GCA Reopening Plans for 2020-21
Dear GCA Family,
For the 2020-2021 school year, the leadership of Grace Christian Academy and the GCA COVID-19 task force implemented a plan to provide a safe, fun, and enriching school year for all our students. Our goal has been to create an environment that mitigates risk as much as possible knowing that we cannot completely eliminate it. In order to adhere to the latest guidance from federal, state, and local agencies, modifications to daily procedures and campus events may be required as we progress through the school year. School events are important and continue to be a cherished priority for us.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. The success of the GCA Reopening Plan has been dependent on our entire GCA community partnering together. Please join us in upholding the guidelines outlined below. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us. Go Rams!
God Bless,
Tony Pointer
Grace Christian Academy Head of School
Back to School During COVID-19: A Resource for Parents
Please take a few minutes to watch this video with Dr. Tony Pointer and physician, Dr. Nick Thornton, as they discuss the rationale for the return to school this fall. We hope that it will be a helpful resource for parents as we navigate this unusual season.
Steps to Take for Exposure or Confirmed COVID Case
Please refer to the following flowchart for an overview of the steps you should take if you or a family member have possible exposure to or a confirmed case of COVID-19. Remember to communicate with your child's principal with any questions or concerns.
GCA Illness Policy
Your assistance monitoring your child’s health at home every day will be needed and greatly appreciated. If you need a thermometer, please notify your principal, and GCA will provide one for you.
Please adhere to the following protocols prior to the start of every school day:
1) Check your temperature and your child’s temperature. Temperature checks will be available at school if needed.
2) If you or your child feels sick or has a fever of 100.4 or above, please stay home. Your doctor/ pediatrician will advise you whether COVID-19 testing is necessary based on fever alone.
3) If you or your child has a fever of 100.4 or above or two or more of the following symptoms, stay home until you have a negative COVID-19 test or your doctor releases you to return to school:
- Diarrhea
- Achiness/fatigue
- Cough or sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden loss of taste or smell
- Headache
4) Parents will be required to sign a statement to certify their compliance with the GCA Illness Policy prior to the first day of school. A link to the compliance statement will be shared with parents in advance.
Protocol for Students or Staff Members Who Exhibit Illness:
If a student or staff member has a temperature of 100.4 or above or shows signs of illness listed above while at school, that individual will be isolated immediately and sent home. The student or staff member will not be permitted to return to campus until they have met one of the following criteria:
- Documentation of a negative COVID-19 test is provided to the school or
- Documentation that the individual has been cleared by a doctor to return to school or
- The individual self-quarantines at home for at least 14 days from the onset of symptoms and has been fever and symptom free (with no fever medication) for 24 hours.
To avoid an unnecessary self-quarantine and to provide information for others who may have been exposed to the potentially infected individual, it is strongly encouraged that a COVID-19 test be conducted any time a potential case of COVID-19 is suspected. To ensure greater accuracy in test results, COVID-19 testing should be performed at least 4 days after exposure.
Protocol for Positive COVID-19 Results
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, that individual will not be permitted to return to campus until they have met all 3 of the following criteria:
- Fever free and fever medication free for 72 hours and
- Resolution of upper respiratory infection, cough, and shortness of breath symptoms and
- At least 10 days have elapsed since the date of positive COVID-19 test.
**Please notify your child’s principal for further instructions
Protocol for Positive COVID-19 Results Within a Household (Isolate, Wait, & Communicate)
If one individual within a student or staff member's household tests positive for COVID-19, family members within that household are encouraged to isolate from the positive family member and will not be permitted to return to campus until they have met the following criteria:
- Documentation of a negative COVID-19 test (conducted at least 4 days after last exposure to the positive family member) is provided to the school or
- The individual self-quarantines at home for at least 14 days from the onset of symptoms and has been fever and symptom free (with no fever medication) for 24 hours.
If two or more members of a student’s household have tested positive for COVID-19, the student will need to quarantine for 14 days, even if they receive a negative COVID-19 test. The student is strongly encouraged to isolate from the positive members of their household as well.
** Please notify your child’s principal for further instructions.
Protocol for pending COVID-19 results in a household:
- If an individual within a student or staff member's household is awaiting a COVID test result, they should stay home and notify the principal for further instructions.
