CLC's Covid Guidelines: Fall 2020
The Board of Clear Lake Classical (CLC) puts forth the following plan for our school to navigate the novel coronavirus, following the best inputs from state, health, school, and local officials, under the oversight of our Triune Lord. These decisions are based on our most deeply held values. Knowing that “our God is in the heavens, He does all that He pleases” (Psalm 115:3), we move forward in confidence for the 2020-21 school year. Remembering that our goal is not merely to have our students “get through” the year, we will use this year to produce “fit leaders” who “love that which is worth loving” (CLC Purpose statement). Bold – because of Jesus’ reminder, “Fear not, little flock! It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32) – we will seek to wisely steward our campus, staff, families, and students towards sober-minded triumph in the year ahead.
Our priorities have shaped our policies stated below, and this will continue in the future. How we rank pressing concerns will help us discern the Lord’s will as we move through the school year. CLC is absolutely committed to providing our students the highest levels of education, while simultaneously desiring the safety of our school regarding COVID-19. We prayerfully commit to harmonize:
The year ahead will likely challenge us. Receiving a positive test for COVID-19 is crippling in the eyes of the world. At CLC, we desire to “count it all joy when you meet various trials” (James 1:2). Let’s unite in our shared faith in Christ, and our commitment to classical Christian education, to forge ahead in His strength.
Preparation for 9/8/2020
1. Logging Temperatures:
In preparation for the start of school, we ask that temperatures of all CLC students are taken and logged at home for the 7 consecutive days preceding the first day of school. Attached to this document is a simple logging chart that you may use. 7 consecutive days worth of logging (9/1/2020 through 9/7/2020) must be turned in on the first day of school or the student will need to sit out until 7 consecutive days of logged temperature can be provided.
2. Signature page:
At the bottom of this document is a signature page that must be signed and turned in to CLC before your child(ren) may start school in September.
Arrival
1. Temperature checks:
Temperature checks will be required for anyone (student, staff, guest) entering the building. Checks will be performed with a touchless thermometer. If the reading is 100.4F or higher, the reading will be confirmed with an oral thermometer. If the oral thermometer also reads 100.4F or higher, the person will not be allowed to stay in the building. The staff member on door duty will perform the temperature checks. However, any staff member (but only staff members) are authorized to perform temperature checks.
2. Dropoff Location:
It is preferred that students are dropped off at CLC’s main door. However, if they are dropped off/enter at the church’s front door, they must walk directly to CLC’s main door for a temperature check before going to class.
3. Staff:
Staff must check in at the office and log their temperature upon arrival each day. If staff arrive early (i.e. before door duty begins), they must check their own temperature (and any students/children with them) upon arrival.
4. Parental Entry:
As a general rule, parents of students in 2nd grade and older are asked to remain out of building for dropoff. If a parent needs to come in (at dropoff or any other time), they must check in at the office first. Efforts will be made to maintain our ethic of in loco parentis by not unnecessarily blocking parental access to our classrooms. However, CLC will work to minimize parental entry into classrooms for non-essential visits (i.e. dropping off a forgotten item or picking up a student for an appointment).
In the classroom
1. Masks:
Wearing of masks/face coverings will be optional for all students and staff. Parental preference for children on the wearing of masks will be honored by all staff (see preference options near the signature line at the bottom of this document). CLC will provide each student and staff member with two CLC-branded gaiters.
2. Hand Washing:
All students will be required to wash their hands after every recess and before lunch every day.
3. Hand Sanitizer:
Hand sanitizer will be made available throughout the building and in classrooms. Students will be allowed to carry a personal container of hand sanitizer and/or keep one at their desks.
4. Distancing:
Many classical Christian schools – as well as public – are shifting their schedules to minimize student-to-student contact, using “cohorts,” small groups of students with less contact to the total student body. CLC is naturally a “cohorted” school. That is, student interaction is naturally limited to a small group of peers. However, students will still be encouaraged to minimize close interaction, particularly with students with whom they do not have regular classroom overlap. Our one, regular, all school activity (weekly assembly) will easily be distanced in the gym.
Contingencies
1. Failing a temperature check:
When a student or staff member fails the temperature check (whether upon arrival or during the day):
2. Student tests positive for Covid-19:
When a student tests positive for Covid-19:
- 3 full days have elapsed with no Covid-19 symptoms (Covid symptoms defined according to the Department of Health)
- Student receives a doctor’s note with permission to return to school
3. Staff member tests positive for Covid-19:
When a staff member tests positive for Covid-19:
- 3 full days have elapsed with no Covid-19 symptoms (Covid symptoms defined according to the Department of Health)
- Staff member receives a doctor’s note with permission to return to school
4. Outbreak:
CLC will define an Outbreak as being when/if one of the following conditions are fulfilled:
In the case of Outbreak A above: School for the affected class/staff will be cancelled for 1 calendar week
In the case of Outbreak B above: Clear Lake Classical will be cancelled for at least 1 calendar week
Our priorities have shaped our policies stated below, and this will continue in the future. How we rank pressing concerns will help us discern the Lord’s will as we move through the school year. CLC is absolutely committed to providing our students the highest levels of education, while simultaneously desiring the safety of our school regarding COVID-19. We prayerfully commit to harmonize:
- complying with health/state expectations, as well as family/personal preferences
- working to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 at CLC, and doing everything in our power to encourage in-person schooling throughout the year
- promptly responding if a COVID-19 positive test arises among faculty or students, and modeling Christ-like steadfastness in the face of peril
The year ahead will likely challenge us. Receiving a positive test for COVID-19 is crippling in the eyes of the world. At CLC, we desire to “count it all joy when you meet various trials” (James 1:2). Let’s unite in our shared faith in Christ, and our commitment to classical Christian education, to forge ahead in His strength.
