School Spotlight: Fourth Baptist Copes with COVID-19 Curveballs
COVID-19 has impacted many schools throughout the state. Now the pandemic has affected Fourth Baptist Christian School in Plymouth.
The school, which had completed nine weeks of in-person learning, was forced to temporarily close.
“We had a couple people test positive for COVID,” said Alan Hodak, administrator at Fourth Baptist Christian. “They had been around some larger numbers of our students. And we just made a decision you know what, because of the potential spread, we just need to shut down for a couple weeks,” said Hodak.
But the closure didn’t catch Fourth Baptist off guard. It was something the school had been anticipating and been preparing for all summer.
“We had already prepared schedules. The alternative program, all the computer stuff is prepared all summer long into the school year and that was all set to go,” said Hodak.
Hodak says staff trained over the summer and cameras and computers donated by families were set up over the summer months.
“We tried to cover every option to continue the process of education,” Hodak said.
Fourth Baptist Establishes Cleaning Protocols
Fourth Baptist decided in-person learning was optimal to begin the year and they had protocols in place.
”One way flow of traffic like you’re in the grocery store. Extra cleaning protocols,” said Andrew Broere, assistant administrator at the school.
The school took measures like periodically cleaning all surfaces using a handheld battery-operated disinfectant sprayer. Everyone in first grade and above also must wear a mask.
Fourth Baptist installed self-cleaning technology on its doors
But the real secret to the school’s success in adaptability is the cooperation and collaboration between the school and parents. Hodak credits the parents’ communication in helping with a transition to temporary virtual learning.
“You’ve got people that want and choose this school and they’re paying for it. And so, they recognize the value of it and they’re much more responsive and committed to what you’re trying to accomplish,” said Hodak.
Fourth Baptist hopes to resume in-person school on Nov. 16.
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