SCHOOL HEALTH
With a focus on prevention, TSMS will have in place:- A 48-hour fever free return to school procedure
- Encourage outdoor socialization
- Strongly encourage the use of mask for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals
- Posting signage and educate and promote preventative measures
- Providing sanitizer for every classroom for daily cleaning
- Hand Sanitizer stations placed at entrances/exits of buildings
Sickness Protocol for becoming ill at school:
If a student is showing symptoms or signs of sickness, students will be directed for a wellness check.Any student with a temperature at or above 100.4 will be sent to our front office to wait for parents to pick-up.
The student may not return until they have been fever-free, without the use of fever- reducing medication, for 48 hours.
Sickness Protocol for becoming ill at home:
TSMS asks all parents to check child's health before bringing them to campus each day. Do not send your child to school if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms (within last 48 hours)
- Temperature at or over 100.4 (symptoms of fever or chills)
- Diarrhea
- Nausea/vomiting
- Sore throat
- New loss of smell
- Severe headache
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Other key components included:
We highlight the importance of everyone doing their part to minimize the spread of this virus: stay home when sick or while waiting for Covid-19 test results, keep things clean and sanitized, utilize proper hand washing, wear masks, and maintain social distancing. If someone test positive in your household, please keep your student home, and reach out to us via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) about a return date.
Masks
• Use of mask are strongly encouraged for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals
• Extra masks will be available at all school sites for students, employees, and visitors.
• Schools and teachers will provide “reasonable assistance” to aid in student mask use.
• The administration should be involved and speak with parents and assist the student with wearing their mask if needed. The health department is available to provide families guidance and assistance on mask use.
• Middle school mask use are a students’ personal responsibility.
• Staff will be encouraged to reduce stigma in classrooms for both masked and unmasked students.
• Schools and teachers cannot require mask use on campus.
Daily Health Checks –
• Teachers can check temperatures in classrooms prior to sending them to the clinic (as needed).
Community Notification –
• Administrators will send individual classroom notifications for any student potentially exposed to a positive case.
Handwashing will be promoted throughout the school day. We will ask all students to wash their hands before lunch. Hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout campus. Signs will be posted around campus to promote proper hand washing and signs/symptoms of sickness to be aware of.
Water Fountains: Students will be encouraged to bring their own water bottles to fill up and use throughout the day. Please make sure water bottle is properly labeled with student first and last name. Both school buildings have touchless filling stations.
Morning Campus Drop-off: No parents or family members will be allowed to walk students to class.
Sanitation Supplies in each Classroom:
Each classroom will have sanitation items that include the following:
• Disposable face mask (if requested)
• Disinfectant Spray & Wipes
• Hand sanitizer
How to help your TSMS Cheetah
• Be patient to new routines in place on campus- drop off/ pick-up may take more time. Please work with TSMS staff
• Reiterate proper hand washing, and covering cough/sneeze
• Lost & Found items that are not labeled with student name will be discarded
• Keep student home if they are exhibiting signs/symptoms of sickness
• Send in a labeled water bottle to use throughout the day
• All student items should be labeled with student name
• Follow 48-hour protocol for students who are sick
• Speak to your students about COVID-19 (please visit for age appropriate information https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/talkingwith-children.html )
VISITORS : At this time, visitors will not be allowed on campus during Q1.
VACCINATIONS
• If fully vaccinated*, no further testing or quarantine required
*Fully vaccinated =(14 days after last dose)
• You may not ask if someone is vaccinated, but can advise on protocols for quarantine and exposure.
• For students, please see Quarantine – Exposure Protocol listed below
- Vaccination/ Testing Locations: In Class 2021 / Vaccination & Testing Locations (leonschools.net)
- Vaccination Info: In Class 2021 / Vaccination Info / Videos (leonschools.net)
TRANSPORTATION
• Mask are strongly encouraged for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individual
• Mask and hand sanitizer will be available.
• Seating charts will be required for bus riders
• Buses will continue to be cleaned daily
• Field trips may be resumed potentially after Q1.
FOOD SERVICES
TSMS will continue to be a CEP school during 2021-22, which means all students are eligible for meals at no charge. SLA Management will continue to prepare our meals.
• Breakfast will continue to be served to the 1st period class
• Lunch will resume back into the Cafeteria which will increase variety for hot lunches
• Seating charts will be required for lunch
• Custodial staff will clean and sanitize all high touch areas after each meal service.
