Covid-19 Information Hub

Carrollwood Day School is committed to thorough, accurate, and transparent communication with our community. Confidentiality laws prevent CDS from disclosing the names of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. This Case Tracker report is for transparency and general informational purposes, only. Persons identified as someone who has been in contact with, or in close proximity to any individual who has tested positive for the virus have been notified privately.

July 21, 2021

• One positive diagnosis, athletics; the individual and 13 close contacts are quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines.

July 15, 2021

• One positive diagnosis, summer program; the individual is quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines.

July 14, 2021

• One positive diagnosis, camp; the individual is quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines.

July 11, 2021

• One positive diagnosis, athletics; the individual is quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines.

July 6, 2021

• Two positive diagnoses, admin and camp; the individuals are quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines.

 

 

Carrollwood Day School - Health & Safety Statement
The safety and health of our faculty, staff, students, and families are always our top priorities at Carrollwood Day School (CDS).  The school administration and Health snd Safety Committee will continue to monitor conditions within our community and recommendations issued by CDC and local public health officials in case a change to current policies is warranted.

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There are simple everyday actions you can take to help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses. These include:

• Stay home when sick.
• Practice social distancing - remain at least 3 - 6 feet apart from others.
• Wear a face mask. (The wearing of face masks is optional at CDS; unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to continue to wear a face mask when indoors.)
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after they blow their nose. Help young children do the same. If hands are visibly dirty, use soap and water to clean hands. (Hand washing guide)
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and clean hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (if soap and water are not readily available).
• Get a COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and add one more layer of protection. 
• Get a flu shot during the flu season

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COVID-19 Vaccinations

According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. The Florida Department of Health says, "The U.S. vaccine safety system makes sure that all vaccines are as safe as possible. All COVID-19 vaccines that are being used have gone through the same safety tests and meet the same standards as any other vaccines produced through the years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitor vaccine safety and side effects once vaccines are in use."

Why get vaccinated?

• COVID 19-vaccines are effective. They can keep you from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. 
• COVID-19 vaccines also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
• Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and those who cannot get vaccinated (like children younger than 12 years old).
• Individuals who are "fully vaccinated* are not required to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.
  • Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's vaccine.

Those eligible to receive vaccines in Florida include:

• Individuals age 18 and older
• Individuals ages between 12 and 17 with parental or legal guardian consent and accompanied by parent or legal guardian at the time the vaccine is administered. (The Pfizer vaccine is available for individuals between 12 and 17 years of age.)

Vaccination sites in Hillsborough County

Voluntary Reporting of Student Vaccination

To expedite contact tracing and quarantine protocols at school, parents have the option to upload their student's COVID-19 vaccination record to their Magnus Health account.  To do so,

• Go into your child's Student Health Tracker 
• Click on the "Edit" button for the Immunization Form
• Follow instructions to upload an additional immunization form

(Magnus Health can be accessed on the web with the link below or through the Magnus Health mobile app.)

Magnus Health

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We encourage parents to check reliable resources to keep current on best practices to mitigate health risks specific to COVID-19.  Most of these sites include information about prevention as well as travel precautions. 

Information about COVID-19

The Florida Department of Health is a go-to resource for current information about COVID-19 that is relevant to Floridians. Key sources include:

• Florida Department of Health - What you need to know: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/.
• For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department's dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1.866.779.6121. The Call Center is available 24/7. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Here are links to other official resources: 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• World Health Organization (WHO)
  https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
• CDC – Coronavirus FAQs
  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON THIS PAGE MAY BE UPDATED
AS CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE AND EVOLVE

Q. How long must someone quarantine if they have had a high-risk exposure to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19?

• People who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months or who are fully vaccinated are not required to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.  (Proof of a positive test result or vaccination record must be provided to the school nurse.)
• Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing provided no symptoms have appeared during daily monitoring. 
• Quarantine can end after Day 7 with official proof of a negative PCR test performed on Day 5, provided no symptoms have appeared during daily monitoring.
• Continued symptom monitoring must continue through Day 14.

• Download Updated COVID-19 Illness and Quarantine Guidelines

Q. Will students have the option to learn remotely?

The Adaptable Learning Program (ALP) will not be offered in the 2021-2022 school year. CDS will return to full-time, in-person instruction for all students.

• Note:  Until construction and renovation work concludes in early September, MS and US will begin the school year with a combination of in-person, remote, and off-campus classes and learning experiences.

Q. What is the School doing to mitigate health risks on campus?

We will continue to follow directives from local, state, and national health agencies, as well as complying with requirements from within the education community.  A deep-cleaning of all classrooms, common areas, athletic facilities, and offices was conducted over the summer. All school personnel will continue to follow CDC guidelines and remind students about following everyday preventive actions, which include:

• Stay home if you are sick. Please refer to the CDS Sick Day Policy.
• The wearing of face masks is optional; unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to continue to wear a face mask when indoors.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The following practices are being followed:

• Before returning to campus, all students must complete all required forms on Magnus Health; this year that includes the  COVID-19 Exposure Form and optional reporting of COVID-19 vaccination
  • All student immunization records must meet requirements as mandated by Florida Health Statute 1003.22.  (Immunization Requirements)

The situation regarding COVID-19 continues to be fluid. Decisions regarding the practices will continue to be modified based on the current needs and circumstances of our community.

