COVID-19 Guidelines

How to Decide About School Attendance
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they need to isolate/quarantine for five days. They may return on day six, given they have been without a fever for 24 hours. A negative test is not needed to return. We ask that the individual follows that time period by diligently wearing a mask on days 6-10.
 
If a student or staff member has been directly exposed to COVID-19, that individual should diligently wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine and test.
Messages & Updates
Currey Ingram's campus is mask optional for all K-12 students, faculty and staff.
We will continue to encourage good hand washing hygiene at key times during the day and we will continue our heightened cleaning protocols. If something is not specifically mentioned here, it should be assumed that it will return to the pre-pandemic normal. 

The on-campus protocols for students and families reflect a commitment to the health and safety of our school community while also maintaining the integrity of our mission.

Suggested protocols from local and state officials change often. As such, Currey Ingram's Health and Safety Working Group is dedicated to providing timely updates as they relate to the school and keeping our students and staff safe. The HSWG will continue to monitor cases of COVID-19 on campus, as well as local and global trends, to determine if any of these protocols need to change. As such, our status as a mask-optional campus is subject to change, depending on future surges.

Check back here for the most up-to-date information and messages from the school.


Resources

Nurse's Note

The Nurse's Note is a series in the All-School Newsletter where Nurse Heather posts helpful tips, reminders and updates to school protocols in an effort to keep everyone on campus healthy and safe.

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  • Vaccine Resources

    COVID-19 vaccine FAQs and resources

    As vaccine efforts across the country begin to ramp up, here are some resources from the Tennessee Department of Health that you may find helpful:
     
    1. Order your four free at-home COVID tests here.
    2. If you have questions about how to calculate quarantine and isolation times, please refer to this tool from the South Dakota Department of Health: https://doh.sd.gov/covid/calculator/
    3. Some very informative FAQs from the Tennessee Department of Health.
    4. General COVID-19 vaccine information, including daily vaccination reporting, from the Tennessee Department of Health.
    5. Learn about the Tennessee's vaccine rollout by phase.
    6. Faculty and staff are in phase 1b of the vaccine rollout. Sign up to be alerted when the vaccine is available for your phase in Williamson County. Check with your local county to see if they have something similar.
    7. Fact vs. Fiction: Mythbusters from the Tennessee Department of Health.

  • The Swiss Cheese Model

    The Swiss cheese model

    More recently, you might have heard experts make reference to the "Swiss cheese model" of pandemic defense. The metaphor -- illustrated in the graphic below -- is similar to the Four Pillars of Prevention we often stress. When you combine several layers of protection such as social distancing, masks, good hygiene, ventilation, and daily health assessments, you can significantly reduce the overall risk of spreading COVID-19. You can read more about the Swiss cheese model in this New York Times article.
     

  • The Four Pillars of Prevention

    The Four Pillars of Prevention
     
    Many states are seeing a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, including Tennessee. As the temperatures start to dip and we move indoors for holiday gatherings, please be mindful of the Four Pillars of Prevention: hygiene, physical distancing, wearing a mask and health screens.

  • The Importance of the 2020-21 Flu Shot

    Getting a flu vaccine this 2020-21 season is more important than ever. With cooler weather and more people gathering inside this fall and winter, it's likely that flu viruses and COVID-19 will spread. Since the two viruses often present similar symptoms, the healthcare systems could also get overwhelmed treating patients.   
     
    While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, there are important benefits, such as:
     
    1. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death.
    2. It is an important preventative measure for those with chronic illnesses.
    3. Studies have shown that it can significantly reduce the severity of the flu if you do get sick. 
    4. It protects the people around you.
    5. Getting a flu vaccine can save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.
    There are many convenient and cost-effective ways to get your flu shot this year that we encourage you to take advantage of, including: obtaining one through your employer if it is offered, at the doctor's office, or at your local pharmacy. For more details about the benefits of obtaining this year's flu vaccine visit the CDC website.

  • How Often Should You Wash Your Mask?

    With face masks now a staple of our everyday attire, you might wonder -- how often should I be washing my mask? The CDC says "regularly," but experts that spoke with The New York Times' Wirecutter say that it should be every day, and added that you do not have to wash them separately from your other clothes.
     
    This topic also serves as a good reminder that disposable masks should be thrown away at the end of each day.
     
    Click here for tips from the CDC on how to properly wash your masks.

  • Debunking Infrared Thermometer Myths 

    Debunking Infrared Thermometer Myths 

    Daily temperature checks are one of Currey Ingram's main lines of defense when it comes to COVID-19 safety protocols. The school utilizes non-contact infrared thermometers because they offer safety to both parties while providing a quick and accurate temperature reading. 
     
    Here are two common misconceptions about infrared thermometers and their corresponding facts:
     
    MYTH: Infrared thermometers can expose the brain to harmful radiation.
    FACT: Infrared thermometers do NOT emit radiation or send any wavelengths into the brain. They sense heat that is naturally emitted from the body. (Dr. Haris Sair, Johns Hopkins University)
     
    MYTH: Infrared thermometers aren't accurate.
    FACT: Research has shown that, when used correctly and as directed, infrared thermometers are just as accurate as digital thermometers. (Dr. Neha Vyas, Cleveland Clinic)

  • Five Quick Tips for Safe Carpooling

    Does your student carpool to school? Here are five tips to consider to protect your student and others during their carpool:
    1. Have all passengers sanitize their hands before getting into the car.
    2. Passengers should wear a face covering (cloth mask or face shield) for the duration of the ride.
    3. Social distance as much as possible (e.g. sit at opposite windows or in different rows).
    4. If possible, keep car windows open to create a crossflow of air.
    5. Wipe down frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant before passengers get in.

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Currey Ingram Academy is an exemplary PreK-12 day and boarding school that empowers students with learning differences to achieve their fullest potential. Since 2002, the school has been located on an 83-acre campus in Brentwood, Tennessee, just miles from Nashville and Franklin. Families from 33 states and eight countries cite the school as their primary reason for moving to Middle Tennessee.

Currey Ingram Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and AdvancEd/Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).