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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.

Arrival/Dismissal
  • 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. 
Screening
  • 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.
Hand Washing and Sanitizing
  • 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.
Face Coverings
  • 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.
    • Any visitors to the building will be required to wear 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.
Physical Distancing
  • 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.
Cleaning
  • 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.
Dining
  • Due to the distance from the school kitchen/cafeteria and not having a dedicated cafeteria employee, GAELC no longer offers cafeteria service.
  • Full Day students are asked to bring breakfast (if arriving between 7:00 and 7:45 AM), an AM snack, lunch, and a PM snack from home.
  • Half Day students are asked to bring breakfast (if arriving between 7:00 and 7:45 AM), as well as an AM snack.
  • Snacks/meals will be eaten in the classroom to limit contact with students from other rooms as well as surfaces used by other students.
Illness
  • 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.