IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Theme of the Year:

“Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry”

Padre Pio

Virtue for August and September:

Faith!

FAQ UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 19, 2020

Thank you for all of the feedback and questions we have received from our community since we shared our Return To School Plan (PLEASE REVISIT THE PLAN OFTEN—IT IS LOCATED ON OUR WEBSITE) and held the first Parent Zoom Meeting. We appreciate your ongoing prayers and support so very much. We will continue to update our families as we receive updated information from local, state, and national sources. 

Our primary concern remains the health and safety of our staff, the students that you entrust us with, and that of our greater community. Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to work through this together.

How do we prevent getting and spreading COVID-19?

It is very important we all follow the safety precautions below to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

• Self-screen every day before coming to school using this assessment and stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
• All faculty and staff will be trained in specific COVID-19 protocols and procedures.

Is my child required to wear a mask?

A mask will be worn by everyone in grades 4-8 while inside the building, including students, faculty, staff, and essential visitors.  If there is a valid medical reason for not wearing a face covering, within the context of COVID-19, this would also mean that attending school in person with such a condition is too dangerous to allow. Any individual who is unwilling or unable to wear a face covering will move to distance learning until masks are not needed. Face shields are not considered masks and will not be allowed as the only face covering. 

We will continue to work with local, diocesan, state and CDC guidelines to monitor the situation, reviewing and revising these requirements when appropriate.

Students in grades PreK-3 will wear masks during times of transition and as indicated by their teachers. 

Face coverings need to cover the mouth and nose.  

Mask colors and designs must be appropriate and not covering other parts of the face.

Students will be given opportunity for mask breaks when Social Distancing as indicated by the supervising teacher throughout the day.

Why are face shields discouraged? 

According to medical experts it is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles. The CDC does not recommend face shields for normal everyday activities or as a substitute for cloth face coverings. Teachers and staff members may choose to wear face shields in addition to masks.

 

How will the school be checking COVID-19?  

Currently, the Texas Education Agency mandates that all teachers and staff self-screen every morning before coming to campus. Families will be asked to self-screen using a list of symptoms to screen their child(ren). Students will be sent to the health office if symptoms arise during the day.

 

How are class sizes being handled?  

Excess furniture and unnecessary items have been removed from classrooms to allow for additional space. Desks have been arranged for optimum social distancing.

Barrier shields are being placed in K-4 classrooms for greater protection.  We are extremely grateful to the volunteers who have designed, built, and installed these shields saving the school from what would have been an unaffordable cost.

 

What is the protocol for sending a someone home due to COVID-19 diagnosis?

We will follow the guidelines of the CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services. This will be evaluated on a case by case basis. A protocol is in place for communicating and consulting with the medical authorities.

 

Will students be able to use the water fountain? 

The traditional water fountains will not be available for use. All students are asked to bring a non-sweating or double-insulated labeled water bottle filled with water to school each day and to take it home to clean each afternoon.

Academic Planning FAQs

Will children have to stay in the classroom all day? 

Teachers are working to include outdoor learning, extra recess time, and additional "brain breaks" for students to relax, get fresh air, and play. There will be opportunities throughout the day to move around as a class inside and outside the classroom.

 

What if my child is behind academically from the spring?

Although we moved to online learning immediately after spring break, we recognize that some students may have learning gaps with new material. Our plan at the start of school is to use academic assessments to determine where each student is, and then use that information to tailor instruction. We’ll meet them where they are and get them to where they need to be. 

How will specials work?

Scheduling for 2020-2021 has been devised to provide the least amount of movement among the classrooms.  Until the Covid situation clarifies, there will be more teacher movement into the classrooms to offer both core and special area instruction.  When transitions are necessary, students will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing protocol.  This will continue to be monitored with more flexibility if the Covid situation improves in coming months.

 

Will students with learning differences still get the help they need? 

Our Lady’s School will continue to offer Title I and Special Education services to those students who qualify in addition to in-classroom reteaching and assistance through the expertise of the classroom teacher.

 

How will arrival and dismissal work? 

The Preschool teachers will be communicating procedures with their parents through the East Entrance of the School.  Arrival and dismissal will take place through carline only for grades K-8. The Atrium will NOT be available for dropoff or pickup. Parents will only be allowed inside the building if they have business in the school office. Masks will be required at all times as well as social distancing.  Parents who have business in the school office must follow all protocols. For detailed information about arrival and dismissal, please click here.

 

Emotional Support 

How are the student’s mental/emotional needs going to be addressed?

We understand that social emotional well-being of our students is an important part of their overall health. Although things may look a little different, the teachers and staff at ICCS are ready to welcome our students back to a loving and nurturing learning environment.  Mrs. Morgeson, as Dean of Students Services, will be available to provide support to the classroom teachers and staff as well as parish support as needed.

