Embedded Files
Coronavirus (COVID‑19)
Cornerstone remains committed to safely bringing 100% of our students and staff to campus. We unequivocally believe the best learning environment is live instruction. We have spent the summer closely monitoring the latest trends and guidelines. Ultimately, there will always be a certain amount of risk in any endeavor. Our desire is to mitigate the risk for our students and staff as much as possible. At the same time, having “lived” with the virus for many months now we know the pitfalls and the mitigation measures which proved ineffective (temperature checks, etc.). We are greatly concerned about the mental health of our children. As stated earlier, our desire is to create an environment as “close” to normal as humanly possible. Please take a moment to review our updated guidelines for the upcoming school year. As you review our plan, please keep the following items in mind:
Flexibility: This plan is fluid based upon current recommendations. If the cases continue to rise, we may need to make some adjustments.
Face Coverings: Like many schools across the country, we will adopt a 100% face covering optional approach with the exception of large gatherings (i.e. Chapel, House Meetings, Assemblies, etc.) and bus transportation. We feel this is the most prudent approach at this time. When numbers return to May/June levels, we will consider lifting this policy. Please keep in mind the following:
This policy applies to both staff and students regardless of being vaccinated.
Due to new guidelines, this policy will negate the need for any significant contact tracing for these gatherings.
Fogging: We will continue fogging as necessary.
Personal Hygiene: We will continue encouraging increased hand washing and sanitizing.
Sick: When your child is sick, please keep him or her at home.
Visitors (Parents/Grandparents): We trust our community to follow the current CDC guidelines for adults.
Visitors (Vendors): All essential vendors must wear face coverings while in the building.
School Events: We hope to host all of our “usual” school events.
Synchronous Learning: In the event a student (or part of a class) is quarantined (see COVID-19 protocol section), and the remainder of the class/grade remains in school, we will offer synchronous learning. Synchronous learning means quarantined/isolated students would receive the same instruction (as much as possible) as those onsite. This option will only be implemented during a partial class quarantine. If the whole class is quarantined we will shift to digital learning. Our desire is to limit this opportunity exclusively for those in quarantine or isolation due to Covid.
We are making the best decisions possible for the safety of our students and staff with the information available at this time.
Lower School: Academic School Day
Lower School: Academic School Day
Drop Off/Pick Up
Return to normal.
If numbers rise to a level of concern, we will reinstate mask usage during waiting periods surrounding morning and afternoon carpool.
Morning Bus Shuttle
Siblings will sit together.
The buses will be sanitized after morning bus routes.
Students will be required to wear face coverings on the bus (regardless of vaccination or natural immunity).
Lunch
No lunch guests will be allowed until further notice. This is primarily due to a space issue. We’ve ordered additional tables, but they have not arrived yet due to supply chain issues.
Birthday lunches may be delivered to the front reception area if desired.
Birthday treats for the class will not be permitted until further notice.
Chapel
Students will sit by class.
Parents will be allowed to attend chapel after Labor Day.
Recess
Outdoor recess will return to grade level community play.
Field/Service Trips
We are planning both field and service trips this year.
We will need to abide by hosting organizations’ policies during visits.
Lower School: Digital Learning Plan
Lower School: Digital Learning Plan
Monday-Thursday
Morning Meeting: Every day will start with a live Morning Meeting over Zoom at 9:00 am. This will give students and teachers the opportunity to connect, share and talk through the digital learning plan for the day. This preview of activities will set the tone for the day and give students direction so that they can complete the day's activities as independently as possible.
Recorded Instruction: Teachers will create two recorded lessons every day, one for Language Arts and one for Math. These instructional videos will introduce new concepts and skills.
Small Group Instruction: Every morning, teachers will host small groups to review and reinforce the skills that they are currently covering. Every child will be assigned a small group and will have the opportunity to work with his or her teacher in a small, more individualized format over Zoom. This small group will occur at a consistent time each day.
