Author Archives: Keith Walsh
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COVID-19 Return to School Protocols (Revised 12-3-2020)
Scenario One:
Issue: COVID exposure
Resolution:
Option One: 10-day quarantine period with no COVID test. Return to school on day 10, as long as there are no symptoms
Option Two: 7-day quarantine period with a COVID-test*. Test must be performed on day 5, 6, or 7 with a negative result. Return to school on day 7, as long as there are no symptoms.
*Student may not return until the negative test result is received. If negative result is received before the 7th day, student must still wait until the 7th day to return.
Scenario Two:
Issue: Individual is COVID symptomatic
Resolution:
- If the individual has only one single low risk symptom (fever >100.4, congestion/runny nose, sore throat, vomiting/diarrhea/abdominal pain, headache, body ache), and COVID testing is not recommended by a doctor, the student may return to school when the symptoms improve. If further symptoms appear, testing and/or a doctor visit will be indicated.
- If the individual has symptoms and an alternate diagnosis (something other than COVID-19) is established by a doctor, the student can return to school when recommended by the doctor.
- If the individual has multiple low risk symptoms, or one high risk symptom (cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell), COVID testing is required.
- If the test is negative, the student can return to school when the symptoms improve and there is no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
- If the test is positive, the student must quarantine for 10 days from the first date the symptoms appeared. At the end of the 10-day period, the student can return to school on the 10th day if the symptoms have improved and there is no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
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Air Purification
We have installed Reme-Halo air purification systems throughout the campus to aid in COVID-19 mitigation. You can read all about the product by going to https://www.rgf.com/products/air/reme-halo/
Cafeteria and Lunch Guidelines
- The cafeteria area is clearly marked so that students will be social distanced while standing in line and when seated at the tables. Lunch duty monitors will ensure that students are following the signs and rules.
- The cafeteria line is marked clearly as one-way, with only one entrance and one exit. Food will be served in disposable containers, with disposable utensils. Students will not be allowed to self-serve any food or drink. It will all be handed to them by the staff.
- Lunch choices will, of necessity, be streamlined in order to accommodate the lack of self-service.
- K – 4 will eat lunch is the small cafeteria at their scheduled lunch time and 5th grade will have lunch in the after-school care room. Seats are clearly marked so that students will know where to sit for maximum social distancing.
- 6th and 7th will eat in the large cafeteria and 8th will eat in the fountain area. Seats are clearly marked to that students will know where to site for maximum social distancing.
- 9th and 10th will eat in the large cafeteria, 11th will eat in the fountain area, and 12th will eat in the senior lounge. Seats are clearly marked so that students will know where to sit for maximum social distancing.
- Students will be encouraged not to share food, utensils, or drinks.
- The cafeteria staff will follow all of the CDC guidelines regarding food service and preparation, including cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces between lunch periods.
- Hand sanitizer is available in several locations in the cafeteria areas.
- Students may NOT use microwaves on campus to heat food for lunch. Microwaves that have typically been for students use will no longer be allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
New Family and Returning Family Information
Learn About Our Individualized Learning
Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities for 2020-2021
Faith West Academy operates under the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) umbrella for all athletics and fine arts activities. The guidelines for the fall for TAPPS can be found at https://tapps.biz/july-23-update/.
When TAPPS does not offer specific guidance, we will follow the guidance of the University Interscholastic League (UIL). Guidance for activities before September 7 can be found at https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19/athletics-summer-training. Guidance for activities beginning September 7 can be found at https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19/2020-athletics-fall-update.
School Opening Details
- Students and staff should do an at-home wellness check each day before leaving for school.
- Temperature check and COVID-19 symptom check will be performed upon arrival.
- All K-12 students will be dropped off under the breezeway between the Gym and the Main Building. Students arriving between 7:15 and 7:35 will report to the gym or cafeteria, where they will be socially distanced and monitored until released to go to class.
- Preschool students will be dropped off at the Preschool drop-off.
- Parents will not be allowed to walk their PK-12 student into the school building.
