COVID FAQ

Like other schools in our area, we utilize a variety of metrics to guide our decision-making, including those on the Texas Medical Center (TMC) COVID website in addition to the Harris County COVID-19 Data Hub and our own, local PS community numbers.  The following two "community spread" metrics from TMC have influenced our school's COVID protocols since the beginning of the pandemic:

1. An R(t) rate below 1 for at least two consecutive weeks;
2. A testing positivity rate below 5% for at least two consecutive weeks.

When these metrics are met, Presbyterian School has a mask-optional policy for ALL students and adults while on campus, indoors and outdoors. However, we continue to ask that students continue to bring a mask to school for larger gatherings such as Chapel and Assemblies, for field trips, and for riding buses—all of which are times when spacing can be a challenge and when our outside partners may require the use of masks.

Please note that the School reserves the right to transition back to a mask-required policy if situations in a classroom, grade level, or division warrant.

Maintaining a mask-optional policy will depend upon our ongoing efforts with the following other mitigation layers of COVID-prevention that we have reiterated since the beginning of the pandemic:

• Staying home if sick or experiencing COVID symptoms
• Practicing regular and correct hand hygiene
• Encouraging vaccination when eligible
• Keeping our learning areas properly ventilated
• Finding multiple opportunities to be outdoors for learning, eating and play.

Positive COVID cases will be shared in a COVID Health Notice email to the homeroom and grade level in which the positive case occurs. Out of respect for the individual's privacy and confidentiality, the identity of the individual who has tested positive for COVID will not be shared. A current cumulative count of positive cases among students, faculty and staff for the semester is always posted on the Parent Portal of the School website.

If you receive a COVID Health Notice email from Nurse Brunson, monitor your child(ren) for COVID symptoms. Parents of students who need to quarantine, regardless of the presence of symptoms, will be directly contacted by the School Nurse, Julie Brunson. 

The return-to-campus protocols for close contact and positive COVID cases are shared on our school website at https://www.pshouston.org/covidresources/covid. In addition to following the protocols shared, please contact School Nurse, Julie Brunson, at the onset of your COVID-related issue AND before returning to campus. Nurse Brunson can be reached at 346.353.8103.

Vaccinations for COVID-19 are not currently required for any adult or student. However, we strongly encourage all eligible individuals to get vaccinated when able. During the school year, if your child becomes COVID vaccine-eligible and receives the vaccine, please upload his/her vaccination card into our School Forms system online. We are trying to keep our health records as updated as possible. Information about COVID vaccination status will be held in confidence and not shared among students, faculty or staff.   

We will have an online learning option this year, primarily for students who have extended illness or are symptomatic for several days.  Plans for remote learning must be made through the office of your child(ren)'s Division Head. Please email your Division Head if you would like to coordinate remote learning for your child(ren).