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COVID-19 In-Person Learning

Scripture teaches us, there is a place for trusting God while putting aside fear and a place for planning for the safety of people. Nehemiah's story of courageously rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem for the protection of its people incorporate both of these ideas. The plans to reopen the school for 2020-21 take into account both actively planning for our community's safety and trusting God to act on our behalf.
 
At Toledo Christian the safety of our staff and students is at the forefront of our decision making and we have made great strides in understanding the COVID-19 virus and implementing layered mitigation strategies to minimize the risk.  We believe strongly that all our students need to be in school and are dedicated to doing what is necessary to keep them there so they may thrive spiritually, academically, physically, and relationally. However, in the event our students need to go virtual, we are committed to providing the best possible educational experience in either setting.
 
TC is a place where students work hard to develop their talents, try new things, and expand their horizons alongside best friends, beloved teachers, inspiring coaches, and trusted mentors. At its heart, TC is all about community. We are students, parents, faculty and administrators, coaches, mentors, and friends. We do life together, and that sets us apart.
 
Galatians 6:9 - Do not grow weary in doing good for the harvest is coming.

Face Covering: Masking/Shielding

On August 4, 2020 the Governor of Ohio announced that “the Ohio Department of Health will issue a health order requiring that K-12 children wear face coverings while at school.” Exceptions will be made (e.g. medical conditions, disabilities, or when proper social distancing is achieved). We will also take into consideration practical expectations of our youngest students, and not require masks during lunch or during recess.
 
A facial covering (mask) is any material that covers an individual's nose, mouth, and chin, which is intended to capture the droplets from one’s mouth and nose. The most toxic droplets are prone to be captured by face coverings. On August 14, 2020 Governor DeWine with the Ohio Department of Health, announced that face shields are no longer a facial-covering option for K-12 faculty, staff, and students.  
 
  • Students must provide their own masks (neck gaiters may be worn also).
  • Temporary Plexiglas barriers will be placed in school offices where physical distancing may be impractical.
  • Per the state of Ohio mandate for schools, all faculty and staff will be required to wear a facial covering during the school day, except when alone in their assigned workspace or when it impedes the educational process.
 

Screening

All students, faculty, staff, and volunteers must self-screen, with the help of parents or a caregiver, when appropriate, before leaving home each school day.  All students will also be temperature checked during their first period.

A person shall not come to school under any circumstances if he/she displays any one of the following symptoms:
  • Chills or Fever 100 degrees or higher
  • Persistent cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Loss of taste or smell
 
 
or any two of the following symptoms:
  • Muscle or Body ache
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  
*If your student has allergies, please be sure to monitor their medications to alleviate symptoms.
 
Any person determined by a staff person to meet these criteria during the school day will be immediately sent home or placed in a designated isolation area at school until they are taken home. It is required parents make immediate arrangements for the pick-up of a child presenting any of these symptoms.
 

Hand Hygiene

Regular hand washing and sanitizing are among the most effective ways to control viral spread. Students will have regular access to soap and water and hand sanitizers.
 
  • All classrooms and common spaces will have hand sanitizer stations (not containing Methanol) available to students and staff. Students will be encouraged to use them regularly.
  • Students will be expected to wash their hands before and after lunch, before and after recess, and after using the restroom.
  • Instruction and reminders on handwashing will be provided by staff. Signs, announcements, and other methods will be used to reinforce the importance of hand hygiene.
 

Physical Distancing

All classrooms will follow these guidelines:
  • Following the AAP guidelines, student seating will be placed up to 6’ apart but no less than 3’ apart.
  • All desks will face the same direction. Seating will not be arranged to form tables in which students face each other.
  • When possible, the sharing of supplies among students will be avoided. When supplies are shared, they will be disinfected between uses.
  • Six feet of distancing between adults will be maintained when possible. The nature of the teacher to student relationship makes absolute adherence to this impractical, and perhaps undesirable. However, teachers will use common sense when applying distancing practices between themselves and their students.
  • Students will be encouraged to maintain distancing at appropriate times. However, the recommendations from the AAP and UT indicate that this is not only impractical to maintain at all times but also undesirable since it affects important social interactions for students.
 

Cleaning and Sanitizing Practices

Although the primary method of COVID-19 transmission is through respiratory means, clean surfaces and environments play an important role also.
  • Daily cleaning and sanitizing will take place with safe disinfectants labeled for use against SARS-CoV-2, paying particular attention to high touch surfaces like door handles, desks, and shared materials.
  • All classrooms and common spaces will have access to cleaning supplies.
As an Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) member, TC is required to abide by the direction of the OHSAA. Our athletic director, coaches, and trainer are prepared to implement appropriate or mandated protocols for the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, and fans.
Toledo Christian recognizes not all families at this time are comfortable returning to campus for learning in classrooms. Therefore, a distance learning option may be offered in order to provide meaningful, engaging, and appropriately paced lessons. Here are some markers of the plan:
  • The remote learning option is set out to be a temporary plan
  • Quarterly commitment sign-ups to remote learning will be needed to help us plan and provide accordingly
  • Students may transition out of remote learning into the traditional classroom at the end of the quarter or earlier with consultation from their area Principal
  • Tuition will not be reduced for this option
 
If you have questions about our remote learning option, please contact our Admissions Office at 419-725-9152, or by emailing [email protected].
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently published guidance for the reopening of schools. Their recommendations substantially agreed with the advice coming from our medical advisory group. A few key ideas from their report:
  • “The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with the goal of having students physically present in school. No child should be excluded from school unless required to adhere to local public health mandates or because of unique medical needs.”
  • “School policies must be flexible and nimble. They should be practical, feasible, and appropriate for a child and adolescent’s developmental stage.”
  • “Although many questions remain, the preponderance of evidence indicates children and adolescents are less likely to be symptomatic and less likely to have severe disease resulting from SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection. Also, children may be less likely to become infected and spread infection. Policies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within schools must be balanced with the known harms to children, adolescents, families, and the community by keeping children at home.”
  • “There is a conflict between optimal academic and social/emotional learning in schools and strict adherence to current physical distancing guidelines.”
 
In addition, the pediatric hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto (UT), has issued the following guidance:
  • “Strict physical distancing should not be emphasized to children in the school setting as it is not practical and could cause significant psychological harm. Close interaction, such as playing and socializing, is central to child development and should not be discouraged.”
  • “When children are in the classroom, to the extent possible, efforts should be made to arrange the classroom furniture to leave as much space as possible between students. However, the daily school routine should not be disrupted to accommodate . . . for physical distancing.”
COVID-19

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