Q. What happens if someone on campus tests positive for COVID-19?

The School is following CDC guidelines and all HIPAA privacy regulations when responding to positive cases of COVID-19.  Key personnel have taken the COVID-19 Contact Tracing course offered by Johns Hopkins University and there are "Contact Tracing Teams" set up for all levels of the school. As soon as school is notified of a positive diagnosis, all potential exposures are identified, using class rosters, class seating charts, attendance records, and information gathered from the infected person.  The School has a two-tiered communication plan in place.  All persons identified as having had close contact (within six feet for at least 15 minutes) - excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months or who are fully vaccinated - are classified as "high-risk" and are required to quarantine in accordance with current CDC guidelines. Out of an abundance of caution and to maintain transparency, persons who may have been in the same room with the COVID-19 infected person but who were not in close contact, are also informed about the positive case. These people are at extremely low risk of being infected and according to CDC guidelines are not required to quarantine.

Q. What steps will be taken to keep athletes and coaches safe?

CDS athletics is following the FHSAA and local and state guidelines regulating practices and attendance at athletic contests, including the following:

• Equipment is being sanitized frequently during practices and workouts. 
• All coaches and athletes are required to bring their own water. No sharing of water is allowed. 
• Hand sanitizer is readily available for athletes and coaches.
• Flyer

Q. Are fans able to attend home games?

• Yes, full attendance is welcome at all home athletic events.
• All home games are being live streamed. There is no cost to view live streamed home games.

Q. What protocols have been put in place to keep the school buses safe for students and drivers?

• Children should stay home if sick
• Face masks are optional; unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear a face mask when riding the bus.
• Sanitizer will be available on the bus (for students in 1st grade and older)
• Weather permitting, windows will be kept open

Q. What if I have a question not answered here?

• Facility Questions  |  Mr. Larry Pittman, CFO
• Academic Questions  |  Mrs. Dawn Wilson, Head of Lower School, Mr. Chuck Maddox, Head of Middle School, Mr. Tim Walsh, Head of Upper School
• Health Questions  |  Mrs. Jackie Silvers, RN, School Nurse
• Athletics Questions  |  Coach Baker Mabry, Athletic Director

We know that these times can continue to be stressful for children and families. Below, are helpful resources compiled by the CDS School Counselors that you can access at any time:

OVERWHELMED / ANXIETY

• Managing fears and anxiety specific to Covid 19
  • World Health Organization: Coping with Stress
  • World Health Organization: Helping Children Cope with Stress
  • Harvard University: Managing Fears around Covid 19
• Try box breathing
  • Navy Seal Breathing technique
  • Box Breathing for anxiety reduction
• Try some quick mindfulness techniques
  • One Minute Mindful Meditation
  • 5 Minute Mindful Meditation
  • The Science Behind Mindfulness
• Helpful websites
  • https://www.mindful.org/ (multiple mindfulness resources)
  • https://www.stopbreathethink.com/ (mini-meditations and more, app available)
  • www.headspace.com/ (mindfulness app and research)
  • https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_keep_the_greater_good_in_mind_during_the_coronavirus_outbreak
• Understanding Stress
  • How to make stress your friend
  • Morningstar Wellness blog

IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE AND HEALTHY EATING

• WHY food matters, Ted-Ed
• WHY exercise helps you feel better
• WHY sitting is bad for you

TAKE A CURIOSITY BREAK

• Why do whales sing
• How smart are orangutans?
• How plants tell time

EMERGENCY

• 211:  For immediate support 24/7 and referrals to hundreds of Tampa Bay resources.  211 is a free, confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people of all ages to the essential health and human services they need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 can be accessed by phone or computer.
• 911 for emergencies

Vaccination Information

• CDC: Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
• Florida Department of Health: COVID-19 Vaccines in Florida
  • Florida Vaccine Sites
• FDA: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
• FDA: Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Government Resources

• Florida Department of Health 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • CDC Videos about Coronavirus  Disease 19 (COVID-19)
• The World Health Organization (WHO) website. This site has general information on the coronaviruses, a video, and an infographic about preventing the spread of  viruses. 
• U.S. State Department: COVID-19 Country Specific Information

Helpful Articles/Videos

• CDC: Implications of the Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variant
• Johns Hopkins: A New Strain of Coronavirus: What you should know
• NASP and NASN: Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
• KidsHealth: COVID-19: How to Talk to Your Child
• CDC: Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019
• David Katz, MD, Am I Going to Get Coronavirus and Die?
• Johns Hopkins Medicine, Coronavirus Disease 2019 v. the Flu
• Talking With Your Child: NPR: Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus
• Child Mind: Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
• Video series of teens expressing thoughts on the Covid Crisis: PBS "Above the Noise" video series 
• AAP:  Guidance for School Re-Entry
• CDC: Adolescent with COVID-19 as the Source of an Outbreak at a 3-week Family Gathering 

Carrollwood Day School's visitor policy during the COVID-19 pandemic is designed to protect the health and safety of the entire CDS community - students, families, faculty, staff, and visitors. 

• The wearing of a face mask is optional. Experts recommend unvaccinated people should continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing at indoor events and in other situations.
• If you or others in your party exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with any positive COVID-19 cases, we ask that you do not come on campus. We will be happy to connect with you virtually or reschedule your visit. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

All parents and visitors that come on campus will need to answer the Visitor COVID-19 Questions and Acknowledgements.

Visitor Covid-19 Questions and Acknowledgements