COVID-19 Policies and Protocols
Parents should screen their student at home for symptoms of COVID-19 to ensure they are asymptomatic. If you are sick, stay home. According to the CDC symptoms of COVID-19 can include but are not limited to fever (above 100.4) or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose. Students and/or staff should be kept home if there is any likelihood they may have COVID-19, they have been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19, or they have been symptomatic. In the event that a parent is unsure, it is recommended to seek advice from the student’s primary care physician.
Checkout
Checkout Protocol for Sick Students
Any student who checks out due to concerns of COVID-19 or any other illnesses will do so from the nurse’s office.
- The nurse will communicate with the parent or guardian of each student checking out.
- The nurse will report to the front office the names of each student that will be checking out from her office.
- The nurse will document all students checking out and complete a check out form to be turned into the front office at the end of each school day.
- The student will stay in the nurse’s office to isolate if needed and be monitored until transportation arrives.
- The parent/guardian is responsible for promptly picking up students who do not drive from school.
Returning
Policy for Returning After Confirmed Positive, Symptoms, or Close Contact
If you test positive for COVID, or suspect that you have COVID, the flu, or some other severe illness, stay home for 5 days. Continue to stay home if fever and/or other severe symptoms persist past day 5. Do not return until you are fever free for more than 24 hours. If you were in contact with anyone who was positive for COVID or the flu, wear a mask while on campus for 10 days from the date of contact and monitor symptoms. Follow the advice of your trusted medical expert and the local, state and federal guidelines. Be vigilant and take care of yourself.
If you are out for any severe illness, turn the documentation from your doctor into the front office upon your return. Please note that, due to the shortened nature of the isolation period required, we will no longer offer a virtual learning option.
For the safety of our campus, STM will continue to follow all COVID sanitation protocols currently in place.
Reporting COVID-19
Policy for Reporting COVID-19
1. Every student/ staff member that has a confirmed case of COVID-19 is required to report the results to the school nurse through the COVID-19 Reporting Form found here. This is strictly for tracking and monitoring purposes, and to ensure that students and staff have met all requirements to safely return. All HIPAA and FERPA laws will be strictly enforced and followed. Any information submitted or shared will be kept private and confidential.
2. Students/staff members are encouraged to report to the school nurse if they suspect they may have COVID-19 or have symptoms that may be related to COVID-19.
Reporting Form
Attendance
Virtual Learning
- Students will be expected to log-in to Moodle every day of virtual learning for attendance, as well as instruction and completion of assignments/discussion boards.
- For students attending school via distance/virtual learning, the BESE approved policy on instructional minutes will be adhered to the maximum extent possible.
- To receive academic credit, all students are expected to attend school daily and complete all assignments as would be done during a normal school year.
- Students are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures for discipline in the St. Thomas More Student/Parent Handbook for 2021-2022, regardless of the instructional method (face-to-face, distance/virtual learning, or both).
Student/Staff Health and Safety
St. Thomas More's main priority is to ensure the health and safety of our school community in order to return to an engaging, face-to-face, learning environment. To this end, the school has instituted the following health and safety measures and protocols.
- CASPR (Continuous Air & Surface Pathogen Reduction) System installed in all HVAC units for continuous 24/7 cleaning of circulated air throughout the building and all school surfaces.
- Hand sanitizer units are mounted in all classrooms and in each hallway. 4 units are on movable stands to utilize in any location as needed.
- Masks will be required by all school personnel and students.
- One STM mask will be provided for all students and school personnel. Additional STM masks may be purchased in Cougar Closet.
- Students may wear a mask or neck gaiter of their choice. However, they must be appropriate for school and Mass, cover the nose and mouth areas, and be free of any political slogans and/or graphics. Rule of thumb: If you wouldn't wear it to church, then it is not appropriate for school!
- Face shields may be worn, but a face mask will still be required.
- Social distancing measures will be enforced.
- Classroom sizes will be limited.
- Daily temperature checks for all school personnel and students.
- Increased cleaning and sanitization of “high-touch” surfaces such as desks, doorknobs, light switches, bathrooms/fixtures, chairs.
- Water-filling stations on each hallway as well as mall and gym entrance.
- Hand sanitization upon entering and exiting school building, classrooms, cafeteria, gym, locker rooms, etc.
- Visitors on campus will be limited to emergencies or scheduled visits only. Our campus will be closed to all other visitors, including parents. Face coverings and temperature checks will be required for all visitors.
- New protocols for student illness, checking out/picking up sick students, and protocol for student/staff return due to COVID-19 related illness and/or exposure. Click here for details.
Communication Plan
COVID-19 Resources
STM School Nurse - Ms. Amanda Faucheux - amanda.faucheux@stmcougars.net
Quarantine vs Isolation
What to do if you are sick