SMART. SAFE. TOGETHER - LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS Published July 29, 2021 - Lake Highland Preparatory ...
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SMART. SAFE. TOGETHER.
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Published July 29, 2021
WELCOME BACK!
We are thrilled to welcome back all Highlanders to on-campus, in- of recent – and severe – spikes in positive COVID-19 cases in Orange
person learning during school year 2021-22! We have been planning County, and in alignment with recent guidance from the CDC,
and anticipating your arrival all summer, and we are ready! American Academy of Pediatrics, Orange County, and our advising
physicians, LHP will require masks be worn by all individuals
LHP has the unique privilege of serving a PreK through 12th-grade indoors.
student population. As always, the safety and well-being of our
students, employees, and on-campus visitors remains our number Beyond helping protect all Highlanders from the virus, wearing
one priority. masks will significantly limit who needs to quarantine when exposed,
per new CDC guidance. (See more in the “quarantine exceptions”
With the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic still imminent in many section.) The decision to mask is supported by many expert
parts of the state and country, LHP school leadership and healthcare resources, and it will greatly help keep students learning on campus
staff have carefully and diligently researched, reviewed, and analyzed during the school year.
data from our county, state, area schools, independent schools
across the nation, government officials, and health organizations To stay current on evolving published guidelines and evaluate
(including the CDC, Department of Health, and American Academy modifications to our COVID-19 protocols, a Task Force of LHP senior
of Pediatrics), in order to determine LHP’s safety protocols for the leadership will continue to meet and discuss the situation on a weekly
upcoming school year. basis. When a change is made, we will quickly communicate the
change and efficiently implement it on campus.
In addition to those valuable – and constantly evolving – resources,
we are assisted by a team of expert doctors who specialize in You have entrusted us with your most precious gift – your children. It
pediatric medicine and infectious disease. This medical team helped is our honor and great responsibility to care for them daily. We look
us safely navigate the previous school year and summer with great forward to, once again, staying smart, safe, and together in health
success, and we are grateful for their continued support this year! and wellness this school year.
At the time of this update’s release, a significant number of students
attending LHP still do not have access to a COVID-19 vaccine. In light
1 Published July 2021
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Masks & Distancing 4 On-campus Learning 5 Activities & Events 6 Reporting Positive Tests & Exposures 7 Contact Tracing & Quarantine 8 Quarantine Exceptions 9 Travel 10 Cleaning 2 Published July 2021 LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.
MASKS & DISTANCING
ALL HIGHLANDER STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND VISITORS TO CAMPUS, MUST WEAR A FACE
MASK INDOORS, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.
LHP FACE MASK POLICY If a large group of students or employees are in close proximity (less
Students and employees are required to bring a face mask to LHP on than 3 feet) to each other without movement from that area, even
a daily basis. Face masks must be school appropriate, not distracting while outdoors, they must wear a mask.
to the learning environment, and contribute to the safety and well-
being of the school community. Please note these specific guidelines Employees may also remove masks while alone in a private office or
regarding face masks: classroom.
• Face masks must be secured around the ears or head and capable
of covering the nose and mouth. Face shields are not safe or effective alternatives for a mask and
• Face masks may be of any cloth fabric and must be a solid color or may only be used by employees in special, pre-approved learning
pattern that is school appropriate. activities.
• Face masks may not feature or contain words or messages.
DISTANCING
The school reserves the right to have the final approval on what is Per updated CDC guidance, LHP will strive to maintain a physical
deemed “school appropriate” with regard to all face masks. Students distance of 3 feet between Highlanders as often as possible. Accurate
and employees who do not bring a face mask to school or have one class seating charts are maintained to help with contact tracing.
that is not considered to be school appropriate will be provided a
disposable mask to use for the remainder of the day. Additional information about contact tracing and quarantining is
included in the following pages.
Students, employees, and visitors are required to wear face
masks indoors.
Highlanders may remove face masks while eating, drinking,
outdoors, and while engaged in heavy physical activity.
3 Published July 2021
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.
ON-CAMPUS LEARNING
In addition to masks, distancing, and rigorous cleaning procedures, IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
the following protocols have been established to create safe, in- • Stairwells are designated as one-way during class changes and are
person learning environments for all Highlanders in August. marked with signage to help with the efficient flow of traffic indoors.
• Classrooms and lunch areas will continue to overflow to outdoor
SCHOOLWIDE PRECAUTIONS spaces to provide more opportunities for distancing.
• Masks will be required indoors. • Lunch will continue to be divided into two periods to manage
the number of students in the Clayton Café and provide more
• Assigned seating and accurate seating charts will be used to assist opportunities for distancing.
with distancing and contact tracing.