- Students who drive will park and come through the gate by the Three Cross Building, where a temperature and COVID-19 symptom check will be performed.
- All students 4th grade and up, as well as all staff, will wear masks, shields, or facial coverings at all times while on campus.
- All students 4th grade and up, as well as all staff, will wear masks, shields, or facial coverings at all times while on campus.
- Social distancing will be enforced when possible in classrooms and all over campus at all times.
- Frequent handwashing and hand sanitizer will be encouraged all during the day.
- Hand sanitation stations will be provided throughout the campus.
- Common and high traffic areas will be sanitized multiple times during the day by facilities staff that have been trained in COVID-19 sanitation.
- Desks and chairs will be sanitized between classes when students are moving from one classroom to another.
- There will be designated entry and exit points as well as one-way stairways to minimize student contact.
- Students will be socially distanced during lunch and chapel services.
- Plexiglass will be utilized in offices and at teacher desks for maximum protection.
- Only essential visitors (determined essential by FWA administration) will be allowed on campus. They will be screened for temperature and COVID-19 symptoms.
- Preschool students will be picked up at the Preschool building, using the marked carpool lanes.
- K-12 students will be picked up in the breezeway between the gym and the main building.
- Students will be socially distanced in the auditorium while waiting to be picked up.
- Common and high traffic areas will be sanitized multiple times during the day by facilities staff that have been trained in COVID-19 sanitation.
- Overnight cleaning of the entire campus will be done by a licensed crew that has been trained in COVID-19 sanitation.
Individuals with Confirmed or Suspected Cases of COVID-19
Any individual who is either (a) lab confirmed to have COVID-19 ; or (b) experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 must stay at home throughout the infection period, and cannot return to campus until the school screens the individual to determine any of the below conditions for campus re-entry have been met:
- For an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, all three of the following must be met to return to campus:
- at least one day (24 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications;
- the individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath);
- at least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
- For an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 but is not evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19 and must complete the criteria above to return to campus.
- For an individual who has symptoms of COVID-19 and wants to return to school before completing the criteria above, the individual must either
- Obtain a note from a medical professional clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis that is not respiratory in nature; or
- Receive one confirmation that they are free of COVID-19 from an approved COVID-19 testing location.
- In the case of a confirmed positive COVID -19 lab test result for a student or staff member, the required health officials will notified immediately. Parents of students who were in class with the student or staff member will be notified as well. Based on the guidance received from the health officials, students and staff in close contact to the individual may be required to quarantine at home for 14 days.
- If a student or staff member travels to an area that requires a quarantine upon return, the student or staff member will be required to quarantine at home for 14 days.
Identifying Possible COVID-19 Cases on Campus
- FWA will immediately separate any student or staff member who shows COVID-19 symptoms while at school until the student can be picked up by a parent or guardian.
- FWA will clean and disinfect the areas used by the individual as soon as is feasible. That area will be closed until cleaning is possible unless 7 days have already passed.
- Any student who reports feeling feverish will be screened with a temperature check immediately.
Exposure and/or Close Contact
Close contact with an individual who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 is defined as:
- Being directly exposed (e.g., being coughed on while); or
- Being within six feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes;
if either occurred any time in the last 14 days at the same time the infected individual was infectious.
Individuals are presumed to be infectious at least two days prior to symptom onset or, in the case of asymptomatic individuals who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, two days prior to the confirming lab test.
COVID-19 Symptoms
In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consider the following question:
Have they recently begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal for them?
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Loss of taste or smell
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Shaking or exaggerated shivering o Significant muscle pain or ache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
Hybrid Learning for 2020-2021
Many of you have expressed an interest in a hybrid option for learning that would include a combination of some remote instruction and some in-class instruction. We will be happy to discuss with you how hybrid learning can work for your student. Please contact Kim Derry at kderry@faithwest.org if have a 6th – 12th grade student. Please contact Jeanna Bickerstaff at jbickerstaff@faithwest.org if you have a k – 5th grade student.
2020-2021 School Opening Plan
Please review the Faith West Academy School Opening Plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
For any questions, please contact us at (281) 391-5683 and ask for our Principal Mary Strickland or our Assistant Principal Jeanna Bickerstaff.
