Reopening Xaverian 2020-2021

Health and Safety Expectations

This page provides a listing of behavioral expectations as we continue to prepare for the opening of school this coming fall.


In addition to following all school regulations within the 2020-2021 Student and Parent Handbook, students will be expected to honor the following expectations and responsibilities as they do their part to help keep our school healthy, clean, and safe. 
We also realize that it is not one mitigation strategy that will work to keep us safe. Rather all of us must employ multiple strategies, described below, to enhance the safety and well-being of our community. It is this combination that will be most helpful to all of us. 
Working to keep everyone within the Xaverian community as safe and healthy as possible will be a dedicated team effort, where everyone does their part to satisfy their individual expectations and responsibilities, for the collective good of the entire school community. In many ways, we have already demonstrated, most notably this past spring, that this is exactly what the Xaverian community is capable of doing. If everyone does their part, we will help create a healthy and productive educational experience for all. 




Student-Specific Health and Safety Expectations and Responsibilities

Before the School Day
  • Complete the COVID-19 assessment tool each morning. Adhere to your findings in order to determine your ability to attend Xaverian. More information about the screening tool will be shared in advance of the opening of school.
  • If you experience any of the following COVID-19 symptoms, you are expected to promptly inform Xaverian’s school nurses and stay home: 
    • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
    • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat 
    • Headache, when in combination with other symptoms listed 
    • Muscle aches or body aches
    • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea 
    • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms listed 
    • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) and when in combination with other symptoms
    • Students experiencing the aforementioned symptoms are expected to stay home from school and report their absence to Xaverian.
  • All students must possess a cloth face covering for use at Xaverian. Wearing a cloth face covering is required when at Xaverian except for those individuals who are deemed by the administration to be impacted by a medical condition, disability, or other health and safety factors that make wearing a mask impossible. Please note the following regulations for masks at Xaverian:
    --Masks must be at least two-ply cotton and tight-fitting. Surgical masks are also permitted. 
    --Masks may not contain images or symbols of an offensive nature and should not include any text or advertisements for products, political causes, or other images that may be inappropriate or cause a disruption to the educational environment of the school. 
    --Gaiters, bandanas, single-ply masks, masks with removable filters, or masks with exhalation valves are not allowed.
    --Masks should be cleaned and washed on a regular basis.
  • Arrive at school prepared with a personal supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% ethanol; at least 70% isopropanol). Xaverian has installed hand sanitizing stations in all classrooms and common areas. However, we believe it is also important for students to have their own, personal supply.
  • You are required to exercise sound hand hygiene (hand washing or sanitizing) upon arrival at school. Hand sanitizer will be available at all entryways. Be sure to sanitize your hands upon arrival. 
  • Students will be permitted to carry a clear water bottle throughout the day. Water bottles can be filled up at the filling stations located throughout the school. Water bottles must be labeled with your name.
