Health and Safety Plan
Most Holy Trinity Catholic School
Introduction
This is our plan to provide for the health and safety of our students, staff, parents and guests at Most Holy Trinity during the 2021-2022 School Year. We call on everyone to follow it in order to provide a healthy and safe environment in our school.
After extensive discussion we present the following for your consideration.
Students
Student Needs
- Vaccinations will not be required
In Person learning will be a priority
- Students will need a mask if not vaccinated, Exceptions will be made for those students with documentation of medical conditions that wearing a mask would present a medical hardship
- Students who are vaccinated do not need to wear masks. A certificate of vaccination will be required
- Students will need their own school supplies, and a water bottle
- Students will not be allowed to borrow school supplies from classmates
- Water fountains will be shut off. Students must bring water from home. We will provide refill stations.
Student Health Monitoring
- We will specifically monitor students for symptoms of illness at the beginning of the day when students arrive
- Students who exhibit signs of illness or complain of illness will be tended to immediately.
- All staff will be trained on screening students for illness. Teachers will have thermometers in their rooms to monitor students’ temperatures. They will also have a list of COVID 19 symptoms to refer to when monitoring students.
- Any student showing signs of illness will have their temperature taken in the office, and students with a temperature above 99.5 degrees or showing any respiratory symptoms will be isolated and sent home.
- If anyone in the family is pending testing results for COVID 19, all family members should be in quarantine until results are in. People who have been vaccinated will not be required to quarantine or be tested if they have been exposed to someone who may have COVID 19.
- People who have been vaccinated will not be required to quarantine or be tested if they have been exposed to someone who may have COVID 19
- In the case of any student who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the student may return to school when the following criteria is met:
- After Day 7 if a diagnostic specimen tests negative and if no symptoms were reported during daily monitoring. The specimen may be collected on Day 5, but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7.
- Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.
- Quarantine can end after 14 days if no symptoms are present
- In the case of a student who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and may not return to school until the individual obtains a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis
- In the case of a student who had close contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID 19, that student will quarantine using the above protocols.
- In the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student where:
- other K-12 strategies (such as universal and correct mask use, physical distancing, increased ventilation) were in place in the K–12 school setting.
Staff
Staff Training and Monitoring
All Staff will be trained specifically on school procedures and practices outlined in this document.
We will conduct checks of temperature of staff, teachers and volunteers each day. Staff, teachers or volunteers with a temperature above 99.5°F or with any of the above symptoms will be sent home. Staff, teachers or volunteers with new or worsening signs or symptoms as listed above may not return to work until all three of the following criteria are met:
- No fever without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 3 days (72 hours); AND
- The individual has significant improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); AND
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared; OR
- In the case of an employee or volunteer who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to work until the individual has completed the same three-step criteria listed above; OR
- If the staff, teacher or volunteer has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to work before completing the above self-isolation period, the individual must obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis.
- Per Diocese policy all employees must be vaccinated. Exceptions will be made for those employees with documentation of medical conditions that receiving a vaccine would present a medical hardship
- All staff, teachers or volunteers must wear a mask to model procedures for children. Exceptions will be made for those employees with documentation of medical conditions that wearing a mask would present a medical hardship
- All staff, teachers or volunteers must wear a face covering while at work and interacting with other employees and public in general, unless there is a contraindication.
- Staff members may remove masks when not in the presence of students.
- Employees should wash hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use disinfectant hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Visitor Monitoring
Visitors, including parents, may only come on official visits for school business. We will conduct temperature checks of all visitors. Visitors with a temperature above 99.5°F or with any COVID Symptoms will not be allowed in the building.
Prevention
All student shot records must be up to date.
- Any student showing signs of illness will have their temperature taken in the office, and students with a temperature above 99.5 degrees or showing any respiratory symptoms will be isolated and sent home. The children will wait in a designated waiting area.
- We will report these students to local health authorities so they may follow up.
- Anyone who is ill must stay home. This includes all staff and children.
- Anyone getting tested for COVID 19 and waiting for results must stay home.
Infections
- The CDC recommends that if someone who was showing signs of COVID 19 while on campus is diagnosed, that students and staff will be dismissed for 2-5 days to allow for extra cleaning. Anyone who has been in close contact with this person should self-monitor their symptoms
- For clarity, close contact is defined as:
- being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on while not wearing a mask or face shield); or being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes, while not wearing a mask or face shield; if either occurred at any time in the last 14 days at the same time the infected individual was infectious. Individuals are presumed 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.If students are ill due to COVID-19 we will communicate this to our parents and staff. However, we will not release names of students to others.
- We will report these students to the local health authorities and El Paso Catholic Schools' Superintendent so they may follow up.
The School Day
Entering the building
- For the safety of your children when parents bring their children to school they should use the drop off area and remain in their cars; we will ask for symptoms and also ask if the student has had any contact with anyone with COVID-19. We will then take their temperatures. Students with a temperature above 99.5 degrees or showing any respiratory symptoms will be sent home.
