Dear CCS Families,
I pray you and your families are doing well and enjoying the last part of your summer break! As we approach the 2021-2022 school year, our desire is to enjoy a more “normal” environment while recognizing that the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and families is still a paramount issue. With that in mind, we have humbly and prayerfully considered our plan for the start of school.
Last year, we learned many lessons about how to provide a safe and healthy environment. It also became clear that CCS’s mission to disciple students is best delivered on-campus and in-person. During the coming year, CCS will manage our own health protocols and procedures based on our school’s health environment and local community metrics, adjusting campus protocols as we discern what is best based on our local environment. We will continue to monitor local health trends and make adjustments to our health and safety protocols as necessary throughout the year in order to manage the health of our community.
Our key decision drivers include:
- COVID-19 case counts in the local community and in the school community
- COVID-19 vaccination rates in the local community
- Ability of the CCS team to quickly adapt when the environment requires adjustments
- Feedback gathered last year from faculty and families which affirmed that our mission is best accomplished when we are in person, on campus.
Our 2021-22 Health and Safety Plan outlined on our revised Cougar Community COVID-19 web page (located under Campus Life) is designed to promote campus health while ensuring in-person instruction as much as possible. This web resource will be updated by Thursday, August 5. Please read it carefully so that you will be prepared for the start of school. Here are a few highlights:
-
Daily Symptom & Exposure Awareness remains important to campus health. We expect parents and students to stay home if they are not feeling well, have had COVID-19 like symptoms (including a fever) in the past 24 hours, or have had a positive COVID-19 test. Parents should consult with the CCS nurse if they have questions or concerns. Please note: A yellow lanyard will not indicate your daily health screening as it did in 2020-21. Lanyards will be utilized for the 2021-22 school year, but will serve other purposes.
-
Face Coverings are optional for students, faculty and staff. Adjustments to this policy may be necessary if COVID cases continue to rise in the community and if we experience community spread on our campus. We encourage families to be wise and cautious regarding COVID exposure off campus, and although it is not required, we encourage COVID vaccinations among students and adults who are eligible to receive it. These actions reduce the likelihood of COVID transmission on campus. A healthy campus is an open campus!
-
COVID-19 Test Reporting is required for students and families. Positive test results should be reported to the Health Team using the form link in the Cougar Weekly emails and on the Cougar Community COVID-19 web page found under COVID-19 Reporting.
-
Quarantining of exposed students and staff will be implemented using a model that requires fewer and potentially shorter quarantine periods relative to the 2020-21 school year. Students and staff who have been vaccinated will not be required to quarantine if symptom-free.
-
Sanitizing and Cleaning will continue to take place regularly including disinfecting throughout the day in high-traffic areas and application of antimicrobial products (Protex) to heavy touch surfaces (e.g., door knobs, handrails). Protex is an invisible coating that prevents germs from living on surfaces and will be reapplied as needed.
-
HVAC Filters installed last year remain in use. These provide a denser filter that captures a larger number of particles and increases outside intake airflow, turning air more frequently.
Adjustments to our health and safety protocols will be made as necessary throughout the year in order to manage the health of our community. As we prioritize on campus learning, our partnership will be critical once again as we diligently apply these protocols. Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility as we strive to keep our campus open.
On a more personal note, we all long to get beyond concerns related to the pandemic. Our faculty and staff appreciate your prayer and support as they work very hard supporting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual health of your children while at the same time providing them with an excellent education. It is not an easy job during these times, but it’s a calling they take seriously and choose to engage in because of their love for the Lord and your family. We all look forward to seeing you on campus on August 14, at Back-to-School Day.
Thank you for your partnership.
