Introduction
Yeshiva Toras Chaim values its students, faculty, staff and community members and is committed to being proactive in the protection of the health and safety of all.
COVID-19 most commonly spreads through respiratory aerosols that are expelled when an infected individual sneezes or coughs. Individuals with COVID-19 may exhibit symptoms like fever and a dry cough or may not exhibit symptoms at all. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that individuals stay home whenever possible and wear face masks, wash or sanitize their hands frequently, and maintain a distance from others of at least six feet when outside of the home in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim’s restart plan was developed in alignment with the template and guidelines provided by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and adhere to all CDC requirements, recommendations and guidelines.
Safety during a pandemic is a collective responsibility. The ability of Yeshiva Toras Chaim to thrive during the current COVID-19 pandemic is contingent upon a shared understanding that we each have a role in taking steps that promote not only our own health but the health of the other individuals with whom we share our campus.
In continuation of this important community goal, and in accordance with guidance from the CDC, Yeshiva Toras Chaim requires that all students, faculty, staff and visitors to our campus abide by the rules and regulations set forth:
- Participate in Yeshiva Toras Chaim’s health screening protocol by having your temperature assessed when entering Yeshiva Toras Chaim’s building,
- Stay home and participate in teaching, learning and working remotely if you do not feel well or have circumstances that prevent you from being on campus,
- Wear a mask in all Yeshiva Toras Chaim’s spaces,
- Adhere to social distancing guidelines by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others,
- Adhere to all capacity limitations in classrooms, offices, restrooms and elevators,
- Follow one-way directions for all entrances, exits and stairwells,
- Wash or sanitize your hands frequently,
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow.
General Safeguarding
Yeshiva Toras Chaim has instituted the following general safeguarding guidelines regarding sanitation and social distancing to protect the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. Yeshiva Toras Chaim has developed a cleaning and sanitation protocol as follows: Entrance halls and common areas will be cleaned twice a day, classrooms will be cleaned daily, restrooms and other high touch areas will be cleaned and sanitized throughout the day, and food preparation and service areas will be sanitized before and after each meal service. Disinfectant spray/wipes will be placed in these areas as well.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim requires all student, faculty, staff and visitors to wear face masks in common areas and whenever else social distancing is difficult or not practicable. Students and staff will be requested to bring their own masks. Yeshiva will have a supply of masks available at the main entrance for those who need. Yeshiva Toras Chaim will keep adequate supply of personal protective equipment and supplies such as cleaning spray/ wipes, soap and hand sanitizer, paper towels, masks, and gloves. The maintenance manager, Rabbi Boruch Sasoon, will be responsible to keep adequate stock of supplies and restock on a regular basis.
Everyone on campus will be required to adhere to social distancing requirement, promulgated by the State of New Jersey and the federal CDC. Chairs and desks will be set up apart. The maintenance manager, Rabbi Boruch Sasoon, will check and adjust the setup of all furniture, to ensure that it is properly distanced.
Gatherings and assemblies will be limited to whenever absolutely necessary. All participants will adhere to social distancing or wear masks at any gatherings.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim has developed a program to train students, faculty and staff regarding COVID sanitation and social distancing practices, as follows: Yeshiva Toras Chaim will distribute pamphlets detailing sanitation and social distancing protocols, and describe how to recognize COVID symptoms and get tested if COVID infection is suspected.
Signage & floor decals reminding students to social distance will be posted around the campus.
Services of all water fountains have been switched to water bottle filling stations. Students & employees will be able to fill reusable water bottles at these locations. Disposable cups will be available at each location as well.
For further information and websites offering training on COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures, please visit the following sites.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Screening, Testing, and Contact Tracing Protocols
Yeshiva Toras Chaim has implemented protocols for COVID testing, contact tracing, and safely handling any positive or suspected cases of COVID. Yeshiva Toras Chaim will be following all state and CDC guidelines for safe COVID handling and will be working with the Ocean County Health Department. All testing and contact tracing will be executed in a manner that will protect the privacy of those tested or confirmed to be infected with COVID. All confirmed cases of COVID will be reported to the local health department in a timely manner to ensure that proper measures and contact tracing can be put into effect. All students and personnel are required to be tested and have a negative test result before they can return to campus. Testing is available at the following locations:
CHEMED Health Center:
1771 Madison Avenue, Lakewood NJ, 08701
732-364-6666 (Appointments may be required)
Chai Urgent Care
400 New Hampshire Avenue, Lakewood NJ, 08701
732-994-2424 (Appointments may be required)
Non-contact infrared thermometers will be available at the entrance with signage requesting a temperature check when entering the campus, and to then be repeated daily.
Once returned to campus, any person displaying COVID symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, and lack of taste and smell will be required to be re-tested. Should any person on campus test positive, Yeshiva Toras Chaim will notify the Ocean County Board of Health and follow their protocol. Should a student become sick with COVID, Yeshiva Toras Chaim will make arrangements to safely transport the student to his home. If transport is not safe or practicable, the student will be able to quarantine in safe area which has been designated for this purpose. If the situation requires more serious and immediate attention, Yeshiva Toras Chaim will contact an appropriate local urgent care provider.
