COVID-19

COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

In addition to protocol received from the CDC and LDH, the administration of Sacred Heart School has formed a committee consisting of physicians, educators, Advisory Council members and an attorney to discuss and provide consultation for the implementation of COVID-19 policies and procedures as a means of attempting to ensure our faculty and students remain in a safe environment throughout the school year. We also have a registered nurse on staff to assist the school with contact tracing, assessment of students’ symptoms, consultation with physicians, etc. 

FACEMASKS

In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 and also to prevent entire classes from having to quarantine in the event of a positive COVID-19 case, all students in grades K-12 are required to properly wear face masks throughout the day, including during instruction. While gaiter masks are allowed, bandanas, shields, masks with vulgarity and/or obscene language or images, included but not limited to skull bones or anything, which could be considered racist or offensive, are not allowed. Masks do not have to match the school uniform. 

Any student who submits a doctor’s excuse to be exempt from mask wearing, will have to quarantine any time there is a positive case in his/her class. 

POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES

Any time a student is diagnosed with COVID-19, he/she will be required to quarantine for 10 days. Students may return to school after 10 days as long as they are symptom free for at least 24 hours at that time. According to our school policy, Day 1 of quarantine will be the test day, not the day symptoms began. 

POSITIVE CONTACT CASES

According to the CDC, the following are identified as close contacts:

- within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more in a 24 hour period

- providing care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19

- had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)

- shared eating or drinking utensils/glassware

- someone sneezed, coughed or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

In accordance with our school policy, day 1 of quarantine for positive contacts, will be the date of the positive COVID-19 test.

* Contact tracing begins 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested for 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again. 

COVID-19 TESTING

Any time a student or an immediate (household) family member is being tested for COVID-19, all students in the family must quarantine until a negative result is reported. The school will either require a copy of the negative test or the health care provider will need to submit the COVID-19 clearance form provided by the school. Students may not return to school until this is received. 

When will the school recommend that a student see their health care provider?

There will be times when the student will need clearance by a health care provider before returning. There may also be instances when the school requires a negative test. If the parent or student chooses not to be tested at this time, the student and all household members will need to quarantine for 10 days before returning.

As a means of following the guidelines of the Louisiana Department of Health, a student or faculty member may be asked for medical clearance in the following situations:

- At least two of the following symptoms develop: fever, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, congestion/runny nose or fatigue

- At least one of the following symptoms develop: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or new changes in sense of smell or taste

In addition, if the school receives several reports that any student is experiencing these symptoms but not reporting them, or if any faculty member notices a student exhibiting any of the above symptoms, the student will be asked for a clearance from a health care provider. 

Finally, if a student or parent refuses a COVID-19 test, as recommended by the health care provider, that student and any household contacts attending Sacred Heart School will be required to quarantine for 10 days. 

SPORTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Sacred Heart School follows the guidelines set forth by the LHSAA and the Louisiana Department of Health regarding participation in athletic activities. These guidelines tend to change based on the season, sport and the degree of exposure. For example, in close contact sports such as basketball, the Louisiana Department of Health requires a 14 day quarantine period. In instances such as these, the student may return to school after 10 days but may have to quarantine from practices and games for a total of 14 days. 

CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK

When students are in quarantine, the teachers will be notified of the situation and the student’s return date. Students (or parents in the case of young elementary students) should contact teachers individually to find out details about what is required of the student. The majority of classwork and homework will be completed while in quarantine and in some instances, testing will also be completed at home. A Chromebook will be provided by the school in order for students to complete their work online.

Students are required to check Google Classroom for assignments and assessments on a daily basis. Parents may also review students’ assignments on Renweb. Assignments and assessments are due by the deadline specified by the teacher(s). Teachers will also provide policies and procedures for their individual classes/courses during the student’s quarantine.