Health Screenings

Health screenings will be conducted regularly for individuals on TSMA property. Parents/guardians should conduct their own screenings at home each morning before the school day and must keep their child home if ill. All staff will perform a symptom self screen prior to leaving for work and will stay home if ill. Temperature checks are not mandated and therefore will not be conducted on or by TSMA staff or students as an initial screening method. Instead, wellness check questions will be used for staff and students.

Wellness Check Questions

• Has your student(s) or a member of your household received a positive COVID-19 test result or is your student awaiting test results? If so, please keep your student home and contact our COVID Coordinator.
• Have you had a fever (100.4° or higher) or felt feverish in the last 72 hours?
• Are you experiencing any new respiratory symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath?
• Are you experiencing any new muscle aches or chills?
• Have you experienced any new change in your sense of taste or smell?

Sick Individuals

Sick individuals will be refused entry into schools or buildings to reduce the risk of contamination. Employees presenting with sickness, symptoms or answering yes to any of the screening questions shall not be permitted to enter facilities. Parent/guardians presenting with sickness symptoms shall be denied entry into facilities. Students who show symptoms of sickness must be picked up from school immediately. Please contact our COVID Care Coordinator if you believe your student has been exposed or is presenting COVID-19 symptoms.

The Schools of McKeel Academy policy or exposure is as follows. These guidelines are for those who come in contact with an individual while on a McKeel campus who have received a positive COVID-19 test result.

• The primary contact of individuals who have come in contact with a positive COVID-19 case, will receive an email from the school informing you of an exposure.
• If your student is symptom free or has been fully vaccinated, your student(s) may remain in school.
• If your student is presenting symptoms, please do not send your student to school and contact our COVID Care Coordinator.
• If you would like to quarantine your student for the 7-day quarantine length, you must notify our COVID Care Coordinator, Mrs. Angela Allman. Your student is not required to quaratine so long as your student is symptom free or has been fully vaccinated. Please contact your teacher(s) for assignments while quarantined.

Please remember FERPA, HIPPA and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who receives a positive result.

TSMA COVID Care Coordinator
Mrs. Angela Allman, 863-999-3027, covidcare@mckeelschools.com

• Handwashing
• Hand Sanitizer available in classrooms, throughout the campuses, and on school busses
• Utilize the McKeel Symptom Checker each morning
• Respiratory Etiquette (cover coughs and sneezes)
• Health signage posted throughout the campuses
• When feasible, all classroom seating will be spaced and facing the same direction.
• Students will not share supplies. If supplies need to be shared, they will be disinfected.
• Directional hallway traffic will be implemented whenever possible.
• Student desks will be disinfected between class periods.
• High touch surfaces/areas will be disinfected throughout each school day.
• High touch areas on playground equipment will be disinfected between class use.
• School busses will be disinfected after morning and afternoon routes.
• Cafeteria: seating will be reduced to 50% capacity. The remaining 50% of students being served during their designated lunchtime will eat in their classroom or utilize outdoor space.
• Visitors: TSMA will not permit school visitors or volunteers for the foreseeable future. Lunch visitors are prohibited until further notice.
• Field Trips: During the first nine weeks of school, student field trips will not occur.
• Face coverings (masks) remain optional except when indoor mask mandates become necessary based on campus infections. TSMA highly recommends the use of face coverings for all students and staff while indoors.

What if a student tests positive for COVID-19?

TSMA will work with families whose students may contract COVID-19 and will develop a comprehensive care plan for returning to school. TSMA will cooperate with the health department and provide the required information as it relates to notifying individuals who may have been in contact with the person infected. Due to FERPA regulations TSMA does not have authorization to disclose names of infected individuals.

What if a staff member tests positive for COVID-19?

TSMA will notify individuals who have been in contact with the person infected. Due to HIPPA regulations TSMA does not have authorization to disclose names of infected individuals.

If a member of the household contracts COVID-19, will the student be required to quarantine?

Under the emergency ruling by the Florida Surgeon General on September 22, 2021, parents/guardians may choose one of the following options:

• Allow their child who is a close contact to a COVID-19 positive individual to remain in school - as long as they do not have symptoms; or
• Elect for their child(ren) to quaratine for a period of time not to exceed seven (7) days from the last close contact with an individual that is positive for COVID-19.

My student has been fully vaccinated, does he/she need to quarantine if he/she has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who has COVID-19 unless they have symptoms.

2021-2022 School Year

Last updated 11/16/2021

In acknowledgement of yesterday’s announcement from the Governor regarding his most recent executive orders we have received additional guidance from both PCPS and the Florida Department of Education. The guidance states that the executive orders only apply to city and county governments and do not apply to school districts or individual schools. However, based on a number of factors, including the Florida climate, I have decided to amend our covid policy for the remainder of the 2020/2021 school year as follows:

Effective Wednesday, May 5, when outdoors for PE, recess and carline face coverings will be optional for both students and staff. While indoors or on school buses, the policy remains unchanged.

We have come so very far this school year and I applaud the collective cooperation of students, staff and families in adhering to our covid policy. Due to the ongoing, overwhelming responsibility we all have in keeping one another safe, this change in policy is not applicable indoors. Our current face covering policy will continue to be enforced when indoors on any of our campuses or while utilizing bus service. The decision of face coverings for the 2021/2022 school year will be a topic of discussion this summer as we plan and prepare for the onset of the new school year.