SCHOOL SAFETY & SECURITY
Due to COVID- 19, LCS Safety & Security procedures will be enhanced and/or amended as we return to school in the Fall. Every effort will be made in order to support social distancing and promoting learning environments that make every effort to implement CDC guidelines. Notable changes will occur in the areas of emergency drills, training and visitor access to school facilities. Although the pandemic will create many challenges for our schools, we must continue to meet the requirements of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school safety act, which requires comprehensive school safety measures. An SRO will be on campus each school day.
MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
Regular mental health screenings should be available to all students, faculty, and staff and re-open plans should include for an extension of and increased need for mental health services.
Students who are identified as needing additional supports and/or exhibit social, emotional, and/or perceived psychological deficits are referred to the school level MTSS (multidisciplinary) problem-solving teams to determine the level of interventions in accordance with identified student needs. Interventions may include referrals for intensive service provided by community-based mental health and/or substance abuse treatment professionals.
Additionally, to improve the provision of early intervention services, with the guidance from LCS, TSMS employs a universal screening tool that is administered to all students as a method for early identification of students who may be in need of mental health supports within the MTSS model. Early in the school year, teachers complete a universal screening for all students using the Internalizing Screening Scale (Cook) and Externalizing Screening Scale (Drummond) to identify at-risk students.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
• Sanford Harmony - A social emotional learning program for Pre-K-6 grade students designed to foster communication and understanding, connection, and community both in and outside the classroom and develop boys and girls into compassionate and caring adults.
Extended Day Program
TSMS will continue to offer the opportunity for students to participate in the Extended Day Program from the hours of 3-5:45pm each afternoon. Please visit our website for fee payment information.
Clubs/Tutoring
Elective clubs will resume in the 21-22 school year.
COVID 19 Protocol:
A large concern is the spread of the virus once a confirmed case appears in a classroom. The health department protocol comes into play once a positive case arises, whether at school or at a home. Key components in identifying contacts who may have been exposed to COVID-19 from the infected individual are if social distancing within 6’ occurred and whether there was more than 15 minutes of direct contact with or without a mask. The Leon County Health Department, in conjunction with the district and TSMS, will work together to interview and direct those who may have been exposed to Covid-19 to provide information and direction and will advise if and when a child or staff member can return.
TSMS families will be notified when the potential exposure of student/staff in their classroom test positive for COVID-19. The name of the person who tested positive will not be specifically identified.
Quarantine – COVID-19 Exposure Protocols
EXPOSURE-QUARANTINE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
As of 10/11/21
Protocols for Symptomatic or COVID-19 Positive Students
If a student tests positive, the student may return to school when:
a) They retest and receive a negative diagnostic (PCR) COVID-19 test AND are asymptomatic; or
b) Ten days have passed since the onset of symptoms or positive test result, the student has had no fever for 48 hours and the student’s other symptoms are improving; or
c) The student receives written permission to return to school from a medical doctor, MD, licensed under chapter 458, an osteopathic physician, DO, licensed under chapter 459, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner, ARNP, licensed under chapter 464.
A mask will be required upon return to school while indoors if within the ten-day quarantine period.
Protocols for Students with Exposure to COVID-19
Two Choices:
a) Student may return to school, school-sponsored activities, or be on school property as long as the student remains asymptomatic and wears a mask indoors for the seven-day quarantine period.
b) Student can quarantine for a period of time not to exceed seven days from the date of the last direct contact (day one) with an individual that is positive for COVID-19.
Note:
If FULLY vaccinated, or tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days:
- If the student is ASYMPTOMATIC, NO ACTION IS REQUIRED
- If the student is SYMPTOMATIC, SENT HOME and advised to see physician
At-home COVID-19 test results and antibody test results will not be accepted.
Protocols for Symptomatic or COVID-19 Positive Employees
Employee may return to work when:
a) They retest and receive a negative diagnostic (PCR) COVID-19 test AND are asymptomatic; or
b) Ten days have passed since the onset of symptoms or positive test result, the employee has had no fever for 48 hours and the employee’s other symptoms are improving; or
c) The employee receives written permission to return to work from a medical doctor, MD, licensed under chapter 458, an osteopathic physician, DO, licensed under chapter 459, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner, ARNP, licensed under chapter 464.
