Greens Farms Academy is aPreK-12,
coed school in Westport, CT

Greens Farms Academy is a PreK-12, coed school in Westport, CT

COVID-19: Information & Resources

This page serves as the information hub for Greens Farms Academy news related to the COVID-19
coronavirus and should be referenced regularly as we navigate this global health crisis together. 

Announcement

Updated 8/1/20

Our team has spent the past few months designing a return-to-campus plan that provides a safe and healthy learning environment for our students, faculty, and staff. To achieve that, we have been reconstructing physical spaces, investing significantly in our air filtration systems, and adapting protocols that will enable us to provide the most GFA-like experience possible under the current circumstances. You can find the preliminary plan here.

Communications Archive

 

FAQs link

 

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To minimize the possible transmission of these respiratory viruses, please
remember to:
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the sleeve (not your hand) when coughing or sneezing. Throw tissues in the trash.
  • Routinely clean frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Stay home if you have early symptoms indicative of influenza (e.g., fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, muscle aches, or a runny nose with unusual tiredness.
  • Stay home until fully recovered from an illness (e.g., have no fever, vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours, are no longer extremely fatigued and have significantly reduced respiratory symptoms).

Helpful Resources

Stay Home, Stay Safe: Office of the Governor

Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel (Dept. of State)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates and Links to Latest and Most Accurate Information (WWHD)

Center for Disease Control Fact Sheet

World Health Organization

Westport Weston Health District Website

Connecticut Department of Public Health Factsheet

How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus Outbreak (Time)

How to Talk to Your Kids About the Coronavirus (Healthline)

Children Seem Less Vulnerable To Coronavirus: Goats and Soda (NPR)

Understanding Coronavirus: What Schools Need to Know (NAIS)

What to do if you are sick with Coronavirus (CDC)

FAQs About Coronavirus & Children (CDC)

FAQs About Coronavirus & Travel (CDC)

Avoid Coronavirus While Traveling (WebMD)

Important Contacts:

Bob Whelan, Head of School: 203-256-7551

Kathleen Raby, School Nurse, RN, BSN: 203-256-7535

Jennifer Campbell, CFO/COO: 203-256-7543

Ward Abel, Director of Travel Programs: 203-349-7440

Jason Hannum, Coordinator of Campus Security: 203-256-7507

Elizabeth Day, Upper School Counselor: 203-256-7550

Jackie Woods, Middle School Counselor: 203-349-7203

Corinne Kennelly, Lower School Counselor: 203-349-7218

Zoom Security Practices at GFA

With the advent of Distance Learning for all, many useful platforms have emerged that help deliver these experiences in a more meaningful way. That being said, just like any software platforms, some have sought to use these platforms to disrupt the good work that schools and other organizations are doing to keep students engaged. 

How are we keeping our Virtual Learning Spaces safe? 

  • From the outset, we’ve advised Faculty to apply to most stringent security settings within the Zoom Platform. Any faculty member that is utilizing the platform is doing so under our enterprise account where we’ve enabled many of these settings by default

  • We’re monitoring related FBI warnings and guidance around using Zoom. So far, all we’ve done aligns closely with their guidance. Links to GFA virtual meetings are only posted to our password-protected portals or are emailed directly to students within a given class/advisory. 

  • We’ve taken steps to ensure students are logging into the platform using their GFA Google credentials so they are easily identified/verified when they attempt to join meetings.

  • To that end Faculty members have a “waiting room” function available where they “check-in” students one at a time prior to the start of a meeting. While in a waiting room, participants are not able to share audio or video. 

  • We’ve provided guides to students that cover best practices and etiquette within Zoom.

We’ve taken a multi-faceted approach to online learning at GFA in which Zoom is just one piece of the puzzle. Concerns arise about school use of Zoom when it was the sole means of communication between students and teachers, this is most certainly not the case at GFA.