• Revised schedules for students on campus and off campus
• Increased student collaboration
• Supporting students who do not attend on-campus learning
• More opportunity for 1:1 feedback for students
• Increased small group instruction and activities
• Built-in breaks for at-home learning and on-campus learning
• Focus on homeroom class subjects for on-campus learning
• Opportunities for in-person socialization within the on-campus days with classmates
• More responsiveness to students’ needs for social-emotional learning and academic learning
• Use of outdoor spaces when possible to allow for greater spacing of students
• Units designed to be adaptable for on campus or off campus learning
• Opportunities to measure student learning growth in real time
• Numbers of students allowed in class will depend on health and safety guidelines for spacing
• Staffing may see some internal changes due to health risks and/or vaccination status of teachers.  

• All modules of learning are designed to be completed on campus or online.
• A combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning for all students.
• Students will have equal access to on campus learning. Half the students will attend classes on-campus during the first period meeting of the week and the other half will be working via DLP from home; the groups will switch for the second period meeting of the week and all periods will have a brief third online meeting on Fridays.
• Feedback critical to success is given to students digitally or through face to face conferencing.
• Certain classes may be exclusively online due to health risks and/or vaccination status of teachers.
• We will use larger work spaces and outdoors when possible to allow for greater spacing of students
• The daily schedule has built in break/snack and access times to provide a break from screen time
• The daily schedule allows for students to return home around 2:00 p.m. for lunch with family
• Additional optional after class time (ASSIST) offered for those in need of extra teacher, learning support, counselor, or psychologist support

• All modules of learning are designed to be completed on campus or online.
• Hybrid learning will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning for all students.
• Students will have equal access to on campus learning.
• Feedback critical to success is given to students digitally or through face to face conferencing.
• Certain classes may be exclusively online due to health risks and/or vaccination status of teachers.
• Students may leave for home if their teacher is not on campus during the last period of the day, and may arrive for the second period of the day if their teacher during that first class is unable to be on campus.
• We will use larger work spaces and outdoors when possible to allow for greater spacing of students.
• The daily schedule allows for students to return home around 2pm for lunch with family
• Additional AP class times will be scheduled from 3 - 4pm to ensure successful completion of these courses.
• Opening of extracurricular activities will take place when we are given the green light to do so.

Values matter, especially during a crisis. They allow individuals and institutions to orient themselves and set priorities quickly. They permit us to navigate confusion, turmoil, and emotion. They compel us to reflect on our relationships with, and obligations to, others. Most importantly, they inform our decisions and actions. ASFM is committed to supporting our students in an open minded, caring and global manner, empowering all students to continue to develop their individual potential in this ever-changing world and based on the following principles:

• Act with fidelity to the School’s Mission, Vision and Core Values.
• Adhere to Nuevo Leon guidelines and regulations.
• Prioritize student, faculty, and staff health, safety, and wellbeing over other principles.
• Ensure hygiene- and health-related policies are research-based, clearly communicated, effectively implemented, and diligently enforced.
• Promote practices and policies to reduce risk of virus transmission and support our capacity to be responsive and agile when facing changing health circumstances.
• Shift back to distance learning in the event our local community experiences a major spike in COVID-19 cases and/or if we are required to do so by the authorities.  

Primary Driver: ASFM honors the learning, health, safety and the wellbeing of all of its community members and all decisions will be driven by these factors.

Additional Drivers:

• Federal regulations and decrees (Sistema de semáforo nacional)
• Nuevo Leon regulations, decrees and/or required filters
• IMSS and SEP regulations, decrees and/or required filters
• Santa Catarina and San Pedro regulations and decrees
• Community spread / outbreak rates
• Flexibility
• Community choice

• Once we are in a Hybrid mode of learning, there is a chance we will have to shift back to distance learning in the event our local community experiences a major spike in COVID-19 cases and/or if we are required to do so by the authorities.   
• We will do our best to work with all parents, students, and staff who have specific needs and/or situations that might prevent them from transitioning to the hybrid model and/or who experience future problems with possible shifts from one scenario to another.
• ASFM can not offer learning opportunities to students in their private homes or outside of official ASFM facilities due to SEP indications, legal ramifications, labor ramifications, risks of contagion, risks of accidents, child protection guidelines, lack of supervision capabilities, and staff protection guidelines.
• Specific details of any and all parts of the Hybrid Learning Scenario are subject to change at any moment based on the decision making decision making drivers mentioned within this microsite.

