Shared Community Expectations and Covenant (1-3-2022)

As Post Oak enters the second half of the 2021–22 school year, the continued mitigation of the risks associated with the global pandemic relies on all of us to do our part both inside and outside of school. Our partnership with you is vital to maintain the health and safety of our Post Oak community. 

First and foremost, Post Oak is in alignment with the WHO, CDC, federal, state, and local health agencies in strongly encouraging and recommending all eligible members of the community to get vaccinated. Vaccines have been proven to be effective in preventing transmission and serious illness. At this time, Post Oak chooses not to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees or students. Any updates to this policy will be communicated as needed. 

We expect all of you to follow the health and safety guidelines as laid out by health professionals worldwide, such as:

  • Restrict your family’s exposure to large crowds.

  • Practice physical distancing and wear a mask in high transmission areas and public indoor spaces.

  • Teach your children the importance of thorough hand washing.

  • Teach your children how to properly wear a mask.

  • Do not bring students to campus if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or any other transmissible illness.

  • Do not bring unvaccinated students to campus if they have been exposed to anyone who has COVID-19 or anyone who is exhibiting symptoms.

  • Follow CDC recommendations regarding travel and self-quarantine when returning from travel to specific areas of the country and the world.

  • Report any information to the school that will assist us in maintaining a safe environment.

  • Be flexible—our plans may change as the situation with the virus changes.

  • Look for updates to this plan on the website regularly, and read The Post e-newsletter every Friday.

I understand that Post Oak’s top priority is to minimize exposure to COVID-19 for every child and adult in the program and that each family must do its part to help in this effort. When community spread is high, choosing for our individual child is choosing for our community.

Post Oak will have the following protocol in place, which is aligned with the medical and educational advice of the WHO, CDC, City of Houston and Harris County health departments, TDFPS, TEA, NAIS, and ISAS:

  • Class Configuration:

    • Maintaining physical distancing as much as possible and as appropriate for the developmental age of the students

    • Increased use of outdoor spaces for work and play

    • Enhanced air filtration in all buildings as was put in place for the 2020–21 school year

  • Masks:

    • All adults and students ages three and up are required to wear masks while inside all Post Oak buildings. Children and adults may take masks off outside.

  • Hygiene and Enhanced Cleaning:

    • Students and staff will wash hands frequently throughout the day.

    • Staff will sanitize sinks and restrooms frequently throughout the day.

    • Enhanced evening cleaning of all spaces in the building will be conducted by the maintenance staff daily.

  • Student Wellness:

    • Faculty and the school nurse will be monitoring for symptoms.

    • Each campus will have a safe space where a symptomatic adult or student may wait and be monitored before they return home.

    • School nurse Judith McDonald, RN, will maintain records for contact tracing.

  • If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the school will follow the guidelines of the CDC and local health department for testing, isolation, quarantine, and reporting.

Parents of Post Oak students will adhere to the following protocol:

  • Parents will check their students for the following symptoms each morning before arriving at school. If symptoms are present, students must remain at home.

    • 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

    • Diarrhea

    • Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

  • A student must remain home if they have close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 or they live in the same household with family members who are showing symptoms.

Return to school (per CDC guidelines):

  • Any student who has one or more of the above symptoms will not be allowed at school. Students may return to school when they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication. We understand that environmental allergies and viruses like the common cold can have similar symptoms as COVID-19. In these situations, students may return when given clearance by the doctor’s office and/or a negative COVID-19 test has been received and approved by the school nurse.

  • A student who is diagnosed with COVID-19, with or without a positive test and/or symptoms, will not be allowed at school. Students may return 5 days after the start of symptoms/diagnosis, symptoms have improved, and they have been fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. A physician’s note of clearance must be provided to the school nurse. 

  • If a student has been in close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive, a 5 -day quarantine period is required from the last day of exposure. Student may return after a 5  day quarantine period if a negative test result is received. The test must occur on day 5 or later. 

  • Close contact will be defined per the CDC guidelines for K-12 schools. Post Oak will take a MASK-TEST-STAY approach when possible:

    • If students have been adhering to the mask policy throughout the day, they can stay in school if:

      • They are symptom free

      • Continue to mask 

I understand that the protocol listed above has been put into place for the safety of all the students and staff. 

I understand and agree to the above protocol for in-person attendance at The Post Oak School. I am making an informed decision about sending my child(ren) to school and understand that The Post Oak School cannot guarantee a virus-free environment. I understand the policies and protocols outlined by the school and agree to abide by them for the safety of my child(ren), their peers, the employees, and families of The Post Oak School.

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