Afternoon Wrap Up: After lunch, teachers will host an optional live afternoon wrap up session at 2:00 pm over Zoom. During this time, students will be able to share something new that they learned and ask questions. If a child needs additional assistance, he or she is welcome to stay on the Zoom to receive further support from the teacher.
Friday
Optional Enrichment Day: Families can start their day by watching a special, virtual chapel experience together. All enrichment teachers (PE, Music, Art, & Spanish) will offer live Zoom classes throughout the day. In addition, your child will have the opportunity to join a live Math enrichment class or participate in a Science activity if they want to extend the learning.
Middle School: Academic School Day
Middle School: Academic School Day
Morning Bus Shuttle
Siblings will sit together.
The buses will be sanitized after morning bus routes.
Students will be required to wear face coverings on the bus (regardless of vaccination or natural immunity).
Morning Arrival
If numbers rise to a level of concern, we will reinstate mask usage during waiting periods prior to the start of school.
Classroom
Desks will be distanced as much as possible while at the same time not compromising the learning environment.
Lunch
To increase available seating, all of the tables will be set up every day.
Only four students will be allowed at each six foot table.
Chapel
Students will sit by grade.
Parents will be allowed to attend chapel (space permitting).
Field/Service Trips
We are planning both field and service trips this year.
We will need to abide by hosting organizations’ policies during visits.
Athletics
We are proceeding as usual.
We will need to abide by each hosting organizations’ policies.
Students will be required to wear face coverings on the bus (regardless of vaccination or natural immunity).
Fall Musical
Students will work in small break out groups.
Students will be more responsible for learning music outside of rehearsal.
Middle School: Digital Learning Plan
Middle School: Digital Learning Plan
Monday-Thursday
Principal’s Monday Video: Each Monday morning, Dr. Jenkins will provide the MS community a brief video with a devotion and highlight any needed information for the week’s learning plan.
Zoom Class Sessions: Core classes will meet each day M-Th according to the Zoom Class Schedule which will be provided by the Principal Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm via email to parents. The weekly schedule will also be emailed to students on Sunday evenings. Zoom classes will begin at 8:30 am and conclude at 12:00 pm.
Instructional Methods: All instructors of core classes will host required Zoom sessions in accordance with the weekly schedule. Additionally, teachers will provide various assignments from the text, online resources, teacher-created videos, or other activities appropriate to the subject and grade level.
Fitness Challenge: Coaches Faust and Brooks will post weekly workout plans for each grade level with prizes for students who complete the weekly challenge. (Parents to verify.)
Availability: Teachers will be available to students via email or Zoom during the school day by appointment. As always, we encourage MS students to take ownership of their learning and to initiate contact when the need arises.
Friday: No scheduled Zoom classes will be held Friday. House activities and Chapel will occur Friday mornings, with afternoons reserved for student work assigned in core classes.
Covid Protocols
Covid Protocols
Without symptoms with a positive test:
If a student tests positive without symptoms, the student must stay home in isolation for five days. Once the five-day isolation period elapses, the student may return to school wearing an KF-94 or KN-95 mask to complete the ten day cycle. The ten day “clock” begins from the date of the positive test result.
COVID-19 symptoms with a positive test:
Students may not return to school until they are fever free for 24 hours, respiratory symptoms have improved, and it has been at least five days since the first onset of symptoms. Once the five-day isolation period elapses, the student may return to school wearing an KF-94 or KN-95 mask to complete the ten day cycle.
COVID-19 like symptoms awaiting test results:
If a student is tested for COVID-19 (either due to direction from a medical professional or simply out of extreme caution) that student must remain at home until the test results are received. The school will provide synchronous learning to the student during the waiting period. If the student's test results are negative, he or she may return to school assuming they abide by the school's normal illness policy. If the student tests positive, then he or she would follow the protocol for "COVID-19 symptoms with a positive test."
