Q: After exploring all models, why choose hybrid?

A: A hybrid model aligns most closely with our guiding principles.

Q: What is the safe capacity of the school building without modulars?

A: 170 — This was calculated using 6’8” distances in classrooms and considering that we cannot schedule in such a way that each classroom is used to its full capacity each period of the day. 

Q: How is the A/B hybrid split?

A: The A/B split will be alphabetical. We made this decision for several reasons. 

Our classrooms cannot safely accommodate one grade level at a time due to the size of classes and COVID capacity limitations of each room. We want to keep families together. We have students who take courses out of the standard grade level and we want to avoid an imbalance in any classroom as much as possible. We also want to preserve student course choices as much as possible and this would not work if we were to design a new program based on COVID capacity and a grade-level split.

Q: How will the Wednesday Flex Day be used? 

A: We will use this time for grade-level or other mixed-group programming, Beit Midrash, Seminar, longer Office Hours, Faculty Professional Development, extra AP class time, and deep cleaning of the building.

Q: Why not do cohorts? 

A: The cohort model works best for elementary education. A cohort model requires students to be in a stable group of 10-12 students with one teacher. One of the benefits of Kehillah is the opportunity to take classes across grade levels based on individual choice. 

Q: With students using outdoor space, what plans are there to increase security?

A: We will have a second security guard posted at the far corner of the building. Both guards will patrol the entire perimeter throughout the day. 

Q: Why not put enough portable in our lot to get everyone on campus?

A: To get everyone on campus, we’d need a minimum of 9 modulars and accompanying bathrooms, including ADA bathrooms. The high cost of the modulars and the physical destruction of our property, to still allow for the required fire lanes made this a poor choice.

Q: Why not put modulars on the parking lot next door? 

A: That property does not have a school-use permit, including the use of the lot. 

Q: Why not rent another building? 

A: If not moving fully to a separate campus, the additional building would need to be within a few minutes walk for both students and faculty. We fully investigated this option and there was no available building.

Q: Have you thought about using space at the JCC across the street?

A: We have been in consistent contact with the OFJCC and they do not have space available. 

Q: In what ways will the program be different? 

A: Beyond the obvious, some programs will have to adapt. For example, KabShab will not include live singing but will include song. Kinnus, Reflective Practice, and Experiential Ed may need to adhere to smaller cohort groups as we will avoid gathering in large groups. 

Q: Are athletics and drama offered?

A: Look for the letter from Coach Ryan for more details about the athletic seasons. Coach Ryan will be leading physical training classes and will provide guidance for students to engage in personal training programs. After-school drama will be offered and we are currently working out the details for that. 

Q: Will students go on the yearly trips?

A: It is highly unlikely that trips will happen in February/ March but we will consider delayed trips if travel is deemed safe. 

Q: What will be the criteria that will make us move from in-person to online and back?

A: We are monitoring our status on the county watchlist. We cannot reopen until we are off the watchlist. We are using the Santa Clara Public Health school reopening document (June 30, 2020) COVID Prepared as one of several guides at this point. 

Q: Why is my tuition the same in a hybrid model?

A: Our funding comes predominantly from tuition and our expenses are predominantly personnel. When a teacher works remotely, they are at the same capacity as if they are in the building. COVID is actually driving our costs up due to additional health and safety needs.