COVID-19 Update

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis and State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced sweeping changes to Florida’s COVID-19 guidance affecting schools, child care facilities and employers in general.

First and foremost, the updated guidance recommends employers, schools, and child care facilities allow employees and students who test positive for COVID-19 to return after only five days if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the need for additional testing. It also allows those who do not test positive or develop symptoms to forego quarantine entirely.

In addition, the updated guidance advises that Florida businesses should “no longer require facial coverings for employees, as there is no proven significant clinical benefit for facial coverings among the general population.” Moreover, the guidance makes clear that child care facilities should never force children to wear masks.

These updates should take affect starting Monday, March 7th at Florida Christian School. FCS remains committed to providing a safe and productive learning environment to our students and their families as we take one more step towards normalcy.

As always, please do not send a sick child to school, even if their symptoms can be masked with medicine.

If you have any questions or concerns, please communicate with your principal. If your child has tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19, please contact Ms. Warner, RN, BS.

Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

*This protocol is for parents and students. There is a higher level of protocol for our staff.

In accordance with CDC policies, Florida Christian School will accept:

• Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
• Antigen Tests
• Isothermal amplification including:
  • Nicking endonuclease amplification reaction (NEAR)
  • Transcription mediated amplification (TMA)
  • Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
  • Helicase-dependent amplification (HDA)
  • Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)
  • Strand displacement amplification (SDA)

Choosing A Test

When considering which tests to use for screening testing, schools or their testing partners should choose tests that can be reliably supplied and provide results within 24 hours. If available, saliva tests and nasal tests that use a short swab may be more easily implemented and accepted in schools. A viral test tells a person if they have a current infection. Two types of viral tests can be used: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. Frequency of testing should be determined by the performance characteristics of the test being used. The intended use of each test, available in the Instructions for Use and in the Letter of Authorization for each test, defines the population in which the test is intended to be used, the acceptable specimen types, and how the results should be used. (Source: Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools | CDC)

Further Resources

• Questions & Answers on School Testing | CDC
• What You Should Know About COVID-19 Testing in Schools | CDC

COVID-19 Warning

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.  By enrolling your children, attending, or visiting Florida Christian School (“FCS”), you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.   FCS asks parents to make the determination on whether the use of compliant face masks that may help reduce the risk of infection is appropriate or necessary for their child while on campus.

Health Acknowledgement

Please make sure that you have reviewed current CDC and or State of Florida Department of Health advisories or restrictions that may be in place for students, parents, staff, and faculty relating to social distancing.

By enrolling your child or children at FCS, or by entering FCS property, you are confirming that you and your children:

1. are not experiencing any of the following symptoms of COVID-19 identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov, including:
   • (a) Fever or chill
   • (b) Cough
   • (c) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
   • (d) Fatigue
   • (e) Muscle or body aches
   • (f) Headache
   • (g) New loss of taste or smell
   • (h) Sore throat
   • (i) Congestion or runny nose
   • (j) Nausea or vomiting
   • (k) Diarrhea
   • (l) Have not been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms without completing a 14-day quarantine
   • (m) Are not under any self-quarantine orders
2. Parents and Students who cannot confirm all of the above criteria must not enter FCS.
3. By enrolling your child or children in FCS, or by entering its campus or property, you acknowledge that you understand and will abide by the above health-and-safety requirements.  Any violations or failure to comply with the above requirements, or the failure to notify FCS of any changes to the above requirements inherently places our FCS community at risk.  Violations and failure to comply with the above may result in you or your child being asked to leave, refrain from remaining on or entering our campus, or even suspension and or expulsion for egregious or repeated violations.