SUNNYBROOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Truth. Honor. Loyalty.
Est. 1978
BACK TO SCHOOL 2020-2021
DEAR SUNNYBROOK FAMILIES,
We know the last six months have been very challenging for our SCA students, parents, and staff. There has been a constant wave of ever-changing information from many different levels. We appreciate your patience and support during this time.
On June 18th, the Texas Education Agency informed all school districts in Texas that they must reopen to in-person learning. We realize some of our students are ready to return, but we also know some of our students are apprehensive about returning to the classroom. We are excited to safely start the 2020-21 school year on August 17th. With guidelines from the Governor, the Texas Education Agency, and other statewide and local entities, we have formed two options for families to select as required by the TEA: Traditional In-Person learning or the Hybrid E-Learning Option.
After viewing our SCA 2020-21 Back to School Plan, families will select either the Traditional In-Person option or the E-Learning Option (Those are the two options required by the TEA). The selection period will run from Friday, July 17th to Sunday, July 26th. Families will make their selection via phone or email. Students will have the opportunity to transition between these models at the end of each nine-week grading period.
Please read through our back to school plan very carefully in order to make your selection. As always, our top priority is the safety of our students, families, and staff. We will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, while receiving updates from local, state and federal agencies.
Thank you,
SCA Administration
TEA REQUIREMENTS
Providing Notice
Sunnybrook is providing information to parents, families, and the community regarding back-to-school plans and instruction through this initial document. Preliminary information is posted in this guidance and is subject to change based on state and local decisions.
COVID-19 Response Teams
Sunnybrook has developed a COVID-19 Strikeforce Team to respond to concerns and communicate school-wide decisions. This team includes administrators, teachers, and staff tackling topics such as operations, blended learning, parent involvement, classroom environment, extracurricular, and scheduling.
Prevent and Mitigate
Sunnybrook must identify and implement practices to prevent the virus from entering the school and mitigate or reduce the likely spread inside the school; therefore, district practices and guidelines have been established for various areas noted below:
Instructional Models
In-Person Instruction and E-Learning Option
Sunnybrook will continue a focus of high-quality rigorous instruction that supports the whole child while also taking multiple precautions to protect both students and staff in school operations. We will offer parents the option of either in-person instruction or the E-Learning Option. In both instances, students are expected to participate and remain engaged in instruction daily. Please note that paper instructional packets will not be available as they were during the Spring 2020 school closure. Each option is described below:
- In-person Instruction – Students attend school daily and follow safety, sanitation, and social distancing expectations.
- E-Learning Option - Students will receive instruction that is delivered in real-time and is expected to complete and submit assignments as communicated by the teacher. In this method, this instruction may include various forms of digital and online learning and could be pre-recorded lessons. Teachers may supply supplemental instructional resources to work along with the Learning Management Systems (Chalkable and Google Classroom). Grading practices will be consistent with those for in-person instruction.
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For the E-Learning Option, each student will be required to work on and submit their assignments on a device (laptop, tablet, etc). Each student will also need a web camera and a microphone.
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For both In-Person and the E-Learning Option, the campuses must provide instruction of the required curriculum for the grade level, subject or course, per TEC, §28.002. Ongoing progress monitoring is a critical component of both the in-person and remote instructional models. This will include monitoring of attendance, grades, formative/summative assessments, and other systems that help teachers know how students are making progress.
- Commitment – Each student’s family will make a commitment to one of these instructional models (in-person or the E-Learning Option) to start the year; however, students will have the opportunity to transition between these models at the end of each nine-week grading period. For example, if a student begins the school year with E-Learning but finds the model is not suitable, the student can request to transition to in-person campus instruction at the end of the first nine-weeks grading period. Likewise, a student who begins the year in-person on campus can choose to transition to E-Learning at the end of the first nine-weeks grading period. Changing instructional models at the end of grading periods requires us to make staffing adjustments; therefore, please pay close attention to the change request deadlines. The deadline to request a change to your student’s instructional model will be two weeks prior to the end of each nine-week grading period.
- Attendance – Attendance will be taken each day for both In-Person learning and for E-Learning to ensure students are actively engaged. For the E-Learning model of instruction, students are expected to participate and fully engage, as communicated by the teacher, to receive attendance credit. Attendance and engagement activities will be tracked through our Learning Management Systems- Chalkable.