• Masks will be worn during gatherings, such as Unity Meetings,
where a larger group of students will be near each other for longer IN UPPER SCHOOL
than 15 minutes. • Lunch will continue to be served in multiple areas on campus and
• Lake Highland administrators, faculty, and staff will monitor the seating is available both indoors and outdoors across campus.
cafés and additional seating areas to reinforce proper distancing. • Many new seating options have been devised to help physically
• Students will wear masks when using shuttles between campuses. distance students during lunch and PRIME Time.
Shuttles will resume at full capacity. • The US flexible schedule model will continue creating opportunities
• Teachers will be stocked with cleaning and sanitation supplies for distancing, allowing students independent time and space to
for their classroom and will regularly wipe down and clean their study, meeting in multiple locations around campus, seeking extra
classrooms. help from teachers as needed, and preparing them with excellent
time management skills for college.
• Enhanced cleaning by LHP’s facilities team and reminders of
personal hygiene will remain constant throughout the school year.
IN LOWER SCHOOL
• Students will safely rotate through enrichment and elective
classrooms
• Masks will not be required for outdoor physical activities
(e.g., P.E. and playground time).
• Kindergarten through 6th-grade students will eat at the Tartan
Café Monday through Friday.
• Aftercare and Academies will resume in August.
4 Published July 2021
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS ON-CAMPUS EVENTS PERFORMANCE VENUES We are excited to welcome back on-campus events this school The Harriett Coleman Center for the Arts, Johnny Holloway Black year. If the event is indoors, attendees will be required to wear a Box Theatre, and Bourne Chapel will all be open at full capacity mask. Events should be planned to provide adequate room for for events. Attendees will be required to wear masks inside the appropriate physical distancing whenever possible. Details about performance venues. particular events will be shared as the event nears. ATHLETICS & AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Athletics, Aftercare, and Academies will all be available for the 2021-22 school year. Aftercare is currently open for registration in the parent portal, and Academies registration will open August 11. Student-athletes will be notified about tryouts for fall sports. 5 Published July 2021 LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.
REPORTING POSITIVE TESTS & EXPOSURES
STEP 1: CONFIRM POSITIVE TEST OR EXPOSURE STEP 3: MONITOR SYMPTOMS
• Positive test: If a student or a family member living in your • Continue to monitor for symptoms during quarantine.
household receives a positive test, continue to step #2.
• Consult with your family’s primary care provider if you or your child
• Exposure: The school follows the CDC’s definition of exposure, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms after exposure.
which is being within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for
COVID-19 for 15 or more cumulative minutes within 24 hours. If • If you or your child test positive for COVID-19 during quarantine,
an employee or student meets the CDC’s exposure criteria, please please contact LHP’s Director of Health Services, Marissa Johansen,
follow the steps below. at mjohansen@lhps.org or 407-206-1900 ext. 1234.
STEP 2: CONTACT THE SCHOOL STEP 4: STAY HOME, REST, AND FEEL BETTER
• During school hours, please contact LHP’s Director of Health • Students and employees should not come to campus or participate
Services, Marissa Johansen, at mjohansen@lhps.org or 407-206- in LHP activities while isolating for a positive COVID-19 test result or
1900 ext. 1234 for an immediate response. Calls to the school will quarantining due to COVID-19 exposure.
generally be returned by the following day.
Additional information about contact tracing and quarantining is
• A representative from LHP will walk your family through the included in the following pages.
school’s quarantine process. The school will also swiftly begin
contact tracing for exposure and notifying all parents of students
who meet the CDC’s criteria for exposure. Those students and
families will receive personal calls from a member of the school’s
administration or healthcare team, verify whether or not the
students need to quarantine, and discuss return dates to school.
Employees will be contact-traced using the same protocols.
6 Published July 2021
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.
CONTACT TRACING & QUARANTINE
WHO NEEDS TO QUARANTINE DUE TO COVID-19 We also interview each person identified as exposed during our
EXPOSURE? contact tracing to understand any variances that may have occurred.
Positive test: If a Highlander (student or employee) receives a If you are not contacted by the school, your child was not identified
positive COVID-19 test, they will isolate at home for a minimum of 10 as being exposed to anyone at LHP with the virus.
days and may return to school after 10 days have passed AND they
are fever-free and symptom-free for at least 24 hours. If you believe you or your child may have been exposed to someone
who tested positive for COVID-19 outside of LHP, you may quarantine
Exposure: The school follows the CDC’s definition of exposure, at any time.
which includes being within 6 feet of an infected individual for 15
or more cumulative minutes within 24 hours. Immediately following STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND EMPLOYEES WHO ARE
the report of a positive COVID-19 test, our school’s healthcare and QUARANTINING FOR A POSITIVE TEST OR EXPOSURE ARE NOT
administration teams begin contact tracing. Highlanders who meet ALLOWED ON CAMPUS OR AT ANY SCHOOL-SPONSORED
the definition of exposure will quarantine for 10 days. Highlanders ACTIVITIES OR EVENTS.
can be tested for COVID-19 on days 5-7. If the test is negative, they
can return to school after day 7. Highlanders returning to school Extended Absences for Quarantine
before 10 days of quarantine must present proof of a negative Students who need to quarantine will work directly with their
COVID-19 test. (Please see quarantine exceptions on the following teachers, in the same way they would for an extended absence.
