Dear Friends,
We hope this message finds you well. We are wrapping up the final session of summer camp and are looking forward to welcoming all students back to campus in September.
TCS is entering its second year offering in-person learning for all students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Integral to our success has been the alignment of our practices and policies with guidance from California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, and the San Diego County Office of Education. As we approach the 2021-2022 school year, we remain committed to following the protocols provided to us from these entities.
We are pleased to share that we anticipate the 2021-2022 school year to, in many ways, offer a return to normalcy for our students. We look forward to a return to typical student drop-off and pick-up procedures and our standard lunch and recess schedules. We also plan to again offer our extended care, Kids’ Club, before and after school.
Please find below updates on policies for the 2021-2022 school year:
Masks:
Outdoors: Regardless of vaccination status, masks are optional for all individuals in outdoor settings.
Indoors: Regardless of vaccination status, masks are required for all individuals over the age of 2 in indoor spaces. Our toddler and preschool students will be taught and reminded to wear masks.
Screening before campus entry:
All individuals entering campus must screen for symptoms associated with COVID-19. Arrival at school is an attestation that screening was completed and passed. Children must be screened at home by parents for the following symptoms:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Staying home when sick:
Staff members and students with symptoms of COVID-19 infection may not be on campus until they have met CDPH criteria to return to school for those with symptoms:
i. At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
ii. Other symptoms have improved; and
iii. They have a negative test for SARS-CoV-2, OR a healthcare provider has provided documentation that the symptoms are typical of their underlying chronic condition (e.g., allergies or asthma), OR at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset.
In the event that a student exhibits symptoms while at school, the student will be isolated in an outdoor cabana until departing campus. Parents will be contacted for pick up.
Isolation and quarantine:
Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 or those identified as close contacts to a positive case must remain off campus for the period of time indicated by CDPH and the San Diego County Public Health Order. Current requirements are as follows:
COVID-19 Positive:
A COVID-19 positive individual must remain isolated off campus for a minimum of 10 days
Close Contact Exposure:
Early Childhood (Toddler, Preschool, Prekindergarten): Individuals must remain quarantined off campus for 14 days after the last contact with a COVID-19 Patient.
Elementary and Middle School (K-8): CDPH guidance and the San Diego County Public Health Order have recently adjusted the quarantine requirements related to K-12 students in a school setting. We are currently seeking clarification on the new guidance and will update the community before the school year begins.
Absences:
Students absent from class due to COVID-19 protocols will be provided with independent work and may also have the opportunity to collaborate with classmates using technology resources. During extended absences, teachers will check in periodically with students to support learning.
Communication:
If a COVID-19 positive individual is on campus during their infectious period, TCS will notify all classes that are impacted. The school will reach out to individuals who are considered close contacts.
Visitors:
TCS will limit the presence of non-essential visitors on campus. Parents may enter campus for drop-off and pick-up but must remain outside of the classrooms. We ask that parents promptly leave campus after their child has been dropped off or picked up.
Sincerely,
The Children's School