Preparation for 9/8/2020
1. Logging Temperatures:
In preparation for the start of school, we ask that temperatures of all CLC students are taken and logged at home for the 7 consecutive days preceding the first day of school. Attached to this document is a simple logging chart that you may use. 7 consecutive days worth of logging (9/1/2020 through 9/7/2020) must be turned in on the first day of school or the student will need to sit out until 7 consecutive days of logged temperature can be provided.
2. Signature page:
At the bottom of this document is a signature page that must be signed and turned in to CLC before your child(ren) may start school in September.
Arrival
1. Temperature checks:
Temperature checks will be required for anyone (student, staff, guest) entering the building. Checks will be performed with a touchless thermometer. If the reading is 100.4F or higher, the reading will be confirmed with an oral thermometer. If the oral thermometer also reads 100.4F or higher, the person will not be allowed to stay in the building. The staff member on door duty will perform the temperature checks. However, any staff member (but only staff members) are authorized to perform temperature checks.
2. Dropoff Location:
It is preferred that students are dropped off at CLC’s main door. However, if they are dropped off/enter at the church’s front door, they must walk directly to CLC’s main door for a temperature check before going to class.
3. Staff:
Staff must check in at the office and log their temperature upon arrival each day. If staff arrive early (i.e. before door duty begins), they must check their own temperature (and any students/children with them) upon arrival.
4. Parental Entry:
As a general rule, parents of students in 2nd grade and older are asked to remain out of building for dropoff. If a parent needs to come in (at dropoff or any other time), they must check in at the office first. Efforts will be made to maintain our ethic of in loco parentis by not unnecessarily blocking parental access to our classrooms. However, CLC will work to minimize parental entry into classrooms for non-essential visits (i.e. dropping off a forgotten item or picking up a student for an appointment).
In the classroom
1. Masks:
Wearing of masks/face coverings will be optional for all students and staff. Parental preference for children on the wearing of masks will be honored by all staff (see preference options near the signature line at the bottom of this document). CLC will provide each student and staff member with two CLC-branded gaiters.
2. Hand Washing:
All students will be required to wash their hands after every recess and before lunch every day.
3. Hand Sanitizer:
Hand sanitizer will be made available throughout the building and in classrooms. Students will be allowed to carry a personal container of hand sanitizer and/or keep one at their desks.
4. Distancing:
Many classical Christian schools – as well as public – are shifting their schedules to minimize student-to-student contact, using “cohorts,” small groups of students with less contact to the total student body. CLC is naturally a “cohorted” school. That is, student interaction is naturally limited to a small group of peers. However, students will still be encouaraged to minimize close interaction, particularly with students with whom they do not have regular classroom overlap. Our one, regular, all school activity (weekly assembly) will easily be distanced in the gym.
Contingencies
1. Failing a temperature check:
When a student or staff member fails the temperature check (whether upon arrival or during the day):
- - the student or staff member must go home for the remainder of the day and stay out of school until fever free for 24 full hours with no other Covid-19 symptoms (Covid symptoms defined according the Department of Health)
- - the student’s classmates will receive a touchless temperature check on arrival, at lunch and at the end of the school day for the remainder of the day of the student’s failed temperature check and for the next 2 calendar days
2. Student tests positive for Covid-19:
When a student tests positive for Covid-19:
- Positive student stays home until all of these conditions are fulfilled:
- 3 full days have elapsed with no Covid-19 symptoms (Covid symptoms defined according to the Department of Health)
- Student receives a doctor’s note with permission to return to school
- Parents are asked to quarantine positive student at home from any siblings at CLC
- Parents of student’s classmates (cohorts) are notified of a positive case in the class
- Student’s classroom receives extra cleaning in key areas (shared surfaces, student desks, etc)
- Student’s classmates and siblings are checked for fever on arrival, at lunch and at the end of the day for the next 3 calendar days
3. Staff member tests positive for Covid-19:
When a staff member tests positive for Covid-19:
- Positive staff member stays home until all of these conditions are fulfilled:
- 3 full days have elapsed with no Covid-19 symptoms (Covid symptoms defined according to the Department of Health)
- Staff member receives a doctor’s note with permission to return to school
- Staff member is asked to quarantine at home from any other CLC staff/students
- Parents of staff member’s students are notified
- Staff member’s classroom receives extra cleaning in key areas (shared surfaces, student desks, etc)
- Staff member’s students and family are checked for fever on arrival, at lunch and at the end of the day for the next 3 calendar days
- Upon return, staff member wears face shield and maintains extra distance from students for the first 3 calendar days
4. Outbreak:
CLC will define an Outbreak as being when/if one of the following conditions are fulfilled:
- 2 students/staff in any one class/grade (cohorts) test positive for Covid in the span of 1 calendar week
- 10% of CLC students/staff (~11) test positive for Covid in the span of 1 calendar week
In the case of Outbreak A above: School for the affected class/staff will be cancelled for 1 calendar week
In the case of Outbreak B above: Clear Lake Classical will be cancelled for at least 1 calendar week