Covid-19
COVID-19 Awareness & School Updates
We’ll Get Through This!
Be Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Pandemic Response Plan
Read our pandemic response plan.
Learning Schedule
South Campus
Frequently Asked Questions
For questions related to the reopening of campus, please review our FAQ below. We encourage you to visit this page regularly, as the site will continue to be updated. If you have any additional questions, please contact your respective campus.
General
Will my student still be able to participate in clubs, extracurricular activities, and sports?
Yes, based upon state and local guidelines. South Campus Athletics will follow what has been set forth by CIF. We will provide further updates as they develop.
How will the campus respond if a member of the Heritage community tests positive?
Any person testing positive for COVID-19 will follow the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LACDPH) Home Isolation Instructions for people with COVID-19). The individual will be required to isolate from campus for 10 days after the onset of their symptoms and must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medications, and must have improved symptoms. The privacy of any individual testing positive will be maintained in accordance with HIPPA and FERPA requirements. The school’s COVID response team will interview the student and parents to initiate the contact tracing process. Any person who has been identified as close contacts of the case must follow LACDPH Home Quarantine Instructions for Close Contacts to COVID-19.
What if a student or faculty member comes into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
Close contacts of anyone with COVID-19, unless vaccinated, are required to quarantine at home for 10 days from last contact to the COVID-19 positive person and follow the Home Quarantine Instructions for Close Contacts to COVID-19. Families may choose to have their student(s)remain on campus for in-person learning if they receive a negative result for a COVID-19 test right away as well as on the fifth day after the exposure.
If we learn of any positive results among our community, we will follow the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and/or CDC recommendations regarding contact, notification, and quarantine. Any person who tested positive is required to be isolated from our campus per LADPH guidelines.
Are there daily protocols taken upon entering campus?
Yes! All students and staff are required to have their temperature taken and questioned for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering campus.
Please do not bring a sick student to campus! Make your assessment of your student prior to leaving your residence for school. Students found to be sick will be removed from class and wait for a parent pick up.
Academic
At which point will on campus instruction move to remote learning?
Heritage Christian School offers on-campus classes 5 days a week for the 2021-22 school year. We understand this plan is subject to change depending on county, state and/or federal guidelines.
The design of our return to school plan has been created with flexibility in mind, should we move to online learning.
In anticipation of the different needs of our families and a potential increase in on-campus absences, we are prepared to deliver instruction to students remotely using technology that will allow students to continue their college preparatory curriculum remotely. Synchronous and asynchronous learning will be available if deemed necessary.
Google Classroom allows for HCS to concurrently educate students physically and remotely. Our faculty will be prepared to allow remote students to participate in and record in person or synchronous classes.
It is important to share that, in the event our government prevents us from welcoming students on-campus, our ministry continues. We believe in high quality education that helps our students get accepted into great universities. We also recognize the critical importance of spiritual development and mental health for our students as they grow into adulthood and become future leaders.
How have teachers/faculty members been trained to follow the COVID-19 guidelines?
As part of our Professional Development, faculty will be provided ongoing training opportunities to review guidelines and protocols to continue on-campus instruction safely.
Sanitation & Safety
Will students, faculty, and staff be required to wear a face-covering?
At this time, CalOSHA requires that all employees wear masks while indoors, unless they are by themselves.
Students, will need to wear face coverings while indoors in their classrooms.
All visitors will wear masks while on campus.
Exceptions may be granted for those under the age of two, or with a licensed physician’s written permission. HCS must apply this mandate and include all students, staff and visitors. Face shields may be worn in addition to a mask, but cannot replace it unless the face shield has a cloth drape across the bottom that is tucked into your shirt to catch all droplets.
Is there a time when they don’t have to wear face coverings?
Only while eating/drinking or participating in supervised physical activities. If a student has written permission from a licensed physician stating the student is unable to wear a face covering, we will seek accommodations along with the family.
How have campus sanitation practices evolved to mitigate the spread of COVID-19?
HCS will have additional maintenance to implement COVID cleaning protocol. Frequently touched surfaces throughout campus will be cleaned and disinfected by trained staff, regularly scheduled disinfection will be implemented for each classroom upon dismissal of class period. Frequently touched surfaces to be disinfected include, but are not limited to door handles, light switches, sink handles, bathroom surfaces, tables, desks, and chairs. All cleaning products are approved for use against COVID-19 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All classrooms and common areas are cleaned according to LA County Public Health department guidelines.
How will wellness checks/temperature checks be administered? Should I expect to drop off my son early so that he is not late to class?
Starting during morning drop-off schedules, all staff, students, and visitors will have their temperatures checked with a no-touch thermometer prior to entering campus. Per health department guidelines, anyone with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher will need to isolate from campus.
