At Providence, we are committed to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and their families.
We sincerely appreciate the support and understanding of families as we navigate this unprecedented time. Please continue to check this page for the most up-to-date information regarding our COVID-19 protocols and precautions.
Protocols and Precautions
EARLY LEARNERS (PK-K)
ARRIVAL
Our start time will remain the same for all students. At morning drop-off, students will be greeted by Providence faculty and will be with their class until the end of carpool.
DISMISSAL
Early Learner students will be dismissed using our normal procedure. We ask that all parents go through the carpool lanes to pick up children in the afternoon. In the event of an early checkout for an appointment, we ask that you call the front desk from your car and request to have your child dismissed.
FACE COVERINGS
Students in Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten will not be required to wear a face covering, but are always welcome to do so, if desired. Neck buffs are available for purchase in the School Store. Teachers will also have disposable masks for students in the classroom if the need arises. Teachers will wear face coverings as appropriate; some will wear face shields in the classroom to allow for a better view of their faces.
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
As always, students will spend the day with the same classmates and teacher within a designated homeroom. Students will no longer rotate classrooms for art, music, or nature studies; however, they will be visited by these specialized teachers in their homerooms.
CLASS SECTIONS
Students will remain in sections of the same group of students throughout the day to hopefully minimize exposure and reduce widespread impact should someone contract the virus during the school year.
CLASSROOM TIME
Classrooms will be arranged with as much space as possible between students. Students will use individual supplies; any shared items will be cleaned daily. Students will wash and clean hands more frequently.
PLAYTIME
Students will continue to have playtime every day with their section, plus additional breaks when possible. Sections will utilize the nature garden, memory garden, and playground. Play structures will be cleaned regularly. Students will clean hands before and after playtime.
TRANSITIONS
Hallway traffic will be organized to minimize mixing sections of students. Water fountains will not be used for now, so please send additional water bottles for students to use throughout the day.
RESTROOM BREAKS
Sections will have restroom breaks, and teachers will remind students of proper hand-washing procedures. Restrooms will be cleaned on a regular basis.
LUNCH
Hallway traffic will be organized to minimize mixing sections of students. Water fountains will not be used for now, so please send additional water bottles for students to use throughout the day.
LOWER SCHOOL (GRADES 1-4)
ARRIVAL
Our start time will remain the same for all students. Students will be greeted by Providence faculty and directed to designated entrances for their buildings. Doors will be propped open during arrival, and students will be directed to the appropriate location. At this time, students may not arrive before 7:35 a.m. for any reason and must be dropped off through the carpool lanes.
DISMISSAL
Students will remain in their classrooms for afternoon carpool. Carpool numbers will be called through the school-wide intercom system. Students will use designated exits and will be assisted into their cars. Since parents are asked to remain off campus, they will not be able to pick up their children at the ramp. All parents will need to go through the carpool line to pick up their child. In the event of an early checkout for an appointment (prior to 2:30 p.m.), we ask that you call the front desk from your car and request to have your child dismissed.
FACE COVERINGS
Face coverings will be part of the Providence uniform this year. Each student has been issued two gaiter-style face coverings; additional gaiters may be purchased through the School Store. Neck buffs are acceptable, but not required for students in Classes One through Eight; you may instead choose whatever type of mask if best for your child. Please make sure that your child’s mask fits well and is solid and neutral. Face shields are not permitted for students. Teachers will wear face coverings as appropriate and in accordance with guidance for schools from health authorities; some will wear face shields in the classroom to allow for a better view of their faces.
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
As always, students in Classes One through Four will spend the day with the same classmates and teacher within a designated homeroom. Students will no longer rotate classrooms for specialized subjects like art, music, nature studies, Latin, or library, but will be visited by these specialized teachers in their homerooms. Assignments will be submitted in person, but if a student is absent, work can be submitted through Google Classroom.
CLASS SECTIONS
Students will remain in sections with the same group of students throughout the day to hopefully minimize exposure and reduce widespread impact should someone contract the virus during the school year.
CLASSROOM SPACE
Classrooms will be arranged with desks five to six feet between students. Desks will face the front of the classroom. Students will primarily use individual supplies; any shared items will be cleaned daily. Students will wash and clean hands more frequently.
PLAYTIME
Students will continue to have playtime every day with their section, plus additional breaks when possible. Play structures will be cleaned regularly. Students will clean hands before and after playtime.
TRANSITIONS
All special teachers (art, music, library, nature studies, and Latin) teachers will rotate to classrooms. However, there will be a transition period built into rotations for lunch, playtime, and P.E. to avoid congregating in shared spaces. Hallway traffic will be organized to minimize mixing sections of students. Water fountains will not be used for now, so please send additional water bottles with your child to use during the day.
