Covid-19 - Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School

Our goal is to keep students on campus and in classrooms as much as possible this year, while embracing policies and practices that will safeguard the health and wellbeing of our entire community.

We will regularly update the Visitation community through email about the school's guidelines. Please continue to check this page, as it reflects up-to-date guidance. Thank you, as always, for your partnership.

If you have any questions about school operations or health concerns, we are happy to answer them. Please use this form so we can direct them to the correct member of our leadership team.

If you have any questions about school Covid policies, please email Head of School Dr. Barbara McGraw Edmondson. For health-related queries, please contact School Nurse Heidi Greenhalgh.

Health & Safety

Science shows that the most important measures that we can take to prevent the spread of coronavirus are getting vaccinated, wearing face masks, social distancing, and handwashing. To this end, all of these guidelines will continue to be central aspects of school life at Visitation in 2021 – 2022.

Vaccination

Stay Home if Sick

Please stay home if you are sick.

People who have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home. Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of Covid-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. People who are at risk for getting very sick with Covid-19 who test positive should consult with a healthcare provider right away for possible treatment, even if their symptoms are mild. Staying home when sick can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases, including Covid-19, to other people.

When to Isolate

Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate yourself from others when you have Covid-19. You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have Covid-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full isolation recommendations from the CDC.

Any student required to isolate per CDC guidelines (this includes students who test positive and students who were exposed and display symptoms) will have digital access to her classes during her isolation period for the continuity of instruction.

Exposure & Notification

Masking

Face masks are now optional on campus.

However, please note that students who end isolation early or have been exposed to Covid-19 should wear a mask in accordance with the end of isolation and exposure guidelines. Students who report to the health office with symptoms of Covid-19 will be asked to wear a mask.

This policy may change based on the local transmission rate.

Handwashing & Respiratory Hygiene

All community members should practice good hand hygiene, particularly at moments of transition (e.g., using the restroom, before eating, after blowing one’s nose, etc.).
Students and adults will wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water are not available.
Students and adults should wash or sanitize their hands when both entering and exiting a classroom or between activities. Students are strongly encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.
Cover coughs and sneezes.

Campus Cleanliness & Ventilation

Visitation is always diligent in doing our part to mitigate the spread of disease. To further prepare for school this year, we have added the following precautions:

Our campus buildings will be cleaned daily with CDC-compliant cleaning materials.
All classrooms will be equipped with hand sanitizer and tissues.
Hand sanitizer will be required when entering and exiting the room.
Desks and workspaces will be spaced three feet apart.
All desks will face the front of the classroom.
Desks will be cleaned at the end of each class.
Visitation has reviewed and updated all of our building systems to ensure that they meet all CDC and DC health and safety guidelines regarding air quality. We will continue to do so regularly as guidance changes. Specific measures that have been implemented include:
- All air filters have been upgraded to the maximum levels possible. Filters are checked weekly and changed as needed.
- Our systems have been set to allow in the maximum percentage of outside air possible.
- Portable air cleaners have been added to every classroom and student space.
- The air quality in our buildings is monitored throughout each day.
- The bathroom ventilation systems are all functioning at highest rate possible.

Visiting the Health Office

The School Nurse will continue to be available to all students to promote a safe healthy environment that contributes to academic success. If a student is not feeling well during the school day, she will need to obtain a note from her teacher to see the nurse.

If any symptoms of Covid-19 are confirmed by the nurse, a parent will be notified and asked to pick up the student immediately and have her tested.

Responding to Outbreaks or Increased Community Spread

Helpful Information on Covid-19 from the School Nurse

Symptoms of Covid-19

For more information, visit DC Health.

Any individual experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 or who is required to isolate or quarantine due to Covid-19 diagnosis or exposure should not attend, work at, or visit a school due to the risk of exposing others.

Symptoms of Covid-19 may include:

Fever (subjective or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit),
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, or
Diarrhea.

All persons 18 and older who are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, that are new or unexplained, should stay home and not enter a school.

All persons younger than 18 who are experiencing the following symptoms, that are new or unexplained, should stay home and not enter a school:

Any ONE of these red flag symptoms:

New or worsening cough
Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell

OR at least two (2) of the following symptoms:

Fever (measured or subjective)
Chills
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Sore throat
An unusual amount of tiredness
Nausea or vomiting
Runny nose or congestion
Diarrhea

How to Protect Yourself and Others

For information, visit the CDC website.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Clean your hands often.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact.

Limit contact with others as much as possible.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Put distance between yourself and other people.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
- This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.

You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
Everyone should wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when around people not living in their household, especially when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others.
The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes.

Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect.

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
Then, use a household disinfectant.

How to Safely Wear and Properly Remove a Face Mask

For more information the CDC website.

Cloth face coverings serve as a barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.

WEAR YOUR FACE COVERING CORRECTLY

Wash your hands before putting on your face covering.
Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin.
Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face.
Make sure you can breathe easily.
Do not place a mask on a child younger than 2.

USE THE FACE COVERING TO HELP PROTECT OTHERS

Wear a face covering to help protect others in case you’re infected but don’t have symptoms.
Keep the covering on your face the entire time you’re in public.
Don’t put the covering around your neck or up on your forehead.
Don’t touch the face covering, and, if you do, clean your hands.

FOLLOW EVERYDAY HEALTH HABITS

Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
Wash your hands often, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds each time.
Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTH FACE COVERING CAREFULLY, WHEN YOU’RE HOME

Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops.
Handle only by the ear loops or ties.
Fold outside corners together.
Place covering in the washing machine.
Wash your hands with soap and water.

Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

For more information visit the CDC website.

Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.

Follow these five steps every time.

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Trusted Covid-19 Resources

Important Covid-19 Resources

Get the latest updates and stay informed on the coronavirus with direct information from the below resources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Official Coronavirus (Covid-19) health information
Coronavirus.dc.gov - The latest local information from DC Health
FEMA Rumor Control page - Answers to coronavirus myths and rumors.
Coronavirus.gov - The latest official information from the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Task Force at the White House
USA.gov/Coronavirus - See what government agencies are doing in response to Covid-19.

Mental Health Resources

Nurse Greenhalgh has shared this helpful handout from the National Association of School Psychologists for speaking with your children about coronavirus. She also recommends this suite of resources from the Department of Health & Human Services. It is updated often and has specific categories to fit particular needs.

In addition, Visitation's counselors - Susie Manion and Sarah Thompson - will remain available during regular school hours to students, parents, and faculty via email and phone to address mental health needs as they arise, and ongoing concerns related to emotional well-being.

Given the remote nature of these communications, counselors will only be able to intervene in non-crisis issues and will be unable to assess for risk or safety.

Our counselors have also shared the following resources to help parents as they support their children through this evolving situation:

Criteria for Campus Health Protocols

Criteria for Campus Health Protocols

As a school in the District of Columbia, Visitation is required to follow health guidelines issued by DC Health.

In considering our specific campus health protocols, Visitation places the highest priority on the safety and well-being of our community members: our students, faculty & staff, the Sisters, and families. We strive to balance that with our abiding desire to deliver the best school experience possible. We want to see our students on campus and in classrooms as much as possible this year.

Our decisions are rooted in public health guidance and reflect local and regional health conditions as monitored through key public health benchmarks. We refer to the Centers for Disease Control for nationwide guidance; in terms of local health conditions and recommendations, we refer to DC Health and the District of Columbia, but will also give consideration to Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Fairfax County, Arlington County, and other nearby locales, given the wide area in which our community members live.

The school is in regular dialogue with public health officials to ensure that we are well-versed in the specific implications of public health guidance for secondary schools like ours.

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