All faculty, staff, and students will need to be able to answer NO to the following questions before coming on campus:
- Have you or anyone in your household currently have or had any of the following symptoms in the last 14 days: sore throat, new cough, chills, body aches for unknown reasons, shortness of breath for unknown reasons, loss of smell, loss of taste, fever at or greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit?
- Are you or someone you live with waiting for results of a test for COVID-19?
- Have you or anyone in your household tested positive for COVID-19?
- To the best of your knowledge have you been in close contact (within 6ft for more than 15 minutes) to any individual who tested positive or has been exposed or acquired COVID-19?
What if someone develops symptoms on campus?
Any students, faculty, or staff exhibiting symptoms will be required to wait in an isolation area outside until they can be transported home or to a healthcare facility, as soon as practical. They will also be required to consult a Medical Provider for further evaluation and possible COVID-19 testing.
If a teacher tests positive for COVID-19 are they required to quarantine for 10 days? Will all of their students be required to self isolate?
The teacher will be instructed to follow LADPH Home Isolation Instructions. They must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medications, it has been 10 days since symptom onset, and their symptoms have improved.
Any individual testing positive for COVID-19 will be instructed to follow LADPH Home Isolation Instructions as required by Health Officer Orders.
Where will you find a substitute teacher who will work in a classroom full of exposed, possibly infected students?
If students are exposed and possible infected, they will be home following LADPH Home Quarantine Instructions. Heritage will provide in-house substitutes and contract out with qualified personnel when necessary. If the school’s contact tracing procedures determine that students need to isolate, we will do so.
What if a teacher is diagnosed with COVID-19? Do all the kids in each class now have to quarantine and get tested?
It is difficult to apply one standard to every situation, therefore Heritage Christian School will evaluate each situation with the safety and protection of every staff member and student in mind.
What if a student in your son’s class tests positive? What if your son tests positive? Does every other student and teacher they have been around quarantine? Are all parents and teachers notified who is infected and when?
Due to HIPAA regulations we are not able to share the identities of individuals who test positive without authorization, but if your student has been identified as a close contact or LACDPH guidance suggests, all close-contacts will need to home isolate for 19 days.
What is this stress going to do to our teachers? How does it affect their health and well-being? How does it affect their ability to teach? How does it affect the quality of education they are able to provide? What is it going to do to our kids? What are the long-term effects of consistently being stressed out?
Working during COVID-19 in the world today has affected us all and will continue to affect all whose jobs primarily take place outside of their home. We are working on identifying sources for socio-emotional and spiritual guidance for staff and students who need it during this difficult time.
How will classroom environments be changed?
Teachers and staff/deans and coaches will reinforce standards for students and reduce shared materials as much as possible.
The air conditioning systems will include improved filtration with specifications known to capture viruses.
We encourage doors to be open, to increase ventilation.
Seating charts will will us perform contact tracing.
As mentioned elsewhere, enhanced cleaning will be performed.
Travel
As a community, the staff and families of Heritage Christian School benefit from the care and concern of all our families. We understand that not all travel is equal and that the risk of COVID infection varies with every situation. I.E. A solo family trip via car to go camping is not the same as an airplane ride to a cruise ship.
At HCS, we have encountered enough situations related to COVID exposure that we are well-versed with the protocols to ensure the safety of our community. We have also seen enough to know that nearly every exposure comes as a surprise, seemingly coming out of left field. Because of this, we encourage everyone in our community to err on the side of caution to help ensure that HCS is the safest place possible for our staff and families. This approach also ensures that HCS will not need to close or send large groups of students home as a result of on-campus exposures.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, or anyone in your household has one or more symptoms of COVID-19, please stay at home and notify the school without hesitation. Additionally, we ask that anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, congestion/runny nose, headache, nausea/vomiting, new cough, sore throat, body aches, new loss of taste or smell, and/or chills/sweating stay home.
While we understand that sometimes travel is unavoidable, it may increase the risk of virus transmission in our community. We ask that our Heritage Christian School families and employees avoid unnecessary travel during this pandemic. If travel is unavoidable, please refer to state and local travel guidelines.
If you must travel, we ask that upon return from any trip, domestic travelers may return to work without self-quarantine so long as they remain asymptomatic + distance themselves + receive negative COVID test results before their first day back to work and again at the end of their fifth day back at work.
The school has scheduled testing on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2 to 4 on The Senior Patio of the South Campus. We may also schedule testing on some Tuesdays and Thursdays. This testing is for asymptomatic individuals only. Please do not come onto campus for this testing if you are symptomatic of COVID-19. Note: the school might not be able to provide every necessary tests for our staff, and therefore our staff may need to find testing options on their own.