Alan Black
Director of Schools
The Schools of McKeel Academy

On behalf of our Board of Trustees and myself, I’m writing to inform you about two significant measures impacting the 2021/2022 school year. They are as follows:

• The current TSMA mask policy will cease with the close of the school day on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, being made optional for summer enrichment and athletic programs, as well as the 2021/2022 school year. The current mask policy (recently amended) remains in effect for the remainder of this school year.
• Our McKeel virtual learning choice will cease at the close of this school year. Students who wish to remain virtual may enroll in Polk Virtual or Florida Virtual. Students wishing to return face-to-face, please notify your principal no later than Wednesday, May 26.

With so few days left in this historical school year, it is my great hope that collectively, we focus on closing out the year in unison with the same hopeful spirit of optimism in which we began.

My best wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer!

Alan Black
Director of Schools
The Schools of McKeel Academy

The Schools of McKeel Academy are excited about the return of students this Thursday! Once again, we find ourselves operating in somewhat fluid fashion. While we had anticipated the start of this school year resembling a return to school reminiscent of pre-pandemic days…I’m afraid that’s not fully the case.

At the present time, in accordance with both local and state regulations, masks will remain optional. Although, highly recommended for all students, staff and school visitors when indoors. We further encourage parents and staff to perform daily health screenings as detailed in our McKeel Symptom Checker. Mrs. Angela Allman will remain our Covid Care Coordinator for the foreseeable future. Any student/staff members testing positive for Covid may contact Mrs. Allman at covidcare@mckeelschools.com or by calling 863-999-3027. For up to date Covid-19 information impacting TSMA this school year, please visit mckeelcommunity.com and stay informed by checking your school based social media platforms, websites and email of record. Let’s continue to work together to keep one another well... please do not send children who may be exhibiting any symptoms of illness to school.

Thank you for entrusting your children with our schools. The safety, security and general well-being of our entire McKeel family remains a top priority along side delivering our mission of providing an exceptional and innovative education.

Sincerely yours,

Alan Black
Director of Schools
The Schools of McKeel Academy

The Schools of McKeel Academy continues to operate amidst a fluid environment surrounding COVID-19. Please note the below updates and changes to our health and safety protocols that will be fully implemented next week. TSMA will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.

One immediate change, effective tomorrow, Friday, August 13 is a two week mask mandate when INDOORS, regardless of vaccination status, for all SMA students and staff. Also effective tomorrow, ALL SMA & MAC bus riders will be required to wear a mask. This mandate will be revisited on Friday, August 27. TSMA is taking a granular approach in relation to campus mask mandates until circumstances may dictate otherwise.

If you have an MAT student athlete, specific Covid-19 protocols will be forthcoming from Athletic Director, Chuck Smith.

Enhanced Campus Mitigation

• When feasible, all classroom seating will be spaced and facing the same direction.
• Students will not share supplies. If supplies need to be shared, they will be disinfected.
• Directional hallway traffic will be implemented whenever possible.

Cleaning

• Student desks will be disinfected between class periods.
• High touch surfaces/areas will be disinfected throughout each school day.
• High touch areas on playground equipment will be disinfected between class use.
• School buses will be disinfected after morning and afternoon routes.

Cafeteria- seating will be reduced to 50% capacity. The remaining 50% of students being served during their designated lunchtime will eat in their classroom or utilize outdoor space.

Face Coverings- Face coverings (masks) remain optional except when indoor mask mandates become necessary based on campus infections. TSMA highly recommends the use of face coverings for all students and staff while indoors.

Visitors- TSMA will not permit school visitors or volunteers for the foreseeable future. Lunch visitors are prohibited until further notice.

Field Trips- During the first nine weeks of school, student field trips will not occur.

Please remember to utilize the McKeel Symptom Checker each morning prior to leaving for school. It is imperative that individuals presenting symptoms of illness stay home. Please visit mckeelcommunity.com for all COVID-19 protocols.

"TSMA health & safety protocols are subject to change based on local and state mandates inclusive of recommendations and guidance from the Florida Department of Education, CDC and local health department."

The Schools of McKeel Academy continues to operate amidst a fluid environment surrounding COVID-19. TSMA will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.

Enhanced Campus Mitigation

Cafeteria- seating will be reduced to 50% capacity. The remaining 50% of students being served during their designated lunchtime will eat in their classroom or utilize outdoor space.

Face Coverings- Face coverings (masks) remain optional except when indoor mask mandates become necessary based on campus infections. TSMA highly recommends the use of face coverings for all students and staff while indoors.

Visitors- TSMA will not permit lunch visitors for the foreseeable future. Volunteers may be approved as needed.

Field Trips- During the first nine weeks of school, student field trips will not occur.

Please remember to utilize the McKeel Symptom Checker each morning prior to leaving for school. It is imperative that individuals presenting symptoms of illness stay home. Please visit mckeelcommunity.com for all COVID-19 protocols.

"TSMA health & safety protocols are subject to change based on local and state mandates inclusive of recommendations and guidance from the Florida Department of Education, CDC and local health department."