  • Students will carry their backpacks throughout the day as lockers will not be in use during the 2020-2021 school year. This will mitigate the need to visit high-touch locker areas.
  • Everyone is expected to practice “social distancing” on school grounds. In general, six feet of separation (or more) is the distance that should be maintained while interacting within the school community.
During the School Day
  • All students who are on campus are required to wear a cloth face covering that fully covers their nose and mouth. 
  • Throughout the day, students are urged to maintain six feet or more of distance when possible.
  • There is no handshaking, high-fiving, fist-bumping, or physical touching of any kind. 
  • Mask breaks will occur throughout the school day as directed by Xaverian faculty, staff, and administration. Students are expected to adhere to all directions during a mask break. Mask breaks will be allowed only in certain areas designated by the school and they will be clearly identifiable. Those areas might include:
    • The Br. Daniel Skala plaza
    • The school courtyards
    • The athletic fields
    • Other, yet to be determined areas
  • Signage has been posted throughout the school informing students of Xaverian’s expectations. Everyone is expected to adhere to all posted guidance, including:
    • Hallway direction
    • Stairwell direction
    • Markings designating proper spacing
    • Off-limit areas
    • Limited-access areas
  • When eating lunch, students will be expected to follow all associated guidelines. Students must be a minimum of six feet from one another while eating. Students can expect a completely different configuration to our cafeteria and common spaces to allow for safe distancing and interaction during lunch. 
  • There is absolutely no sharing of items. This includes but is not limited to food, drinks, cups, utensils, dishes, towels, school supplies, pens, pencils, books, laptops, etc. 
  • Whenever possible, students are encouraged to engage in routine hand washing with soap and water. When hand washing is not possible, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% ethanol; at least 70% isopropanol) or school provided hand sanitizer dispensers is encouraged. Special attention should be paid to hand cleanliness before, during, and after consuming food; after using the bathroom; after blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing; and after touching objects with bare hands that have been handled by other people.
  • Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are available in every classroom. Students are encouraged to wipe down their desk and sanitize their hands before the start of each class.
  • Do not gather in groups anywhere on campus, including lavatories.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and sneeze into a tissue if possible. If none are available, sneeze into the crook of your elbow, all while keeping your mask on.
  • Any student who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms during the school day, or who comes in contact with someone who is infected, must immediately inform an adult in the community and then immediately report to the nurses office to obtain further guidance. 
After the School Day
  • For those remaining on campus, all of the “During the Day” expectations/guidelines remain in place, in addition to the items below.
  • Face coverings/masks are required. Social distancing of at least six feet must be practiced in all locations. 
Upon Arriving Home
  • Once arriving home, all students are expected to wash their hands and take the necessary steps to maintain good personal hygiene.
  • Students should ensure that frequently touched surfaces (laptops, books, school supplies, etc.) are properly wiped down with disinfectant each night.
  • Limit your screen time. Students are encouraged not to overload on news or online content.
  • Ensure that your bedroom and other personal spaces are clean and disinfected. This is especially important when someone in your home is ill.
  • Get proper rest, nutrition, and exercise.