This protocol is regardless of vaccination status. Unfortunately, we cannot accept self-administered at-home tests.
International travelers arriving in the US will require a negative test before returning to work. A rapid viral test is offered for free at LAX for all returning international travelers at the international terminal. Additionally, if you are asymptomatic you may return to work but must get a COVID-19 viral test 3-5 days after travel, regardless of vaccination status. We ask that you remain vigilant about any symptoms associated with COVID-19 for 14 days after travel and stay home if you develop any.
We are requiring the above of our staff and students so as to ensure our community is appropriately protected.
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Pandemic Response Plan
Heritage Christian School is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all its students, parents, employees, and guests. We have developed the following Pandemic Response Plan (PRP) for the 2021–22 school year that will guide our decisions regarding the reopening of our campus to students and employees as well as our overall program. We recognize that through the implementation of the following coordinated efforts, we can greatly reduce, not eliminate, the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. We strive to balance our mitigation policies with the known benefits of children experiencing in-person learning at school.
Heritage Christian School will update this Pandemic Response Plan as federal, state, and local guidelines and regulations change. If you have any questions regarding current policies or procedures, parents should contact the school.
Last Edited 12/27/2021
Resources and Guiding Entities
Heritage Christian School School’s Pandemic Response Plan is based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), the American Academy of Pediatrics, federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards related to COVID-19, and DPH Orders of the Health Officer as they pertain to COVID-19. In addition, a committee of Heritage Christian School’s community members with varied expertise worked together to develop this plan.
Implementation
To be effective, Heritage Christian School School’s PRP requires the full cooperation of all our community members, and everyone is responsible for implementing and complying with the School’s PRP. This plan includes protocols such as signage placement, face coverings, physical distancing, screening procedures, contact tracing, enhanced cleaning, and frequent HVAC filter changes the School is taking to mitigate COVID-19 contagion.
This PRP addresses the health and safety procedures that Heritage Christian School School’s has implemented and the responsibilities of the School and its community members, including:
- prevention procedures, including hygiene and respiratory etiquette;
- procedures for safe physical distancing and limiting visitors, including parents, to campus;
- cleaning, sanitizing, and ventilation information;
- screening procedures and policies for anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms;
- prompt identification and isolation of sick individuals and protocols for contact tracing;
- protection and controls for student pick-up and drop-off; and
- employee training and ongoing communications.
School Program: On-Campus Learning
The 2021-22 school year will continue on-campus learning.
Safeguarding the health of our community members is our top priority. We are prepared for a hybrid learning scenario should we be required us to do so.
On-Campus Learning
We are excited to welcome students back to Heritage Christian School School for on-campus learning, and we will offer a full-day schedule. Heritage Christian School School’s physical and human resources enable us to provide an at-school, in-person education under new health and safety guidelines. Some program modifications will include additional classrooms for student grouping, limiting student travel during the day, a new daily schedule with the ability to pivot to distance learning quickly if necessary, increased use of outdoor spaces for student learning and socialization, and enhanced technology.
Please contact your student’s principal should you would like to discuss remote learning options including your student’s underlying medical conditions or other concerns.
Distance Learning if Campus Is Closed
Should we be required to move to full distance learning, our students will still experience the meaningful and joyful learning that is a hallmark of the Heritage Christian School’s education. Students will participate in developmentally appropriate schedules that are a balance of live and recorded content. All students will have access to their own electronic device. The School will continue to utilize a number of digital tools for learning, engagement, and assessment.
Social-Emotional Support
Supporting our students’ social-emotional development is more important than ever during these trying and uncertain times.
In addition to your child’s teachers or principal, a HCS school counselor will be available to help parents regarding their student’s adjustment back to school and any other related concerns. Please contact your student’s principal.
A staff member of Heritage Christian School will be available to meet with students individually once school resumes. Our administration will continue to support teachers and to help facilitate morning meetings as needed. They are also great resources for families who want outside support for student who need more help transitioning back to school.
Considerations for Parents
Children are looking to their parents to let them know how they should be feeling about things. As much as possible, parents should try to be a calm presence in their student’s lives and communicate their confidence in their children’s ability to cope with stressful situations including going back to school.
Parents are encouraged to help children reestablish routines at home that will help prepare them for coming back to school. This linked article from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has some great suggestions to prepare for reentry.
Once parents read through the School’s PRP and understand more about the 2021–22 school year, they are encouraged to communicate clearly with their student about the return to school. Frequent brief conversations are recommended instead of one or two long conversations.
