How will classrooms be set up to maintain social distancing? How many students will be allowed per class and grade level?                                                                                                 

Students will be placed 6 feet apart and will be required to wear a mask. The maximum amount of students per classroom will be 15, however the total number is dependent on the size of the classroom.

Will students have access to water fountains? Will my student be allowed to bring lunch?   

Students will have access to the water fountains but will be strongly encouraged to bring a water bottle or they will be provided with a paper cup. Students have the option to bring a bagged lunch from home or one will be provided to them.

Are masks required for all students? Will the students be provided with masks?           

Students will be required to wear masks. Mask breaks will be taken throughout the day ensuring scholars are six feet apart. Masks will not be worn at lunch. PrePrep scholars will be following guidelines set by the Department of Early Childhood Education, which has fewer regulations while in the classroom.

Will all children require a Physical or medical documentation for blended learning?               

The same requirements for a Physical and Immunization remain in place.

Do Public Prep sites with shared campuses hold the same policies between schools?             

Co-located schools are following the DOE/DOH safety and health guidelines, which is the basis for the Public Prep plan. Public Prep will continue to work with its DOE Co-located schools & building councils to ensure campuses remain safe and healthy.

If a parent becomes sick, can the student switch to remote learning temporarily?                 

We are asking that families commit to a full trimester. For extenuating circumstances, please contact your Principal to discuss options for your scholar.

How often will staff be required to be tested? Will students be required to be tested for Covid-19 if returning to school for blended learning?                                                                            

As of August 15th, we are awaiting the process for teacher testing at the 34 sites where teachers will be given testing priority. We will be able to provide an update as soon as additional information is released. Scholars are not required as of this date to test for Covid-19, however we highly encourage all families to be tested and aware of their status by visiting a testing site here. 

If a child displays symptoms (i.e. failing temperature check), what is the procedure? Are you able to isolate children with symptoms?                                                                                     

Protocols can be found in our reopening plan. Isolation rooms have been established on each campus. Please make sure the main office has the most updated contact information for your scholar.

If a Covid-19 case is confirmed or suspected, what steps will my child's school follow? Will classes become fully remote?                                                                                                          

Protocols can be found in our reopening plan. With one suspected case, a pod will be closed for 14 days and will be moved to remote learning. With two suspected cases, the school may close for 48 hours while the DOH conducts an investigation.

If/when a Covid vaccine becomes available, will all staff and students be required to receive it for on-site learning?                                                                                                                             

Public Prep will follow the guidelines issued by the DOE and DOH.

How many kids will be in each classroom?                                                                                               

No more than 15 scholars will be in each classroom dependent on the size of the classroom.

Will there be plastic partitions on all desks?                                                                                       

Each desk will either have a plastic partition or will be 6 feet apart.

How often and how will classrooms be cleaned?                                                                   

Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected by teachers throughout the day, and deep cleaned each night by the custodial staff, which will include disinfectant mist.

Will there be mask breaks built into the schedule?                                                                           

Yes, Students will receive mask breaks! School leadership and teachers are working on creating staff spaces for students to have a mask break. This includes areas with increased social distancing as well as additional dividers inside the classroom to support mask breaks.

If my child forgets her/his mask at home, will there be some available at the school?            

Yes, additional PPE is available on campus for scholars. The supply is limited so please ensure to keep extra in your scholars backpack.

How will students be socially distanced during times when there are typically many in one place, such as lunch and dismissal?

New structures and routines have been put into place to ensure we do not have clusters of students together. Examples include class pods, staggered schedules, breakfast & lunch in classroom, and designated arrival & dismissal locations.

What PPE are teachers required to wear?                                                                                             

Face masks are mandatory for all staff, and staff are required to physical distance. Staff members will also be required to wash hands and sanitize frequently throughout the day. All Public Prep Academies will also have gloves, goggles, gowns and plastic partitions available for staff to use.

Will bussing to campus be available for blended learning this academic year?                                          The DOE has yet to announce its final plan for bussing.

What social-emotional support is available for students and families during this challenging time?                                                                                                                                                                                            The entire school based staff is participating in professional development around social and emotional learning. Campus based social workers are available as a resource. We are looking to schedule Family Town Halls on the topic. Please share important circumstances with your scholar's teacher.