**Please notify your child’s principal.
Response to Exposure or Potential COVID-19 Case
On-Campus Exposure
Any student, while on campus, who has a fever of 100.4 or above or two or more of the symptoms listed above will be placed in a mask in a supervised isolation area until their parent/guardian can pick them up. Staff members with a potential case of COVID-19 will be directed to leave campus. The maintenance staff will be notified, and all desks, lockers, workspaces, etc. of the potentially infected individual will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
General Exposure
If a student or staff member has come in direct contact (prolonged exposure without social distancing and/or wearing a mask) with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days, the student or staff member needs to be monitored every day for the symptoms listed above. The person(s) may need to be quarantined or tested if directed to do so by the Knox County Health Department or if guidelines change.
If the potentially exposed student or staff member has a fever of 100.4 or above or two or more of the symptoms listed above, they need to stay home until they have a negative COVID-19 test, or their doctor releases them to return to school. If the potentially exposed student or staff member is not presenting a fever of 100.4 or two or more of the symptoms listed above, they may return to school with regular monitoring detailed above.
Response to a Confirmed Case of COVID-19 on Campus
If there is confirmation that a person infected with COVID-19 was on campus, Grace Christian Academy will notify the parents of students who may have been exposed. Parents of a potentially exposed student need to monitor their child for the symptoms listed above. If the potentially exposed student has a fever of 100.4 or above or two or more of the symptoms listed above, they need to stay home until they have a negative COVID-19 test or their doctor releases them to return to school.
If the potentially exposed student is not presenting a fever of 100.4 or two or more of the symptoms listed above, they may return to school with regular monitoring detailed above.
The identity of the individual who tested positive for COVID-19 will remain anonymous in all communication to the GCA community. However, the individual may need to be identified for contact tracing by the Knox County Health Department.
If your student is unable to attend school due to illness from COVID-19 or suspected illness from COVID 19, Grace Christian Academy will work with you to ensure that your student continues to progress academically.
Cleaning and Safety Procedures
GCA will continue to take into consideration all federal, state, and local recommendations relative to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. In addition to our normal cleaning and safety practices, the following protocols will also be followed:
- Increased frequency in cleaning of surfaces in classrooms, restrooms, offices, common areas, etc.
- Nightly sanitation utilizing a non-toxic, electrostatic/ionized solution.
- Strategic seating will be utilized in classrooms.
- Water bottle filling stations will be available instead of water fountains.
- Regular handwashing and use of hand sanitizer will be encouraged.
- New dining hall procedures have been established and are described under the Frequently Asked Questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers quickly here to frequently asked questions about the GCA Reopening Plan for 2020.
- Will my child have to wear a mask or face covering at school?
- Will parents/visitors be allowed on campus for lunch or volunteering?
- What if I need to check my child out of school?
- Will GCA still hold weekly Chapel services?
- Will students attend Special Area and Elective classes (Art, PE, Technology, etc.)?
- What will the day look like for my K-6th Grade student?
- What are the new dining hall procedures?
- What About Athletics?
- Is there be an online option?
Will my child have to wear a mask or face covering at school?
Will parents/visitors be allowed on campus for lunch or volunteering?
What if I need to check my child out of school?
Will GCA still hold weekly Chapel services?
Will students attend Special Area and Elective classes (Art, PE, Technology, etc.)?
What will the day look like for my K-6th Grade student?
What are the new dining hall procedures?
What About Athletics?
Is there be an online option?
Student Well-Being
During this unique time, it will be more important than ever that we have partnership between home and school. As we work to ensure that we are keeping our students physically safe, we are equally focused on their spiritual, social, and emotional well-being. Though things will have to look a little different for a while, we are dedicated to avoiding a "scary" environment full of fear. We will work to teach students about ways to take precautions and keep safe while also helping them to continue to focus on the biblical truths that we hold as our foundation.
Our staff will continue to support each child individually and to provide the warm and loving environment that you would expect from GCA. Please continue to talk with your child at home as this will help them to process through a time where things may not make sense to them as children and young adults. If your child is having a more difficult time with this unique season, please let our faculty and staff know so that we can support.
Trained lay counselors are on staff to encourage students and families who might be struggling during this period. Please reach out to your principal for assistance.