If a parent or someone in the house of a Cornerstone student is in the process of being tested with a high suspicion of having COVID-19 (either due to a known exposure to COVID-19 OR ordered to test under the guidance of a physician OR having any symptoms of COVID-19 as described by the CDC):
In order to potentially minimize the quarantine period of the student, it is highly recommended that the student quarantine from that family member as soon as possible. As a result, if that family member tests positive for COVID-19, the student’s quarantine clock of ten days would begin from the date of the last known exposure to that family member. If the student develops COVID-19 symptoms he or she must follow the “COVID-19 like symptoms” requirements above.
If a faculty member tests positive:
Students in their class would only need to be quarantined if they spent more than fifteen minutes of continuous time in close contact with their teacher.
Guidelines for mandatory quarantine:
The health department is affording schools more latitude than last year in terms of official exposure. As a result, based on our data and experience from last year we will contact trace in the following ways:
If your student has a classmate that tests positive for COVID-19, he/she may need to be quarantined if:
They were within three feet (INDOORS) continuously for more than fifteen minutes. (exception: if the individual is wearing a mask)
In Lower School, we will do our best to refrain from placing the entire class in quarantine, but we will have to take each situation on a case by case basis based on a variety of variables.
In Middle School, we will contact the health department with questionable situations.
EXCEPTIONS to mandatory quarantine:
Fully vaccinated individuals (assuming no symptoms)
Natural Immunity: Previously diagnosed individuals with Covid (number of days may shift depending on latest guidelines and research)
What about antibody testing?:
The health department does not factor in antibody tests when deciding quarantine and isolation. Thus, we are not equipped to deviate from what the health department accepts.
Covid Response Email:
If someone in your family tests positive for COVID-19, please email Colin Creel immediately. Please note, if you reach out on Sunday morning, he will not return your email until 5:00 pm that day.
Digital Learning
If entire classes or grade levels are quarantined or are under stay-at-home orders, we will flip to digital learning. Click here for full descriptions of digital learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
GENERAL
I would like for my child to meet with the counselor. What is her contact information?
We understand every child has been affected differently due to COVID-19. Our counselor is available to meet with students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please contact Mrs. Davis (adavis@cornerstonecougars.net) directly.
If multiple families carpool together should those families wear face coverings?
Yes, our encouragement would be for carpooling families to wear face coverings while in the close quarters of vehicles. In addition, if feasible, we would suggest keeping the windows down as well to increase airflow.
DIGITAL LEARNING
DIGITAL LEARNING
Is Cornerstone offering synchronous, asynchronous or digital learning if we do not feel comfortable sending our child to school?
No. We have neither the staff nor the resources to offer a consistent quality product for our families. In the event a child is in quarantine at home we will offer synchronous learning. If a class is in quarantine, we will flip to digital learning. In addition, we know the best instruction is live instruction.
COVID-19
COVID-19
What happens if a child gets sick at school?
Students will be isolated in a supervised setting until a parent arrives.
Will parents be notified if there is a positive case in the school?
Yes, every close contact of a positive case will be notified promptly according to the health department guidelines. School wide communication will not occur unless there is community spread.
What would constitute a class switching to digital learning vs. a grade level or an entire division?
This decision will be determined in accordance with the health department guidelines.
Will my child be counted absent if required to quarantine?
All absences due to COVID-19 will be excused.
Hypothetically, if my son’s third grade class is in quarantine, will his siblings be required to quarantine as well?
In this scenario, the school will host synchronous learning for siblings if desired.
What happens if a teacher is ill due to COVID-19 and unable to teach digitally?
Instruction will be provided by the school as appropriate to the grade level and subject.
What happens if a student is ill due to COVID-19 and unable to participate in synchronous or digital learning?
Students will follow the absence policy in the family handbook.
Will the school have to close for deep cleaning if a student/staff case is identified?
The depth of the cleaning will be dependent upon whether community spread has occurred as identified by the health department. As mentioned earlier, we do have fogger technology which will help quickly disinfect spaces.
Will my child need to quarantine if we are awaiting Covid test results exclusively for travel purposes?
No.
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