Protocols for Employees Exposed to a Positive Case
An employee may return to work as long as the employee remains asymptomatic and wears a while mask indoors for the seven-day quarantine period. As a reminder, all employees are required to wear a mask unless social distancing can be maintained.
Note:
If FULLY vaccinated, or tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days
- If the employee is ASYMPTOMATIC , NO ACTION IS REQUIRED
- If the employee is SYMPTOMATIC, SENT HOME and advised to see physician.
At-home COVID-19 test results and antibody test results will not be accepted.
Protocols for Positive Case in Household
Anyone fully vaccinated or tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days AND asymptomatic, does not require testing or quarantine.
Employee – See employee exposure protocol.
Student – If NOT fully vaccinated, student must quarantine until the last person in the household (under the same roof) has finished their quarantine, then:
Two Choices:
a) Student can return as long as the student remains asymptomatic and wears a mask indoors for the seven-day quarantine period.
b) Student can quarantine for a period of time not to exceed seven days after the last person in the household is cleared from their quarantine.
At-home COVID-19 test results and antibody test results will not be accepted.
Operational Hours:
9 am - 2 pm
Monday - Friday
*No eating or drinking one hour before test.
*Bring a photo ID.
*If you have insurance, bring your card.
Leon County Drive-Thru Sites
NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED.
Eastside Branch Library
1583 Pedrick Road
Tallahassee, FL 32317
Ft. Braden Community Park
15000 Blountstown Highway
Tallahassee, FL 32310
Lake Jackson Public Library
3840 N. Monroe #300
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Northeast Branch Library
5513 Thomasville Road
Tallahassee, FL 32312
Woodville Community Center
8000 Old Woodville Road
Tallahassee, FL 32305
City of Tallahassee Community Centers
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Jack McLean Community Center
700 Paul Russell Road
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Schedule Appointment
Lawrence-Gregory Community Center (Dade Street) 1115 Dade Street
Tallahassee, FL 32304
Schedule Appointment
Sue H. McCollum Community Center (Lafayette Park) 501 Ingleside Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32303
Schedule Appointment
Walker-Ford Community Center
2301 Pasco Street
Tallahassee, FL 32310
Schedule Appointment
QUESTIONS?
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. We will be updating a Q & A section as questions roll in.
FAQ:
• Will school meals continue to be free? Yes, TSMS will continue to be a CEP school during 2021-22, which means all students are eligible for meals at no charge. SLA Management will continue to prepare our meals
• Are mask required on the school bus? Mask are strongly encouraged
• What do I do if my child has a fever? A child must be fever free for 48 hours before returning to school.
• What will happen if a child appears ill at school? The student will be sent to a clinical area for assessment. If the student has a fever or appears ill, they will be placed in a safe, distanced area to await parent pickup.
• Will my child need a doctor’s note to return to school after having a fever? No.
• Will I be notified if another student tests positive for COVID-19 in my child’s class or school? Not necessarily. Due to HIPPA regulations, the health department or school official will notify only those who were determined by an interview to self-quarantine.
• Can I volunteer at my child’s school? No, not at this time. We will revisit after Q1.
• How often will my child’s classroom be cleaned? Daily cleaning will occur with deep cleaning as needed. Each classroom will be provided sanitation supplies for daily use.
• Will there be safety and well-being education? Yes. There will be education that empowers students to learn about the role they play to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. This education will be ongoing online and in the classroom.
• Are field trips going to take place? No, we will revisit this in Q2.
• Will any significant Safety & Security procedures be altered in the Fall due to Covid 19? Safety drills will be altered to maintain social distancing and access to school campuses will be restricted with enhanced protocols.
• If my child gets sick, or must stay home, who will provide instruction and assignments? The teacher assigned to your student will update TSMS Connect with assignments for the time missed.
• Process for drop-off and pick up? Especially for 1st day (Kindergarten)? TSMS is working on a plan to help walk younger students to their assigned classroom, students will not report to the cafeteria but directly to their classroom with the help of staff.
• Will there be clubs or tutoring during 1st semester? Yes, we will resume some elective clubs and tutoring on Monday and Tuesdays from 3:00-3:50pm.
• If my child will be wearing a mask, will they be required to be certain colors? No, the student may wear any color mask. If they want to match the uniform, the colors are red, white, and blue.
• Will breakfast still be served? Breakfast will still be served.
• Can students still bring packed lunch and/or snacks from home? Students can bring a packed lunch or snack from home.
