Introduction and General Guidelines
TCCS Covid-19 General Guidelines - “Return to Learn Policy”
The past few months have been trying for all of us. We are returning to the classroom on August 18 in the middle of an unprecedented situation. How do we return to in-person learning safely at TCCS?
Our mission at Terra Ceia Christian School is "to equip students academically, spiritually, and socially to serve Jesus Christ in all areas of life while they are students and as they transition through adulthood." Our desire is to support parents in the education of the children and to do so in a manner that is safe for students, staff, and families. We believe that we serve a sovereign God who is in control. Psalm 103:19 reads "The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all."
In order to fulfill our mission of equipping students academically, spiritually, and socially - we need to be in school. With this in mind, representatives from the Board, Staff, and various committees met and developed some guidelines that we intend to follow based on the document entitled "TCCS Covid-19 Plan 2020-21". Based on this plan, we believe that these common-sense suggestions that follow are needed to be safe and reduce the risk of COVID-19. Our number one responsibility is to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and society. In order to accomplish this, in the most unobtrusive manner, we will require moderate distancing of 6 feet between all persons throughout the day. When this is not possible, face coverings to include masks or neck gaiters will be mandatory. We intend to put the following guidelines in place to limit the amount of time required wearing a mask while maintaining a safe learning environment.
Please review the guidelines listed below. If you wish to review the full plan, adapted in part from the NC Strong Schools Initiative using CDC and NCDHHS recommendations, please follow this link: TCCS Covid-19 Plan 2020-21 School Year.
The flow chart for return to school was adapted from the NC Strong Schools Initiative. These guidelines are in detail for students and staff in the TCCS Covid-19 Plan.
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Parent Attestation must be signed and turned in on the first day of school to acknowledge that you will continue to ask these questions daily before sending your child to class. This must be received or the child will not be allowed to start school on the 18th. The attestation can be found at the bottom of this letter or on the website or using this link: Attestation Form
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Parents must fill out the TCCS Covid-19 Waiver attached to this document or found using this Waiver Form
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Parents must fill-in the Daily Covid Symptoms Check form. This form can be filled out and sent to the office electronically, on a daily basis, for the 14 days preceding the start of school (08/04-08/17) using this link: Daily Covid Symptoms Check Form
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Faculty, Staff, and Administrators will be required to fill out the same Daily Health form beginning 08/04/2020.
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Students and teachers will learn about and practice social distancing both at school and on the bus. Because our class sizes are small, we believe we can accomplish this and in doing so, not have the need to wear face coverings at all times.
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When social distancing is not possible, for example on a school van, students will be asked to wear face coverings. The most convenient and easily washable face covering to wear is the "neck gaiter". Students must supply their own. Students and staff members who feel at risk are encouraged to wear face coverings throughout the day. Students should have a face covering with them at all times throughout the day.
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In addition to parents taking temperatures and monitoring symptoms at home, students will have their temperature taken when they board the bus in the morning. Students who do not ride the bus will have their temperature taken when they arrive at school. Students with a temperature of 100.4 may not attend school. Some students might also be asked to submit to a temperature check during the day, and if their temperature is too high or they are displaying symptoms, they must be picked up from school immediately.
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If students do not pass the temperature check when boarding the bus or upon arrival to school, they will not be able to attend classes that day and will only be permitted back at school by following the attached flow chart for return to school.
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Students will be encouraged to wash their hands frequently. Hand sanitizers will be located at the entrances and in each classroom.
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Students, Faculty, and Staff will take an increased role in cleaning the school and wiping down frequently touched items such as desks and doorknobs. Faculty and Staff have taken the appropriate "Count on Me NC" program modules.
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Teachers will continue to learn more about google classroom and distance learning. We plan to be ready and more effective should we have to return to distance learning again.
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Students should be prepared to drink bottled water, not water from a water fountain. Students are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles to use at the filling stations being installed at the school.
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Please let the school know if your child is an "at risk" child.
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Athletics - In anticipation of the upcoming NCISAA announcement, guidelines for athletics are being developed.
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Extracurricular activities are being looked at to see how we can continue to deliver quality activities for our students.
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In the event a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, we will refer to the attached flow chart and the guidelines set forth in the TCCS Covid-19 Plan 2020-21 School Year.
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If distancing of at least 6 feet is maintained, impacts of positive cases in the classroom should be very minimal according to published CDC information.
Although we are going to have to take measures to change how we go about our day, the necessary impacts in the classroom, to protect our Terra Ceia School Families, should be minimal. Please refer to the TCCS Covid-19 Plan 2020-21 School Year for more information on how TCCS will operate under these conditions.
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