Parents are encouraged to reinforce the idea that students have a part in keeping themselves safe and healthy rather than emphasizing the many unknowns. Although no one knows exactly what the school year will bring, it is important that students feel a sense of comfort knowing that there are specific things they can do (e.g., hand washing, keeping their hands off their face, nose, eyes, and maintaining a safe distance) to help keep themselves and others healthy.
Ample evidence shows that maintaining balanced nutrition, getting moderate exercise, practicing mindfulness, establishing good sleep habits, and having adequate social support are the best ways to counteract the effects of stress on children (and adults). Little things can help to make big improvements in the reduction of stress!
Parents can help the School by communicating with their children that although every family has dealt with COVID-19 differently, the Heritage Christian School community supports each other. There will be a different set of expectations at school, and we hope that everyone will respect differences in how families have approached dealing with the virus.
Mitigation Strategies
We recognize that through the implementation of coordinated efforts, we can greatly reduce, not eliminate, the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our community. Heritage Christian School strives to balance our mitigation policies with the known benefits of children experiencing in-person learning at school.
We have implemented basic infection prevention measures, including the promotion of frequent handwashing, respiratory etiquette, the use of face coverings, and physical distancing. Continual on-campus learning will only be possible with all of us working together to follow these health and safety guidelines on and off-campus.
Handwashing
Frequent handwashing is critical in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Hand sanitizer dispensers (that use sanitizers of greater than 60 percent alcohol) are at entrances and other locations throughout the school. Students, employees, parents, and visitors should wash or sanitize their hands after entering the building. Everyone is instructed to frequently wash their hands throughout the day for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, but especially at the beginning and end of their time on campus, before and after mealtimes, and after using the restroom.
Respiratory Etiquette
Everyone should cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing and avoid touching their face, in particular their mouth, nose, and eyes, with their hands. They should dispose of tissues in provided trash receptacles and wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward. Respiratory etiquette signage will be displayed throughout the School.
Face Coverings
Everyone must wear a clean face covering at all times while indoors on campus—including during drop-off and pickup—and provide their own face coverings. Students should have two clean face coverings available each day at school. According to public health officials, individuals can spread COVID-19 to others even if they do not feel sick. While not a substitute for physical distancing, the use of face coverings is an important way that we, as a community, can protect each other by mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Exceptions may be made for those with documented medical conditions, children under age two, and to accommodate eating and drinking; outdoor and physical activities, including P.E.; and instructional time when physical distancing can be maintained and additional preventative measures are in place.
CDC guidelines provide general considerations for wearing and maintaining a face covering, including the following:
- The mouth and nose are fully covered
- The covering fits snugly against the sides of the face so there are no gaps
- The wearer does not have any difficulty breathing while wearing the covering
- The face-covering can be tied or otherwise secured to prevent slipping
Face coverings do not have to be worn by employees when they are alone in their classroom or office.
Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Ventilation
Heritage Christian School uses EPA List N approved disinfectants and has implemented updated cleaning, disinfecting, and ventilation practices. This includes routine cleaning and disinfecting throughout the campus. We will administer frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas and items, such as manipulatives, door handles, elevator panels, railings, copy machines, and water fountains.
All students and employees will practice healthy hygiene including frequent handwashing throughout the day.
If someone within the community contracts COVID-19, contact tracing will be used to identify and notify people who may have been exposed at school and also to determine the exposed areas and equipment within the building. These areas and equipment will be disinfected per CDC guidelines.
The School’s air conditioning system allows for the maximum amount of incoming fresh air, air recirculation is being limited, and ventilation systems are being properly used and maintained. Heritage Christian School will continue to maintain an aggressive filter replacement schedule to support the best air quality.
Limiting Campus Access
As virus spread is more likely between adults, we are restricting parent and visitor access to student learning spaces.
All parents and visitors must enter through the main reception area, wear face coverings, and be screened upon arrival.
There will be ccasions when parents are invited onto campus for meetings and events.
Physical Distancing, Student Cohorts, and Group Gatherings
All individuals at Heritage Christian School will maintain a safe physical distance as feasible. Signage throughout the School will reinforce physical distancing.
We encourage teachers to take advantage of Heritage Christian School’s outdoor learning spaces when possible.
We will adhere to the mask mandate while indoors and for large group gatherings.
Shared Items and Water Fountains
Teachers will limit the sharing of classroom materials and workspaces between students and will sanitize items as needed. Only items that can be easily disinfected will be used.
No personal toys will be allowed on campus.
Students and employees should bring and use a water bottle. Please label your child’s water bottle. Designated water fountains will be available.
Travel and Field Trips
Employee’s non-essential business travel is restricted, and we ask that all community members limit non-essential travel and follow the LADPH and CDC Travel Advisory for guidance on travel and needing to quarantine after travel.
