Masks & Face Shields Protocols

After much study, the following are The Summit’s protocols for the wearing masks and shields. These protocols have been informed by guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and the State of Ohio to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our students, faculty and staff.

Masks
All adults and students age 3 through grade 12 will wear a mask in the buildings.  
Specifically:

  • Parents will supply face masks for their children. Adults will supply their own face masks.
  • Masks may be homemade, purchased cloth or disposable face coverings. A multi-ply tightly woven cotton cloth or multi-ply disposable face covering is recommended. Bandanas and gaiters are not acceptable.
  • Masks should cover the nose and mouth and wrap under the chin.
  • See helpful guidance from the CDC here.
  • Students in grades 5-12 should carry at least two extra labeled cloth face coverings or masks with them daily to ensure that they have a replacement if one becomes wet or dirty while they are on campus.
  • Montessori (except for toddlers) and Lower School students are required to have four extra cloth face coverings or masks in a zip lock bag labeled with their name on the first day of school. Each mask also must be labeled with their name. Parents should have the child practice wearing the mask before school starts.
  • For grades 5-12, masks should not include words or logos (except those related to Summit).  Cloth face coverings with the Summit logo will be available for purchase from the Spirit Shop.
  • Montessori and Lower School children may use masks with characters on them if it helps them comply with the mask requirement.
  • The school will provide each child in grades 1-12 with a face shield and a bag to keep it in.  They must have the bag with them at all times. The bag is also the place where they will store extra masks, their water bottle, personal hand sanitizer and their mask when it’s not in use.  The face shields will be needed for extra protection in activities where they may need to be closer than six feet to a teacher or a peer. Masks provide the most protection. Face shields are not a substitute for a mask.

Exceptions

  • Exceptions to the mask policy may be made for children with severe allergies or respiratory challenges. Parents should contact the school nurse with documentation for an exception in these situations.  These students will need to wear the face shield while in the building. 
  • Specific activities like lunch, playing an instrument, recess, other outdoor activities and actively playing a sport will not require a mask.
  • Teachers teaching phonics, world language and students with hearing issues who lip read may wear a clear mask or face shield given the importance of these students being able to view mouth formation in these situations. 

Face Shields
In addition to the cloth face coverings, we will require face shields for students and employees in certain educational settings when sustained close contact with other people is expected, i.e. science labs, some small group lessons, some desk configurations.  
Students will be trained on how to protect and clean their individual face shields after use. Additional face shields may be purchased by parents from the Spirit Shop.

The CDC does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities as a substitute for cloth face coverings. Reusable face shields should be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Recommendations

The following are recommendations for the care and usage of masks and face shields. To safely put on the cloth face covering or mask:

  • Wash your hands or use sanitizer on hands before touching the mask or shield.
  • Touch only the ear loops and place them over your ears. 
  • Do not touch the face covering except to adjust it to your nose and face.
  • The mask should cover the nose and mouth and wrap under the chin. 
  • Wash or use sanitizer on hands after applying the face covering or mask.
  • Cloth face coverings should be washed after each use.