Over the last several months, recommendations on best practices for slowing the spread of COVID-19 have changed and evolved from a variety of good sources. A great deal of the concern comes from assembling large groups of students. We have a great advantage with our small school.  Children spend so much time at school with their classmates. On school days, they spend more awake time at school than at home.

The CDC states, “One thing is clear, information about COVID-19 in children is somewhat limited, but the information that is available suggests that children with confirmed COVID-19 generally had mild symptoms. Person-to-person spread from or to children, as among adults, is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.  Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19.” We believe that a reasonable and safe approach will allow us to return to school on Monday, August 31, as scheduled with all students present.  In order to further serve our school families and the greater Saginaw Area, we are also offering a virtual choice for 2^nd-8^th grades.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA) and AASA, The School Superintendents Association agree that, “that children learn best when physically present in the classroom. But children get much more than academics at school. They also learn social and emotional skills at school, get healthy meals and exercise, mental health support and other services that cannot be easily replicated online.”

SickKids Hospital at the University of Toronto (UT) states, “ it is critical that we balance the risks of COVID-19 in children, which appear to be minimal, with the harms of school closure which is impacting their physical and mental health. It should be recognized that it will not be possible to remove all risk of infection and disease now that SARS-CoV-2 is well established in many communities.”

And “Non-medical masks may reduce transmission from individuals who are shedding the virus. However, the extent of this benefit is unknown (especially in children) and would only be potentially beneficial if done properly. In fact, if worn incorrectly, it could lead to increased risk of infection and it is not practical for a child to wear a mask properly for the duration of a school day. It is noteworthy that several European countries have had children successfully return to school without face masks.”

So, with this in mind, the following plan represents the mitigation strategies that Grace Christian School will have in place for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. The plan is not exhaustive and does not address every detail of the school day. Additionally, as the virus changes and the spread lessens or becomes worse, or as the direction from the government mandates, this plan may change. While we at school will be vigilant in our enforcement and ask for complete cooperation from our students and families, there can be no guarantee that the complete mitigation of risk will take place. The virus is not going away any time soon. We choose to continue the important work of Christian education in a place that recognizes the need for real precautions. 

Before leaving home each day, all faculty, staff, and adult volunteers must self-screen. Students and children, with the help of a parent or caregiver, should be screened before entering the building for the following symptoms. No person shall come to school under any circumstance if he/she displays any of the following:

• Temperature of 100® or higher at any time within the previous 24 hours.
• A persistent cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Chills
• Loss of taste or smell

Or any two of the following:

• Body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose or congestion

Anyone determined by staff to meet these criteria during the school day will be isolated immediately until they can be picked up. It is required that parents make immediate arrangements for the pick-up of a child presenting symptoms.

As much as possible, all classrooms will follow these guides:

Following AAP guides, student seating will be placed up to 6’ apart but no less than 3’ apart. Some small group learning experiences (not at student desks) may be at tables where distancing is not possible.

All student desks will face the same direction. Seating will not be arranged so that students face one another without some kind of physical barrier.

When possible, sharing of supplies among students will be avoided. When supplies are shared, they will be disinfected between uses.

Student distancing recommendations from both the AAP and UT site it not only impractical but also undesirable because it disrupts vital social student interaction.

Regular hand washing and sanitizing are among the most effective ways to stop viral spread. Students will have regular, scheduled hand washing opportunities and open access to hand sanitizers. 

All classrooms and common areas will have access to hand sanitizer.

All students are encouraged to bring their own personal hand sanitizer that can be used when needed.

Students will be expected to wash hands upon arrival to school, before and after snack, recesses, and lunch, and after using the restroom.

Instruction and reminders on handwashing will be provided. Signage will remind students of good handwashing practices.

Students should bring their own water bottles. Water fountains will not be used for drinking; students may refill water bottles at the fountains as long as students sanitize before and after use.

During Phase 4, Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap states, “Facial coverings must always be worn in hallways and common areas by preK-12 students in the building except for during meals. Any student that is unable to medically tolerate a facial covering must not wear one. Any student that is incapacitated or unable to remove the facial covering without assistance, must not wear one. Facial coverings may be homemade or disposable level-one (basic) grade surgical masks.” (We hope that Michigan will be in Phase 5 by the time school starts, which nullifies the previous statement.) However, the AAP, UT, and many pediatricians and scientists strongly recommend that students not wear masks. By May 22, 2020, the CDC had added a yellow-highlighted banner to its page, saying, "A cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others." There are recommendations that span everything in between. The following will be implemented in accordance with our intention to balance the best possible educational environment with the safest working environment.