Off-campus field trips will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Student Drop-off and Pickup
Until further notice, carline schedules will likely remain the same for the 2021–22 school year. We appreciate everyone’s patience as new health and safety protocols may extend the duration of pickup and drop off schedules.
- Everyone should wear face coverings when they arrive on campus.
- During student drop-off and pickup, employees will wear face coverings, maintain six feet of physical distance whenever possible, and avoid physical contact with other individuals.
Health Screenings and Symptom Assessment and Reporting
We will continue to inform and encourage families and employees to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 . As defined by the CDC/DPH, individuals with COVID-19 may have any of the following symptoms, which may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus: new uncontrolled cough causing difficulty breathing, fever greater than 100.4, chills, or diarrhea/vomiting/abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Also according to the CDC/DPH, this list of symptoms does not include all possible symptoms. Please contact your healthcare provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Heritage Christian School has implemented the following policies and procedures to assess a person’s health status prior to entering the School; to provide guidelines for screening individuals before they are allowed to enter the building; and to provide a process for families to report when they are sick, experiencing symptoms, or if they or anyone in their household have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Before Arriving on Campus
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or knows that they have COVID-19 should isolate at home. In addition, parents should communicate with the School—using the methods listed below—if one of them or a member of their household tests positive for COVID-19, experiences symptoms of COVID-19, or has close contact* with someone who is positive or symptomatic of COVID-19.
*CDC currently defines “close contact” as “someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the patient is isolated.”
Parents should take their children’s temperature before arriving on campus and keep their child(ren) home if they are showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
Parents should continue to report student absences, COVID-19 symptoms, COVID-19 exposures, and COVID-19 diagnoses via the absence line at 818-810-3089 South Campus, 818-368-7071 North Campus.
Screening Procedure for Students
- A face covering is meant to protect others, therefore all employees, parents, visitors, and students are required to wear a mask on campus.
- Students will have their temperatures checked on campus each day. Any student with a temperature of greater than or equal to 100.4° Fahrenheit or above must immediately leave the campus and be sent to an isolation area while they wait for their parent/guardian to pick them up.
- Students who show symptoms of COVID-19 while at school will be sent home and will be asked to follow LADPH guidelines for symptomatic individuals which states: to return to school, a symptomatic individual must provide a negative test result or a doctors’ note with a safe to return date, or must quarantine for 10 days.
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Screening Procedures for Employees, Parents, and Visitors
- Employees, parents, and visitors must enter through the guard station or main reception area.
- Parents will not be allowed past the Main Office or Reception once school resumes unless they have an appointment or have received a communication from the School that states otherwise.
- A face covering is meant to protect others, therefore all employees, parents, visitors, and students are required to wear a mask on campus.
- Upon arrival, employees, parents, and visitors will form one line, maintaining at least six feet of distance from others.
- All adults entering the building will have their temperature checked.
- Anyone with a temperature greater than or equal to 100.4° Fahrenheit or above must immediately leave the campus or be further evaluated by the Health Office.
- If the screening reveals any COVID-19 symptoms, the individual will immediately leave the campus or will report to a designated isolation room until a parent or guardian arrives.
- All individuals should wash or sanitize their hands after entering the building.
Policies for Individuals Exhibiting Symptoms at School
If a student is sick or experiencing symptoms at school, the teacher or other designated adult will escort the student directly to the isolation area and alert the Health Office. Both escort and student should wear face coverings and be 6ft apart.
Parents who become sick or experience symptoms while at Heritage Christian School should notify the office and leave the building immediately or report to the designated isolation room until able to leave the School.
Heritage Christian School has implemented specific COVID-19 health support policies that promote everyone staying at home when they are sick or displaying symptoms of COVID-19, when household members are sick or displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or when required by a healthcare provider to isolate or quarantine themselves or a member of their household.
Vacation and Travel Protocol
Heritage Christian Schools’ families play a vital role in helping us maintain a safe and healthy campus. Our goal is to partner with you to support your child’s adherence to state and local health recommendations, regulations, and mandates to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while they are away from campus, as well as at school.
Therefore, we ask that if you are aware or suspect that any student has been exposed to or has contracted a communicable disease, please keep your student home and notify the school without hesitation.
While we understand that sometimes travel is inevitable, it also increases the risk of virus transmission in our community. In addition, we ask that our Heritage Christian School families and employees avoid unnecessary travel during this pandemic. If travel is unavoidable, we ask that you contact the office.
We agree that If anyone in our household/caregivers travels outside of the state of California, we will notify the School Principal and/or Health and Safety Coordinator detailing the destination and length of trip. If our state has been designated to be on the CDC watchlist due to high COVID-19 positivity rates, we will comply with their directives regarding recommended self-quarantine upon return.