• ASFM Roadmap 1.0
• ASFM Roadmap 2.0
• ASFM Admin team research, experience, and feedback
• PTA input and feedback
• ASFM Parent survey input and feedback 
• Secretaría de Salud
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization
• COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry, American Association of Pediatrics
• SEP, CDC, WHO, and IMMS guidelines and indications 
• USA Consulate and Embassy information (STEP program) 
• AAIE input, discussions, and school research 
• ASIJ Roadmap, Tokyo, Japan
• AISM Back to School Plan, Maputo, Mozambique
• Back to School Plan from the American School of Milan
• Catch the Spirit Back to School plan from Colegio Maya in Guatemala 
• Community Playbook from RIFFA Views International School (Bahrain) 
• Breck School (re)Unite plan and handbook (Minneapolis, MN) 
• Eagles Reunite: A plan to reopen Graded’s campus (Sao Paola, Brazil)
   

ASFM has placed students into learning cohorts as much as possible to minimize student interaction while on campus to prevent virus transmission.  The learning cohorts are organized at different scales in each academic section due to the academic offerings and the manner in which the educational program is managed.  

Elementary Learning Cohorts
Elementary school students will be cohorted in homeroom groups.  Students in elementary classrooms will be kept in the same limited homeroom grouping for classes, snacks, breaks and whenever possible at other times of the day.

Middle School Learning Cohorts
Middle School students will be cohorted as a middle school group.  The class schedule, which includes classes that contain students from multiple grade levels, does not allow for learning cohorts that are smaller than the entire middle school cohort.

High School Learning Cohorts
High School students will be cohorted as a high school group.  The class schedule, which includes classes that contain students from multiple grade levels, does not allow for learning cohorts that are smaller than the entire high school cohort.

Student schedules were created to be responsive to developmental ages, student learning needs and health regulations from the local authorities. On-campus attendance has been reduced in some capacity to meet the sanitary needs and regulations. Variables that were considered in the development of the following schedules include age appropriateness, flexible scheduling, transportation, distancing protocols, individual cases and student-teacher ratios. Teachers will provide guidance and instructions to all students regarding their responsibilities, tasks, and duties for their off campus / DLP work during the week and on Fridays. Fridays may also be used from time to time for on campus activities for some students depending on special circumstances. This will be determined by the school.

‘Meet and Greet’ Schedule for Students in Nursery to Grade 5
August 9 and 10 will be protected for students and parents to come onto the campus to meet homeroom teachers. Students can bring school supplies on this day. Follow this schedule to attend. We kindly ask that you respect the date and time. Only parents are welcome to attend with elementary aged children. Other family or domestic employees will not be permitted on campus. Parking for these events will be on a first come, first serve basis. If you cannot attend, contact the homeroom teacher once class lists are available.

Student schedules were created to be responsive to developmental ages, student learning needs and health regulations from the local authorities. On-campus attendance has been reduced in some capacity to meet the sanitary needs and regulations. Variables that were considered in the development of the following schedules include age appropriateness, flexible scheduling, transportation, distancing protocols, individual cases and student-teacher ratios. Teachers will provide guidance and instructions to all students regarding their responsibilities, tasks, and duties for their off campus / DLP work during the week and on Fridays. Fridays may also be used from time to time for on campus activities for some students depending on special circumstances. This will be determined by the school.

Student schedules were created to be responsive to developmental ages, student learning needs and health regulations from the local authorities. On-campus attendance has been reduced in some capacity to meet the sanitary needs and regulations. Variables that were considered in the development of the following schedules include age appropriateness, flexible scheduling, transportation, distancing protocols, individual cases and student-teacher ratios. Teachers will provide guidance and instructions to all students regarding their responsibilities, tasks, and duties for their off campus / DLP work during the week and on Fridays. Fridays may also be used from time to time for on campus activities for some students depending on special circumstances. This will be determined by the school.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULEClick Here

Access to the campus will be limited for the most part to only students and staff. Departure from the campus will limit social interaction as much as possible. Please keep in mind the following key expectations regarding this topic:

• Carpooling between families will be permitted
• Cars will be permitted on campus to drop-off and pick up students at specific points.
• Private transportation through LOGO will not be available until social distancing regulations and protocols ease and we feel that this service can safely resume.
• Parents and drivers can enter the campus to drop off students and help them out of the vehicle. Parents may not guide their child to the classroom. Staff will guide students to classrooms.
• Only with specific administrative appointments can we permit parents on the school premises during this end of the year period.