How will schools maintain a sense of community while following social distancing protocols?         Public Prep is committed to maintaining a sense of community during remote learning. Public Prep will maintain its tradition of unity meetings as one example. Community Councils will also plan virtual events.

What training will teachers and students receive for online learning? Who is responsible for training?                                                                                                                                                                       Professional Development for teachers is done both at the network and campus based level. A key focus of our Teacher Summer Institute has been preparing for remote instruction.

Will the schools perform virtual home visits this year?                                                                                    Virtual meet and greets are planned for Welcome Week, beginning August 25th. Teachers are excited to see the faces of our scholars!

When does each trimester begin and end?                                                                                             

The first trimester begins on August 25th and ends on November 13th. Please refer to the school calendar found here.

What are the school hours for on-campus learning this academic year?                               

Please refer to the sample schedule found in our remote plan. Morning meeting for elementary school and advisory meeting for middle school begin at 8:30am beginning August 31st.

How many hours per day should my student expect to be engaged in remote learning? 

Please refer to the sample schedules provided here. School day for elementary scholars will be from 8:30am - 3:15pm pm with on-camera time from 8:30am-12:00pm. For middle school, students will be active from 8:30am -3:15pm with camera time varying throughout the day. After 9/14 Elementary School scholars will be online throughout the day, similar to middle school.

I have multiple children attending Public Prep schools. Can I choose different methods of instruction for them?                                                                                                                             

Families can choose a learning option for each scholar. You do not have to choose one option for your family.

Can a parent change learning models before the end of the trimester, depending on their needs and/or safety concerns? If so, what is the process?                                                                 

We are asking that families commit to a full trimester. For extenuating circumstances, please contact your child's Principal to discuss options for your scholar.

How has the arrival and dismissal process changed, if it all?                                                             

We will have staggered arrival and dismissal which will be announced prior to the start of hybrid learning. We plan to use multiple entrances. All scholars will have a temperature check and be expected to wear a mask.

I have chosen remote learning, but my work schedule will conflict with typical school hours. What support is available for my student?                                                                                             

We will provide information on centers and childcare offered by the DOE for additional support for working parents. Please share information with your child's teacher so they are aware.

Will students be able to participate in Extra-Curricular and After School this academic year under phases 2 and 3?                                                                                                                                   

We are working on After School options for our students on the days they are on campus and exploring a limited virtual schedule. The DYCD K-Scope programs in our Girls Prep middle school programs will be in operation. Please look out for enrollment information from your After School Director.

What are pods, and how many students will be in each pod?                                                                 

A pod is a small group of students plus the teacher(s). Maximum number is students in a pod is 15, but it will also be dependent on the size of the classroom.

How will remote learning function for Pre-Prep students?                                                               

The PrePrep schedule will include live group classes such as daily Morning Meeting. PrePrep scholars will have live small group sessions, but less whole group sessions than K-4 scholars. Many aspects of the PrePrep curriculum will be offered asynchronously for families to access together.

Will teachers have office hours to assist children who are 100% remote?                         

Teachers will have office hours and each scholar will be assigned a Point of Contact who will be in touch throughout the week.

How will tests and assessments be performed? Will the grading scale be pass/fail this academic year?                                                                                                                                       

Students will take assessments whether 100% remote or distanced. Students will receive grades and report cards.

Will my scholar have the same teacher for hybrid learning as they currently have for the remote section?                                                                                                                                         

Public Prep Academies will strive for minimal instructional changes but it is possible some teachers will have to shift based on the needs of our students. We will communicate all changes with families in advance. Please reach out to your Principal for any questions.

If I already received a tablet and my child is in grades PreK-2 do I need to pick up another?       

Tablets with a stylus will be used for grades PreK-3rd grade. If you already have that device, you will keep it for this school year.

If my child is moving up to 3rd grade and has a tablet, when do I return the tablet in order to get a Chromebook?                                                                                                                                       

Tablets with a stylus will be used for grades PreK-3rd grade. If you already have that device, you will keep it for this school year.

I am not in NYC can someone come on my behalf?                                                                               

Please reach out to support@publicprep.org to ensure we have the information for device pickup.

Do hybrid scholars have to bring their Chromebook or tablet into school when they come for in person days?                                                                                                                                             

Yes, scholars in Kinder-8th grade need to bring their computer or tablet when they are in the school building. Please ensure the device is treated with care and practice packing the device safely in backpacks.

Are Chromebooks/tablets still available for scholars who have not received them?               

