At SRS and SRNS, Learning is Always Priority No. 1
During times of uncertainty, you can be assured that the learning will always continue for the students of St. Raphael School and Nursery School and that our teachers remain committed to staying connected with students to ensure uninterrupted academic success.
St. Raphael School and Nursery School Opening Plan for 2022-23
Dear St. Raphael Families,
St. Raphael School and St. Raphael Nursery School will have in-person classes Monday through Friday. We will follow guidelines outlined by the ADW, CDC and the Maryland Department of Health in continuing to provide in-person learning for our students. As per our protocol, we will adhere to the current recommendations given by these organizations in our effort to mitigate staff or student risking exposure to COVID-19. Flexibility is key to our success, so that families and staff can seamlessly move to distance learning, if necessary.
Focusing on health and safety as a priority — All students and staff may wear face coverings in the building. Maintenance staff will ensure that bathrooms, classrooms, and shared spaces will be cleaned regularly and disinfected daily and as needed. Special attention will be given to high-touch areas. Teachers are encouraged to keep classroom windows cracked, while air purifiers will be on, to promote better air circulation.
Being proactive if COVID-19 is suspected — If a student or staff member becomes ill while at school and if they meet the criteria for “COVID-19-like illness” based on the most current Montgomery County Health Department Decision Aid, the individual will be screened by the school nurse and a parent will be contacted.
Although we are in a better position this year, COVID-19 has not gone away. We will continue to follow protocols to maintain good health in our schools. With ongoing practices such as staying home when ill, proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, increased ventilation, and appropriate cleaning, we expect to maintain healthy schools.
Health Room Exclusion Guidelines for COVID-19
Covid-like illness:
New onset of cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of sense of taste or smell, or at least two of the following symptoms:
Fever 100.4 or greater
Chills
Shivering
Muscle pain
Sore throat
Headache
Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea)
Fatigue
Congestion
Runny nose
If a student presents to the HR with one new symptom not meeting the definition of COVID-19 illness, the student will be sent home. The student may return when symptoms have improved and without fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. If a person develops symptoms of COVID-19 like illness, follow the guidelines below.
If a student presents with new onset of cough, shortness of breath or at least two of the symptoms listed above, he/she will be placed in an isolation area, and a parent will be called to pick up student. Isolation will be held in the Parish Library. Parents must use the Parish Library entrance to pick up the student.
Parents should call their healthcare provider about testing for COVID-19 or about being seen for evaluation of another illness.
If the student does not receive a COVID-19 laboratory test or another specific diagnosed illness from the healthcare provider, the student must stay at home and isolate for at least 10 days since the onset of symptoms and then may return if symptoms resolve and they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. Close contacts must quarantine for 14 days unless they develop symptoms, in which case they would have to isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or receive a laboratory test.
Best Option: Get a laboratory test or a healthcare provider diagnoses that symptoms are related to another illness (e.g. strep throat, influenza, ear infection) or the healthcare provider documents that symptoms are related to pre-existing medical diagnosis (allergies, asthma). Student must present a note from the healthcare provider stating it is safe for the student to return to school.
Scenarios pertaining to COVID-19 test results:
A symptomatic person who tests positive must be home for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms and until no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and symptoms are improving. Close contacts must quarantine for 14 days unless they develop symptoms, in which case they would have to isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
An asymptomatic person who tests positive must stay home for 10 days from the date of the positive test results. Close contacts must stay home for 14 days from the date of the last exposure to the person with the positive test. If the close contact develops symptoms, then they must isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
A person receives a negative laboratory test or another specific diagnosed illness from a healthcare provider, the student must stay at home and may return if symptoms resolve and they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. The person should consider being retested if the symptoms do not improve. Close contacts do not need to stay home as long as they remain asymptomatic.
A diagnosis of pneumonia or acute respiratory distress is assumed a positive COVID-19 case.
It is the responsibility of the parents to notify the school nurse of all pending laboratory COVID-19 tests and results of all COVID-19 laboratory tests whether positive or negative. Please notify ASAP by phone or email so we can take the necessary steps to protect other students and staff in our school community.
Developed by the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland State Department of Education
We are incredibly proud of our community during this challenging time. View our album on Facebook of our students and teachers engaged in remote learning. Parents, send your photos to Lexi McClure to include on our social media. If you post directly, be sure to tag us (@SRSrockville) and use the hashtags #WeAreStRaphael and #ADWFamily.
Ideas Central
Looking for more ideas for remote learning, coping tips, activities, etc., from fellow SRS parents? View the suggestions from our community(located in the comments of the post), where you can contribute your own resources.
Using Zoom video, Leo listens to a story being read by SRNS teacher Francine Krivka
Catholic Schools Stay Connected
Read how ADW families, including ours, remain academically engaged via remote learning during the COVID-19 crisis.
