WATCH: Tolton Catholic president, principal talks students return, health protocols
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As schools get ready for the return to classes for the 2020-21 school year, the president and principal from Father Tolton Catholic High School joined ABC 17 News This Morning to talk about the school's return plans.
Dr. Daniel Everett said student's will be back in the classroom when the 2020-21 school year starts on August 24, but there will be some changes because of COVID-19.
"We are fortunate enough to have a smaller size student community, so we're able to spread out our students more," Everett said.
He said there will be significant changes inside the school building to allow for social distancing. He said the hallways will be cut in half for one way traffic and students will be asked to keep moving. He added that tables that had been used as student desks and lunch tables in the past have been replaced by individual desks.
"Everyone entering the building will have their temperature scanned. We actually are purchasing thermal sensing cameras, so as people walk in the building we will be detecting their temperature," Everett said.
If a students temperature is elevated, Everett said they will be pulled aside to have their temperature checked again before any decisions are made. Everett added that students and staff are being asked to monitor themselves for symptoms of the virus and to stay home if they are sick.
For students and staff that do have to quarantine, attendance policies at Tolton will be adjusted. Teachers and staff will get 10 extra days of sick leave for things related to COVID-19 and students attendance will be flexible for the virus as well, Everett said.
Classrooms will be outfitted with cleaning supplies at the school too. Everett said they are hoping to make cleaning a team effort between staff and students. He said supplies, desks and lunch tables will all be sanitized between use as well.
"We've designed the system around the expectations of the local health department, so with all the social distancing and the face mask requirements and the cleaning, we're hoping it will reduce the need for quarantine," Everett said.
