Helias Catholic High School will require masks in common areas, 3 feet of social distance

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Helias Catholic High School announced Wednesday face coverings in some situations and other COVID-19 mitigation protocols will be in place, similar to last year's plans.

The guidelines went into effect Wednesday but may be updated, especially if conditions related to COVID-19 change within the Helias Catholic school building or the wider community, according to the plan.

Cole County has one of the highest levels of infection in the state, ranking 11th for most new cases per capita over the past week.

MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

Any visitors entering Helias Catholic High School facilities should wear a mask or face covering and maintain 3 feet of distance from others. All non-essential visitors should remain in the main entrance area unless authorized to enter the building.

Students, staff and bus drivers are required to wear face coverings on busses used for school events and activities as per a federal order issued by the CDC. Students and staff are also required to wear masks in all common areas.

Any student, faculty or staff is welcome and encouraged to wear a mask at any point in the day outside of the school's guidelines.

MORNING ENTRANCE

Students are expected to go to their lockers then directly to their first-period classes without congregating in hallways or common spaces.

Water fountains will not be available for use, but students will have access to water bottle-filling stations. Students must use an approved Helias Catholic water bottle, available in the Sader Shop.

When entering classrooms, students are encouraged to use hand sanitizer.

The school requests students keep locker visits to a minimum.

LUNCH

Lunch is divided into three periods to decrease the number of students present at one time. Hot lunches and grab-and-go items are available.

Students are expected to sit at their table during lunch and not visit other tables. Students are encouraged to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after lunch.

Students are not permitted to eat lunch in the library.

DISMISSAL

All students must be out of the building no later than 3:30 p.m. -- school dismissal is at 3 p.m. Some exceptions apply for students working with a teacher or staff members. Students who have not been picked up by 3:30 p.m. must report to the main office lobby area where they must wait for their ride.

SICK STUDENTS AND STAFF

Students who are sick at school must report to the school nurse as soon as possible. Students will be asked to wear a mask if showing any contagious symptoms.

Students who exhibit potential COVID-19 symptoms while at school will stay in an isolation room until their parents pick them up or give permission to the school nurse for them to leave the building.

Any student who leaves school during the day for illness will not be allowed to return to school or participate in school activities for the remainder of that day. Any student who is ill or has a fever of 100.4 degrees must stay home. Parents are to notify the school office in writing or by email.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 must notify the school or school nurse as soon as possible. Students, faculty, and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 must stay home and maintain distance from the school for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

Fully vaccinated and symptom-free individuals who come in contact with a positive COVID-19 case will not need to quarantine.