• Drop-off or student parking will start at 7:40 am.
• Entrance will be exclusively by the Sundial. All other entrances will not be accessible to students.
• Parents are not allowed to step down from their cars.

All after school activities will move to a hybrid mode soon after the start of the 2021-2022 academic school year. More information on these after school hybrid activities will be shared with the community in August.

We are pleased to announce that for the Hybrid Learning Scenario, we have adjusted the student daily schedule to allow all students to arrive home and enjoy lunch together as a family in the early afternoon. This will help reduce risk factors at school and provide a family lunch time option for all.

On-site access to food for sale will not be available at first and a gradual approach will be implemented in the future based on capabilities, regulations, need and health risks. Due to health risks, no Cafeteria services will initially be provided within the Hybrid model. We are working with our Food Service provider to reinitiate our food services in the cafeterias as soon as possible. For now, please be aware of these recommendations regarding nutrition and food consumption:

• Students will need to bring a reusable water bottles and prepared food or snacks.
• Water fountains and water refilling stations will be available.
• We encourage healthy choices to support student nutritional needs during the day.
• Avoid processed foods if at all possible.
• No microwaving will be available and students will eat primarily in their assigned classrooms.

During the beginning month(s) of the Hybrid Learning Scenario, only essential educators, educational administrators, teachers, coaches and health office staff will be allowed on campus to support the learning needs of children. Certain office staff members will also be working from school, but most office and clerical staff will continue to work from home in a remote environment for the time being. All exceptions will be communicated to the corresponding staff member by the two Head of Campus. All Central office employees (including the Cashier) will continue to work remotely from their homes unless special arrangements have been made with the Superintendent.

Parents can continue to reach out to all departments via email and/or the rerouted telephone numbers that are available on the website.

1.    What happens if I travel, will I have to quarantine? What will be the notification process for travel and quarantine? 
See the Quarantine section below.
 
2.    What happens if I am not willing to send my child(ren) to hybrid mode and prefer to stay in DLP? Parents in this situation should contact their corresponding Head of Campus (Joe Stanzione in ELEM and Sheldon Guenther in MSHS). 

3.    What are the security measures the school will take? Temperature, hand sanitizer, hand washing stations, social distancing, etc? What is the protocol for entrance to the school?
See the Mitigating Risk: Health Services, Campus Safety and Security sections below.

4.    How will we know what days my child(ren) has to go to school? If I have multiple children do they all go on the same days? 
See the Student Learning Cohorts and the Daily School Schedule sections above.

5.    How many hours will kids go to school? What happens during lunch? How will they be organized to eat?
See the Daily School Schedule and the Nutrition and Food Consumption sections above.

6.    On the days they don’t go to school, how are their learning schedules at home?
See the Daily School Schedule section above. Teachers will inform their students about responsibilities during the at home DLP days. 

7.    What school materials are we going to be required to take to school? Will they be sharing colors, scissors, glue, paint, etc? Is there anything I will need to purchase extra that my child will have to keep at school?
Student supplies will be limited to individual needs. Supply lists for this year were reduced dramatically and future material replenishment may be needed and socialized with families at a later date. Teachers at each grade level may be requesting specific items to support learning on campus and at home. To begin the Hybrid learning scenario model, please refer to the following comments about what is permitted: 

Materials Permitted: Snack containers and water bottles, backpack, notebooks, pencils, pens, other basic learning supplies, small ziplock bags, protective cases and personal hygiene supplies. Teachers in younger grades will share a list of what may be needed individually to avoid sharing. 

Sharing of Materials: We will be avoiding sharing of materials as much as possible. Only in some circumstances will classroom materials be shared and these will be sanitized after use.