STUDENTS,
Any student whoPARENTS,
misses AND EMPLOYEES
class should checkWHO ARE course
their Canvas
page.)
page to determine class and homework assignments theyARE
QUARANTINING FOR A POSITIVE TEST OR EXPOSURE mayNOT
ALLOWED ON CAMPUS OR AT ANY SCHOOL-SPONSORED
Because of the myriad safety measures in place at LHP, including have missed. For extended quarantine absences, legal guardians,
ACTIVITIES OR EVENTS.
strict adherence to predetermined seating charts, we can quickly parents, and/or the student should contact teachers directly to
identify who was near a student or employee who tests positive. discuss strategies for making up missed work.
7 Published July 2021
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.
QUARANTINE EXCEPTIONS
WHO DOES NOT NEED TO QUARANTINE DUE test result from the child or employee’s doctor. Sharing diagnosis
TO COVID-19 EXPOSURE? information is optional, confidential, and at the sole discretion of the
parent, legal guardian, or employee. However, to avoid quarantine
Highlanders who have been vaccinated after being diagnosed with COVID-19, proof of a positive test result is
If a student or employee is identified through contact tracing as required.
exposed to an individual with a positive COVID-19 test result, the
parent, legal guardian, or employee may present proof of vaccination Highlanders who are properly masked
(either a vaccination card or a photo of the vaccination card) to In the PreK–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition
avoid a quarantine. Highlanders must be fully vaccinated to avoid by the CDC excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an
quarantine. Fully vaccinated individuals have had both doses of infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible
the Pfizer or Moderna immunization, or one dose of the Johnson & illness) where:
Johnson immunization, and two weeks have passed since the last • Both students were engaged in consistent and correct use of
well-fitting masks; and
shot. Sharing vaccination information is optional, confidential, and
• Other PreK–12 school prevention strategies (such as universal and
at the sole discretion of the parent, legal guardian, or employee.
correct mask use, physical distancing, increased ventilation) were
However, to avoid quarantine after being fully immunized, proof of in place.
vaccination is required.
Highlanders who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the
past 90 days
Students, campers, and employees who have had COVID-19 within
the past 90 days and recovered do not need to quarantine, as long
as they do not develop new symptoms. In order to be exempt from
quarantine, the school must have proof of a positive COVID-19
8 Published July 2021
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.
TRAVEL
FIELD TRIPS TRAVEL RESOURCES:
Lake Highland faculty and staff are moving forward with planning field CDC Coronavirus Information for Travel
trips for the 2021-22 school year. We will assess each trip individually
CDC Information After International Travel
to create a safe, fun, educational, and memorable experience for
Highlanders. More information will be provided as the trip date nears. U.S. State Department Travel Advisories
PERSONAL TRAVEL International & Domestic Travel Requirement
If traveling domestically, self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate,
and get tested if you develop symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms include
fever (above 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit), chills, cough, sore throat,
shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, new loss of taste or smell,
congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If traveling internationally, please follow CDC guidelines.
9 Published July 2021
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.CLEANING
The school continues to concentrate efforts on COVID-19 prevention During the 2020-21 school year, LHP became one of the first schools
and precautionary measures, including: in the nation to be designated as a GBAC STAR™ facility, based on the
• Ongoing faculty and staff training school’s exceedingly high standards for cleanliness and sanitation. A
• Continuing thorough sanitation measures by our facilities crews to rigorous review from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) of
frequently clean and wipe down commonly touched surfaces and our cleaning practices resulted in this prestigious facility designation
public spaces, and bathroom fixtures
for our 42-acre campus. What began as a response to the COVID-19
• Wiping down classroom furniture throughout the day
pandemic has become best practice for our school as we continue to
• Using electrostatic sprayers to deep clean classrooms and offices
partner with and learn from GBAC.
as needed
• Stocking all classrooms and offices with sanitizing supplies
• Installing 75 hand sanitizing stations throughout school
• Educating students and employees about best practices in hygiene
to help decrease the spread of viruses
10 Published July 2021
LHP COVID-19 PROTOCOLS COVID-19 Protocols at LHP are subject to change.You can also read