Yes! Technology can be picked up every Monday from 4-6 PM at Boys Prep - 192 East 151st Street, Bronx, NY. There are also tablets available at Girls Prep Lower East Side Elementary School and Chromebooks available at Girls Prep Lower East Side Middle School. Please contact the school directly to make an appointment to pick one up.

Are students required to wear a uniform for remote learning?                                                            

Students are required to wear a uniform top for remote learning. Uniforms are one way to signal to everyone that this is school, we are a community, we have a connection and we all belong together.

Are pants required to be from Flynn O'Hara?                                                                                              

Flynn and O'Hara is the official uniform supplier for Public Prep.

If my child can't attend the full schedule of remote instruction due to an appointment or emergency, who do we inform and how can she/he make up the lesson? Are lessons recorded?                                                                                                                                                               

If your scholar is not in attendance they will be marked as absent. If they are present for part of the day but then leave it is considered an early leave. Guardians should notify the campus main office as well as their scholar's teacher. Some lessons may be recorded and available for scholars.

I have children in multiple Public Prep schools. Can they do their orientations on the same day?                                                                                                                                                                 

Each school has a specific schedule as each campus has different needs. If the orientation schedule creates scheduling conflicts that you cannot resolve, please reach out to your school leadership team.

Will we be notified of confirmed COVID cases at our school?                                                             

Absolutely! It is our goal to ensure that the campuses are thoroughly communicating with families. If there is a confirmed case within a specific pod and/or grade, the specific class(s) will be notified via Kinvo, email, and/or letter home. In some cases, families will receive a direct phone call. If a campus has more than 1 case, the entire community will be notified as this would trigger a building closure for a minimum 24 hour investigation by NYC Test and Trace. We are continuing to work closely with the NYC DOE/DOH and Track and Trace's Situation Room who will provide up to the minute guidance and communication

Are both breakfast and lunch provided for blended model scholars?                                   

Blended Learning: Students on-site during the day will receive a breakfast and lunch. At our DOE buildings, the students will receive both meals from NYC School Foods. At our Boys Prep/GPBXII building, students will receive a meal from Red Rabbit.

Remote: NYC School Foods will be continuing to serve students via grab n' go meals. We are working with our food partner Red Rabbit different food program options including pick-up from outside the Boys Prep building.

Can you send your scholar to school with their own lunch?                                                           

Yes! Scholars can bring their own lunch, but should follow our healthy food and nut-free policies. Additionally, lunches should be packed in a separate bag or lunch box.

Is bussing available for hybrid scholars?                                                                                         

Bussing is coordinated with your campus main office, so please reach out to your school directly. As of 9/30, the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) is working on creating routes for onsite programming. We will share schedules as soon as we receive them.

Are uniforms provided?                                                                                                                       

Families can purchase uniforms at Flynn O'Hara. If you are unable to invest in a uniform at this time, please notify your child's school as they may have uniform options available to loan to you. If your scholar is participating in the Blended Learning Model, they should be coming into school in their full uniform.

What will Public Prep do as the infection rate in NYC rises? When will we be notified of any closure?                                                                                                                                                             

We will monitor data across the city and in our specific school zip codes to assess any decisions around closure Based on data, we will make a decision for a campus or the network The DOE announced that if the city average is 3% or greater over a rolling seven days, schools will close city wide. If we see an infection rates on the rise, we will ensure students and staff have materials ready to take home to return to 100% remote learning.

Can we change from hybrid to 100% remote, or from 100% remote to hybrid?                             

If your circumstances have changed and you'd like to request a change to your child's learning model selection, please complete this waitlist form and your child's principal will review. We want to accommodate changes where we can but cannot guarantee it will always be possible given social distancing requirements, class size and staffing availability.

How do we make sure families are following protocols and not sending their scholars to school when they're sick?                                                                                                                         

There are arrival checks for temperature and symptoms prior to scholars entering the building to ensure we are preventing sick scholars from entering the building. We need the cooperation of all families in keeping a safe and healthy environment for our community.

If my child stays home sick do they need a negative COVID test or a doctors note to return to school?                                                                                                                                                               

No, they do not need a negative test to return. If your scholar is experiencing COVID related symptoms (Loss of taste/smell, fever, shortness of breath, or cough) they should remain out of school and must be symptom free for at least 24 hours without any symptom reducing medication. Any student exhibiting symptoms at school will be brought to the building isolation room and a parent, guardian, and/or emergency contact will be notified to pick the scholar up. If a scholar does receive a positive COVID test, the guardian must notify the school right away.