In addition, per Texas Education Code (TEC), §25.092, students must attend 90% of the days a course is offered in order to be awarded credit for the course and/or to be promoted to the next grade. This requirement remains in force during the 2020-21 school year. This requirement applies to both In-Person and E-Learning instruction.
Grading – State law requires each school/district to adopt its own grading policies. This policy must require a classroom teacher to assign a grade which reflects the student’s relative mastery of an assignment. Sunnybrook's grading policies are published annually in the Student Handbook. Progress reports and report cards, along with parent conferences, will be used to communicate each student’s progress and performance.
State and Local Testing – All students are expected to follow state and local testing requirements, whether participating in-person or in the E-Learning Option.
Health and Safety Guidance
Social and Emotional Well-Being
The return to campus this August will be unlike any other in SCA history and is likely to be emotionally charged for both students and adults. Together, our Lion Pride Community will work to support our students, families, and staff through this challenging time. Building on the success of our students in the 2019-2020 school year, SCA will continue to deepen our social and emotional skills and create equitable learning environments where all students and adults feel physically and psychologically safe and healthy.
Masks
For the purposes of this document, masks include non-medical grade disposable face masks, cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth), or full-face shields to protect eyes, nose, and mouth. Schools are expected to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order No. GA-29 relating to the use of face coverings during the COVID- 19 disaster. Exceptions to this requirement include lunch breaks, when engaging in outdoor activities or when appropriate social distancing can be practiced.
- Students PK-12: Students are required to wear masks in the building, common areas, classrooms, and/or offices when social distancing cannot be practiced.
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Classroom teachers/Employees: are required to wear masks when riding in a school vehicle when more than one person is an occupant, in the building, common areas, classroom, and/or offices, during classroom monitoring and circulations, masks or face shields are required when social distancing cannot be practiced.
Handwashing/Sanitizing
Students and staff are required to use hand sanitizer when entering a building, classroom, and/or office. Frequent handwashing and sanitizing will also be incorporated in the daily schedules. Each classroom will be provided with sanitation kits that will be used during transitions. Classrooms and other common areas within the school will be thoroughly disinfected daily and deep cleaning schedules will be regularly conducted.
Temperature Checks/Screening
Per Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, initial monitoring of symptoms begins at home. Individuals who are feeling ill, including symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, abdominal pain, fatigue, muscle aches, or headache, should stay at home and consult with a medical professional regarding school participation.
- Students: Students will be required to have their temperature checked or perform a screening each day. However, monitoring for symptoms should be done at home, any child having symptoms should not be sent to school. There will be temperature check stations for students who wish to have their temperatures checked.
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Teachers and Staff: Will be required to complete a self-screen assessment including taking their temperature for COVID-19 symptoms before coming onto campus each day. There will be temperature check stations for staff who wish to have their temperatures checked.
Social Distancing
Staff and students will maintain six feet of social distancing in indoor and outdoor settings, to the greatest extent possible.
Personal Protective Equipment
Staff and students are expected to provide their own masks. If individuals need assistance with this matter, Sunnybrook will have the equipment, e.g., masks, sanitizers, etc. available.
Students with Health Conditions
Parents and families know their child’s needs. While we are taking all measures to ensure each student’s safety, parents must place their child’s health needs first. Remote learning options are discussed later.
Campuses and Classrooms
To the greatest extent possible, elementary school students and staff will remain together in their homerooms and/or grade level teams throughout each day. The use of common areas, such as cafeterias, gyms, playgrounds, etc. will occur as a group. This concept is intended to minimize interaction with other students and staff around campus.
Classroom Sanitizing
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TOP/SCA Custodial Staff is following the CDC recommended disinfectants which are proven to kill viruses like COVID-19, as well as others, and are using other products certified by the EPA safe for school
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Custodial staff will also use a disinfectant sprayer to complement the deep cleaning process at the end of each day
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Custodial staff will frequently wipe high traffic surfaces, including handrails, door handles, countertops and other horizontal surfaces.
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Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed throughout campuses in easily accessible and high traffic areas and maintained throughout the day.
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Custodial staff will increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of restrooms and common areas.
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Elementary classrooms will be deep cleaned and sanitized at the end of each school day
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Secondary Classrooms- For the students that transition from one classroom to another, a disinfectant kit will be supplied to every classroom and will be used as required. Classrooms will also be deep cleaned at the end of each school day.
