• Wearing face coverings will be determined by the levels of community transmission and CDC guidance
• Discontinue temperature checks during morning carpool
• Discontinue synchronous distance learning
• Resume participation in athletics league competition with spectators
• Return classes to classroom spaces and use large spaces for original intent (lunch in the cafeteria, etc.)
• Allow parents and visitors on campus with some restrictions
• Host limited, in person group gatherings
• Resume field trips and community-based instruction
• Discontinue continual cleaning of touch surfaces throughout the day
• Social distancing based on 3 feet spacing
• Less use of student cohorts

• Students and staff are asked to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID and stay home if you are ill.
• A doctor’s note clearing the individual to return to campus will be required for any student or staff member who is absent due to illness or symptoms of COVID
• Parents and staff members are required to report to the school nurse a positive COVID diagnosis within their family or a known exposure to someone who tests positive
• Continued tracking of COVID cases and notifications to the school community
• Close contact tracing when there is a positive case reported
• Close contacts of a positive case will be required to quarantine according to CDC guidelines (Individuals who are fully vaccinated are not required to quarantine at this time but may still be screened for symptoms.  Wearing face masks will decrease the need for quarantine.)
• Social distancing with 3 feet spacing will be implemented as much as possible
• Continued use of portable air purifiers in each classroom and office to increase ventilation
• Hand sanitizer or washing hands and good respiratory hygiene will be encouraged throughout the day

FACE COVERINGS (8/9/21)
The use of face coverings is an important way that we, as a community, can protect each other by mitigating the spread of the virus. The more severe the COVID-19 threat level is, the more face coverings will be required on campus.

MASKING DURING 2021-2022

When face coverings are worn, the following guidelines will apply:

• Everyone needs to bring a face covering with them to campus daily.  The school will have a limited supply of disposable masks to provide to individuals who need them.
• Face coverings are not required for anyone who is outdoors.
• Face coverings must be worn to cover both the nose and mouth.  Face coverings with  multiple layers are best.
• Reusable cloth face coverings and non-medical grade surgical-style disposable masks are allowed.  Neck gaiters must be at least 2 layers thick in order to provide sufficient protection.
• Face coverings in different colors and styles are permitted; they must be school-appropriate. No offensive, frightening or political designs, logos, or slogans will be allowed. The School reserves the right to replace a student's face covering if necessary.
• Face shields are not a substitute for masks. Vented face coverings and bandanas tied around the face are not sufficient protection and will not be allowed.

HEALTH AND HYGIENE

• Continue to practice and teach healthy hygiene, including frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, and respiratory etiquette.
• Students and staff are asked to daily self-monitor for possible symptoms of COVID-19, including: feeling feverish / chills or a measured temperature greater than 100 degrees; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; cough or shortness of breath; new loss of taste or smell; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; sore throat; congestion or runny nose.
• Stay home and notify the School Nurse if you experience any symptoms, if you have tested positive for COVID-19, or if you have known exposure or suspected exposure to an individual with COVID-19.

If a student or staff member is absent due to illness or symptoms, they will be required to provide a doctor’s note clearing them to return to campus.   Although this can be inconvenient for families, it is an important layer of prevention for our school community.  As we experienced last year, many of the positive cases initially appeared to be “just allergies,” which resulted in a positive COVID diagnosis after a physician decided to do a COVID test.

• CONTACT TRACING: When a lab-confirmed positive case of COVID is reported to the school nurse, we will do contact tracing to determine risk of exposure and need for quarantine, according to the CDC guidelines.
• CLOSE CONTACT is currently described as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period; an infected person can spread COVID starting 2 days before they have any symptoms.
• NOTIFICATIONS: The School will notify staff, students and the local health department of a lab-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.  Name and contact information will be provided to the health department for the purpose of contact tracing.

QUARANTINE (Updated 8/9/2021)
Since universal masking is a strong mitigator of the spread of COVID, the decrease in the use of face coverings in a school setting may lead to an increased need for quarantine for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

Any student or employee who tests positive for COVID-19 must stay home in isolation and will be required to meet all the CDC guidelines for ending isolation prior to returning to campus.

• At least 24 hours have passed since recovery (no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication) AND
• Symptoms have improved (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, etc.) AND
• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Individuals who have a known exposure through close contact with a positive case will be asked to quarantine.  Depending on the scope of the exposure, there may be options for quarantine:

As of July 2021, any individual who provides proof of being fully vaccinated (2 weeks or longer since the final dose) is NOT required to quarantine when exposed to someone who is COVID-positive, as long as they remain asymptomatic. However, fully vaccinated individuals with a known exposure should be tested for COVID 3 - 5 days after exposure, and they need to wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.  Additionally, individuals who have tested positive for COVID within the past three months and recovered will not be required to quarantine.  Proof of vaccination or prior diagnosis needs to be submitted directly to the school nurse if there is a need to determine whether or not quarantine is necessary.

