A NOTE FROM NURSE AMALFI
Dear Cardinal Family,
In an effort to address many of the questions received by the Front Office this year, I hope this document would provide a few answers to your "most asked questions".
Which rules does St. Rose of Lima Catholic School follow?
Our COVID-19 Protocol is given to us by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Catholic Schools Office through the policies and procedures of Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department (TCCBED). This is the only protocol that we are allowed to follow. Any changes made to the protocol is done through the TCCBED and then given to St. Rose of Lima. If changes are made by the CDC, we still have to follow our protocol through the TCCBED.
Once we receive a lab confirmed PCR positive COVID test we immediately notify our Catholic Schools Office liaison – Benita Gonzalez. Mrs. Gonzalez then calls the Houston Health Department and speaks directly to 2 physicians there. They determine and define “close contact”, whether we need to quarantine (14 day period to see if symptom present themselves), and/or if we need to close a classroom or entire pod.
How is “close contact” defined?
“Close Contact” defined by the TCCBED: An exposure is being within 6 feet of an infected individual that is not wearing a mask and any other individuals that are not wearing a mask for at least 15 minutes.
What happens if my child is in “close contact”?
If your child was in "close contact" (within 6 feet of an infected individual that is not wearing a mask and any other individuals that are not wearing a mask for at least 15 minutes) with a lab confirmed PCR positive COVID test, then you will be notified directly by Mrs. Drabek or Nurse Amalfi. This will be done before any communication letter is sent to the rest of the St. Rose of Lima School community. Per the Houston Health Department, if you do not receive a phone call, your child was not in "close contact".
After the letter is sent out to all families, how do I find out who tested positive?
We cannot disclose any personal or identifying information (such as student, teacher, staff, janitorial, administration or even the exact classroom) due to confidentiality and HIPPA regulations.
We can tell you the last date and time “the individual” was on campus.
How soon will I know if a positive case appears on campus? Why is there such a delay between “last present on campus” and notification to parents?
Please note the following steps which must occur before any individual is diagnosed:
1) Symptoms appear in potential positive (5-11 days after exposure)
2) Potential case is removed from campus. (Immediate)
3) Potential case gets tested and results received (1 – 5 days)
4) Confirmed PCR Test communicated to “close contact” and CSO for further instruction (Immediate).
*Please note that weekends generally change/extend this process, i.e if the individual is not on campus prior to showing symptoms*
We must receive a lab confirmed PCR positive test before we can move forward in sending our notifications in accordance with the COVID protocol provided to us by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and through the TCCBED (Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department).
Written notifications are provided to us by the Catholic Schools Office and sent when there is a lab confirmed positive PCR COVID test. Letters are not sent out for COVID negatives or presumed cases.
We are communicating all the information of which we are legally permitted.
In conclusion:
Safety is a top priority of our school. In accordance with our previously communicated practices, we continue to slow the spread of COVID on our campus through the following measures:
- Temperature checks for all faculty, staff and students take place daily as they enter the campus (ask your student if their teacher had on a “Smiley Band” today).
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Face masks required for all faculty, staff and students 1st-8th grade.
- Disinfecting of desks, lunch tables, centers, nap mats during the day.
- Weekend deep cleaning completed (this includes walls, carpet and all surfaces).
- Ms. Sophia, our Day Porter, is here 9 AM-2 PM daily cleaning and wiping down all touch surfaces and disinfecting the bathroom midday.
- Outdoor tents that helps to spread out students at lunch and where classes may be outside during the day.
- No water fountains – Staff only may fill water bottles from provided and disinfected water coolers.
- Closed campus to visitors/parents.
- School separated into Pods.
- Navy/Red Ancillary schedule; Mrs. Case is the ancillary teacher for the PK3-K classes.
- Healthy Lunchbox continues to individually pack lunches.
- Designated bathrooms for each pod and scheduled bathroom breaks.
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No sports at this time – conditioning is for middle school only (Monday – 6th, Tuesday – 7th, Wednesday – 8th).
Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. I am always happy to help!
Blessings,
Nurse Amalfi, RN
