COVID-19
Facility Upgrades Plan
Health and Safety at the Forefront
At the start of the pandemic, RSGC undertook a comprehensive facility preparedness master-plan in order to best enhance the health and safety of students and staff. The facility master plan was guided by Tye Farrow.
Tye is the architect behind our Ketchum Hall and Junior School renovations. More importantly, Tye has vast expertise and knowledge in helping some of the world’s leading hospitals improve their campuses to changing healthcare needs. Under Tye’s direction, GPY+ Engineering, who have an excellent knowledge of our mechanical systems on campus, was engaged to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the facility and provide recommendations on on how to reduce airborne and direct contact disease. We have incorporated these recommendations school facility master plan.
The enhancements to the campus include imaginative use of bigger spaces to maintain optimum physical distancing, mechanical system upgrades, traffic patterns and circulation considerations, entry and exit protocols, segregation of Junior, Middle, Lower High School and Senior High School into discrete “schools within the school” and strategies for student and adult compliance with health and safety upgrades.
Tye is the architect behind our Ketchum Hall and Junior School renovations. More importantly, Tye has vast expertise and knowledge in helping some of the world’s leading hospitals improve their campuses to changing healthcare needs. Under Tye’s direction, GPY+ Engineering, who have an excellent knowledge of our mechanical systems on campus, was engaged to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the facility and provide recommendations on on how to reduce airborne and direct contact disease. We have incorporated these recommendations school facility master plan.
The enhancements to the campus include imaginative use of bigger spaces to maintain optimum physical distancing, mechanical system upgrades, traffic patterns and circulation considerations, entry and exit protocols, segregation of Junior, Middle, Lower High School and Senior High School into discrete “schools within the school” and strategies for student and adult compliance with health and safety upgrades.
Air Quality and Ventilation
Ventilation and air quality was a focus of our pathogen-mitigation strategy since we first began this work. New bipolar ionization technology was installed across the learning spaces on campus. Bipolar ionization disinfects the air within the buildings by neutralizing particulate matter, bacteria and viruses. Studies have shown it eliminates 93 to 99% of airborne pathogens. This represents a significant investment for the College; however, combined with the upgrade to MERV 13 filters (which capture 98% of particles in the 0.3 to 1.0 micron range) and an increase of fresh air (rather than recycled) to our air flow of our buildings, the circulated air in the buildings is a key component of our health management plan for students and adults.
Physical Layout
In full compliance with the Ministry of Education COVID-19 Health, Safety and Operational Guidelines for Schools, classrooms will be physically set up in a way to allow for normalized student numbers, removing any unnecessary furniture to provide as much space as possible between students.
Additionally, we’ve created separate physical areas on campus for Grades 3 and 4; Grades 5 and 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grades 9 and 10, and Grades 11 and 12. Each of these domains has a separate entrance with handwashing station and separate bathroom facilities. Additional portable washrooms, inclusive of hot water faucets, will be located throughout the campus.
Additionally, we’ve created separate physical areas on campus for Grades 3 and 4; Grades 5 and 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grades 9 and 10, and Grades 11 and 12. Each of these domains has a separate entrance with handwashing station and separate bathroom facilities. Additional portable washrooms, inclusive of hot water faucets, will be located throughout the campus.
We have created isolation rooms for any individuals showing symptoms of illness in the school and have hired a full-time nurse.
Additional Hygiene Practices
In addition to the added handwash stations and bathrooms on campus, hand sanitizing stations have been added into classrooms and at strategic locations throughout the school.
Plexiglass barriers have also been added to many areas of the campus including reception areas, lab classrooms and office areas. Signage is being increased throughout the campus including spacing reminders and directionality indicators for hallways and staircases.
We have increased housekeeping staff to be available during the day for ongoing surface cleaning in each of our buildings. Housekeeping staff have been trained in the best disinfection protocols and safety methods to help prevent the transmission of viruses. Electrostatic sprayers allow for the rapid sanitization of classrooms during the day. All of our buildings will have a thorough deep cleaning after school hours each day.
Questions?
We want to hear from you with any questions you have about health, safety and returning to school. We’ll do our best to provide answers. Please send your email to Nurse Kelsi and your question will be addressed as soon as possible.
Royal St. George's College
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Royal St. George's College is an independent school for boys located in The Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The school admits boys from Grades 3 through 12. Our mission is to challenge and inspire each of our students to become the best version of himself.