FAQ about Masks
1. Q. Will students be required to wear masks?
A. Golden Rule Schools will comply with all state and local orders in wearing masks. Under Governor Greg Abbott’s current order (GA-38), all students, as well as all staff members, will no longer be required to wear a mask and/or face shield. Golden Rule still strongly recommends staff and students wear the masks.
2. Q. Is there a dress code for masks?
A. Masks should follow the standard dress code, meaning that they should not have any images or words that are obscene, profane, or otherwise offensive.
3. Q. How will mask compliance be enforced?
A. Unless a student or staff member has a documented medical condition prohibiting them from wearing a mask, not wearing a mask is not considered a dress code violation.
4. Q. Are clear face shields, buffs, bandanas, etc., considered masks?
A. Yes, as long as the mouth and nose area are covered.
5. Q. When can masks be removed?
A. Masks can be removed during mealtimes, but students are encouraged to wear their masks when they are not actively eating.
6. Q. Will Golden Rule provide a mask for my child?
A. Students who choose to not wear a mask or forget to wear a mask can be provided a mask for the safety of that child and others.
FAQ about Online Learning Program
7. Q. Is Golden Rule Schools offering an online learning program? Updated 12/11/20
A. After analyzing student performance and attendance data through the first two six-weeks of the school year, Golden Rule has made the decision to discontinue online learning beginning January 5th, 2021.
8. Q. Why doesn’t Golden Rule only limit those that are failing or have poor attendance be required to attend? Updated 12/11/20
A. The charter considered this option but was informed by TEA that we were not allowed to only mandate certain groups of students to attend in-person.
9. Q. What if I refuse to send my child back to school for in-person instruction? Updated 12/11/20
A. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires us to inform the parents of their options. Ultimately, we do not want to lose any students, but understand that some parents may not agree with the decision Golden Rule has elected. If your child remains with Golden Rule Schools and fails to attend school, Per Texas Education Code (TEC), §25.092, (Compulsory Attendance) students must attend 90% of the days a course is offered in order to be awarded credit for the course and/or to be promoted to the next grade. This requirement remains in force during the 2021-22 school year.
FAQ about Campus Procedures
10. Q. What will the daily sanitation protocols be?
A. All classrooms and restrooms will be sanitized at least once daily. The cafeteria will be disinfected between lunch periods. All classrooms will have cleaning supplies so that teachers and students can wipe down desks, supplies, and other high-touch items throughout the day. The use of shared supplies will continue to be limited.
11. Q. Will dividers be installed between desks? What about classrooms where students sit at a table?
A. Desks will be socially distanced within classrooms as much as possible. At this time, it is not possible for us to provide dividers for every classroom in the district.
12. Q. Does the governor’s mandate for no more than 10 people in a room apply to school?
A. At this time, this mandate does not apply to essential services, such as school.
13. Q. Will students eat lunch in their classrooms or in the cafeteria?
A. This depends on the campus and the amount of space available in the cafeteria.
14. Q. If my child forgets something at home, like a jacket or lunch, will I be allowed to bring it to them?
A. Yes, parents may drop off forgotten items in the front office. All visitors are required to be screened, strongly recommended to wear a face covering, and may not go past the front office of any campus without following these protocols.
15. Q. My child is new to the charter or to the campus. How will he/she know where to go the first day?
A. Each campus will have staff members on hand at each campus to ensure there are plenty of people to help students find their way.
FAQ about Secondary Campuses Procedures
16. Q. How will passing periods be structured?
A. Staggered releases will be organized to limit the number of students in hallways at one time, students will be encouraged to remain as far apart as possible, and masks will be required.
17. Q. How will ranking and GPA work with some students attending virtual and others in person?
A. Grading for all online courses will follow the same grading policy as courses for in-person instruction. Online courses that earn high school credit will count in GPA calculation and class rank. According to TEA guidance, grading policies for remote instruction must be consistent with the district’s grading policies for on-campus assignments.
18. Q. Will bus service still be provided from Illinois to Desoto campus?
A. Yes, Golden Rule will provide bus transportation for those eligible students.
19. Q. What policies will be in place to ensure social distancing on buses?
A. Students will be required to practice social distancing and wear masks at the bus stop, and will be required to wear masks on the bus. Bus drivers will also wear masks. Social distancing will be encouraged on the bus where possible, and siblings will be asked to sit together.
20. Q. How will buses be cleaned?
A. Drivers will clean the high-touch areas of the buses after each bus route, and all buses will be deep cleaned and sanitized daily. Hand sanitizer will also be available on every bus.
FAQ about Extracurricular
21. Q. Will masks be required during extracurricular activities?
A. When possible, masks are strongly recommended to be used during extracurricular activities.
FAQ about COVID-19
22. Q. What happens if my child’s teacher or a classmate tests positive for COVID-19?
A. District communication will be provided to the parents of students who came in close contact with a COVID-19 positive student or staff member within the past 48 hours. Those students will be asked to monitor daily for symptoms or can self-quarantine for 10 days. Parents have the final determination.
23. Q. What happens if someone in my child’s school (outside of his/her classroom) tests positive for COVID-19?
A. If no contact was made by the student with the person who tested positive, they do not need to self-quarantine and can continue attending school as usual.
24. Q. What if someone in my household tests positive for COVID-19?
A. Call or email your child’s home campus as soon as possible. Your child may continue with school with a negative test or can self-quarantine for 10 days. Again, Parents have the final determination.
25. Q. Am I required to notify Golden Rule if my child tests positive for COVID-19?
A. Yes, students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 should report it to their home campus as soon as possible. Communication will be provided to the parents of students who came in close contact with the COVID-19 positive student or staff member.
26. Q. Who pays for COVID-19 testing if my child is exposed?
A. Golden Rule is not responsible for medical expenses incurred by families. We do offer free Abbott-Binax Testing to all staff and students.
27. Q. Is Golden Rule requiring daily screenings of students and staff?
A. Yes, students and staff will be required to self-screen prior to reporting to work each day. Parents/guardians are expected to screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to sending their children to school. Teachers will monitor students and refer to the nurse if symptoms are present.
28. Q. What symptoms should staff and parents screen for each day?
A. Symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever and/or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
29. Q. What symptoms constitute a student or staff member being isolated or sent home?
A. One or more of the symptoms listed above require a student to be checked by the campus nurse. The nurse will then determine if the student should be sent home.
30. Q. What can I teach my child before school starts that will help keep them healthy?
A. Students should understand that they should keep as much distance as possible between themselves and others. If they need to cough or sneeze, they should cover their mouth and nose and sanitize their hands afterwards. Students should wash their hands regularly (multiple times throughout the school day) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. They should assist their teachers in wiping their desk, supplies, etc. They should also know how to rub hand sanitizer into their hands, and to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth throughout the day.