Yeshiva will keep a log of all students, faculty, and staff that has returned to campus, in order to trace contact should someone on campus develop COVID-19. Visitors will be generally not allowed to enter. If someone must visit for urgent and essential reasons they will be required to make arrangements with the office in advance and bring in a negative COVID test which was taken within the past 24 hours. Persons who had returned to campus prior to reopening, such as administrative and janitorial staff, will also be recorded.
Instruction
Stage 1
All instruction will be performed through distance education.
Stage 2
All instruction will be performed through distance education unless Yeshiva Toras Chaim is granted a waiver. If a waiver is granted, Yeshiva Toras Chaim will follow the waiver’s guidelines for safe, limited in person instruction.
Stage 3
Safety protocols will be put in place to ensure that Yeshiva Toras Chaim is complying with general safeguarding measures as set by the State. Students and staff will be required to social distance in all classrooms and study halls. Furniture will be strategically placed to allow for social distancing. Signs will be prominently displayed, reminding all to social distance. Classrooms and study halls will be cleaned and sanitized regularly. Cleaning spray bottles will be available so that high touch areas and shared surfaces can be sanitized regularly.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim will accommodate faculty and students who cannot attend in person classes either because they are immune-compromised and at high risk for catching COVID, or because they are sick with COVID. Students will be able to continue learning via distance education. Faculty members will be accommodated to give classes over the phone or through Zoom if necessary.
On-Campus Residential Housing
Phase 1 and Phase 2
All common areas will be closed. Hallways will be cleaned and sanitized daily. Visitors will not be allowed in the dormitory. Students will be encouraged to minimize visits to rooms other than their own.
Yeshiva dorm/ on-campus residential housing will be operating at a reduced capacity. Our regular occupancy rate is 223 and our reduced occupancy rate will be 195. Students with greatest need, such as students from out of town, or students coming from emotionally/financially challenged homes will take priority in being admitted to the dormitory.
Only a limited number of students will be allowed to live in the dormitory. The dorm will only be filled to a reduced capacity. Students with the greatest need will take priority to be allowed into the dorm.
All common areas will be closed. And hallways will be cleaned and sanitized daily. Visitors will not be allowed in the dormitory unless it is absolutely necessary. Students will be encouraged to minimize visits to rooms other than their own.
Phase 3
Yeshiva Toras Chaim dorm/ on-campus residential housing will be operating at a reduced capacity. Our regular occupancy rate is 223 and our reduced occupancy rate will be 195. Students with greatest need, such as students from out of town, or students coming from emotionally/financially challenged homes will take priority in being admitted to the dormitory.
All common areas will be sanitized by the maintenance staff daily, and bathrooms will be sanitized regularly. Common areas will be open with clear signage reminding all to social distance. Disinfectant spray bottles/wipes will be placed in strategic locations throughout common areas so that shared space and equipment can be sanitized as needed. A separate residential apartment has been designated for students sick with COVID to quarantine in, should the need arise. We have designated a separate area for students sick with COVID to quarantine in, should the need arise. This space can accommodate 14 students. Additional rooms can be designated for quarantine as well, should more space be necessary.
Libraries and Computer Labs
Stage 1 & Stage 2
Library will be closed.
Stage 3
Only 5 students will be allowed in the library at a time to allow for social distancing. Students will be encouraged to take books out, and not to congregate inside the library. Disinfectant spray will be placed in the library so that students can wipe down the covers of books when returning them. There will be a drop-off cart placed outside the library for reduced contact book return.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim does not have computer lab facilities.
Research
Yeshiva Toras Chaim does not have a designated research lab.
Student Services
Yeshiva Toras Chaim offers students services such as financial aid services, recordkeeping services (registration, transcripts, etc.) and individual tutoring and counseling. These services will continue to be available to students both in person with social distancing and by phone/Zoom.
Transportation
Yeshiva Toras Chaim campus is small and all buildings on campus are easily accessible by foot. Shared rides are discouraged. Yeshiva Toras Chaim will provide transportation for students sick with or displaying COVID symptoms.
Dining
Stage 1
All indoor dining facilities will be closed. Grab and go meals will be available to any students residing on campus.
Stage 2
Grab and go meals will be available to all students on campus. Outdoor dining options may be available. Outdoor diners will sit apart and engage in social distancing. Outdoor dining and food service areas will be cleaned and sanitized before and after each meal service.
Stage 3
All dining and food service will follow the governor’s executive orders. When indoor dining is allowed, Yeshiva Toras Chaim will have separate meal times for different grade levels, to ensure that the dining room will only be filled to lower capacity and that all students will be able to maintain distance during meals. Chairs will be placed apart to assure proper distancing. All surfaces will be wiped down and disinfected before and after food service, and in between shifts. The percentage of capacity and number of students allowed in the dining room will be adjusted as necessary to comply with the governor’s executive orders. Pinchos Goldschmidt will be responsible to deliver food to quarantined students in a safe manner. Grab and go meal options will be available to any student who prefers not to eat in the dining room. If the governor’s order does not allow for indoor dining at the time of reopening, adjustments will be made to accommodate outdoor dining or provide grab-and-go meals available for pickup.
We will be holding workshops for all food service employees training all our dining employees appropriate sanitation & social distancing protocols.
Study Abroad and International Travel
Yeshiva Toras Chaim does not offer any study abroad at this time.
Athletics
Yeshiva Toras Chaim does not have any organized athletic activity.