8.    What happens if my child loses/ tears/ wets their facemask? Will the school have extras? 
See the Social Distancing and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) section below. ASFM will maintain a stock of face masks for emergencies. 

9.    Do they have to wear a facemask and a face shield? If yes, when and how, what are the requirements, will they be wearing it at all times? When not wearing it where will they store it?
See the Social Distancing and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) section below. 

10.    How many kids will there be by group and time slot? 
See the Student Learning Cohorts section above.

11.    If a COVID case is detected what happens? What are the safety and security measures will the school take? Will parents in the class be notified? Will the kids be expected to quarantine for 14 days and the whole family? And what happens to their school work? Is it excused for sickness?
See the Positive Covid-19 Test and Contact Tracing Procedures and Protocol Cohorts section below.

12.    What happens to after school sports? Are they also hybrid? 
See the After School Activities section above.

13.    How is dropoff/pickup for both ELEM and MSHS? If I have kids on both campuses; will they be able to carpool? Can my HS child drive to school? Who will be able to pick up my kids? Can we send our drivers? 
See the Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures section above.

14.    If the school lent me equipment, do I have to give it back? 
This determination will be made once we are in the Hybrid Learning Scenario. Since there is a strong likelihood that we will have to toggle back and forth between our Hybrid and DLP modes due to the circumstances, we will most likely allow families to continue to use the hardware that has been temporarily lent to them. 

15.    For MSHS will they be moving from one class to another? In ELEM will they go to a different class for music and art and PE? Will they have PE classes? If yes will they all be outdoors? 
Teachers will be clarifying these specifics with students. See also the Hybrid Learning Scenario Definition, Student Learning Cohorts, and Daily Student Schedule sections above.

16.    How will they use the restroom in ELEM and MSHS?
See the Mitigating Risk: Health Services, Campus Safety and Security section below.

17.    Will all classes be in person or some in person and some online?
See also the Hybrid Learning Scenario Definition, Student Learning Cohorts, and Daily Student Schedule sections above.
 

• Before leaving home, staff and students must self-screen for symptoms each day they enter the school using daily health checklist guidelines.
• Three layered face masks (appropriately sized) are mandatory to enter ASFM premises.
• Appropriate masks should be worn by students at all times on the ASFM campus except when you are eating, drinking or in special circumstances as determined by the teacher or class. Staff should also wear masks at all times except for under pre-approved circumstances.
• Following appropriate procedures, checkpoints will be used at school entrances to sanitize and ensure risk mitigation.
• Anyone that reports symptoms shall stay home, seek health care and notify the corresponding school Doctor for further instructions and follow-up.
• Teachers, students and staff are expected to increase hand washing and constant use of antibacterial gel.
• Special signage around the school will help the ASFM community follow best practices in health safety and prevention to move throughout school premises.
• Suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases are expected to follow the quarantine guidelines and expectations established by the school.  Confirmed COVID-19 cases within the family must be disclosed to the school Doctor.
• Only essential learning items in a backpack will be permitted in school for teachers, students and staff. Personal accessories shall be limited to only those needed for medical purposes. (ie. no jewelry, watches, etc.)
• Increased frequency of cleaning routines and sanitization in school facilities has been implemented.
• Use of bathrooms will follow the appropriate protocol to reduce interaction between persons.
  • Anyone exhibiting symptoms of COVID should avoid using the hallway restrooms and must be sent to the health facility restroom.
  • 2 mt. physical distance, wearing of face mask and hand washing protocols are to be observed at all times.
  • No more than 2 persons at a time will be allowed inside the restrooms.
• Increased cleaning protocols will be implemented at all times.
• Highly touched surfaces and furniture were reduced to minimum required. Carpets and fabric furniture were removed to reduce contact surfaces.
• Non-essential visitors will not be permitted on Campus during this Hybrid Learning scenario.
• All off-campus field trips and trips have been cancelled until further notice and until conditions allow. These will most likely not occur during this entire school year.
• The ASFM community is expected to be mindful of travel choices.
• We highly recommend that all adults and students of the appropriate age get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.

Examples of signage around the school:
 

1st Level: before leaving home
Before leaving home, staff and students must self-screen for symptoms each day they plan to enter the school. Health screening should take place daily at home formally by parents; no students with fevers (above 37.5 degrees) or other signs and symptoms of illness, history of close contact or potential exposure to COVID--19 should be sent to school. This is a SEP indication and requirement!
 