- There will be 2 entrances for students on the sides of the building, one for lower grades and one for upper grades. When students enter they will then be directed to wash their hands and proceed to class.
- In the event that parents need to come to school, only one (1) parent will be allowed to accompany their child into the building
- All students, staff and anyone who enters the building will be required to wear a mask. This will be enforced.
- Anyone who is ill must stay home. Everybody this includes all staff and children.
- Parents with ill children must call the office to report it. If they have COVID-19 symptoms we must be informed.
- Traffic Flow signs will be used where needed
- School entrances will be two side doors for students, front door for staff and visitors
- School exit will be the back door
During the Day
- We will have scheduled rest room breaks and hand washing breaks during the day. The amount of these breaks will be based on CDC recommendations.
- We will teach handwashing to all students. We may need to use a hand washing song with our younger children to help them understand the time.
- The number of students in the restroom will equal the number of sinks in the restrooms. Students who need the restroom at other times will be considered case by case
- Students will always remain with their classmates. Students will not be allowed to visit other classrooms.
- Students will not share spaces, supplies, or work in groups.
- Desks will be spaced to comply with social distancing requirements
- Rooms will be equipped with hand sanitizer and thermometers.
- Students will have their own area to work in.
- Student belongings, including supplies, backpacks and jackets, will be kept separate.
- Middle School Students will not be changing classes; teachers will rotate to them instead to minimize movement in the hallway.
Lunch
- Our students will pick up lunch and eat in the cafeteria. Students will socially distance while eating the cafeteria. Teachers and students who have been vaccinated will not need to socially distance.
- Students should was their hands before and after lunch.
- In the past parents could have lunch with their children; we will not allow this until a later date. We look forward to the day when this restriction can be eased
Physical Education and Activity
- We will plan PE activities and student breaks that will allow students time to move while practicing social distancing. PE may be in shorter shifts and /or smaller groups.
- Stundets will not need to wear masks at recess and PE.
- Students will not change clothes for physical education classes until we have clearance to do so.
The Library
Personal Belongings
- All students must have a mask
- Children and staff need to wash hands before and after visiting library
- Table with hand sanitizer to be at front door
- No personal bags or coats to be brought into library (only pencils and paper per teacher request).
Checking out books and returning books
- Book drop box will be at front door when students come in.
- Books returned will be held for 72 hours before being put back on shelf.
- Storage space will be provided for books waiting to be re-shelfed
- Floor will be marked for social distancing to check out books
- Library card will be handled only by librarian
Class Visits
- No more than a single group to be allowed in the library at once
- Children to have teacher with them to make sure of social distancing
- A/R testing will be done on a day when librarian will go to class and select students who are taking an A/R test
- Keyboards and monitors to be cleaned every day and between classes
- When library is closed, will have to continue cleaning of all surfaces by custodian
Ending the School Day
We will have a pickup area at the end of the day. As you drive up we will call for your children.
Student pickup times will be staggered.
- 2:45 PK, Kindergarten and 1st grade
- 3:00 second, third, fourth and fifth Grades
- 3:15 sixth, seventh and eighth Grades
Students with siblings will be picked up at the time the oldest sibling is ready to be picked up
Everyone should remain in their cars; your children will be brought to youAfter Care
Aftercare will be provided.
- Aftercare will be in Father Tom Hall
- Each student will have a designated area.and their own supplies.
- Children will have time for homework
- We will provide play activity
- Playground- will be sanitized and monitored for social distancing.
- Snacks will be served; sharing of snacks will not be allowed
- We will provide videos later in the day.
- Parents will pick up children at the door.
Other
Mass
- Father Andy will provide mass whether we are virtual or live. If we are on a hybrid schedule he will have a mass for each group.
- We will limit attendance at mass. In the past we liked and encouraged parents to attend mass; we will not be able to allow this until a later date. We look forward to the day when this restriction can be eased.
Face to Face Instruction
- We will offer face to face instruction.
- Virtual instruction will be provided to those students who can demonstrate medical need.
- Hybrid instruction will not be offered.
Athletics
We will follow CDC recommendations for athletics or other extracurriculars. We will be researching state athletic guidelines for high schools for guidance. We do want to provide these activities, but only if we can do it safely.
Birthdays
- Parents may send treats for their child's birthday, which will be distributed by the child's teacher. Visitors will not be allowed at this time. We look forward to the day when this restriction can be eased.
"Although I have lived through much darkness, I have seen enough
evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so
great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in
the hearts of the young.... Do not let that hope die!”
-Saint Pope John Paul II
Questions, comments and suggestions can be addressed to Mr. Jim Horan, school principal
phone:915-751-2566 or email mailto:jhoran@mhtcrusaders.org
Most Holy Trinity Catholic School
Email: jhoran@mhtcrusaders.org
Website: www.mhtcrusaders.org
Location: 10000 Pheasant Road, El Paso, TX, USA
Phone: 915-751-2566
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mostholytrinity
Twitter: @MostTrinity