COVID-19 Precautions

Precautions for The Parish School

Updated: 07.23.21

The following guidelines refer to the resumption of face-to-face instruction for the 2021-22 school year during the COVID-19 crisis. As guidelines for the country, state and county continue to develop, these policies will change to reflect current standards. We will monitor the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Open Texas and Health and Human Services of Texas (Child Care Licensing) for updates. The Parish School provides this information so families will be aware of precautions we are taking and the risk of their child returning to school. 

Student and Family Procedures

  • Please read over the 2021-21 School Carpool Procedures and Friday Afternoon Map (coming soon)
  • Any student with a fever over 100.0 will not be allowed to attend school face-to-face that day. 
  • Families will self-screen for COVID-19 and report any failures to the school nurse. Entry is denied if any of the following criteria are met:
    • Sore throat
    • New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)
    • Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
    • New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • If your child has had close contact with someone who is lab-confirmed positive for COVID-19 or suspected to have COVID-19. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of someone with the virus for a cumulative total of 15 minutes (or more) over a 24-hour period, masked or unmasked.
  • If your child starts to exhibit any of the above symptoms during the school day, your child will be removed from class and placed in a waiting room away from others. The school nurse will supervise your child until a caregiver arrives for pick-up. Activities will be provided for your child as he/she waits, and Student and Family Services will be available if needed.
  • One layer of facial protection is required for all elementary-aged students and adults on campus while indoors. Wearing a mask outside is optional.
  • Visitors are allowed on campus and must sign a visitor agreement form at administration when they check in.
  • Water fountains, water coolers and other beverage dispensers will be open for filling water bottles/cups only.
  • Simply Fresh meal deliveries will be available. Access Simply Fresh's COVID-19 precautions here.
  • Individual food activities (i.e., cooking) are permitted.
  • Students who have a lab-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 may return to school when:
    • The student has been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours, after respiratory and COVID-19 symptoms have improved, AND at least 10 days after symptoms first appeared.
    • Or the student has received a negative Real-time PCR COVID-19 test result.
    • Or the student has a doctor's release form.
    • Or the student has an alternative diagnosis that has been resolved.
    • Return to school decisions will be made by the COVID Task Force Members.
  • Classes will resume normal proximity to other classes.
  • If we are made aware that a faculty/staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, the Health Department and/or Child Care Licensing will be notified, and a notification of potential exposure will be sent to families. Confidentiality will be maintained.
  • If a faculty member or student tests positive for COVID-19, the impacted classroom will pivot to remote learning during the required 10-day quarantine period.
  • Any student who is in quarantine will have access to e-learning throughout their quarantine by streaming classroom content as appropriate for their level, or by having work sent home for them to complete. Those students who are ill outside of COVID quarantine will follow previous protocols for student absences (e-learning will not be an option).
  • Students may return to school following international travel if they meet one of the following requirements:
    • Are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with documentation
    • Self-quarantine a total of 7 days following the return home and provide a negative Real-Time PCR test taken 3-5 days after traveling
    • Self-quarantine a total of 10 days without taking a COVID test
  • For families heading to the doctor if experiencing COVID-like symptoms, if a doctor can provide an alternative diagnosis and clearance to return to school, we will need their note to reflect the following:
    • The patient has a diagnosis of X, Y or Z;
    • COVID-19 has been ruled out; and
    • The patient is cleared to return to school/work.
  • Please be aware that calls and emails to staff after hours (5:00pm) may not be responded to until the following school day. If you are in need of a response prior to the start of school the next day, please call the office as early as 6:30am at extension 1114, and someone will be available to address your question or concern.

Faculty and Staff Procedures

  • Staff will engage in training during in-service about all COVID-19 precautions to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus.
  • Staff will self-report on whether they cannot pass health screening questions to their supervisor. Entry may be denied if any of the following criteria are met:
    • Sore throat
    • New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)
    • Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
    • New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever
    • Loss of taste or smell
    • If you have had close contact with someone who is lab-confirmed positive for COVID-19 or suspected to have COVID-19. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of someone with the virus for a cumulative total of 15 minutes (or more) over a 24-hour period, masked or unmasked.
  • Decisions regarding failed health screening will be made on a case-by-case basis following established guidelines. COVID Task Force members will be available for guidance.
  • If a staff member has been diagnosed with COVID-19, they may return to work following CDC guidelines:
    • The staff member has been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours, after respiratory and COVID-19 symptoms have improved, AND at least 10 days after symptoms first appeared.
    • Or the staff member has received a negative COVID-19 test result. If testing is pursued, only Real-time PCR test results are considered valid.
    • Or the staff member has a doctor's release form.
    • Or the staff member has an alternative diagnosis that has been resolved.
    • Return to work decisions will be made by the COVID Task Force members.
  • If a staff member becomes ill with COVID-19, the Health Department will be notified and a notification of potential exposure will be sent to families. Confidentiality will be maintained.
  • One layer of facial protection is required for all elementary-aged students and adults on campus while indoors. Wearing a mask outside is optional.
  • Early childhood staff will be required to bring a change of clothes in the event they are exposed to a child’s bodily fluids during the school day.
  • Staff may return to work following international travel if they meet one of the following requirements:
    1. Are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with documentation
    2. Self-quarantine a total of 7 days following the return home and provide a negative Real-Time PCR test taken 3-5 days after traveling
    3. Self-quarantine a total of 10 days without taking a COVID test
  • For staff members heading to the doctor if experiencing COVID-like symptoms, if a doctor can provide an alternative diagnosis and clearance to return to school, we will need their note to reflect the following:
    1. The patient has a diagnosis of X, Y or Z;
    2. COVID-19 has been ruled out; and
    3. The patient is cleared to return to school/work.
  • If a faculty member's class closes due to a confirmed COVID-19 case, vaccinated individuals may opt-out of quarantine. 
  • Faculty and staff are encouraged should keep meetings to less than 10 people and under 10 minutes. Anything greater in length or attendance should be held virtually.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures

  • Normal cleaning protocols following standard procedures will resume.
  • All buildings will be thoroughly disinfected every 90 days.
  • In the event of exposure, the areas affected will be deep cleaned followed by disinfecting with Bioesque Solutions.