Healthy Environment - Frequently Asked Question

1. When is the first day of school for students?
Trinity will open on Monday, August 24, 2020.

2. Can you guarantee students and staff will not become ill?
No. While the well-being of our students, staff, and families is of utmost importance, we cannot guarantee no one will get sick. Every risk cannot be mitigated, but we will do all we can to ensure everyone’s safety.

3. What are the requirements for face coverings?
We receive guidance regarding COVID-19 topics weekly if not on a daily basis. Currently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) are strongly recommending all individuals 10 years old and over to wear a face covering. Trinity will require face coverings at school when students are moving in the hallways and during other times when proper social distancing cannot be ensured.  All face coverings should be made with at least two layers of breathable material and fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin.  At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.

4. Will face coverings be provided for students?
Trinity will provide cloth face coverings for every student, however, we encourage families to provide face masks for their students as well.  Face coverings must be solid colored ONLY.  The only words or logos allowed are the official Trinity logo (the same as on the uniform shirts).  No patterns, prints, or other logos or wording should be worn.

5. What will the in-person school day look like for my child?
Administrators are working diligently to create schedules that include minimizing close physical interactions. Our goal is to maintain as normal of a day as possible while mitigating risk.

6. How will students socially distance in the classroom?
Classrooms will be arranged to maximize spacing between students and teachers in order to conform to social distancing guidelines.

7. Where will my student eat lunch?
Based on current ADH guidelines regarding limited capacities in cafeterias, we are working on adjusting lunch schedules and possibly using alternative areas if necessary. Other measures will include proper sanitation of all areas after every meal service.

8. Will students still have elective classes like P.E., art, technology, and music?
Yes, students will still have the opportunity to participate in activity classes.

9. Will students be able to attend field trips?
We anticipate field trips in the Fall will be limited. We will follow ADH and DESE guidance.

10. Will water fountains be available?
Students are encouraged to bring filled water bottles as water fountains will not be available. Hydration stations will be available for students to fill their water bottles if needed. Only CLEAR water bottles should be used.

11. Will extracurricular activities and sports be offered in the fall?
Yes. Many student athletes have currently returned to campus to begin practice based on ADH and Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) guidance. We anticipate there will be sports activities in the fall with possible modifications required by ADH and AAA.

12. Will there be any restrictions on band and/or choir?
We are still waiting on guidance from ADH.

13. What precautions will be taken for cleaning and sanitizing?
Disinfecting, sanitation, and cleanliness continue to be a high priority on our campus. Extra attention will be given on high touch surface areas. Restrooms will also be continuously cleaned throughout the day. Students will be expected to wash or sanitize their hands throughout the day.

14. Will students and adults be screened daily?
We are glad to report (as of April 1, 2021) that the rise in availability of vaccines, continued downward trends of both new cases and hospitalizations in the state, and single-digit numbers of COVID cases on our campus and in Catholic schools across the state have allowed our Superintendent's Office to propose that we discontinue the temperature screenings of students entering the school each day.  We plan to do so as of Tuesday, April 6, 2021.  That is the only guideline that we are changing at this time.  

15. What happens if a student comes to school sick?
The student will be screened by the school nurse. If the student has a temperature over the ADH guidance, they will be sent home and will need to be fever free for 48 hours without medication before returning to school. The student will be required to check in again with the school nurse upon returning to school.

16. What happens if an individual tests positive for COVID-19?
The district will be in close contact with both the Diocese of Little Rock and ADH directly and follow ADH’s guidance based on current recommendations. 

17. Can I visit the school, classroom, or eat lunch with my student?
Under current ADH guidance, visitors will not be allowed in the school except for the reception area/main foyer. Visits to the school will be limited to essential activity.

18. What about students who have special needs or students with compromised immune systems and pre-existing conditions?
If parents have concerns about their students who may be at high-risk for COVID-19, they may be interested in exploring our digital option which allows the students to continue their education from the safety of their home.

19. How will you help fill any gaps in learning for my student from the previous year?
Classroom teachers and administrators are continuing to work in order to revise curricula so that missed essential standards and skills will be addressed when students return.

20. What happens if schools are mandated to close again?
This is where “blended learning” for traditional students comes in. With blended learning, students will learn content through in-classroom instruction with their teachers as well as through Google Classroom. Most students have begun to learn how to use these digital learning systems. In the event of a school closure, or if a student becomes ill, students will be able to easily pivot or transition to online learning at home. Blended learning will become part of our new normal.

21. Can I change my decision about digital learning?
Classrooms will be set based upon student/parent response to digital learning. However, please know that we will have systems in place to support students in their respective learning environments and intervene as best as possible. If it is in the student’s best academic interest to move from one environment to another, then we will work to ensure they are in the best situation.

22. Will attendance still be taken regardless of in-class or virtual instruction?
Yes, attendance will be required and taken regardless of the learning environment.

22. Will the semester attendance policy still be in effect for semester test exemption?
We will not have a semester test exemption policy for the 2020/2021 school year.

23. What about school supplies?
Students will receive a school supply list so that each family can purchase their own supplies and that will not be shared with other students.  Supplies are class specific

24.  Will Mass still be celebrated on a weekly basis at school?
Our plan is to add an additional Mass so that we can send students in two groups and thus ensure appropriate distancing.

25.  Will my student be able to purchase lunch at school each day?
We are currently testing options to enable us to begin using a cashless lunch system.  This will reduce the time a student spends in the lunch line and also and reduce the cash handled by the staff and students.  More information will follow.

26.  How should parents let the school know which education option they choose for the Fall semester?
The school will assume in-person instruction unless the parent lets us know by email to the principal (khollenbeck@trinitycatholicjh.org) that they would prefer the virtual option.  All parents who choose the virtual option should email by July 17, 2020.

To submit a question, please click here to reach the "Ask the Principal" form.

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