We understand that we may be asked to test for COVID-19 prior to returning to campus and again on or after day five (5) or will keep our child home for 10 days and that our child will continue classes via distance learning during that period of time.
Contact Tracing and Returning to School
Contact tracing is part of the process of mitigating the spread of infection. Heritage Christian School has a plan to work with public health officials if a community member tests positive for COVID-19. The Heritage Christian School Compliance Task Force and/or local public health officials will work with the infected person to identify close contacts and will notify community members who may be close contacts. Patient confidentiality will be maintained. Instructions that follow current CDC and LADPH guidance will be provided to the infected person and all close contacts regarding isolation and quarantine. If you have any questions about the plan, please contact the school.
Returning to school
Anyone who is absent or sent home due to illness shall not be permitted back in school again until they have:
- Been fever free without the use of medication for at least 24 hours, AND
- Other symptoms have improved, and
- It has been 10 days since symptom onset
- Please consult your family’s healthcare provider for evaluation of symptoms and for a COVID-19 test.
Anyone who is absent due to a positive COVID-19 test shall not be permitted back in school until at least 10 days after the positive test result AND symptoms have improved, AND they are fever free for more than 24 hours without the use of medications.
Anyone who is absent due to close contact with a person who has COVID-19 shall not be permitted back in school until 14 days after last exposure to the person. These individuals are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 and should follow the LADPH Home Quarantine Orders and be observant for any onset of symptoms. They should also stay away from anyone who is at higher risk for getting sick.
In addition to the aforementioned requirements, anyone who is required to be off-campus due to a COVID-19-related concern should consult and receive clearance from the school office before being allowed back on campus.
Training and Preparedness
This document will serve as the Heritage Christian School response plan for COVID-19. The School will provide employees with pandemic preparedness training and additional resources will be available on the Heritage Christian School website.
Additional communications and training will be ongoing as COVID-19 guidelines and requirements change. If you have any questions, please contact Armando Nunez with any questions or concerns as it pertains to COVID-19.
Good afternoon Warrior Family,
It seems to me, that more than ever, we need to take care of ourselves, both physically and mentally, and model this behavior for others. Your mental health is important, just like your physical health. Please take the time to look over this important resource from the CDC to address mental health and coping during this pandemic. I found this great resource and wanted to share it with you for this weeks COVID-19 Communication.
This information comes from the CDC website. There are several links that will give your more information about specific areas like: tips for better sleep, how much to exercise at different age groups, how to be active and socially distance. One link even takes you to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for meditation practice. Please consider this valuable resource in your everyday care of yourself. God bless you.
Healthy Ways to Cope With stress
- Know what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19. Contact a health professional before you start any self-treatment for COVID-19.
- Know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy (in person or through telehealth services).
- Take care of your emotional health. Taking care of your emotional health will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family.
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body:
- Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid excessive alcohol and drug use.
- Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
- Connect with your community- or faith-based organizations. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.
Know the Facts to Help Reduce Stress
Knowing the facts about COVID-19 and stopping the spread of rumors can help reduce stress and stigma. Understanding the risk to yourself and people you care about can help you connect with others and make an outbreak less stressful.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It may also affect how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices during an emergency.
People with pre-existing mental health conditions or substance use disorders may be particularly vulnerable in an emergency. Mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia) affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior in a way that influences their ability to relate to others and function each day. These conditions may be situational (short-term) or long-lasting (chronic). People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. If you think you have new or worse symptoms, call your healthcare provider.
Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row. Free and confidential resources can also help you or a loved one connect with a skilled, trained counselor in your area.
Get immediate help in a crisis
- Call 911
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
September 9, 2020
Dear Middle School Parents,
We hope that you have had a great start to this new school year and that you and your family are staying safe and healthy. While things continue to change and evolve, we want to provide you with the most current update regarding Middle School Athletics.
At this time, our league has decided that competition will not take place during the first semester (which also mirrors high school programs per CIF). Should we return to campus sooner, you will be notified of any meeting, tryout, or workouts. Our number one priority remains the health and safety of our students, coaches, and all of those involved. It is our goal to resume sports in some capacity when conditions allow us to do so and with the permission from our local health officials, administration, and league.
In an effort to plan accordingly, your participation in the following survey would be greatly appreciated. Please fill out one per child by Tuesday, September 15. If your student does not intend on participating in any sports this school year, please select that answer as well. All responses are very helpful in our decision making and planning processes.
