Donahoe
Barrett Donahoe believes there is no substitute for in-class learning and is proud the Mid-South Association of Independent Schools has done all it can to make sure that happens.
Pillow Academy, under the direction of new Head of School Donahoe, will start classes Aug. 7 with a half-day. Regular classes will begin on Aug. 10.
“It’s important to do everything we can to get back in the classrooms, and that’s what we are doing,” he said. “Our mission is to educate the entire student, and that starts with being in school.”
Donahoe, who was headmaster at Marshall Academy in Holly Springs the last three years, said the PA staff, which includes about 95 full-time em-ployess, has worked hard to do the things that were needed to prepare for a school year full of unknowns. He has asked parents to take an active role in screening their children daily before they arrive on campus.
Also, the school administration has told parents to refrain from coming into the building during the school day. If something needs to be dropped off, a bin will be under the awning outside the entrance.
“We feel like everyone here is on board to whatever it takes to keep our class rooms open,” Donahoe said.
According to an email from the school, here are some points of emphasis from Pillow’s “Green and Gold” plan for reentry:
• Masks will be required on campus for all staff members and students in grades 1-12. We will continue to monitor CDC guidelines, as well as local and state ordinances, for updated requirements and recommendations. Also, communication will be sent out before the start of school regarding K4/K5 masks requirements.
• Student masks should be school appropriate.
• Temperatures will be taken daily upon arrival for students and staff.
• Teachers, faculty, staff and students will be asked to sanitize hands upon entering the building.
• Teachers will spray/wipe down desks and all frequently touched objects in between each class. Students could be asked to help with this process. All faculty and staff members will participate in an in-service program that will outline proper cleaning and sanitation procedures.
An emphasis will be placed on cleaning all frequently touched objects such as door knobs and faucets throughout the school day.
• Any student with a temperature greater than 99 will be placed in the designated isolation room, which will be monitored by a staff member.
• Any student whose temperature is greater than 100.4 must be immediately picked up from school.
• Students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school and have a written doctor’s note for them to return.
According to the email, this is Pillow’s policy if someone in a class tests positive for coronavirus:
• Parents will be notified.
• Pillow will conduct contact tracing to ensure students exposed are limited on campus.
• A class with a confirmed case will have limited interaction with other classes. Temperatures will be taken daily, increased classroom social distancing, increased cleaning procedure for the class and monitoring of symptoms.
If a family member has tested positive for coronavirus, the student must quarantine for the time designated by current CDC guidelines.
Pillow added a “Statement of Risk” to its handbook in wake of this pandemic:
“We have taken enhanced health and safety measures for those who come to our campus — students, employees, and visitors. While on campus you must follow all posted instructions. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. COVID-19 is a contagious disease. If infected, you may exhibit no symptoms or mild symptoms, or become severely ill, or die. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and persons with underlying health conditions are especially vulnerable. By visiting our campus, you voluntarily assume all risks related to the possible exposure to COVID-19.”
Donahoe said he is excited to get everyone back on campus and get extracurricular activities going again.
The football team, which began practice on Monday, opens the season Aug. 21 at Jackson Academy. The Mustangs’ Bill Davis Field got a facelift over the summer with new home bleachers.
That’s not the only thing new at PA this year.
The school plans to roll out a significant change to its website, PillowAcademy.com, to make the user’s navigation of the site easier and better. Once the new site is live, it will have new search tools, along with several other features that will be implemented in the coming months.
• Contact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