Students will not be required to wear masks. However, if parents would like their children to wear masks, they certainly may. Parents of students who have medical conditions that put them in at a higher risk, should contact the office to discuss individual classroom protocols.  

Students may wear masks that are clean and dry. Students will wash or sanitize their hands before and after taking off their masks. Disposable masks should be thrown away after use. Cloth masks should be washed after one day’s use. If a mask becomes too much a distraction to allow effective focus, teachers will intervene and parents will be contacted.

It is recommended that staff members wear masks when talking with parents at the pick-up line.

Shields may be worn as face masks.

Appropriate instruction will be given to students so that no one is made to feel uncomfortable because they decided to wear or not wear a face covering. Students will be taught to honor the decisions of other people.

During Phase 4, Michigan’s Return to School Roadmap states, “Facial coverings must always be worn in hallways and common areas by preK-12 students in the building except for during meals. Any student that is unable to medically tolerate a facial covering must not wear one. Any student that is incapacitated or unable to remove the facial covering without assistance, must not wear one. Facial coverings may be homemade or disposable level-one (basic) grade surgical masks.” (We hope that Michigan will be in Phase 5 by the time school starts, which nullifies the previous statement.) However, the AAP, UT, and many pediatricians and scientists strongly recommend that students not wear masks. By May 22, 2020, the CDC had added a yellow-highlighted banner to its page, saying, "A cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others." There are recommendations that span everything in between. The following will be implemented in accordance with our intention to balance the best possible educational environment with the safest working environment.

Students will not be required to wear masks. However, if parents would like their children to wear masks, they certainly may. Parents of students who have medical conditions that put them in at a higher risk, should contact the office to discuss individual classroom protocols.  

Students may wear masks that are clean and dry. Students will wash or sanitize their hands before and after taking off their masks. Disposable masks should be thrown away after use. Cloth masks should be washed after one day’s use. If a mask becomes too much a distraction to allow effective focus, teachers will intervene and parents will be contacted.

It is recommended that staff members wear masks when talking with parents at the pick-up line.

Shields may be worn as face masks.

Appropriate instruction will be given to students so that no one is made to feel uncomfortable because they decided to wear or not wear a face covering. Students will be taught to honor the decisions of other people.

Although the primary transmission is through the respiratory track, cleaning surfaces plays an important role in slowing spread.

Daily cleaning and sanitizing by the school custodial staff will take place with cleaners made to disinfect.  Special attention will be paid to high-touch surfaces like door handles and desks.

All classroom teachers will have access to cleaning supplies.

As much as is possible, interior doors shall be propped open to limit touches. 

We are still evaluating the wisdom of offering hot lunch. Comments welcome. We will be using the cafeteria and seating by class. It is our intention to put distance between students who would face one another. Classroom teachers will be given the option to eat with their students in their classrooms.

A student or staff member who is sent home or stays home with COVID-related symptoms must be symptom-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing meds and have a doctor’s clearance before returning to school.

Any person who tests positive for COVID-19 must do the following to return to school:

• Remain out of school for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms, and
• Remain fever-free for 72 hours without fever-reducing meds, and
• Demonstrate improved respiratory function, and
• Receive a doctor’s clearance to return to school                  

Any person who is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must remain out of school to self-quarantine for 14 days and be cleared by a doctor or health department before returning to school.  Exposure means within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes.

GCS will communicate with the Saginaw County Health Department when staff or students test positive for COVID and will cooperate with their guidance.

It is our hope that everyone remains well. Teachers will make an extra effort to make available missing work due to COVID-related absences.

Recess will continue as usual. It will be outdoors whenever weather permits.

Specials—gym, Spanish, music, art, and STEAM will each be addressed individually. Exact measures are not yet set.

Athletics tbd

Chapel will be scheduled once a week. Students may be separated into cohorts of K-3 and 4-8. Other measures are not yet decided.