Thank you for your time and we look forward to the day where we can all be together again on campus!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Middle School Athletic 2020-2021 Survey
In His Service,
Rebecca Kendrick
Middle School Athletic Director
August 13, 2020
Hope you and your family are having a restful summer break. Our administrative team has been praying for you throughout these summer months as we all have been dealing with challenging times and we pray that you and your family have been safe and remain healthy as we head into the school year.
Preparations for the coming school year have been in full swing, including staffing our teacher ranks with qualified people who are joining us in our mission of Christian Education.
New Teachers are in place for Middle School English, Math, Social Studies and Science as well as High School Government, History, Math and Science.
Our traditional Meet & Greet to welcome families and meet our new and returning faculty will be held Virtually, more information will be sent later.
An email will be sent to you soon letting you know student’s Class Schedule is available to view on Renweb.
Summer Reading Lists can be found on our Summer Reading List page.
Learning Platforms will continue to be through Google Classroom. Our teachers will be receiving professional development on further use of this platform. Assignments will be posted in Google Classroom for students, and on Renweb for parents.
Student Expectations will be in place for remote learning. Students will be expected to:
- Reply to teacher emails promptly or check into their teachers Google Classroom Monday through Friday during school hours.
- Be on Time for their online classes as outlined in the published class schedule. Attendance will be taken. Students’ attendance will reflect tardies and leaving class early.
- Actively participate, follow teacher directions and expectations. This includes participating in online conferencing with teachers when requested.
- Complete coursework within the time frame determined by their teacher.
- Adhere to the following “Student Video Conferencing Guidelines:”
- Find a common space in the home with a non-distracting wall or background,
- Be on time for your class session,
- Mute your device when you are not speaking,
- Speak clearly when sharing,
- Follow teacher directions,
- Follow school rules, and dress appropriately,
- Be sitting up at a desk, table or flat surface.
Parent/Guardian Expectations:
- Support your student to follow teacher directions.
- Support your student to complete coursework within the teacher specified timeframe.
- Log in to Renweb to monitor student progress.
- Use Teacher Office Hour times to contact teachers with inquiries.
- Call or email the office when your student is sick or absent.
When Students Return to Campus for Instruction
12th Grade Student-parent Meeting will be planned when we return for on-campus learning. This meeting covers your student’s senior year and the college application process.
School Uniforms are required when students return to on-campus learning. Go to the Heritage website to view details.
Middle School Supply Lists can be found here.
Request for Medication Form must be filled out for students to receive medication at school by school personnel. This form will need to be complete and turned in when students arrive on campus for in-person learning; you can find the form here.
School Retreats and Educational Trips have been pushed to the spring and are to be determined.
Student Photos & Ids dates are to be determined.
Fall Sports have been mandated by CIF to start in January 2021.
Hot Lunch is to be determined.
Watch for a hard copy of this letter will be coming to you via US Post, which includes signature pages for our Student/Parent Handbook and Internet Guidelines.
Continue to be in prayer with us as we look forward this new and different start of the school year. We eagerly await the day when all of our students, faculty and staff can be on the south campus together.
Sincerely,
Mr. M. Frendt
South Campus Principal
August 7, 2020
Dear Elementary Families,
Peace to you, in the name of our LORD, Jesus Christ!
We have often heard and said “We live in such a fast-changing world!” for years and this phrase can’t be ever more true in describing how our world changes by the hour amid COVID!
As many of you have heard, the increase in cases of reported COVID and tighter government restrictions are impeding our plans to open our North Campus for our TK-5th Grade Students. The administration and special task force team have been working endlessly for a safe reopening and to provide quality educational services for our students both on-campus and on-line.
For the summer, we were able to reopen our campus to our preschool and elementary students to provide daycare for our essential workers. It was a delight to hear the voices of our children passing along air hugs and virtual high fives! We were able to balance academics and fun activities with proper safety regulations. We were able to experience God’s protection over our campus, our students, and staff altogether. We hope to offer similar services to families in need of daycare.
As uncertain as our times are, we hope to deliver our plan that is reasonable and not to disappoint you with false hope at the same time. We are still pressing forward with a waiver to fully open up our campus for TK-5th grade. Meanwhile, we are looking into several various ways to open our campus for daycare in compliance with the safety regulations set forth by the California Department of Public Health.
FALL DAYCARE OPTION for TK- 5th Grade
SHOULD WE NOT BE APPROVED FOR AN ON-CAMPUS LEARNING WAIVER, and our only option is on-line learning for the start of school, we would like to provide daycare services if there is enough family interest to do so. An online application will be available shortly. Spaces will be limited on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students will be supervised by our student supervision staff in smaller cohorts while doing their on-line learning. However, the student supervision staff will not be responsible for teaching, checking work and for completion, etc.