 

Distance Learning—Our Lady’s Online Learning Community

Remote learners will follow a regular daily schedule. For grades 3-8, the schedule will include synchronous (live) instruction in core subjects (religion, math, language arts, science, and social studies) and follow the same schedule as if your child was in class. They will wear their school uniforms and  will participate in the instruction through Google Classrooms.  Grades K-2 will be asynchronous with some opportunity for interaction with their classmates who are on-site at ICCS.

Online families will receive a weekly calendar of assignments and homework and directions on how to turn in your child's work from their teachers.

How will my child turn in work?  

Students will turn in work through Google Classroom or in a secure box located in the classroom  depending on the assignment. Teachers will make it clear on how to turn in work in the weekly instructions.

 

What is being done to ensure consistency, rigor, and quality of instruction for virtual remote learning? What training are teachers provided?

Remote learners will be assigned to homeroom teacher classrooms in each grade, and a facilitator will serve as needed as a liaison/partner/collaborator working with the teachers/students/parents/tech department to deliver the highest level of education.

All lead teachers and facilitators are working with ongoing training in online teaching techniques.

 

What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous instruction?

Remote Synchronous Instruction is two-way, real-time/live, virtual instruction between teachers and students when students are not on campus. In this method, the required amount of instructional time is scheduled each day. Synchronous instruction is provided through a computer or other electronic device or over the phone. The instructional method must address the required curriculum, per TEC, §28.002. 

 

Remote Asynchronous Instruction is instruction that does not require having the instructor and student engaged at the same time. In this method, students learn from instruction that is not necessarily being delivered in-person or in real time. This type of instruction may include various forms of digital and online learning, such as prerecorded video lessons or game-based learning tasks that students complete on their own, and pre-assigned work and formative assessments made available to students on paper. The instructional method must also address the required curriculum. (Note: There will be some opportunities during the K-2 regular class day for live interaction between the online learning community and the students in the classroom as we have the goal of making sure our classes are able to engage socially as much as possible to promote our Catholic community, whether the student is at home or in the classroom.  These opportunities will include prayer, online Mass opportunity, some direct instruction as indicated.) 

 

 

How will the school perform safety drills?

Safety drills for fire, tornado, etc. will be carried out as close to how they would be carried out in an actual emergency, while following safe distancing procedures. A fire drill will be carried out with the same alerts and evacuation routes as normal, but with emphasis on physical distancing of 6 feet, the use of masks and applying hand sanitizer upon return to the classroom. In the case of an actual emergency, life safety will take priority over disease mitigation steps. Although COVID-19 poses a possible health risk for anyone exposed to the virus, a fire or active threat emergency poses an imminent threat to life safety and will always take precedence over a possible health risk from COVID-19. Once the emergency has passed, COVID-19 disease mitigation precautions will again be prioritized.

 

Will ICCS be involved in competitive athletics in grades 6-8 this year?

 

The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) is pushing back the start of fall sports until at least Sept. 8 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will play shortened seasons for those sports but won’t move their state championships back. TAPPS, the largest governing body for private school athletics in Texas, ruled official fall workouts can’t begin until Sept. 8 for any sports. This will affect the ICCS Sports program since some of our NTIL schools are regulated by TAPPS and UIL, which is expected to come out with similar directives. While we plan to have athletics for 20-21, the sports schedule is pending at this time.

 

What are some ways to earn the required 35 volunteer hours?

North Texas Giving Day is a great opportunity to support ICCS and earn volunteer hours. By creating your own FUNdraising page, you can invite friends, family, coworkers, neighbors to give a monetary donation in support of ICCS. Contributions made on your FUNdraising page will earn volunteer hours for you! This year, North Texas Giving Day will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2020. To set up your FUNdraising page, please visit https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/immaculate-conception-catholic-school

Another easy way to earn volunteer hours is by taking advantage of our gift card program. Every $100 purchase earns one volunteer hour, and incremental purchases also count (ie. a $25 gift card purchase counts as 0.25 hours.) We offer cards from a wide variety of stores, restaurants, and more. Did you know that Walmart gift cards can also be used at Sam’s Club? Online ordering from Amazon? Getting take-out from your favorite restaurant? Grocery shopping at Albertson’s? Getting a gift for a family member or for a teacher wish list? We have what you need! Simply write a check to ICCS or pay exact cash along with your gift card order form. You pay face value, ICCS earns a percentage of the sale, and you earn volunteer hours. Did you know that relatives can also purchase gift cards and those purchases can be credited to your account? Just have them let us know to credit their purchase towards your family volunteer hours. The ICCS office keeps track of all of your gift card purchases, so you do not log them on your Volunteer Hours form.

Another way to earn hours is by providing food for our teachers and staff. Whether it is bringing breakfast tacos to start their day, a special meal for lunch, or an afternoon snack, our teachers and staff really appreciate that special treat. If this is something you are interested in, please contact the school office to arrange for a time and so we can notify our staff. The office will let you know the number of volunteer hours you will earn based on your food donation. Simply keep track of those hours on your volunteer log to turn in by the due dates.