RESTROOM BREAKS
Sections will have restroom breaks and teachers will remind students of proper hand-washing procedures. Restrooms will be cleaned on a regular basis.
CLASS PRESENTATIONS
All class presentations will happen in sections and will be shared digitally with parents
CHAPEL
Chapel will be shared by video on Friday mornings in classrooms where students will worship with their classmates. Parents will also have access to Chapel services. Boys will not be required to wear ties on Fridays.
FINE ARTS AND LIBRARY
Students will continue to have all special classes. In music, singing activities will only occur if students are spaced six feet apart indoors or if class is outside. Although students will not visit the library, there will be a procedure for checking out books so that students can still access our collection.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students will keep their regular P.E. schedule. Classes will be held outdoors, in the Gym, or in the Great Hall. Students will be physically distanced, which means some activities will be modified. Sections will remain separate and all equipment will be sanitized between classes.
LUNCH
Students will wash their hands before lunch and will eat with their class sections. Hot lunch will be offered and will be delivered to each classroom. Please plan to either purchase lunch through the School or send a lunch with your child in the morning. We ask that you do not drop off a lunch during the day. Although we love celebrating your children’s birthdays, we ask that you do not send birthday treats to share with others at this time.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 5-8)
ARRIVAL
Our start time will remain the same for all students. Students will be greeted by Providence faculty and directed to designated entrances for their buildings. Doors will be propped open during arrival, and students will be directed to the appropriate location. At this time, students may not arrive before 7:35 a.m. for any reason and must be dropped off through the carpool lanes.
DISMISSAL
Students will remain in their classrooms for afternoon carpool. Carpool numbers will be called through the school-wide intercom system. Students will use designated exits and will be assisted into their cars. Since parents are asked to remain off campus, they will not be able to pick up their children at the ramp. All parents will need to go through the carpool line to pick up their child. In the event of an early checkout for an appointment (prior to 2:30 p.m.), we ask that you call the front desk from your car and request to have your child dismissed.
FACE COVERINGS
Face coverings will be part of the Providence uniform this year. Each student has been issued two gaiter-style face coverings; additional gaiters may be purchased through the School Store. Neck buffs are acceptable, but not required for students in Classes One through Eight; you may instead choose whatever type of mask if best for your child. Please make sure that your child’s mask fits well and is solid and neutral. Face shields are not permitted for students. Teachers will wear face coverings as appropriate and in accordance with guidance for schools from health authorities; some will wear face shields in the classroom to allow for a better view of their faces.
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
These students will no longer rotate classrooms but will be visited by specialized teachers in a consistent classroom. Assignments will be submitted in person, but if a student is absent, work can be submitted through Google Classroom.
CLASS SECTIONS
Students will remain in sections with the same group of students throughout the day to hopefully minimize exposure and reduce widespread impact should someone contract the virus during the school year.
CLASSROOM SPACE
Classrooms will be arranged with desks five to six feet between students. Desks will face the front of the classroom. Students will primarily use individual supplies; any shared items will be cleaned daily. Students will wash and clean hands more frequently.
BREAK TIME
Students will continue to have break time every day with their section, plus additional breaks when possible. Students will clean hands before and after their break.
TRANSITIONS
In addition to all classroom teachers, special teachers (art, music, library, nature studies, and Latin), will rotate to classrooms as well. However, there will be a transition period built into rotations for lunch, break time, and P.E. to avoid congregating in shared spaces. Hallway traffic will be organized to minimize mixing sections of students. Water fountains will not be used for now, so please send additional water bottles with your child to use during the day.
RESTROOM BREAKS
Sections will have restroom breaks and teachers will remind students of proper hand-washing procedures. Restrooms will be cleaned on a regular basis.
CLASS PRESENTATIONS
All class presentations will happen in sections and will be shared digitally with parents
CHAPEL
Chapel will be shared by video on Friday mornings in classrooms where students will worship with their classmates. Parents will also have access to Chapel services. Boys will not be required to wear ties on Fridays.
FINE ARTS AND LIBRARY
Students will continue to have all special classes. In music, singing activities will only occur if students are spaced six feet apart indoors or if class is outside. Although students will not visit the library, there will be a procedure for checking out books, so that students can still access our collection.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS
More information will be available soon.
LUNCH
Students will wash their hands before lunch and will eat with their class sections. Hot lunch will be offered and will be delivered to each classroom. Please plan to either purchase lunch through the School or send a lunch with your child in the morning. We ask that you do not drop off a lunch during the day. Although we love celebrating your children’s birthdays, we ask that you do not send birthday treats to share with others at this time.
Additional Information
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 RESOURCES
eeducation Slideshow