We are providing you with a chart and checklist to help in this process. Staff will NOT be maintaining these records for each student. We hope that this tool is one that will assist you to keep track of your family’s health:

2nd level: at school
A second level of screening will take place daily at school by administrators, staff and/or medical personnel. Symptomatic students will be separated from others and sent home. Covid-19 testing will be required for students to return.

3rd level: in the classrooms
A third level of screening within the classrooms throughout the school day will take place by teachers and/or medical staff. Symptomatic students will be separated from others and sent home. Covid-19 testing will be required for students to return.

• Appropriate masks should be worn by students at all times on the ASFM campus except when you are eating, drinking or in special circumstances as determined by the teacher or class. Staff should also wear masks at all times except for under pre-approved circumstances.
• Consistent use of appropriately sized, three layered face masks is required for students, teachers and staff when social distancing is difficult to implement or maintain. Research suggests masks with at three layers of fabric are more effective. When not in use, masks should be stored in a ziplock bag (supplied by each family).
• Face masks must be worn by all staff and students in the following locations: classrooms, common areas such as hallways, corridors, bathrooms, health clinic, playspaces, cafeteria, main office. Students may take off masks temporarily with the permission of the teacher for purposes of oral clarity, when eating or drinking, when there is appropriate distancing or during emotional situations. Teachers and staff should wear a mask when in close proximity with students and when visiting other classrooms. Teaching staff need to wear a mask when instructing or giving directions yet can remove it when needed.  Upon leaving any classroom space, masks need to be worn by all staff and students. Students who are instructed by parents to wear masks at all times are permitted to do so. Masks should be handled only by the owner. Masks need to be labeled properly with names written on them.
• Students should always have an extra mask with them at school at all times (stored in a separate ziplock bag). ASFM will also have extra masks for unforeseen circumstances.
• Desks/tables/learning spaces will be placed 2 meters apart.
• Students are expected to maintain a social distance of 2 meters apart.
• Teachers should maintain 2 meters from students when possible and if not disruptive to the educational process.
• Outdoor spaces will be used when and where possible.
• Students will be regularly required to wash and/or sanitize their hands, upon entry to the classrooms, during the school day, before snacks, and after toilet use.
• Particular avoidance of close physical proximity in cases of increased exhalation (singing, exercise) will be enforced.
• Lockers will not be used in MSHS at this time.

Students that fall in the category of at-risk according to the CDC guidelines should not plan on participating in the Hybrid Learning Scenario and will need to continue with their DLP 2.0. Students in this situation shall maintain a safe and healthy environment for themselves and others by continuing their studies remotely. Please contact the appropriate school doctor to notify us of this situation and to receive further instructions.

Depending on the number of families who decide not to send their children to school for the Hybrid Learning Scenario, classrooms might have to be reorganized and shuffled to accommodate appropriate supervision and instruction.

The ASFM health team will be conducting contact tracing and as such contacting and interviewing individuals, students, teachers and staff who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone within the ASFM community with COVID-19. They will provide guidance on self-quarantine or self-isolation, ask about close contacts and notify those contacts, provide recommendations and promote best practices. This process will allow the School to provide guidance and resources to those that are affected, determine if others are exposed, determine who needs to self-quarantine, and assess the impact of the virus in our campus.

Our Medical Services Department will work closely with the State health authorities to execute contact tracing in order to determine who might need to be quarantined or isolated. There are multiple variables that must be considered such as proximity and duration of exposure that will be considered in making the determination

Quarantine guidelines will be announced at a future date once we have determined what State or National requirements or regulations have been issued on this subject. Families who decide to self-quarantine should communicate with the corresponding administration so teachers can be informed and students can be temporarily excused from on campus part of the Hybrid scenario during the days of quarantine.  

Confirmed COVID-19 cases within the family must be disclosed to the corresponding school Doctor so we can plan accordingly and inform the administration.

The purpose of this expectation is to protect yourself, your family, and others. Please help us help each other

All employees and families are asked to abide by this community wellbeing policy. By continuing your employment with ASFM and/or by agreeing for your children to participate in the on campus Hybrid Learning Scenario, each employee and parent accepts the responsibilities and possible consequences mentioned within this policy.

