COVID-19 Protocols 

We're in this together!

If Your Child is Not Feeling Well

If your child is not feeling well and you have any concern that it may be COVID, please contact your primary care physician. 

• COVID-exposed but asymptomatic staff and students may continue to attend school in person with extra diligence in their masking.
• Staff and students are encouraged to update vaccinations, per CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance.

As always, our Health Clinic staff reserves the right to make decisions on a case-by-case basis as is needed for the safety of our community.

Vaccines

Per CDC guidelines, SAS recommends that students and employees stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. SAS encourages all students eligible for the vaccine to be fully vaccinated (including recommended boosters). Students who become eligible during the school year should receive their vaccinations as soon as they are able. Our Health Clinic staff is available to help facilitate vaccinations for all of our students.

If your child is vaccinated and/or boosted, please upload a copy of their vaccination card to MAGNUS or fax it to our Health Clinic, 931-914-1224. 

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Statement on COVID Vaccines for Teenagers

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COVID Protocol Update

August 30, 2022

Throughout the pandemic, St. Andrew's-Sewanee has based our COVID policy on the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). As of today, the CDC map shows our four-county region as red (High) for community spread which allows us to update our masking policies.

Our campus will remain mask-optional. 

As a reminder, the CDC recommendations for areas at High risk are the following:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness

As we move into this new phase, we have our community to keep the following in mind:

• ALWAYS exercise kindness. If you have a teacher or classmate who chooses to remain masked, asks for more space, etc., please respect their wishes.
• If you are not ready to unmask and are concerned about the quality or fit of your own mask, please see the Health Clinic.
• Even when COVID is not the risk, we have other viruses circulating (a cold and stomach bug at the moment). Get plenty of fresh air, exercise, and sleep. Keep washing your hands. Don't share drinks
• If you are not feeling well or are feeling anxious about this change, see the Wellness staff.

We are grateful for the continued cooperation of our community.

Guiding Philosophy

St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School strongly believes that students benefit from in-person learning and that social activity is important for adolescent development. We also strongly believe that the central pillar of community is care for one another.

FIND COVID TESTS NEAR YOU.

Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection

Community members encouraged to continue heightened hygiene, including more frequent hand washing and not sharing food, drinks, and utensils. SAS continue enhanced cleaning and disinfection of shared campus spaces.

COVID Symptoms and Having Your Child Tested

The symptoms currently identified as possible COVID symptoms are:

• Fever or 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

Boarding Families: If your child wakes up feeling sick, they should go to the Health Clinic. If they begin to feel sick after class hours, they should contact the Administrator on Duty.

If your child (day or boarding) begins to feel ill during the school day, they should see the receptionist in the Bishop Bratton offices. The receptionist will contact the Health Clinic for further instructions. 

My child has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, what should we do?

Contact our Health Clinic for more information.

Please report absences to studentinfo@sasweb.org.

Positive Tests, Quarantine, and Isolation

Day Families: Please consult your family physician regarding length of required isolation. Please make our Health Clinic aware of your child's health status and contact the Academic Dean or Middle School Coordinator to arrange for academic support during your child’s absence.

Boarding Families: Following current CDC recommendations, your child may be asked to isolate based on doctor's recommendations. Our Health Clinic staff will coordinate care and the Academic Dean or Middle School Coordinator will help to arrange academic support. In the event that isolation is recommended, boarding families who are able are welcomed and encouraged to bring their child home to allow them greater comfort.

COVID and Break Travel

Testing and Quarantine

If day students are showing symptoms, they are encouraged to stay home until their symptoms reside. Residential community members that exhibit symptoms will be tested and advised by the Health Clinic. 

Using Care When Traveling

We ask that ALL families, boarding and day, be extra careful during these breaks to limit their child's exposure and to encourage masking, hand washing, and social distancing. If, at any time, your child has been exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID or is exhibiting symptoms of COVID, please contact our Health Clinic.

In the Event of General Illness

As always, day students are expected to stay home and boarding students are expected to present at the Health Clinic when showing signs of illness such as fever, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Community Transmission, CDC Guidelines, and Policy Changes

SAS will continue to follow CDC guidelines and monitor community transmission and vaccination coverage to guide future decisions. All policies are subject to change.

Questions or Comments?

Contact the Health Clinic, (931) 463-2126 or nurses@sasweb.org.