tuition Refund Insurance policies for the 2020-21 academic year. The deadline for enrolling in this insurance is Friday, August 7, 2020.
If we need to withdraw from this current school year for financial reasons, will we be able to gain admission the subsequent school year?

Staffing and placement decisions are made based on enrollment, so we are not able to make any guarantees on space availability. However, we would make every effort to re-enroll your child and give them priority, dependent on space availability, at the time of re-application.
Who do I contact if financial hardships due to COVID-19 are impacting my family’s ability to afford tuition for the 20-21 academic year?

We are committed to helping all current families navigate new and unexpected financial hardships due to the pandemic. Please reach out so we can help work through your individual situation. Families who are experiencing an extreme hardship due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should contact Carolyn Lett (carolyn.lett@roeper.org), Financial Aid Coordinator, to receive information about financial aid.

For information about restructuring your current payment plan, contact Loree Kelly (loree.kelly@roeper.org) in the Business Office.