ASFM is committed to implementing health and safety precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our school community while prioritizing the safety of our teachers, parents, and students, as well. Our school staff will be following the recommendations of the state and federal authorities, as well as international recommendations from experts.  

We are committed to balancing the need to provide a safe school environment with students’ developmental needs to socialize and develop a love of learning so that the predominant climate of our school remains positive and stress-free.

Students represent approximately 80% of the ASFM Community, therefore, we need your help!  We can’t do it without your support. To that end,  ASFM has created this COVID-19 Community Wellbeing Policy to ensure that we are all working as a team to keep each other healthy. We have the great fortune of being a responsive, dedicated, and caring community. By following these precautions together, we can decrease the chance of transmission and keep school open to serve your family.

ASFM On Campus Safety Measures
Out of great respect for each employee and their personal assumption of risk, we commit to the following precautionary measures:

• Close monitoring of symptoms and isolation of symptomatic individuals
• Increased use of outdoor classroom spaces
• Social distancing (2 meters when feasible)
• Increased hygiene signage and hand cleaning supplies
• Teaching good hygiene techniques - especially proper hand washing routines
• Enhanced sanitation routines
• Face coverings/masks
• Non-essential visitors not permitted
• All off-campus field trips cancelled until further notice and when conditions allow
• Use of our DLP 2.0 mode for large group meetings

Family at Home Safety Measures: 
The following guidance is requested for each family to the greatest extent possible. Please read and provide your consent and support. 

I acknowledge and understand that participation in school activities or programs at ASFM during the COVID-19 pandemic presents certain risks beyond ASFM’s control, and which may exist regardless of whether ASFM controls or attempts to control such risks and even if ASFM exercises the utmost care in trying to prevent anyone from getting injured or sick.

To show our support and help the school community reduce the chance of transmission, our family commits to the following precautionary measure.

• In public spaces, all members of our household commit to the following:     
  • Increased social distancing
  • Minimizing close contact conversations to less than 10-15 minutes
  • Wearing face coverings/masks when social distancing measures are not available
• Monitoring for symptoms, or self-quarantine if chance of exposure, after international travel or domestic travel to an area experiencing widespread community transmission
• Hand sanitation after contact with high touch surfaces
• Hand washing during or after public activities

At home, all members of our household commit to the following:

• Monitor daily for symptoms of COVID-19: such as fever or chills, runny nose or congestion, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, new loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and refrain from sending a child to school if anyone in the household has these symptoms.
• Monitor your child's mental health by providing space to ask questions and talk freely about COVID-19 and other concerns.
• Reporting to the school doctor when there is a confirmed COVID-19 case in our family.
• Connect with our Student Support Team as needed. Our counselors, psychologists, learning support teachers, administrators and school doctors are available to help and support your entire family.
• Continue regular well-child visits to your pediatrician or healthcare provider.
• Disclosure and self-quarantine when known direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
• Being mindful of travel choices.

Acknowledgement of Risk & Personal Responsibility
I/we acknowledge that I/we have freely chosen to enroll my/our child/children at American School Foundation of Monterrey A.C. (“ASFM”) for the 2020-21 school year. I/we understand that the school has taken reasonable precautions to protect parents, students, and staff from exposure to COVID-19. I/we further understand that despite those precautions there is still some risk of exposure.

I/we understand that ASFM has an insurance policy for all students for injuries or accidents occurring in any programs or events organized by the school, or during their presence in school premises. I/we am/are aware that this insurance does not cover any COVID-19 related expenses. Therefore, I/we accept full responsibility for all medical expenses for any injuries or exposure my family might receive by reason of my/our child’s/children’s attendance. I/we further acknowledge that my/our child’s/children’s attendance may expose my/our family to COVID-19, and I/we assume any such risk, thus releasing ASFM and all its agents from liability.

