COVID-19

• We strongly encourage vaccinations for all students, faculty, and staff who are eligible. Per Atrium Health and the CDC, the vaccine helps to prevent community spread and widespread absences and minimizes risk for vulnerable community members.
• Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is not required of students, however, it will continue to be strongly encouraged.
• If and when your child gets vaccinated, please update the information in Magnus as soon as possible after vaccination. Understanding the percentage of our population that is vaccinated allows us to make appropriate decisions.
• Overnight trips or events where three feet cannot be maintained will require vaccination* for participation (or a negative COVID-19 test if ineligible for vaccine).

*According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series (such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines) or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson and Johnson).

• Masks are required indoors for all students and employees, regardless of vaccination status.
• We will continue to monitor our policy against our vaccination data, as well as data on community transmission, and adjust our protocols if necessary.
• When outdoors for recess, PE, or athletics, students are not required to wear masks unless three feet of distancing cannot be maintained (such as class changes).
• All students must also mask on buses.

• We will not use the daily Magnus app for students or employees, however screening questions will be in place for visitors.
• Even though the Magnus App and temperature checks are no longer required, we rely on parents to instill the importance of keeping your children home if they are not feeling well to mitigate risk among our community members.
• The school reserves the right to add a screening precaution if data within our school or local community increases or overall non-compliance with other precautions/policies is observed. 
• A mid-day check for athletics, arts, or other after-school activities is not required.

• JK and K will begin the school year by bringing their lunch and eating in their classrooms. In September, kindergarten will transition to being able to pick food up in the dining hall and eating in classrooms.
• Grades 1–4  will have the option to pick up food in the dining hall and eat in their classrooms to start.
• Opportunities for grade levels to eat in the dining hall will occur in September. 

• For safety precautions, we will start the school year with students  either bringing their lunch or pre-ordering a boxed lunch from the dining hall. 
• Weather permitting, students will eat outside; when it rains they will eat indoors by advisory.

Upper School
Students are allowed to eat in the dining hall with three people per table while eating.

• All students must wear a mask to ride the bus regardless of vaccination status, and two students per seat. 
• Cars must be parked in designated parking spaces at the church. Please depart the church parking lot immediately after picking up your child.

• All parents and visitors must wear a mask indoors no matter their vaccination status, and maintain six feet of physical distancing from students.
• All visitors must check-in and be screened at the front office of the Levine Center (Cannon Campus) or Rea Hall (Bissell Campus).
• In-class parent volunteers are allowed showing proof of vaccination. Volunteers must check in with the divisional office, screen with the Raptor system, show proof of vaccination to receive a volunteer lanyard that must be kept for the school year. Please contact the Nurses to discuss negative-test options.
• Parents are not allowed to eat lunch with students at this time.
• Parent volunteer meetings are allowed on campus, adhering to visitor requirements.
• Admissions tours: prospective parents are invited to campus, however, they must follow visitor protocol, wear masks, and maintain six feet of physical distancing while visiting classrooms.

Student Gatherings

• Lower School Morning and Late Wait will be available while maintaining the same precautions as in the classroom. 
• No capacity limits as long as three feet of physical distancing can be maintained masked. 

Field Trips

• Day field trips within Charlotte or close surrounding areas are allowed in cohorts. If physical distancing cannot be maintained, vaccinations/negative COVID-19 test if eligible is required.
• Vaccines are required for overnight trips where three feet of distancing cannot be maintained, including athletics.
• Field trips must maintain cohorts and ensure places visited follow similar COVID-19 precautions as the school. 

Events with Parents/Guests

• Outdoor events are allowed at this time. Masking will be required if distance cannot be maintained.
• Indoor events are allowed utilizing spaces that optimize physical distance opportunities.
• Food can be served at outdoor events following the same protocols as lunch service and minimizing opportunities for gathering during serving.
• All events must be approved by the Interim Head of School.
• We continue to assess and develop policies related to events with parents and guests.

Athletics

• Masks required when student-athletes are not performing.
• Spectators:
  • No masks required outdoors.
  • Masks required for indoor games and physical distancing of three feet.
  • Spectators are allowed on campus, but must sit in cohorts limited to a family unit.
• Vaccines are required for overnight trips where three feet of distancing cannot be maintained.

Refer to the COVID-19 Athletics web page for detailed division-specific information.

Theater

• Performers must be masked whenever possible.
• Singing without masks requires six feet of physical distancing and 12 feet away from spectators.
• Perform outdoors whenever possible.