School Nurse
Office of the School Nurse
Illness Protocols for the 2021-2022 School Year
Keeping our campus healthy will be a collective effort, one we are asking everyone in our school community to support. If a member of your household tests positive for COVID, has COVID consistent symptoms (or symptoms of any potentially contagious illness, and/or has close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID), it is important that you:
1. Stay home.
2. Submit an Absence Notification for your student (and also have SR students email their teachers directly).
3. Follow these protocols before returning to campus:
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For COVID, if a student or teacher has a positive (+) test and COVID symptoms, before returning to school they must:
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Allow five (5) days to pass from the onset of symptoms and have no current symptoms/improved symptoms.
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Wear a well-fitting mask for an additional five (5) days when on campus or participating in any school activity.; otherwise, continue to remain isolated and away from school for these 5 days.
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These guidelines were updated on Fri, Jan 3 2022.
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If they have COVID consistent symptoms or other symptoms of a potentially contagious illness (e.g., flu), but test negative (-), they may return to school earlier if:
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Symptoms end; or
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A physician advises they are not contagious (i.e., have allergies, or another illness that is not or is no longer contagious).
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If they have a family member or come in close contact with someone who is COVID positive, they can return at the earlier of:
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No symptoms present AND three (3) days pass after contact with persons presenting symptoms or positive; or
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Negative (-) COVID test
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If a student or staff member has a fever, please ensure they have been fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication before returning to school.
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If a student or staff member has vomited, please allow 24 hours since the last incident before returning to school.
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If a student or staff member has any other contagious illness, please notify the nurse through the absence notification form.
These protocols apply to school attendance, athletic, and extracurricular activities. Our community is counting upon each other to honor these required protocols. Furthermore, in the interest of caring well for each other, we encourage (but do not require) that those who fall ill consider sharing information with those who they came in contact with at school so that parents, teachers, and students can take appropriate precautions.
COVID Communication & Mitigating Risk
We are convinced that a classical, Christian education delivered on campus and in person is best for our families and is the preferred mode of instruction for our teachers and students. At the same time, we do not take lightly the health risks and, consequently, will continue to implement practices and procedures to mitigate risk and to provide clear communication to ensure parents are informed and equipped to make appropriate decisions for their family.
It is the family’s responsibility to screen children before each school day and to keep symptomatic children at home. Veritas will not be checking temperatures of students as they enter the building, but will be counting on our families to self-screen at home every morning.
Symptoms to Screen for Include
Stay Home if Symptomatic
If your child is showing any of these new or worsening symptoms, you should keep him/her home from school, submit the Absence Notification Form, and keep him/her home until symptoms end or a physician advises they are not contagious (i.e., have allergies, or another illness that is not or is no longer contagious).
It is the personal responsibility of each faculty and staff member to screen him/herself before each school day and to stay home if symptomatic.
Symptoms to Screen for Include
Stay Home if Symptomatic
If you are showing any of these new or worsening symptoms, you should stay home from school, and follow the illness notification guidelines as outlined in the Employee Handbook while also emailing the school nurse.
Returning to School
When absent from school due to any illness, faculty and staff stay home until symptoms end or a physician advises they are not contagious (i.e., have allergies, or another illness that is not or is no longer contagious).
Medical Record Requirements
All requirements listed below must be satisfied with our office prior to August 9, 2021, or the student’s first day on campus. When these items are not resolved before the start of school, students will be asked to remain off campus until medical record issues are resolved. In addition, Family Portal access will be suspended until compliance is complete.
Medical Action Plans
Each student with a potentially life-threatening medical condition (allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc.) must have a completed and signed Action Plan on file prior to their first day on campus or by August 9, 2021. Action Plan forms need to be completed with--and signed by-- your child's physician.
- Please print off the appropriate Action Plan and Authorization to Administer Medication and take to your child's physician to complete.
- You may scan and return the form to Medical Records or to the 2nd floor of the SLR Academic Building.
- All medication must be in the appropriate office prior to your child's first day on campus.
Please email Medical Records or call 512-891-1673 with any questions.
Immunization Records
When Does My Child Need to Submit Immunization Records?
If your child is a new student at Veritas Academy or has recently received a new vaccine (usually around the 7th grade), their Immunization Records must be submitted by August 9, 2021. Records are only acceptable if they include the child’s name, date of birth, date of each shot given or date the disease occurred, and a signature or stamp of the doctor. If your child is missing shots for any reason (conscientious exemption, medical exemption, a delayed shot series, child had the disease, child adopted and immunity records are difficult to validate by doctor, etc.), you must apply for an Affidavit of Exemption through the State of Texas. This form is ordered online and mailed to your home for you to complete and have notarized before you turn it in to Veritas.
Vision, Hearing, and Scoliosis Screenings
All new students and students going into grades PreSchool, PreK, K, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th must have Vision & Hearing Screenings completed within the first semester of the school year. Our staff is trained to perform these screenings and all required students will be screened at school during a regular school day in the fall. This will be a free service to our families, and there is no need to sign up. Vision, Hearing, & Scoliosis Screenings must be completed within the first semester of the school year. Our staff is trained to perform these screenings and all required students will be screened at school during a regular school day in the fall. This will be a free service to our families, and there is no need to sign up.
If you prefer to have your family physician perform the screenings, the screenings must be completed between April 21 and August 9, 2021, using the Vision, Hearing & Scoliosis Screening Form. Please turn this form in to Medical Records on the 2nd floor of the SLR Academic Building by August 9, 2021.