I/we also agree that by attending ASFM, our family will fully comply with all such measures out of respect for the safety and health of the teachers and larger school community. I/we agree to take all reasonable safety precautions when in public spaces outside of school.

a. A. While ASFM is exploring different possibilities for testing, including pool testing, we do ask that all families ensure their children are healthy before the start of school.  Best practices for avoiding transmission of COVID are well published and we hope that all families will commit to following the ASFM community wellbeing policy; please see our Family At Home Safety Measures. As a general comment regarding testing, the situation in NL is changing rapidly so this topic will be revisited in the coming days. As of the publication of this FAQ, ASFM does not require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result to attend school. The spirit of our current perspective on testing is that it is voluntary and we greatly appreciate the effort and discipline it takes to stay healthy in these complicated times. Health is a shared responsibility!
b. ASFM refers to the regulations established by local and national authorities.  We would advise families to stay abreast of requirements of the authorities.  At this time, no quarantine is required upon return to Mexico.

a. ASFM is committed to face-to-face learning whenever possible.
b. Based on observations of other states, we currently are planning for hybrid learning under green, yellow, and orange light scenarios.  
c. In the event that Nuevo Leon goes to a red light, ASFM anticipates that learning will be mainly in a Distant Learning Plan, however, we will offer activities focused on SEL, academic support, and physical wellbeing.

a. ASFM has implemented industry best practices as recommended by the Ministry of Health and the United States Center for Disease Control.  
b. The Nuevo Leon Health Ministry has inspected the ASFM campus twice and ASFM met local authority health and safety guidelines.
c. TEC Salud has evaluated and validated the ASFM the health and safety procedures.
d. Key Quimica Sanitation has certified ASFM sanitation practices.
e. A complete list of health and safety protocols can be found on the ASFM Hybrid microsite.

a. ASFM has adopted clear protocols for contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine in the event of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID.
b. ASFM has adopted the CDC guidelines for determining a close contact and required isolation and quarantine.
c. In the event of a confirmed positive COVID case, ASFM will:
    i.   Elementary School - Students are grouped into classroom cohorts for contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine.  Classroom communities will be isolated based on the close contact protocol and will be moved to full distance learning for 10 school days from the date of the positive case.
    ii. Middle and High School - Students are unable to be grouped into class cohorts due to the composition of elective courses that are multi-grade.  The school will utilize the close contact protocol to determine the potential risk of exposure.  The school will evaluate risk by red/white cohort and grade level to determine the degree of isolation and quarantine.  Students that are required to isolate and quarantine will do so for 10 school days prior to returning to school.
    iii. The school is evaluating the cost and feasibility of a testing program to shorten the isolation and quarantine period.
d. ASFM is highly dependent on our community for containing a potential COVID outbreak.  Family partnership will be essential in maintaining oncampus learning.  Please be sure to take a look at the COVID-19 Community Wellbeing Policy available in our Hybrid Microsite.

a. As with a typical year, we will follow similar procedures for distributing class lists in elementary school and schedules in middle and high school.  The final of class lists and students schedules will be made available the later part of the week before school.
b. In order to support students transitioning back to school, the elementary school students will be kept in the same class cohorts as 2020-2021 with the exception of small adjustments due to student enrollment changes.  

a. Preliminary Learning Activities are part of the ASFM school year and serve as the entry point for initial learning.  During this time teachers engage students in diagnostic learning activities, build the classroom learning community by engaging in activities to support social emotional learning, and implement the routines and procedures that facilitate learning the rest of the year.  As a result all students are required to attend.
b. As noted in the name, preliminary learning activities take place prior to the formal start of the SEP school year, which this year is August 30, 2021.

a. A “micro-school” is a newly developed term indicating face-to-face learning at remote locations off campus in small groups (6-8 students and a teacher). ASFM will not be offering remote classrooms in family homes around Monterrey and San Pedro. We will be offering our version of “micro schooling” on our campus which, in our estimation, is the safest place to offer learning experiences.
b. ASFM has incorporated “micro-school” into our Distance Learning Program (DLP) in the event we have to return to distance learning during the 2021-2022 school year.  ASFM has developed multiple approaches to “micro-school'' and the specific details will be influenced by the specific circumstances at the time of implementation.  The details of the program will be shared if and when ASFM has to return to distance learning.

