School reopening: Terra Ceia Christian School

Published 6:44 pm Monday, August 10, 2020

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

TERRA CEIA — For Terra Ceia Christian School, the plan is to begin in-person instruction on Aug. 18. According to TCCS Principal Martin Gelderman, the school is taking a variety of extra health precautions as students return to class.

Throughout the school day, social distancing of six feet will be required for everyone on campus, and face coverings may be required in situations where that is not possible. Parents will also fill out an attestation form and check their children daily for symptoms before sending students to school. Families must also sign a liability waiver to hold the school harmless from any COVID-19 illness.

Once students arrive on campus or board the bus, they will have their temperature taken by school staff. Those with a temperature in excess of 100.4 degrees, or who are displaying COVID-like symptoms, will be sent home.

Students, faculty and staff will have an increased role in cleaning/wiping down frequently touched surfaces. Frequent hand washing will be encouraged, and hand sanitizer will be located in each classroom. Staff will also prepare for the possibility that the school has to return to remote learning.

In anticipation of the first day of school, TCCS has asked families to take temperatures each day for 14 days prior to reopening. Each day since, parents have been asked to fill out a daily form online recording their child’s temperature, any COVID-like symptoms and whether they have had close contact with anyone showing symptoms.

“We are open for in-person instruction on Tuesday, Aug. 18,” Gelderman said. “We hope to carry on with that. If necessary, there could be a return to distance learning, and we want to be ready for that. But our hope and prayer is that we will have in-person instruction five days a week.”

For additional details about the reopening plans for Terra Ceia Christian School, visit www.tccschool.com.