November 24, 2020

Dear Public Prep Community,

Ahead of the long holiday weekend, we want to provide you with an update regarding reopening our school buildings. At this time, all NYC Department of Education buildings remains closed. We do not yet have any timeline for opening from the city, so our buildings remain closed as well. In an effort to provide our families with as much certainty as possible and our scholars with consistency, we are making the decision to keep our buildings closed at least through winter break. This means that all Girls Prep Bronx Elementary, Girls Prep Bronx Middle, Girls Prep Lower East Side Elementary, and Girls Prep Lower East Side Middle scholars will remain 100% remote until at least January 11th, 2021. (Please Note: Boys Prep and Girls Prep Bronx II families will receive an additional notice with more information about your campus). 

What does this mean for my scholar?

• If you were part of our 100% remote learning choice, this continues, with an 8:30 am start.
• Scholars enrolled in the Blended Learning Model continue with 100% remote learning. They should begin the day Monday, promptly at 8:30 am, by logging into their classroom Morning Meeting/Advisory Zoom links (the same link used for Wednesday morning).

Key Dates

• November 30th - December 18th: 100% remote for all scholars 8:30am start.
• December 21st - January 4th: Winter Recess (no school for all scholars)
• January 5th - 8th: 100% remote for all scholars
• January 11th (tentative): 1st day of in-person learning for those who selected  Hybrid & received confirmation from your campus for Learning Choice Window #2. 

While we may not have access to our co-located DOE space, we do intend to use our private Public Prep facility to its full capacity. We are trying to determine how to best use this space to bring a percentage of our scholars back on site and will share updates as they become available. In the meantime, a few reminders to support your scholar’s success:

• Attendance is critical. Please make sure your child is logging in daily to classes and submitting assignments.
• Family Teacher Conferences will go on virtually, as scheduled. If you have not yet confirmed your time slot with your child’s teacher, please do so before the end of the day tomorrow.
• We’re here to support you and your family. Email support@publicprep.org with questions at any time.

As always, we appreciate your flexibility as we ride this ‘corona coaster’ together. Wishing you and your family a safe and pleasant long weekend. 

With gratitude,

Janelle Bradshaw, Chief Executive Officer
Josie Carbone, Superintendent
Michele Cerwin, Chief Operating Officer

November 14th, 2020

Dear Public Prep families,

The Mayor and Chancellor are preparing to close all public schools in NYC when the COVID-19 positivity rate climbs to 3%. We expect this will happen in the coming days. In light of this, we have made the difficult decision to move to 100% remote learning beginning Monday, November 16th. 

Public Prep set the example for safe school reopening during these unprecedented times. We are proud that we could provide a safe and consistent in-person schooling option for families who chose it. That said, we want to reduce the uncertainty in planning for our families as much as possible. Our top priority is to give all of our PK-8th grade scholars a high-quality academic experience with minimal disruptions. We are making this decision now to allow our community to smoothly transition to 100% remote learning.

What does this mean for my scholar?
Starting Monday, November 16th: 

• If you are part of our 100% remote learning choice, this continues, with an 8:30 am start. 
• If you are part of our Blended Learning Model, scholars will transfer to 100% remote learning. On Monday, promptly at 8:30 am, scholars will log into their classroom Morning Meeting/Advisory Zoom links with the same link used for Wednesday morning.   

How can we work to keep schools open safely?
We know that we can provide safe in-person learning for our students! In the coming days, we will call on our families to share their positive experiences with Public Prep. Our city and state leaders need to hear your voice to make informed data-driven decisions that will allow schools to stay open.

When can I hear more? 
We will host a Town Hall for all families in English on Wednesday, November 18th at 5PM and in Spanish on Thursday, November 19th at 5PM.

Please make sure to read all emails, text messages, and other communications from your school. You should also attend your school’s Chat and Chew to get updates from school leadership. 

We know these are challenging times but we can all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19. Wash your hands, practice social distancing, and of course, wear a mask!  We appreciate your continued commitment and partnership during this time. We encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. 

In Partnership,
Janelle Bradshaw, CEO
Michele Cerwin, COO
Josie Carbone, Superintendent

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