School Opening Plan Overview Welcome Back COVID Presentation COVID 19 Return To School Requirements
On-Campus Learning Guidelines Remote Learning Guidelines Hybrid Learning Athletics & Extra-Curricular Cafeteria Guidelines
Morning Carpool Afternoon Carpool During The School Day Daily Cleaning of the Campus Air Purification COVID-19 Exposure Response
Certification of No COVID-19 Symptoms
In compliance with state guidelines, Faith West Academy is required to screen every person in attendance at a graduation, promotion ceremony, or on the FWA campus for any reason. Whether in a car parade, an in-person ceremony, or simply dropping off a laptop, all participants must certify that they are free of the following symptoms and/or contact. Please complete and carry with you the below form when on campus for any reason.
Message from Principal Mary Strickland about COVID-19
Message from Principal Mary Strickland about COVID-19
Previous Messages
- Feb 23 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crn02EW67p
- Feb 9 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crnQFASQhN
- Feb 2 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crnnqER4po
- Jan 26 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crVODf9PjM
- Jan 19 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crVqqB9YLA
- Jan 12 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crVloPPHfy
- Jan 5 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crVhDQPIJc
- Dec 15 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYloFi8rAi
- Dec 8 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYljD4NJJL
- Dec 1 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYlVIRNQPf
- Nov 17 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYXbFtLQ0r
- Nov 10 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYX6ouMyeP
- Nov 3 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYXeDus9AJ
- Oct 27 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY6tl9sYRk
- Oct 20 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY6Yox7GHN
- Oct 13 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY6lDN7VXQ
- Oct 06 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY61lhKUpC
- Sept 29 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYQU2jd73A
- Sept 22 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYQ32YdjRq
- Sept 15 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYQolXJOx1
- Sept 8 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYQjoxHGog
- Aug 31 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYjwoyHVXt
- Aug 19 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYjgrQme15
- Aug 12 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYjlYdGxH0
- Aug 5 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYjh0iG1Bj
July 27 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYit38EBsx - July 22 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYi3b4E0x6
- July 15 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYiobBEnnf
- July 8 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYijqe55li
- July 1 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYiVDd53wp
- June 25 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY1T2A5fDn
- June 17 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY1botCko1
- June 8 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY1j2MCinj
- June 3 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY1eFFp7vK
June 3 (Part 2) https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cY1eYlpsew
May 27 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhtDbpqe3 - May 20 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhY3okHbv
- May 19 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhqrckgzq
- May 18 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhFrskxbq
- May 14 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYh2YMkjNE
May 13 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhIYCkcNU - May 12 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhlYNgLCR
- May 11 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhXqdgG6N
- May 7 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhirDgYQ0
- May 6 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYh133gXGc
May 5 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhh3Ugn3m
May 4 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYhfYPBMHf - April 30 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfvrsBOv6
April 29 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfUqdBDn4 - April 28 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfurDB1JF
- April 27 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYftr1A9iR
- April 23 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYf0qHAOCs
- April 22 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYf3rqAbUa
- April 21 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfrrXAicv
- April 20 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfYroz9IW
- April 17 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfbYgzaod
- April 16 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfDb7zZ0c
- April 15 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfor7zbl6
- April 14 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYf2YJz1yp
- April 9 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfQr2azCz
- April 8 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfjrNaUbS
- April 7 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfiYnaqGQ
- April 6 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYf1rjaXfl
- April 3 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYferF4LuI
- April 2 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfnrY4mjv
- April 1 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYfVrB4Ahb
- March 31 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYew3U4ueM
- March 30 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYev3r4Fjq
- March 27 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYetroyRMy
- March 26 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYeOrQy7pJ
- March 25 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYeTr6yCCJ
- March 24 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYeZrRy4fU
- March 23 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYe0YJyZ0B
- March 20 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYeYYByi5t
- March 19 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYeqr6yVc5
- March 18 https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYeFr3xNvd