Individuals who are NOT fully vaccinated and are in close contact with someone with a lab-confirmed COVID diagnosis will be required to quarantine.  Individuals who need to quarantine may return to campus:

• After day 10 without testing and experiencing no symptoms
• After day 7 after receiving a negative PCR test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)

DISTANCE LEARNING

Students learn best when they are on campus, engaged in live instruction and interacting with peers.  Teachers do their best teaching when they are focused on the students in the classroom with them.  Therefore, synchronous distance learning will not be offered this year.  Asynchronous assignments will be provided for students who are required to quarantine due to COVID.  If a student is required to miss more than 5 days of instruction during quarantine, an individualized distance learning plan will be arranged through your child’s school division director.

The school is not currently requiring COVID vaccinations for staff or students; however, it is strongly encouraged for multiple reasons. At this point, individuals ages 12 and older have the option to get vaccinated. As of July 27, 2021 fully vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine when exposed to someone who is COVID-positive. They do need to take additional precautions and get tested.

VACCINATIONS

• Vaccinations are NOT required for students or staff; however, individuals are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated when they are eligible to do so.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

• We will continue to utilize social distancing as much as possible, using 3 feet spacing.
• Desks will be spaced with 3 feet of separation as much as possible.
• Student cohorts will not be a priority this year.
• Daily routines such as carpool will continue to be modified to allow for more social distancing. 

HAND AND RESPIRATORY HYGIENE

• Students and adults will still be encouraged to keep their hands clean and to practice improved respiratory hygiene in order to combat the spread of COVID, as well as other common illnesses such as the flu and strep throat that tend to spread in school environments.
• Hand sanitizer will be accessible at building entrances and in each classroom.
• Students and staff will be asked to stay home if they are experiencing excessive respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing or nasal discharge.

CAMPUS VISITORS

The visitor policy will be less restrictive this year as long as the community transmission rates remain low.  There will be some restrictions to non-essential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups on campus.

• Visitors are required to check in and out at the front office for both building security and contact tracing purposes.
• Visitors will not be allowed to enter the interior of the school without an appointment. If you are coming to pick up your child or drop something off, you will be asked to wait outside.
• Visitors will not be asked COVID screening questions; however, we ask that you stay off campus if you are experiencing symptoms, have been diagnosed with COVID, or have a recent known exposure to a positive case.
• All visitors will be expected to follow the current school requirements regarding wearing face coverings and social distancing.
• Visitors will be asked to distance from students on campus as much as possible to limit potential exposure.

• There will not be an additional custodian cleaning common touch surfaces throughout the day.  Teachers will be asked to clean all student desks once a day.  The building will be cleaned nightly by the regular custodian crew.

• The Briarwood facility has a good air ventilation system; air filters are changed frequently. CO² sensors support increased air circulation as building occupancy increases.  Windows in the building are not designed to open. 
• Each classroom and office space is equipped with a high-quality portable air purifier unit. Air purifiers must be kept running.
• Students and classes will still be encouraged to meet outdoors when possible.

LUNCH

• NO FOOD DELIVERIES will be accepted in the front office this year.  Delivery drivers will not be allowed into the building.
• Charlie’s Catering will be serving hot lunches (buffet style) on campus once again.
• Lunchrooms will be used for larger groups of students; however, other optional spaces will also be used to allow for more spacing between students in the lunchrooms.
• Upper School Seniors will be allowed to go off campus for lunch with parental permission.  Juniors will enjoy the privilege of lunch on the patio again.

Students need to bring a reusable water bottle with them to school every day.  Bottles may be refilled during the day using bottle fillers attached to the water fountains; students will not be drinking directly from the fountain.

PE / SPORTS / ATHLETICS

Students need movement and activity during the day, and participation in athletics and team sports is invaluable to the development of the whole child.

• We anticipate full participation in WHCAC (middle school) and TAPPS (upper school).
• We look forward to welcoming spectators back to games, though there may be some restrictions. 
• We will monitor the recommendations and guidelines provided by Special Olympics (Tuttle School) to determine which athletic opportunities can be provided and what safeguards must be implemented for these activities. 
• Briarwood’s large track and field allows multiple groups of students the opportunity to be active outdoors, which is considered lower risk than indoor physical activity.

Students will be allowed to use lockers during the school year.

We do plan to hold limited, in person gatherings as long as the community transmission of COVID remains low.  Each event is planned with modifications to allow for social distancing, limited contact between students and visitors, and layers of prevention in place.  Face coverings may be required temporarily for larger gatherings, and some events may still be held virtually.

As the community conditions and guidance change, COVID policies and procedures will adapt to meet the current needs. The COVID Task Force continually monitors the status of COVID transmission in our local community, as well as the updates to guidance provided by the CDC, TEA, and state and local health departments.  Hopefully, this will allow an opportunity to relax our prevention efforts to some extent; however, it could lead to temporarily requiring more layers of prevention, such as increased use of face coverings.