a. ASFM will not be offering any tuition rebates for the 2021-2022 school year.
b. The school has taken on significant additional costs to enhance the school facilities for a safe return to campus.  Additionally, the operating costs of hybrid learning are the same as operating a full campus as the required staffing, academic program, and operating costs are the same.
c. Families that have incurred financial hardship during the pandemic and are in need of support should contact the ASFM Business Office to explore the other financial support options available to families.
d. ASFM will consider optional opt-in tuition adjustment process as we did this past school year if and only if we are required by the authorities to desist from ALL in person learning. As long as we are able to have students on campus we will not offer tuition adjustments

a. ASFM will operate the athletics and activities program in similar fashion to the academic program.  During hybrid learning, a hybrid athletics and activities will be offered to students.
b. In the event that the pandemic conditions and local authorities require ASFM to return to a distance learning program, ASFM aims to continue some form of athletics and activities program utilizing a micro-school approach.  Details of the program will be influenced by the health and safety conditions at the time and program details will be provided when and if we are required to go to distance learning.  

a. The links to classroom supply lists are located here.
b. ASFM will provide specialty materials as needed.  Examples of materials ASFM will provide include but are not limited to art materials, science kits, instruments, etc.  
c. Routine materials such as paper, writing implements, ruler, calculator and other materials that students are expected to possess will not be provided as these are part of the supplies list.
d. Teachers will send home materials for asynchronous learning and Flex Friday when needed.

a. ASFM has reinstated carpooling for the 2021-2022 school year. Additional information about carpooling will be provided by the divisional administration in the near future.  
b. Carpooling is still not recommended and families that chose to carpool should be aware that they will be considered a close contact in the event of a positive COVID case within their carpool community.
c. ASFM is evaluating the possibility of reinstating the school bus program during the 2021-2022 school year.  Information will be shared once this bus transportation is available. Please note, our transportation provider has made significant improvements to their fleet of buses in order to address best practices regarding COVID mitigation strategies.  
d. Unfortunately the pandemic has not been good for the environment.  We will continue to consider the environmental implications of decisions and aim to make decisions that mitigate environmental impact.

a. ASFM technology will be needed to support face-to-face learning for students attending school.  
b. Middle and High School students are required to bring their own device under the ASFM Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program.  The device specifications for the BYOD program can be found linked here.  
c. For elementary school students, a limited pool of technology is available for lending.  The divisional administration will share details of how to access this program prior to the start of the school year.  

a. ASFM believes that the foundation of a strong relationship is the family-teacher relationship.  As such, we ask that parents communicate with their child’s teacher directly to share their experiences and offer suggestions of how to best meet their child’s needs.
b. ASFM has reviewed our feedback mechanisms from last year and we will be evolving the structures to ensure that teachers are regularly soliciting feedback from students and parents during the 2021-2022 school year.  
c. ASFM is also reviewing our parent conference format, academic reporting, and online tools to enhance the school-family engagement.

a. The authorities have indicated that returning to campus must be voluntary and requires that parents opt into on-campus learning.  
b. ASFM will for the short term, maintain a form of fully virtual learning during the hybrid program.  The fully virtual program will be primarily asynchronous with limited direct teacher instruction.  A staff member will be made available for one-on-one support on a limited published schedule.
c. While ASFM is committed to providing in person learning, we do realize that some families may experience challenges forcing them to choose a fully virtual mode of learning for their children. In this circumstance, to be determined in partnership with the school, ASFM will offer a fully virtual option, though it will NOT offer synchronous instruction or feedback; students will follow an independent learning plan. In the fully virtual mode, students will have access to their class syllabi, some academic support, and feedback on the assignments being submitted for a grade.
d. Should families choose the virtual option and then change their mind, students may switch to hybrid or face-to-face learning.  Please note this change may require a transition period where the child would remain in a virtual program for a short period of time.

a. ASFM expects teachers to share the learning outcomes and success criteria for each unit of learning.  These will inform parents of what students are expected to learn and the quality of work that must be submitted to attain specific grades.
b. ASFM works diligently to grow the autonomy of our learners over time.  As students mature, we place a greater responsibility on the learners to take ownership of their assignments, learning activities, and performance.  We believe this best prepares them for the independence required for high school and university.  
c. ASFM expects that teachers communicate actively with parents and inform parents if their child is not making satisfactory progress toward learning outcomes.  We expect this at all ages and grade levels to ensure all students learn at high levels.
d. If you have specific questions or concerns, the first point of contact is your child’s teachers.