Campus Reopening Information

Army and Navy Academy Actively Planning for the beginning of school in the fall

These guidelines provide Cadets and their families with an outline on the Academy’s approach to reopening our campus. Included are increased levels of health and safety protocols as well as measures that will be in place at the start of the school year. These guidelines have been developed from local, state and federal resources as well as independent school organizations.

The situation is still fluid and the leadership team is keeping very close tabs on any changes. The Academy will react quickly with the safety of the Cadets, their families, staff and the local community as a priority. The most up to date information on the Academy’s Reopening Plan will continue to be found on this webpage. You should expect an increased frequency in communication to inform you when changes to the plan have occured.

This year the Academy will be hosting Registration for all Cadets online. Registration information will be sent to all families in the coming weeks. The following opening dates are currently set for Cadets returning to campus:

August 3rd – Move-in-Date: Football, Cross Country & ESOL Cadets
August 6th – Move-in-Date: OCC & Class of 2021 Cadets
August 12th – Move-in-Date: Cadre Cadets
August 18th – Move-in-Date: Plebes (New Cadets)
August 24th – Move-in-Date: Returning Cadets
August 26th – First Day of Classes

If you are unsure of which registration date your Cadet should report for, please reach out to the Admission Office at admission@armyandnavyacademy.org for additional information.

Campus Operations & Implementation Steps

Whenever possible, our plan is to utilize the expert guidance from local, state and federal resources as well as Independent School Organizations to design our operational procedures for safely reopening the Academy campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Academy’s specific plan as it relates to a military boarding school environment are being presented to a representative of the San Diego County Health and Human Services agency for approval. While specific decisions and plans will be finalized over the next few weeks, strategies are currently being developed in the following areas including but not limited to:

Wellness Assessments

Daily wellness assessments scheduled throughout the day.

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PPE

Potential use of PPE (personal protection equipment) for Cadets, Staff and Visitors.

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Sanitation

Sanitizing classrooms and common areas frequently utilizing CDC standards.

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Academy Activities

We are developing a plan to allow Academy activities and events to continue with physical distancing procedures in place.

Food Services

We are developing a plan in collaboration with our food service provider which includes physical distancing, elimination of buffet service, food preparation, and split meal service.

Campus Security & Visitors

Changes to visitor and vendor procedures.

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Pedestrian Traffic Flow

Certain areas around campus will require “one-way” traffic to maximize physical distancing. Direction arrows, marked queue lines, entrance/exit specific doors will be used in designated areas (i.e. walkway outside 100 classrooms, mess hall, rec hall)

Reopening Student Expierence

Cadet Housing & Roommates

All rooms have been configured single or two Cadet rooms which exceed the personal spacing guidelines as established by government health agencies.

Many factors are considered in assigning rooms (grade, personality, interests, leadership role, etc). Cadets will be assigned their room upon arrival at their designated registration date.

Facilities

Our classrooms and office spaces have already been outfitted with sanitation stations and the Academy’s facility team is currently installing additional hand washing and sanitation stations throughout the campus.

Cadets and staff will be directed to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently and in the following situations:

After using the restroom
Before eating or drinking
When entering the campus
When entering the classroom
After taking off or putting on their facial covering
If hands are visibly soiled
If Cadets or staff encounter chemicals during cleaning the school environment

When soap and water are not available for hand washing the school-provided alcohol-based hand sanitizer is an acceptable substitute.

The Academy facilities team has enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols for all campus spaces. In addition to acquiring state of the art disinfecting equipment and adopting proven current sanitization techniques to best protect everyone on campus.

Health Center

The Academy will continue to educate Cadets on health protocols including, personal hygiene, sanitization of personal areas, use of face coverings and staying home or reporting to the Health Center when not feeling well.

Designate isolation areas for Cadets who are being evaluated for any infectious disease to limit contact with other individuals.

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 our goal will be isolation of the individual for a period of time while meeting federal agency guidelines. In most cases Cadets will be sent home or isolated on campus using all available precautions.

If a faculty or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 they will be directed to stay home, self-monitor for symptoms and follow federal agency guidelines prior to returning to campus.

If testing will be needed we will direct Cadets to a local facility here.

International & Domestic Cadet Travel

The Academy takes the health and safety of our Cadets very seriously. Situations concerning travel will be discussed on a case-by-case basis prior to departure.

Anyone traveling to an area which may bring into question the safety of the Cadets and staff will be required to quarantine off campus for a period of 14 days prior to returning to campus.

