Health and Safety at MPH

MPH Health and Safety Guidelines (Title page)

General Health Protocols

MPH will continue to safeguard the health and well-being of the community by employing layered illness and safety prevention strategies.  Although initially created to manage Covid-19, the health and safety team has broadened its focus to address a wide range of contagious illnesses and overall campus safety.  

MPH has at its disposal, a host of “tools” that we will call upon whenever the need arises. These include, but are not limited to:

• Screening and monitoring individual and community health.
• Assist those who display any signs of infectious illness in getting tested. 
• The use of flexible face covering policy
• Cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
• Maintaining HVAC systems to ensure they are delivering filtered and fresh air throughout all buildings. 
• Promoting good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
• Supporting the vaccination process for all community members. 

ABOVE ALL, PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK

MPH is a certified COVID-19 testing lab through New York State, and we will continue to offer screening and diagnostic testing provided supplies remain available. 

Questions regarding health and safety issues, should be sent directly to healthandsafety@mph.org  

What specific policies or procedures are in place to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of the MPH community?

COVID-19, POSITIVE CASE 
When a person tests positive for COVID-19, please notify the health and safety team via email at healthandsafety@mphschool.org.  This helps us monitor the spread of Covid-19 in our community.  Given the nature of current Covid variants, it is possible that people have been in the community without knowing they are positive for COVID. With the variety of interactions across grade levels and divisions, and the high vaccination status of students and employees, we no longer communicate every positive case to those who might have come in contact with an infected individual. 

DAILY HEALTH ASSESSMENT (DHA)
Students, employees, and visitors should be confident that they are not displaying any symptoms of any contagious illness (COVID-19, flu, stomach bug, etc.) before coming to campus. By arriving on campus, you are attesting to your and your child’s good health. 

FACE COVERINGS
The choice to wear a face covering will always be supported within our community. When required, approved face coverings (no gaiters or scarves) will be worn in accordance with CDC recommendations and NYS Dept. of Health requirements. 

HAND HYGIENE
Good hand hygiene is key to our ability to prevent the spread of illness/disease. The importance of washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer continues to be emphasized. Hand sanitizer is available in all classrooms, hallways, and other common areas throughout the school.

PARENT/GUARDIAN VISITS TO CAMPUS
All visitors are required to sign in and out and are reminded not to be present on campus if they are not feeling well.  Forgotten items may be dropped off in the vestibule of the Phoenix lobby. For security purposes, all exterior doors, including the Phoenix entrance, remain locked during the school day.  Visitors who have appointments on campus must be accompanied by their host at all times. 

TESTING, COVID-19
Testing continues to be an effective method for keeping the community safe. We will offer screening and diagnostic testing, as long as supplies remain available.

After-Hours Safety Guidelines

AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS
After-school hours are defined as time beyond the academic school day, specifically Monday through Friday after 4 p.m., all day Saturday and Sunday, and holidays when school is not in session.   

STUDY/WORK ZONES
Upper School students who are staying after school, waiting for a ride, studying, working on projects, etc., may do so only with a faculty/staff member or in the Phoenix Lobby. Students should retrieve anything they will be bringing home (books, jackets, musical instruments, etc.) before 4 p.m., as most interior hallways will be closed after 4 p.m.

PICK-UP PROCEDURES
With the exception of CEL students who remain in that space until picked up by parents, students who are not involved in extracurricular activities (such as Lower School Extended Day, Middle School After Hours, athletics, performing arts, teacher-sponsored projects, or clubs) and who have not been picked up at the designated time and location for their division, should be picked up no later than 4 p.m. and should depart only through the main Phoenix doors. Parents waiting to pick up their students can form a single line of parked cars in the pick-up circle, or park in the parking lot just beyond the main doors. PLEASE do not double park as it creates a roadblock for others, including emergency vehicles. If students are not involved in extracurriculars and their parents are unable to pick up them up before 4 p.m., please contact the appropriate division head.

ENTERING/EXITING
With reduced adult supervision at the end of the academic day (after 4 p.m.), the single use of the Phoenix Lobby entry for anyone who enters or exits the school building is a security priority. Entrance/Exit through any other door is not permitted and creates a security risk for our campus. Athletic coaches may use the gym doors but are responsible to ensure the security of that entrance/exit.  

ATHLETICS AND PERFORMING ARTS
Coaches and Performing Arts instructors will be responsible for making sure locker rooms and the theater/stage areas are empty at the end of practices/games/rehearsals/shows and that all players/performers have left campus before they themselves leave for the day. Students whose extracurriculars end after 4 p.m. should bring to those extracurricular areas anything they are planning to bring home with them, as interior hallways will be closed when their activities end.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROJECTS AND CLUBS
Faculty sponsoring after-school projects and clubs will ensure that all MPH students and any other participants have left campus before they themselves leave for the day. Students should gather all homework, jackets, and instruments, etc., and bring them to their extracurricular area before 4 p.m. 

MPH CAMPUS AMBASSADOR
The MPH Campus Ambassador position has been created to provide three essential after-hours services: to ensure the presence of a friendly resource for visitors, to monitor building access, and to act as a liaison to emergency services while students are on campus. This role is filled “as needed” by an MPH employee; the ambassador will be present on campus during after-hours campus events, such as athletic practices and games, performing arts rehearsals and shows, and other extracurricular activities/events.