COVID-19 UPDATE
BEPS COVID-19 update
This guide has been reviewed to comply with Covid-19 regulations. As the situation is constantly changing it will regularly be updated to align with this.
These colour coded pandemic levels are specifically linked to schools and not to the colour coded travel regions mentioned above. At this moment, schools have been informed that the school year 2021-2022 will start at the Green level.
Although the regulations will continue to be relaxed in Flanders and Wallonia as they reach their vaccination target level. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Brussels yet. Therefore we will reopen the school at the Yellow level.
COVID-19 compliance, travelling and testing
The Belgian authorities regularly update their advice to citizens moving in and out of the country. All BEPS employees, parents and students are required to follow the health and travel advice and restrictions published by the Belgian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Health & Safety Measures at BEPS
Some children with medical conditions fall into a ‘high risk’ category. If you think your child falls into one of these categories, or if you are unsure about these, you should consult your doctor to discuss whether it is advisable, or not advisable for your child to return to school. Your doctor must issue you with a certificate indicating that your child can be in school.
Before coming to school each morning, students will need to have their temperature taken. If their temperature is above 37.5 C, they must stay at home. Their parents should consult their family doctor for advice about when they can return to school.
Whenever there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our community, all families who need to take action and those who should be aware of this situation will be notified. These instructions will differ depending upon the vaccination status of the individuals.
Please note that in accordance with guidelines issued by the Belgian Supervisory Authority on data protection and Coronavirus, we are not allowed to disclose the names of any infected persons.
Hand sanitiser will be placed at the entrance to the main building, the Pre-School building and in all the classrooms.
Handwashing and hand sanitising is required:
- When entering and before leaving the school buildings
- Before and after each toilet visit
- Before and after eating
- Before and after going outside
- Children will wash their hands at their assigned sink.
The BEPS community should cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue. Tissues should then be disposed of immediately into a bin with a lid, and hands washed.
Physical distancing should be maintained between teachers and students in the Years 2 – 10, and between all adults across the whole school community.
- Teachers of Early Years children do not have to wear a mask.
- Primary teachers must wear a mask if physical distancing is not possible. However, they can take their masks off when they are supervising students outside. They must wear their masks in the presence of other adults.
- Any student over 12 years old must wear a mask at the times when physical distance cannot be guaranteed.
- Students can take their masks off during outdoor sport activities or when they are outside.
- Parents must wear a mask on the school premises.
Our students will only mix within their part of the school (Early Years, Lower School, Upper School, Secondary School).
The following rules will be reinforced consistently by all teachers when children are moving around the school:
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds before moving to another section of the school.
- Hold onto the bannister when moving up and down the stairs.
- Keep your hands and bodies to yourself.
- Use the designated toilet and sink facilities for your group, one person at a time.
- Classroom materials will be cleaned regularly.
- Children cannot bring personal toys to school.
- One or two windows should be kept ajar during lessons and should be fully opened to air the room at the beginning and end of the day and during breaks.
- Children will be reminded frequently about handwashing.
- Posters reminding children of the health and safety rules will be posted in the classroom.
All children and staff wash their hands before and after eating their snack or lunch.
Lunch is supervised by a member of staff.
Staff use the disinfectant provided and paper towels to thoroughly clean the tables before and after children have eaten.
All children and staff wash their hands before and after breaks.
The playground and the garden will be used for break times.
Children are expected to follow the playground guidelines to ensure their health and safety.
- The school will have been fully cleaned before reopening and additional cleaning will take place each day.
- Additional cleaning of the banisters, door handles, light switches etc. will take place during lunch break.
- Toilets and sinks will also be sanitised on a regular basis throughout the day.
- During breaks, tabletops, chairs and other surfaces that are frequently touched will be disinfected.
- At the end of the day there will be a thorough cleaning of the whole school.
BEPS’ response to COVID-19 scenarios:
These colour coded pandemic levels are specifically linked to schools and not to the colour coded travel regions mentioned above.
| Yellow- Low Risk | Orange - Systematic Spreading | Red - Major Outbreak | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Access: | Enhanced entry & dismissal procedures Drop off by car allowed Limited access for parents & visitors | Enhanced entry & dismissal procedures Drop off by car allowed Limited access for parents & visitors | Enhanced entry & dismissal procedures No access for parents, & visitors |
| Use of masks: | Students in Secondary School Staff, parents, contractors | Students in Secondary School Staff, parents, contractors | Students in Secondary School Staff, parents, contractors |
| Learning: | Open 5 days for all students | Open 5 days for all students | Primary - Open 5 days for all students Secondary - open 5 days for all students (BEPS context allows us to follow the safe physical distance regulations) |
| Trips: | Allowed following strict guidelines | Allowed following strict guidelines | Not allowed |
| School events: | Allowed following strict guidelines | Allowed for students and teachers only | Not allowed |
| Lunch: | TCO & Box Bunny | TCO & Box Bunny | Lunch from home |
| Bus: | Contact the bus company | Contact the bus company | Contact the bus company |
| After School Clubs: | Will take place following the enhanced school health & safety measures | Will take place following the enhanced school health & safety measures | Will take place following the enhanced school health & safety measures |
| Garderie: | Will take place following the enhanced school health & safety measures | Will take place following the enhanced school health & safety measures | Will take place following the enhanced school health & safety measures |