Reopening August 2020

Returning to a connected community!

Prestonwood Christian Academy resumed daily on-campus instruction for all students this fall with remote learning options. As we returned to school, with limited disruptions and enhanced health protocols, PCA created a dedicated COVID-19 Team, with four specific Task Forces. The COVID-19 team gathered research, made recommendations, and confidently welcomed students to campus with the robust student life offerings for which Prestonwood Christian Academy is known. While we continue to proceed with school on-campus as planned, it looks a little different as we continue to adapt to new protocols to provide safety for our students and extended PCA family. Our promise to provide a high-quality educational experience, a nurturing environment, and a biblically based discipleship plan, both inside and outside of the classroom, remains unchanged.

You can read more details about our plan below. Information will be updated as our plans continue to be refined.

School-wide Information

Christian Unity

We have strived for unity within our community. Each family has a different level of comfort, and their extended family situation is different. One family may feel totally unfazed by COVID-19, but the child next to them in class has relatives with compromised immunities. The 24-hour news cycle has created responses from panic, to fear, to numbness, and even apathy. We are striving to dwell as a community of grace, allowing each one to process as they need to.

We live in unprecedented times and we understand that there are many strong views as to what needs to be done globally, nationally and locally. In the midst of all our other goals, PCA seeks to be a light in a dark world. We ask our families to live in an understanding way with others who may have different views (1 Corinthians 8).

PCA Planning & Decision-Making Process

PCA Planning & Decision-Making Process

PCA seeks to focus on the emotional and spiritual needs of our families, while still achieving high academic goals. This has been harder to define and implement than the current rigorous learning objectives for which we strive.

In addition to frequent updates from national agencies, local health and safety organizations and peers in academics, our decisions are influenced by several institutional values including health and safety, educational quality, spiritual development, value to families, biblical unity, innovation and agility.

Our dedicated COVID-19 Team was made up of four specific Task Forces as follows:

Safety, Health & Logistics

Learning & Education Models

Student Experience

Family Satisfaction & Value

Evaluate conditions, align operating protocols for campus models

Evaluate educational readiness and options

Evaluate essential activities and events

Evaluate parent satisfaction & perceived value

Pre-screening thresholds
Distancing strategies
Cleaning practices
Human resource policy
Financial investment:
Cleaning equipment
Electrostatic sprayers
Masks
Sanitizer dispensers

Monitor conditions
Identify staffing and program needs for educational models
Set trigger points
Implement and support distance models
Implement adjustments

Monitor conditions
Reimagine large group events impacted by health guidelines
Prepare alternatives for retreats, co-curricular activities and athletics
Minimester

Monitor parent and student satisfaction
Address/implement plans to improve as needed
Identify and communicate value PCA provides
Timely and effective communication to reassure families
Crisis Communication

Each task force is made up of staff, faculty, parents and other advisors who research data, and match them to the values and principles set by PCA. We are thankful for the entire group that worked with wisdom, rigor and faith.

The well-being of our entire community is a top priority. We strive to be good stewards of finances and are willing to invest in essential resources needed to guard the safety of our on-campus community while continuing our support of families needing financial assistance.

We have purchased state-of-the-art cleaning equipment including electrostatic sprayers, additional sanitizer stations, stanchions to assist with social distancing, and masks. We are investing in additional staff positions to support adjustments to facilitate remote learning. Technology has been purchased to support livestreaming of classes for students who may be learning remotely for short-term or long-term periods.

The ability for our staff to be fully equipped to sustain learning during this season is of vital importance. PCA has expanded our Staff Institute to include more training on tools, health safety, and daily protocols, as well as deploying additional staff resources to ensure we support learning and balance with other life needs and goals.

Activities, Chapels & Events

Activities, Chapels & Events

Indoor large-group gatherings and events will be very limited. Group activities may be reimagined to take place outdoors, within larger meeting spaces, or will occur in a virtual space. Chapels will be realigned for smaller groups, both in content and location, and as a last resort, via video distribution. We will continue to move forward in accordance with public health guidelines and social distancing recommendations provided to us.

Educational Quality

Educational Quality

PCA is deeply committed to the academic quality of all our program offerings. On-campus learning remains the best option for most students and allows for the most flexibility and adaption within the learning environment. We have made changes however, which may include adjusting the layout and format of the physical classrooms, changing student movement and flow, increasing cleaning protocols, changing the utilization of shared supplies and much more.

PCA is prepared for a range of scenarios subject to any government mandates. We are prepared to seamlessly shift all courses to remote delivery for short or long-term needs, if needed, whether for one student, or a full class or grade level.

Remote Learning

Remote Learning

Remote learning is available for short-term and long-term needs with age-specific adaptions. All students who are learning remotely will be required to participate in live (synchronous) on-line learning at some part of their day for specific instruction. Additional staff and technology resources are being allocated to enhance this process.

Remote delivery for PCA students will be an enhanced version of what PCA delivered this past spring. The curriculum and assessments will stay on pace with all on-campus activities. PCA uses a variety of digital tools to make sure our students thrive and experience a maximum learning environment regardless of where they may be. Some of the tools we utilize include:

Canvas

Edpuzzle

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Seesaw

Zoom

Spiritual Development

Spiritual Development

The Campus Ministry Team is continuing its intentional focus on implementing Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 spiritual development plans that complement the biblical worldview training already woven into the PCA curriculum. We will continue to move forward reimagining events as needed in accordance with public health guidelines and social distancing recommendations provided to us.

Athletics

Athletics

Face Coverings

Face Coverings

Safety & Cleaning Guidelines

Safety & Cleaning Guidelines

Regular times will be designated for hand washing and access to hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the day, with a specific focus on arrival to school, entering the classroom, and before and after meals. New, intensified cleaning protocols are in place for classrooms, restrooms, and other shared spaces. Frequently touched surfaces (such as restrooms and doorknobs) will be cleaned throughout the day with an EPA-approved disinfectant. Limitations will be placed on the number of people who can be in restrooms and other shared spaces at the same time.

Visitors & Volunteers

Visitors & Volunteers

School visitors will be limited and carefully screened (temperature checks and COVID exposure questions) at the entrance. Some of the regular tutors, therapists, and learning specialists will be asked to interact with students virtually or off-campus. Those interacting with students on-campus will be screened, required to wear face coverings, and follow health guidelines. Health guidelines and entry requirements will be placed in each reception area. Complimentary face coverings and sanitizers will be available.

Clinics & Health Screenings

Clinics & Health Screenings

Lunch

Lunch

The process and location for dining will be changed in each Division to reduce the number of students congregating in the cafeteria or other locations. New health guidelines have been adopted by our SAGE Dining provider to eliminate any cross contamination of foods or utensils. Additional distribution locations and dining locations will be available to provide a comfortable and safe spacing of students.

Social Distancing

Social Distancing

Social distancing will be maintained with new classroom locations and layouts, hallway traffic patterns, changes to dining, and new measures for recess and physical education. Lower School and Middle School procedures will focus on small class sizes and “pods” of students that do not cross over to other groups in case of any illnesses. Upper School will strive to maintain social distancing protocols. All divisions will limit large group gatherings and comply with traffic flow guidelines that keep health awareness as a priority.

What to Expect divisionally

Each PCA Division put together specific and thoughtful plans to ensure a quality learning experience for students, while also protecting their safety and wellbeing. Divisional Principals shared further details with families and students with Back-to-School communications in early August which can be found on myPCA. Below is some essential information.

Future families: we would love to connect with you

We have several options available to connect with the Prestonwood Christian Academy Admissions Team. Schedule a phone appointment, Zoom call or private tour. You may also complete an online inquiry.

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