COVID Response
Safety is always a priority at GAELC, but it has become especially important as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Please select a topic below to read about our COVID response and guidelines.
- Parents are required to scan a QR code on the Brightwheel app to check students in and out of GAELC.
- All students are required to enter through the main door so that their temperature may be scanned.
- Teachers will continue to assist students in the Academic Programs (who arrive between 7:45 – 8:00) in entering the building, however, parents must assist the students in exiting the car. Teachers will bring the QR code to the parent’s car.
- Since COVID-19 spreads so rapidly, it is essential that students (and their caregivers), staff, and volunteers conduct daily health checks prior to going to school
- Using thermal imaging cameras, every staff member and student is screened before entering the facility. Individuals with temperatures of 100° F or higher are not permitted to enter.
- Parents are asked to answer the following questions each day affirming that students have not exhibited symptoms.
- My child has not had a fever within the past 72-hours.
- I have not administered fever-reducing medicine to my child in the past 48-hours.
- My child has not complained of a headache.
- My child has not experienced diarrhea, nausea, nor vomiting.
- My child has not exhibited coughing, congestion, nor runny nose.
- My child has not complained of a sore throat.
- My child has not exhibited shortness of breath nor difficulty breathing.
- My child has not exhibited fatigue nor body aches.
- Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is important, especially after having been in a public place, or after blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing. Individuals should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- All children and staff will wash their hands:
- upon arrival and before departure,
- before and after eating,
- after playing outside,
- after participating in water activities,
- after using the restroom, and
- any time they are visibly soiled
- after touching/adjusting masks
- Additional child-sized sinks have been added to all Academic Program rooms.
- Sanitizing stations are located in each classroom and at each entrance.
- A sink for hand washing has been added to the GAELC playground.
- COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises his/her voice. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, CDC recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- All faculty and staff are wearing masks.
- Students in our Academic Programs are requested to wear face masks, unless a reason not to exists. Please discuss with administration if this is the case.
- By offering in-person instruction and child care for children under the age of 5, we acknowledge that we will not be able to maintain six-feet of physical distance consistently. By decreasing the ratios and class sizes, we will reduce contact. In addition,
- Hospital grade, fire-retardant curtains have been installed in all classrooms that have two exit doors, allowing us to accept more students while still maintaining ratio/group sizes.
- Children will each have a container to hold his/her supplies. There will be no shared sets of crayons, markers, glue sticks, etc. Please be sure your child’s supplies are marked with his/her name.
- Teachers will be encouraged to use the outdoors for classes and lunch when weather permits.
- GAELC has hired a cleaning company that is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting all classrooms each evening after the last student is checked out. In addition,
- Teachers have disinfecting wipes that are used throughout the day to clean high-touch surfaces as well as toys.
- Toys that have been put in any child’s mouth will be removed from the play area until sanitizing can occur (usually at the end of the day).
- A clean-air filtration system has been installed on our heating/cooling system. Additionally, air purifiers are installed in each classroom.
- A UV toy sanitizer is used in the Infant/Baby room as an extra sanitation measure for toys that are put in a child's mouth.
- Children run fevers for many reasons, such as teething or colds.
- If your child is running a fever of 100 degrees or more, do not bring him/her to GAELC. Your child should stay home for at least 72-hours after their fever subsides.
- Watch for symptoms of COVID-19, such as sore throat, cough, fever, headache, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, contact your pediatrician and keep your child home.
- If your child has been in contact with someone who is suspected of having COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19, your child should quarantine for 10 days.
- If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, and they had symptoms, they can return to school after all of the following has occurred:
- it has been 3 days with no fever without use of fever-reducing medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen,
- respiratory symptoms have improved, and
- it has been 10 days since symptoms first appeared.
- If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms, they can return to school after 10 days have passed since the test if no symptoms have developed.
- If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 but has no symptoms and their healthcare provider advises testing, they can return to school after receiving two negative test results in a row, at least 24 hours apart.
- Mrs. Lorek's office will be used as an isolation area for children who develop symptoms during the school day.