Online application forms will be available next week with detailed information, if there is enough interest for this program. There will be a nominal fee of $100 per month in addition to your monthly tuition for student supervision between the hours of 7:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Similar to our regular after school daycare program, there will be a fee of $5 per accumulated hour for children picked up after 3:15 p.m. There will be an additional $2 per minute charge for each child picked up after 6:00 p.m.
TK-KINDERGARTEN OPTION (Pending approval)
We are currently pursuing the option of adding TK and Kindergarten to our current preschool license. If this is approved, we will be offering an on-campus learning option as we understand that on-line learning is quite challenging for our younger students. These classes will be taught by our current TK and Kindergarten teachers. The Afterschool Day Care fees as outlined above will apply for any child not picked up at 3:00 p.m. Upon approval, TK and Kindergarteners will not be eligible to remain in the Fall Day Care Option. They must choose between 100% at-home/online learning or 100% on-campus/in-class learning.
Please understand that these are our plans and best effort to provide needed services to our families. However, if the government regulations prohibit us from doing so, we may need to make adjustments to our proposed plans. Please find our generic plan to reopening both on-campus and on-line options in the attachment. We hope to address specific concerns and questions in the following weeks as more information becomes available. The faculty and staff have been working throughout the summer to welcome our students!
Flexibility is our strength. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we navigate through this uncharted territory! Please keep us in your prayers! We hope to communicate with you more frequently as the school opening date is drawing near and will provide a clearer plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
With Prayers,
Dr. Esther Choi
Preschool & Elementary Principal
July 24, 2020
Dear Heritage Families,
Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate the state and county rules regarding school opening. Each day brings new elements to consider, and that has made our season all the more complicated.
We are sharing that our first day of school for Elementary and Secondary schools is September 1st, and our school year will end June 11, 2021. The shift of the school year will help us better prepare for at-home learning until we are permitted to safely welcome our TK-12th grade students to the classroom. Note, Heritage will be seeking a waiver through our county and state agencies which could allow our TK-6th grade students attend classes on campus. Although our approval is not guaranteed, we are seeking every opportunity to serve our families with excellent learning within a safe environment.
We look forward to welcoming our preschoolers onto both our North and West campuses on August 11th as originally planned. Again, our safety measures are already being deployed at our North Campus, and we continue to tune our procedures as we receive information from local and state officials.
This is a time of flexibility. We are thankful to our families for investing in Private Christian education, and we recognize our Christian-based curriculum and care from our staff are critical to child development. Yet, we understand this season has led to some of our families to consider how schooling options could affect their health.
I continue to pray for each of our families and encourage you to submit a prayer request so our prayer warriors can lift you and your request in prayer.
Thank you and God Bless,
Jeremy Hoff
Head of School
July 13, 2020
Dear Heritage Parents,
I hope you are well!
This season has been a trying time for many. I have spoken with some who echo a sentiment that I have felt in my prayers: that in a manner of speaking, God has used the COVID situation for GOOD by pressing the pause button for the whole world. When we read Romans 5:1-4 we can see that Hope should be our driving factor. It’s in hope that we do what we do, and serve as we serve.
We learned today that LAUSD is committed exclusively to at-home learning this Fall. As many have since inquired, I want to remind our families that we continue to plan on daily classroom learning for all students across all campuses starting this Fall. We continue to watch the statistics on COVID, we remain in contact with other area private schools, check in with ACSI for guidance, watch for updates from health and safety organizations, and work through our internal plans. I am thankful for our summer care program – not only does it bring life to our North Campus, it afforded us a head start for implementation of a very successful health and screening process necessary for a safe return to our campuses.
I am pleased to report that our safety team is working diligently on matters pertaining to health and safety concerns for all our campuses. We meet this week to work through those details and intend to share our plan in the coming days. Of course, we are following the CDC guidelines for schools and keep up with the changes – as they learn, we learn too.
Our technology team has continued the installation of the Promethean boards for our North and South Campuses to aid in on-campus learning, but also help us continue our educational efforts should we be forced to shelter-at-home. As reported previously, days were added for our teachers’ professional development schedule, and we are on track for completion ahead of the school year. What is more, our administration is pouring through details to avoid any shortcomings we experienced together during the last months of the 2019/2020 school year when all students across Los Angeles were sent home.
Moving forward, my communications will be as frequent and brief as practical – please ensure you’ve added my email address to your address books to help with deliverability to your inbox. We’re in this together, and on behalf of our school board and staff, I thank you for your investment in private Christian education at Heritage Christian School.
I am thankful to be here at Heritage, and remain optimistic that this year will be among the best ever for our school and for your family.
Jeremy Hoff
Head of School