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TCS DURING COVID

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What to Expect?

The TCS Board of Directors and administrative body have created the following mitigation practices with first hand guidance from the Pima County Health Department's early childhood education administration program.

 

To ensure a safe, in-person learning environment, we will be hyper focused on the best mitigation practices that align with our program and philosophy. Layered mitigation strategies are highly recommended and will continue to be in place as long as we continue serve young children's who may not be eligible for vaccination or able to wear masks consistently. 

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To monitor Pima County's Community Level visit PCHD COVID-19 Progress Report, Updated once a week on Friday

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Community Trust 

The school community must be willing to follow public health guidance and COVID mitigation strategies. The ultimate goal at TCS is to keep the children, families, and staff safe and healthy -- both physically and emotionally. This means we all have to do our part and  implement best practice at home so that we can play safely together at school. We are also committing to keeping mitigation strategies in place during future off-campus TCS events. We are stronger and better together!

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How is TCS working effectively towards the goal of zero transmission?

  • Masking. As of July 17, 2022 TCS will be following a masking policy adopted by the administration and Board of Directors,  to determine safe Community COVID levels for optional mask wearing. Masking is a universal practice to reduce the spread of all infectious diseases, and therefore will always be supported by our program. The director will send out weekly updates regarding our Community COVID level, as well as our corresponding masking requirement.  

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Individuals may request a copy of our masking policy and community level matrix by reaching out to the director at scastillo@tucsoncommunityschool.org 

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Additional Mitigation Strategies 

  • Staying home when sick. Staying home when sick. Persons who have a fever of 100 or above or other signs of illness, such as: sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea - will not be allowed to enter the facility. Additionally, if your child presents these symptoms during the school day, you will be asked to pick them up. As a reminder, our goal is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as all common preventable illnesses, if your child is sick - even though they do not have COVID - they should not be at school. Children who present contagious symptoms such as diarrhea, fevers, etc. must remain home for 24 hours. 

  • Modified practices to our program. We will continue with such as pausing family style meals, increasing outdoor time and ventilation/filtration in the classroom, and social distancing during nap/rest time. 

  • Communication. TCS will continue to share information about all potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases on our campus.

  • Travel considerations. Although no quarantine will be required, children MUST be symptom free before returning to school. If a child is symptomatic, a quarantine of 5 days and a COVID test is required before returning. 

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What happens if someone gets sick?

If there is evidence that COVID transmission occurred at TCS, TCS will close (the classroom or school) for a minimum of ONE week to for contact tracing and possible disinfection. We will reopen for staff and families as soon as we can be released from quarantine and isolation guidelines. **Please note that we may be open, and programs may still be affected if we are short staffed. ​

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Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines 

updated 12/14/2022 per the Pima County Health Department's guidance and recommendations 

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If someone tests positive for COVID-19: (Everyone: staff, children, & families - regardless of vaccination status) 

  • Stay home (isolate) for 5 days. Day of the positive test is considered day 0. 

  • Individual may return to the facility on day 6 if they have been fever free for 24 hours, symptoms have improved, are able to consistently and correctly wear a mask, and must distance during meal times.

  • Children who nap at TCS must be picked up at 12:00 PM and not permitted to nap at school.

  • Children who are unable to wear a mask consistently and correctly when around others will be asked to continue their isolation at home for 10 full days. 

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If someone is exposed to someone with COVID-19: (Everyone: staff, children, & families - regardless of vaccination status) 

  • No quarantine. 

  • Individual must test on the 6th day, post exposure or, if a person develops symptoms, they must isolate immediately and get tested. 

  • Individual must wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days. *Cloth masks will not be permitted for use during this period.  Children who are unable to wear a mask consistently and correctly when around others will be asked to continue their isolation at home for 10 full days. 

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*Cloth masks that are comparable to medical grade masks will be accepted. Cloth masks made with inadequate layers or unapproved fabrics will be switched out. 

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Testing 

Rapid antigen tests (either done at home or a medical facility) can be used as a screening tool. If your child presents any COVID like symptoms, you will be asked to test your child, in order to attend school. 

 

As of 1/23/2022 - Per the PCHD, If a test determines a positive result, there is no need to follow up with additional testing (antigen or molecular) - once a person has tested positive - we MUST follow through with quarantine and isolation guidelines. See Above.

 

A person may be asked to follow up with a PCR if they have COVID like symptoms and have tested negative on an antigen test. This is especially true if there is known exposure.

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 links to testing sites 

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Vaccinations 

  • ALL of TCS staff are required to provide proof that they do not have active TB or any prevention infectious diseases BEFORE they begin work.  As part of our licensing  requirements we ask staff to provide an affidavit of their vaccination status (including all vaccines, not only COVID-19).

  • Family volunteers who choose to volunteer during school hours MUST show proof of their vaccination status to be eligible to be on campus. Please discuss any exemptions with the director. 

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Close Contacts  (Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Close Contact through proximity and duration of exposure: Someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). 

 

Staff will report to the director the nature of each close contact to determine eligibility and the school will follow up with the contact traction requirements. The child's information will be reported to the Pima County Health department and the family may received a phone call for further information. 

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 Links to testing sites:

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Additional Resources 

  • LOCAL: To stay up to date on the latest data regarding COVID-19 in our community, including safety recommendations. COVID Act Now

  • LOCAL: For information on guidance that Pima County Health Department is providing schools. Pima County Healthy School & Child Care

  • STATE: For information on guidance the Arizona Health Department is providing schools. Schools (K-12) & Childcare - Guidance

  • NATIONAL: Review the Center for Disease Control & Prevention COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs. CDC - COVID 19 

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