WCA COVID-19 Response

Overview

As Waves Christian Academy considers how to best serve students, these guidelines have been created to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year. We are committed to providing an environment which keeps students and staff as safe and healthy as possible. The goal is to work with students in person, in their classrooms this Fall while meeting the recommendations of the CDC, the FL Governor’s Office, the FL Department of Education, and the Flagler County Health Department. All persons coming onto campus will be asked to sign in and asked to fill out a short health questionnaire prior to being allowed to enter any building on campus. Anyone who has a temperature (>100.4) or has had signs/symptoms of possible COVID-19 in the past 14 days, will not be allowed to remain.

If there is a COVID-19 positive case or suspected case at school, WCA will work with Flagler County Health Department to determine the best course of action and any necessary quarantines.

WCA will not make these decisions alone. Additional support includes an increase in janitorial hours to properly clean and disinfect the school.

WCA will increase circulation of outdoor air via opening windows and will change out our filters to the Merv-13 rated filters which were recommended for non-health care facilities. The following plan will not eliminate the potential spread of COVID-19 but it is intended to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19. Our focus and goal of this plan is to limit factors which could increase our exposure to COVID-19 and reduce risk of spread among students and staff. Despite best efforts, there is no assurance that a student will not be exposed or contract the virus.

CLASSROOM PROTOCOL:

  • Students will have assigned seats in the classroom.
  • Desks will be positioned to provide as much space as possible between each desk.
  • All students must enter the school each morning through their designated entrance.
    • Hand sanitizer will be provided in the classroom. Limit the use of shared toys, centers, games, and art supplies to the extent possible. Manipulatives will be sanitized after each use.
  • Students may be allowed to go to the restroom one at a time with permission from the teacher.
  • Desks will be wiped down each day.
  • Cross ventilation will be utilized as long as weather permits.
  • Teachers will maintain a distance of at least six feet from the students during teaching.
  • Desks and other high touch areas will be sanitized at the end of the day.

Water Dispenser:

  • The water dispenser is available for filling water bottles. All water bottles must be dishwasher approved or the student must bring their own disposable water bottle. WCA will not be providing water bottles.

CHECK FOR SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

WCA will implement screening and other procedures for all staff and students entering the facility.

  • Daily screening will take place when staff and students enter the building.
  • Staff and students should stay home if they are sick or experiencing any COVID-19 Symptoms within the prior 24 hours or if anyone in their home has had COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test.
  • It is essential that each student’s health forms, and emergency contacts are current.

ILLNESS & VACCINATIONS:

  • Parents are required to notify the school of any symptoms or sickness their child may have at any time. This includes symptoms that appear on non-school days. Please use the following email address to notify the school outside of school hours: office@waveschristian.org.
  • Anytime the student was at the school within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, the school must be notified.
  • WCA recommends that each family notify their health provider right away and follow their guidelines. Students must have a note from the health care provider that it is safe to return to school.
  • WCA wants to stress the importance of families taking all sickness symptoms very seriously during this time. If anyone in your family is showing signs of illness, please let us know. No staff or student will be mocked or punished, and we want to be able to support each other.
  • All students must have documentation of up-to-date vaccinations or an appropriate letter of exemption before school starts.
  • WCA highly recommends that all families get their flu shots when available to help prevent sickness being brought into the school. Because flu has very similar symptoms to COVID-19, it is highly likely that if a student is experiencing symptoms, the class will have to quarantine until it can be determined that it is not COVID-19.

PLAN FOR WHEN A STAFF MEMBER, STUDENT, OR VISITOR HAS COVID-19 SYMPTOMS:

  • WCA will follow the FL State COVID-19 guidance for cases and outbreaks for school.
  • If a student is exhibiting COVID-19 like symptoms, the student will be placed in a separate monitored area and a parent will need to pick up the student right away.
  • A student will need a doctor’s signed note in order to come back to school. Or show a negative COVID-19 Test.

MASKS:

  • For the 2021-2022 School year mask will be optional for staff and students.

IF THE COURSE OF THIS VIRUS CHANGES, face coverings may again be required. All Parents will be updated if changes are to be made.

REMOTE LEARNING:

  • WCA is working to be prepared for students who may need to connect remotely due to illness or COVID-19 related absences.
  • Students who are connecting remotely will be required to show their face for the duration of each class.
  • If a teacher is quarantined and still able to teach, they will have the ability to teach from home while a sub is with their students.
  • If a family is interested in remote learning options, please contact the school.
  • If a school wide closure is mandated, WCA will communicate the remote learning schedule with our families. The schedule will be different for the different grade levels. Lower grades will likely involve learning packets and individual times to meet with the teacher via Zoom.
  • Families and staff should be prepared to switch to remote learning at any time. VISITORS AND


VOLUNTEERS:

Parents may not be permitted to enter the school to drop-off or pick-up their students. Parents will be updated if and when this goes in-effect.

  • Parent volunteers and visitors must have prior approval by administration and must agree to follow COVID-19 protocol.
  • Parents must schedule appointments with teachers. Zoom will be an option to connect if needed.

By sending your child to Waves Christian Academy, parents recognize and accept this risk.