Academic & Cadet Programs

It is the ultimate goal of the Army and Navy Academy team to ensure that our Academic and Cadet programs meet the needs of all of our Cadets. We aim to provide meaningful, purposeful learning that maintains the highest standards set by our Administration and Faculty, all while still following the physical distancing guidelines whenever possible and ensuring the safety of all our Cadets.

Programs & Class Sizes

The Academy will be re-arranging classroom spaces and reducing class sizes in areas that are needed in order to achieve the maximum amount of physical distancing.

We plan to creatively utilize all areas within our campus to maximize physical distancing. Contingency plans for Hybrid Learning (a combination of in-person and online learning) are currently being developed.

Chromebooks will be required for all Cadets and will allow us to take full advantage of technology by limiting hard copy assignments, increase the use of online resources. Although we will do our best with engaging online resources, some classes may still require textbooks.

Teachers will limit the loaning of classroom supplies by focusing on the individual Cadet’s responsibility to bring their own items to class.

As permitted by the health and safety guidelines, the Academy plans to continue to offer any non-academic programs that are a vital part of the Warrior Experience.

We are working with the IT Department to make live video learning available if the need arises for potential individual isolation.

Social & Emotional Support

Offer ongoing social and emotional support for our Cadets through our Counseling Department and TAC Officers.

Support the mental health and well-being of our faculty and staff as they transition to on-campus learning under new health and safety guidelines.

Provide safe, engaging opportunities to support and gather our Cadets for campus events and activities.

Athletics & PT

We are continuing to stay up to date with the CIF guidance for when and how athletics will resume. As information is shared with us we will continue to update our Warrior Community.

Physical training (PT) will continue to be an integral part of our program while still meeting the small group and physical distancing guidance.

We will be requiring the use of personal refillable water bottles and incorporate personal hygiene as part of the instruction.

Communications & Resources

The Army and Navy Academy will issue guidance regarding the changes or modifications that will be present during the 20-21 School Year. The current avenues of communication will include:

Information communicated through the Academy’s Reopening Planning Webpage
Regular email communication updates to Cadets and families
Monthly Virtual Town Hall Meetings with Academy Leadership

For additional information on Academy Communication plans please contact Lauren Smith at lhsmith@armyandnavyacademy.org

The Academy will be utilizing the expert guidance from local, state and federal resources as well as Independent School Organizations in the decision making process to safely reopen the Army and Navy Academy campus. The continuous monitoring of reliable and expert organizations and authorities enable our
Leadership team to make informed decisions that are consistent with guidelines and
recommendations, including:

Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention
(Decision Tree; Interim Guidance for Schools)
American Academy of Pediatrics
Federal Government
California Government

FAQs

What if a Cadet presents symptoms?

Cadets will immediately be directed to the health center for evaluation, determine the requirement for off campus testing, and development of a treatment plan. Cadets will be isolated (at home or on campus) until concerns of spreading any communicable disease are eliminated.

What is the process for Cadets arriving on campus?

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What is the process for staff arriving on campus?

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What if local government health agencies suspend in-person learning?

Academically we are prepared to immediately begin remote learning, and coordination with local families will be made to facilitate temporary housing for international Cadets.

Is the Academy offering Remote Learning?

No. The strength of our program revolves around the in-person environment on campus, what we refer to as the “Warrior Experience.” Remote Learning would be available for extreme situations in which Cadets may require isolation or off campus quarantine on a case-by-case basis.

What if a staff member presents symptoms?

Staff members are directed to stay home if they are feeling ill. Any staff member presenting symptoms will be directed to seek medical evaluation to determine a treatment plan or clearance to return to campus.

What is the process for visitors arriving on campus?

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What if COVID-19 makes a rebound in San Diego?

The Academy has developed a plan which will allow Cadets to remain on campus, shelter in place, and restrict off campus activities. This plan includes increased supervision by Academy staff and remote learning with faculty teaching from home. We can sustain this plan until directed by local health agencies to close down the campus.

Will boarding Cadets be allowed to depart campus?

During training phases (i.e. OCC, Cadre & Plebe training) Cadets will not be allowed to depart campus on leave or local liberty. Once the school year begins, we will return to a regular leave and liberty schedule with increased understanding for expectations of Cadets to practice the same physical distancing, wear a face covering, and regular hand sanitization when off campus. Restricting Cadets on campus could be implemented if the situation dictates.

Contacts

The leadership team at Army and Navy Academy are ready to help and answer any questions that you may have. Our goal is to have a solid plan for the start of the 20-21 School Year and communicate this plan to all Cadets and families in the next few weeks. Thank you for your continued partnership during this unprecedented time.