As Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) continues to navigate providing a quality Christian education amidst a pandemic that is especially being felt in the South Florida region, the school’s leadership team remains committed to prayerfully making decisions that ultimately:
- Keep the CCA community safe and functioning.
- Take data and parental feedback into account.
- Encourage personal responsibility to help maintain a healthy learning environment.
- Empower parents to make decisions they believe are in the best interest of their child(ren).
- Provide excellent opportunities for students to thrive spiritually, academically, and socially.
We invite you to continue reading to learn what health and safety protocols will be observed on campus during the 2021-22 school year. Please note that these protocols are subject to change as the situation at hand is ever-changing.
Health and Safety Measures for 2021-22
Updated January 14, 2022
Cleaning and Spacing Protocols
CCA’s janitorial staff, as well as teachers and teacher assistants, are continuing to remain vigilant about disinfecting high-touch surfaces frequently throughout the school day. This includes ongoing cleaning procedures during the school day like classroom furniture being cleaned with disinfecting wipes and electrostatic sprayers equipped with hospital-grade disinfectants.
Hand sanitizing dispensers are still located throughout our property, and handwashing, especially in Lower School, is emphasized throughout the school day. Efforts are also being made to space students out as much as possible in classrooms and in other meeting spaces.
Visitors On Campus
CCA is welcoming visitors. Parents are encouraged to join us for Chapels, eat lunch with their child, and volunteer on campus. They should check-in at Lower School Reception or Upper School Reception to obtain visitor clearance and a badge. Face coverings are optional for on-campus guests.
Face Coverings
CCA students, staff, and guests all have the option of wearing a face covering while on campus. If you’re a Lower School parent who would like your child to wear a face covering while on campus, connect with your child’s teacher so they are aware and can partner with you in ensuring that happens during the school day.
CCA is asking all parents to complete this mobile-friendly, easy-to-use screening each morning before sending their child(ren) to school. This screening will tell what steps should be taken If your child is symptomatic, tests positive, or if someone in your child’s household tests positive. Do not send your child to school if he/she is experiencing any symptoms.
Tip: Set an alarm for each weekday morning to remind you to complete the check!
Q: What should I do if my child tests positive?
A: If a CCA student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, he/she should:
- Inform the CCA Clinic and CCA Attendance by calling 954-905-5105 or emailing JessieP@CCAEagles.org.
- Quarantine for a minimum of five days and isolate from family, if possible.
- Return to school on the sixth day if he/she is 1) asymptomatic or if symptoms are improving and 2) fever- free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. The CDC recommends to monitor symptoms and wear a mask for five additional days.
Q: Should my child go to school if someone in our household is sick or has tested positive for COVID?
A: No. Your child should plan to stay home and:
- Inform the CCA Clinic.
- If the student CAN isolate, he/she should:
- Return to school immediately.
- Monitor his/her health for any COVID symptoms in the days ahead.
- If the student CANNOT isolate:
- Stay at home until all members of his/her household have finished their quarantine (at least five days).
- Monitor his/her health for any COVID symptoms in the days ahead.
Q. Should I send my child to school if they got COVID tested and are waiting for their results?
A. No. Students awaiting test results should proactively quarantine until their results come back and should have a parent inform CCA Attendance by calling 954-905-5105 or emailing JessieP@CCAEagles.org. If they are feeling well during this waiting period, they may watch the class recordings that teachers are sharing on their MyCCA class pages at the end of each day.
Note: Testing too early may result in a false negative. We recommend waiting approximately 6 to 7 days after being exposed to COVID-19 before testing.
Q: What if my child is sick but I’m pretty sure it’s not COVID-related and they have not been in close contact with a COVID-positive person to my knowledge?
A: Any students feeling unwell should plan to stay home until they are symptom and fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. The student’s parent should notify CCA Attendance by calling 954-905-5105 or emailing JessieP@CCAEagles.org.
Contact Tracing
CCA is continuing to contact trace. This means parents will be notified if it is determined that their child has been in close contact with someone on campus who has tested positive for COVID-19. If this is determined, his/her health condition is to be monitored for symptoms and the parent has the option of having their child quarantine. CCA will also notify the Florida Department of Health of close contact situations.
Recordings of Instructional Sessions
In the event a student is quarantining or tests positive and feels well enough to continue with his/her studies, they may watch the class recordings that teachers are sharing on their MyCCA class pages at the end of each day in order to stay on pace with their classes while they are out of school. Because there will be a delay, assignments are able to be completed up to two days after the class period in which they were originally due. Parents should inform CCA Attendance if their child is staying home to quarantine by calling 954-905-5105 or emailing JessieP@CCAEagles.org.
CCA Clinic
Should any students feel unwell during the school day, they should report to the CCA Clinic where our two full-time nurses will be able to provide a medical assessment and advise their parents on next steps. COVID-19 tests and vaccines will not be available at the clinic; CCA families are encouraged to see a health care provider if this is something they’d like access to.
Vaccinations
With vaccines now available to children ages 5 and up, parents are in the position to decide if that is something they want for their children. There are no COVID-19 vaccine requirements in place on CCA’s campuses.
Walking Forward in Faith
CCA’s leaders will continue to closely monitor the situation as our school community marches forward in prudence and faith to further our eternal mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
“Although our hope is that the COVID trends will look more favorable over the next few weeks, I pray you find peace knowing that regardless of what the future holds, God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving," said Dr. Jason Rachels, President of Calvary Christian Academy.
"His Word says that He has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Let’s speak these truths over our children this school year and help them BUILD their trust in the Lord Almighty as we too do the same.”