Recess / PE / Electives / Chapel Services / Assemblies
We will continue important activities related to recess, PE, and other electives with some modifications.
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Faculty and staff will make modifications to activities (when feasible) to increase social distancing; campuses will provide parents with more information on specific mitigation strategies for outclasses and electives
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Staff on duty during recess will enhance monitoring of student distancing for student safety
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Outdoor playscapes will be deep cleaned and sanitized at the end of each school day along with a disinfectant kit which will be used as required.
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It may be impractical for students to wear masks while participating in some activities during PE or non-TAIAO athletic or other extracurricular activities; in these instances, staff will ensure safe distancing.
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Chapel Services and Assemblies will follow guidelines as outlined by the TEA and CDC.
Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations (TAIAO) / Extra-Curricular Activities
All students will be allowed to participate in any TAIAO or Extracurricular activities regardless of the instructional model in which they choose to participate.
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In the near future, the TAIAO will provide guidelines on student and audience participation at TAIAO events for Fall 2020
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Other Fine Arts and extra-curricular governing organizations will provide guidance on extra-curricular activities
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Field trips and student travel to or from high-risk areas may be postponed or canceled
Visitors, Drop-off, and Pick-Up
All campus visits must be scheduled via an appointment. We will not allow volunteers until further notice. The number of visitors in the school will be limited to ensure students are safe; therefore, alternative meeting options may be scheduled, including virtual meetings. Each school will have procedures in place for daily drop-off and pick-up. This information will be communicated prior to the first day of school.
Restrooms and Water Fountains
Students’ physical needs are extremely important. Social distancing and hand washing will remain the priorities during restroom breaks. Because water dispensers have shared surfaces, these will be disabled/turned off. Students are highly recommended to bring full water bottles from home in order to stay hydrated.
Materials and Supplies
Students will be expected to use their own materials and supplies which will be kept in individually-assigned boxes. Sharing of materials will not be allowed. In instances where technology, books, calculators, etc., are used with multiple students, proper sanitation protocols will be enforced.
Backpacks and Other Personal Items
We strongly encourage the limiting of bringing personal items to the campus. Backpacks, water bottles or tumblers with a lid will be allowed. Please clean your child’s backpack and water bottle/tumbler on a daily basis.
COVID-19 Diagnosis/Exposure Response Protocols
Sunnybrook has implemented the following response protocols to address incidents of COVID-19 confirmed diagnosis or exposure of a student or employee.
Symptomatic: A student/employee exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19 will be sent home immediately or denied entrance to the building. Symptoms include;
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Fever (temp over 99.5)
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Cough
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Shortness of breath
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Chills
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Muscle ache
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Extreme fatigue
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Recent loss of taste or smell
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Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
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Headache
Confirmed Diagnosis: A student/employee or a member of their household has a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 from a certified testing location or by a treating physician.
Student/Employee Confirmed Diagnosis
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Report of a student/employee having a confirmed diagnosis should be made to campus or department administrator
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14-day isolation (at home)
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Exposure notifications will be made to students/employees identified to have been exposed through contact tracing assessment
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Closure of classroom, hallway, or building to allow for sanitization
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Return to school or work will require the student or employee to not have had symptoms for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptom-free prior to their return with a release from their treating physician.
Member of Household Confirmed Diagnosis
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Report of a student’s/employee’s member of a household having a confirmed diagnosis should be made to campus or department administrator
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14-day quarantine (at home)
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Closure of classroom, hallway, or building to allow for sanitization
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Return to school or work will require the student or employee to not have had symptoms for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptom-free prior to their return or with a release from their treating physician.
Primary exposure: A primary exposure would include proximity (within 6 ft.) to a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 for a period of more than 15 min. without a face mask.
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Report of a student/employee having a primary exposure should be made to campus or department administrator
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3-day quarantine(at home)
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Return to school or work will require the student or employee to not have had symptoms for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptom-free prior to their return or with a release from their treating physician.
Secondary exposure: A secondary exposure would include a person in the employee’s household was in proximity (within 6 ft) of a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 for a period of more than 15 min. without a face mask.
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Student/Employee may come to school or work
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Monitor for symptoms
Our
Commitment
We are committed to providing answers to your questions as they are submitted. Please understand we may not have all of the answers right away, but we will work on getting you the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
We appreciate your patience and support during this time. As you know, this is an unprecedented time and information sometimes changes rapidly. Our top priority is the safety of our students, families, and staff.