Parent-Specific Health and Safety Expectations and Responsibilities

In light of the fact that all of us must continue to work together, we have developed a listing of expectations and responsibilities that are specific to our parents. Parents, we need your support and adherence to these expectations and responsibilities. You have been excellent throughout this entire pandemic and we have no doubt that you will continue to join in our collective efforts to provide the best and safest educational experience for your sons. We thank you in advance for your help and support!
 
Expectations and Responsibilities
  • Please review all of the Student and Parent Health and Safety Expectations and Responsibilities with your son before he arrives on our campus to ensure that both he and you know what is expected of your son. Your son’s ability to fully meet these expectations is crucial to a clean and safe Xaverian. 
  • In ALL CASES where a student is sick, is exhibiting any signs of illness, or if someone in the immediate family is diagnosed with COVID-19, parents must inform Xaverian of this situation in order to maintain the health and safety of all within the Xaverian community. Students who are sick must stay home.
  • Ensure that your son completes the COVID-19 assessment tool (more information will be shared in advance of the reopening of school) each morning. Adhere to your son’s daily findings in order to determine his ability to attend Xaverian.
  • We received word from the State of Massachusetts that it is now a requirement for the 2020-2021 school year that all students in K-12 must get an influenza vaccine. Students will be expected to have received the influenza vaccine by December 31, 2020 unless they have a medical or religious exemption. Documentation of receiving the vaccine or an exemption note must be submitted to the nurse by this date.
  • If your son experiences any of the following COVID-19 symptoms, you are expected to promptly inform Xaverian’s school nurses and keep your son home: 
    • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
    • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat 
    • Headache, when in combination with other symptoms listed 
    • Muscle aches or body aches
    • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea 
    • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms listed 
    • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) and when in combination with other symptoms
    • Students experiencing the aforementioned symptoms are expected to stay home from school and report their absence to Xaverian.
  • For each student absence (COVID-19 related or not) the parent is expected to contact the school and inform Xaverian of the reason for your son’s absence. 
  • When your son is sick, we expect that parents will contact their son’s physician and follow the recommended guidance, paying specific attention to the criteria that must be satisfied in order for his safe return to Xaverian. Additional communication with the school nurses in these situations is expected.
  • If your son has had a fever, he must be fever-free for a minimum of 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school. You must also consult our school nurses in this case to determine what additional steps, if any, need to be taken to before your son returns to Xaverian. 
  • Parents must ensure that their son quarantines for 14 days if someone in the home has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or if he has come into contact with a diagnosed person. A close contact is now defined as someone who was less than six feet away from a person with a positive COVID-19 result for 15 minutes or more. Close contacts must quarantine for 14 days after exposure, regardless of test results.
  • Parents should ensure that their sons are exhibiting excellent personal hygiene while at home. This includes frequent hand washing and washing of clothes, backpacks, and face coverings. Cloth face coverings must be washed daily.
  • Parents are expected to discuss sound personal hygiene practices with their son. Remind your son to avoid touching his eyes, nose, and mouth, and sneeze into a tissue if possible. If none are available, he should sneeze into the crook of his elbow, all while keeping his mask on.
  • Also, urge your son to wash his hands frequently for 20 seconds and use hand sanitizer when washing is not possible. Hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom and in various locations throughout Xaverian. 
  • Parents are asked to ensure that your son has the necessary materials and supplies in his backpack. Students are prohibited from sharing any items with fellow students. These items include, but are not limited to food, drinks, cups, utensils, dishes, towels, school supplies, laptops, pens, pencils, notebook paper, etc.
  • Please have your son bring a clear, plastic water bottle labeled with his name to school as water fountains will not be available. Water filling stations are located throughout the building. 
  • Transportation: masks must be worn at all times while commuting on buses/trains. There is no congregating in the parking lots when students are dropped off or picked up.
  • Remind your son of the importance of adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. These tips will be especially helpful to your son as he adjusts to the routine of returning to school.
  • As always, contact your son’s counselor or one of our nurses to discuss any health related concerns.
FACULTY, STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATION HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Normally, the expectations for our faculty, staff, and administration are well known. Frankly, in normal times the role Xaverian adults play in the educational process is generally understood as it is often communicated through our website, our mission statement, our various parent-teacher programs, and our interactions with students and families. 

Yet, as we have said throughout, the success of Xaverian will depend upon all of us satisfying our expectations and responsibilities. Therefore, it should be known that when it comes to the health and safety of all those individuals at Xaverian, our faculty, staff, and administrators are also required to comply with all the expectations noted above in the student and parent sections. No one is exempt from these expectations and we will do our part to help keep Xaverian healthy and safe.

In addition, our faculty, staff, and administrators do have two additional expectations and responsibilities that will be key to our success. Those items are:

  1. Educational. Yes, our teachers will be educating their students in content and curriculum to further student understanding. They will also be educating our students in the expectations related to COVID-19 as noted above, in order to keep all of us safe. 
  2. Supervision. Our faculty, staff, and administrators have always acted in a supervisory fashion in terms of the day to day operations of our school. Now, they will also supervise our students with regard to the newly created expectations developed in light of COVID-19. This will help ensure that everyone is doing their part to keep our campus safe, clean, and healthy. As part of their supervisory duties, faculty, staff, and administrators must also alert our maintenance team whenever they believe an area needs to be cleaned and/or disinfected.  

Xaverian Brothers High School

800 Clapboardtree Street
Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: 781-326-6392
Fax: 781-320-0458
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Xaverian is a Catholic, college-preparatory school for boys in grades 7-12. As an inclusive community, we embrace diverse experiences and perspectives, welcoming students and families from all faiths and backgrounds. Through exceptional academics, athletics, the arts, faith formation, and service opportunities, we help young men discover their unique gifts and talents so they can share them with a world in need.