COVID-19 Updates

• Shelton will employ many of the same mitigation strategies that were used last year. As much as possible, students and teachers will maintain at least 3 feet of distance from each other. 
• Shelton will have hand sanitizer stations in every classroom, as well as in all common areas. Middle and Upper School students are encouraged to wear masks. Lower School and Upper Elementary students are required to wear masks through Jan. 28.
• Desks and classroom materials will be sanitized throughout the day.
• Use of outdoor spaces will be encouraged.

• At Shelton, for students in Early Childhood through 5th grade masks will be temporarily required for all students, faculty,  staff and visitors. Masks are strongly encouraged for Middle and Upper School students.

• EC/PP students are encouraged to wear masks, especially when entering and exiting the building.  
• Adjustments will be made according to the age and stage of the students and the activities in the classroom.

• Students may choose a mask that is comfortable.
• KN95 masks are recommended. 
• Neck gaiters or bandanas are not allowed.
• Students should bring a clean mask each day.
• Masks will be provided if a student forgets or if their mask gets soiled or lost.

Breaks from wearing masks, while adhering to CDC guidelines, will occur throughout each day. This may include lunch, snack time and outdoor time. 

• 92% of our staff are vaccinated.

• Visitors will be limited at this time. Visitors will be asked to wear a mask. 

• EC and PP classes will continue to eat lunch in their classrooms. First through 12th grades will alternate between eating outside and in the dining hall. Upper School students have been divided into two lunch periods to decrease the number of students eating at one time. 

• No. Shelton does not plan to offer online synchronous learning, however, opportunities for online learning may be made in cases of: quarantine, extended illness and other circumstances as approved by the Division Head. Teachers are recording classes with Mevo cameras, and students in grades 5th - 12th will have access to recorded lessons of each class. 

For our younger students, grades EC through 5th, a home computer with Google Chrome installed and signed in with the student’s Shelton credentials will provide the same ability. You can view this document for more detailed instructions for this process. 

Students in grades 6th through 12th are issued Shelton laptops with Google Chrome installed. Students are also signed into Google Chrome with their Shelton credentials which allows Shelton Bookmarks to be displayed in the browser. Within the Shelton Bookmarks, students can quickly access the majority of the online services.

This past summer, we configured the majority of our subscription services to use Google single sign on (SSO), which means for services, such as: Newsela, Flocabulary, and Discovery Education, your student will use Google sign in button when presented with the option.

For services that do not have a Google sign in button, such as: Learning Ally and Explore Learning, your student’s teacher can provide login credentials. In most cases, student’s will use their Shelton email and password to log in.

Teachers, in grades 5th through 12th, will record lessons from the day and post the videos within 24 hours. These videos can be found on Google Classroom. Teachers will have a topic called “Recorded Lessons”, or something similar, which will be under the “Classwork” tab in Google Classroom.

Classes, grades EC through 2nd, use Seesaw for posting works, announcements, and videos. Use this document to help your student log in and learn how the platform works. If you want to see it in action here’s the quarantine webinar from 2020!

Make sure to use the “Sign in with Google” button. Signing into the app

For students in grades 3rd through 12th, classes utilize Google Classroom. In this handout, you will learn how to get on and navigate Google Classroom with your student. Additionally, you can watch the quarantine webinar from 2020! To get to Classroom, open Shelton bookmarks, or just visit: https://classroom.google.com

Visit the Shelton IXL mainpage (https://www.ixl.com/signin/shelton), which can also be found in Shelton bookmarks, and use the “Sign in with Google” button:

Using Chrome while signed in with Shelton credentials, students can open Shelton bookmarks and click on TypingQuest, or my visiting: https://online3.typingmaster.com/login?id=f3ahm7h5z

Students will then use firstnamelastname (ex. darthvader) and their Shelton password to login.

• The student should not enter a school facility, but see a health care provider and get a COVID-19 PCR test and remain out of school until he or she receives the result. 
• Siblings of students that are being tested for COVID should remain at home until the test results are received.  
• Parents should inform their division office and the school nurse.

• The student will be asked to isolate for at least 10 days after symptom onset and until their symptoms have improved. Students who are close contacts and not vaccinated must stay home for 7 days if they have a negative test on or after day 5. This can be a rapid antigen test, though PCR is recommended. Students who are close contacts and are vaccinated may come to school as long as they wear a mask for 10 days and get tested 5 days after their last exposure to the person that tested positive. If he or she did not experience symptoms, he or she will be asked to isolate for 10 days after the positive test.

Siblings of children who test positive should get tested. If they are negative and vaccinated, they can return to school. We ask that they test again in 5 days or sooner if they develop symptoms.

• Positive cases will be posted on our website. An email with information will be sent when a positive case has been identified in EC-5th grade classes. The email will contain information related to any action or steps required. Parents of students in 6th-12th grade that carpool with or eat lunch with persons that test positive, will be notified. If the positive person participates in sports, the team will be notified.

• If the close contact has been vaccinated, he or she will not need to quarantine unless he or she has symptoms of COVID. The CDC recommends that the vaccinated close contact wear a mask and  get tested 3-5 days after the exposure.  If the close contact has not been vaccinated, he or she will need to quarantine.
• In some cases, students may be asked to get tested regardless of vaccination status. Shelton will provide a list of places that provide free COVID testing. 
• See the Shelton COVID policies for the definition of a close contact and for all details about quarantine.

• Vaccinations for the coronavirus are optional for all Shelton students, staff and visitors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend all individuals — 5 or older — receive the COVID-19 vaccine with some exceptions for medical reasons.

• Vaccines are available at most pharmacies and grocery stores. A student is not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after the second dose of the vaccine.  

• Yes. Shelton will continue to post updated case numbers on the website. 

• Shelton plans to offer sports, band, choir, and theater activities, after school activities, and clubs. 

The return to play policy can be found on the Athletic Training page of the website. Click here for the policy. 

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.^*

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

• Through coughing and sneezing

• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands

• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.

• Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention 

Dallas County Health and Human Services 

Texas Department of State Health Services

Coronavirus - Updates and Tips 

Supporting Kids During Covid-19 Crisis

Why the outbreak feeds worries and five simple ways to reduce coronavirus anxiety

5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus

Managing the Emotions that Surround Covid-19

Top Ten Ways to Manage Anxiety in the time of the Coronavirus

Helping Kids Who are Worried About Coronavirus 

Mental Health Wellness Tips For Quarantine - Susan Istre, Ph.D., LPC-S, BCPC  

When Kids Are Anxious About Coronavirus: What to Do - Susan Istre, Ph.D., LPC-S, BCPC  

Six Healthy Things You Can Do to Take the Edge Off Social Distancing 

How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus

PBS - How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus

Coronavirus Coloring Book 

Shelton Coloring Book - Please email any picture of finished coloring pages to ashiflet@shelton.org  

Houston Zoo Webcams

Georgia Aquarium Webcams

Coronavirus Coloring Book 

Shelton Coloring Book - Please email any picture of finished coloring pages to ashiflet@shelton.org