The committee of healthcare providers appointed by the Jackson Christian Board of Trustees has recommended that we lift the current masking policy for Junior-K through 12th grade. If your child would like to wear a mask, they are welcome to continue that practice. However, masks will not be provided by the school.

The mask mandate for Junior-K through 12th grade will remain for another two weeks as we assess the infection rate after the return from the break.

Update: 9/10/2021

After reviewing the number of COVID cases at Jackson Christian as well as those from the community, it appears that we are seeing a slight decline or at least stabilization in the number of positive cases at JCS with continual increasing numbers of hospitalizations and cases in the community. Therefore, based upon the recommendation of the committee of healthcare providers appointed by the Jackson Christian Board of Trustees, we will continue our current masking policy for Junior-K through 12th grade and will reevaluate in two weeks.

Update: 8/28/2021

In light of increasing cases of COVID-19, new variants, and increasing hospitalizations in Madison County and specifically on our JCS campus, the Board of Trustees appointed a committee of healthcare providers to make ongoing recommendations to the Board pertaining to Jackson Christian’s policies regarding COVID-19. Based on the recommendation from that committee, the Board has approved the following updated policy regarding masks on campus.

Junior-K through 12th grade will be required to wear masks in hallways and other indoor areas unless socially distanced. Students may remove masks when seated in the classroom if socially distanced. This policy does not apply to outdoor areas or when actively eating. The Executive Order issued by Governor Lee does not apply to private schools. Accordingly, the only exceptions to this policy are for medical reasons with written documentation from a medical provider.

This updated policy will go into effect on Monday, August 30, 2021. The committee will reevaluate this policy in two weeks and will make a further recommendation at that time based on the then-current situation in our community.

We know that some will be critical of this decision. However, we have seen firsthand that in-person learning is superior to virtual learning; and we are deeply concerned with the health and well-being of our JCS students, faculty, staff, and all of their families. With those two goals at the forefront, we will utilize any reasonable method at our disposal to possibly mitigate the negative impact of this current COVID-19 surge on our school community. Please know that we will carefully and prayerfully make every effort to make the wisest decision with the information that we have before us at the time.

Thank you for partnering with us in our efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and as we strive to protect our students and our families. The Jackson Christian Board of Trustees is committed to safeguarding our school, students, and faculty.

• If your unvaccinated child has been in close contact (within 6 feet) with a confirmed non-household case of COVID-19 in the past 48 hours, they must self-quarantine at home for 10 days from the last date of contact with the individual to watch for signs of illness; or 7 days (return to regular activities on day 8) if no symptoms and a negative PCR or antigen test collected after day 5. Please contact Jackson Christian so that the appropriate steps are initiated for your child to continue receiving instruction and assignments.
• If your vaccinated child has been in close contact (within 6 feet) with a confirmed non-household case of COVID-19 in the past 48 hours, they are not required to quarantine.
• If your unvaccinated child has been in close contact (within 6 feet) with a confirmed household case of COVID-19 in the past 48 hours, they must self-quarantine at home for 10 days from the last date of contact with the individual to watch for signs of illness; or return to regular activities on day 8 with a negative PCR or antigen test collected after day 7. Please contact Jackson Christian so that the appropriate steps are initiated for your child to continue receiving instruction and assignments.
• If your vaccinated child has been in close contact (within 6 feet) with a confirmed household case of COVID-19 in the past 48 hours, they must self-quarantine at home for 3-5 days from the last date of contact with the individual to watch for signs of illness; or return to regular activities on day 4 with a negative PCR or antigen test collected after day 3.
• Please contact Jackson Christian so that the appropriate steps are initiated for your child to continue receiving instruction and assignments.
• Please wear your mask in the hallways and anytime you cannot be 6 feet apart. The mask policy is for our protection and keeping our team safe.
• Elementary students are not required to wear their masks when playing on the playground.
• All visitors must wear a mask as you enter the school building.

Note: The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department will contact COVID positive individuals reported to them by testing centers to conduct contact tracing. Additionally, Jackson Christian will help inform those we are aware of who may have been in close contact with an individual who tested positive to monitor and potentially quarantine. The JMCRHD also recommends fully vaccinated individuals who are exposed but not symptomatic or COVID positive to mask in public places for at least 10 days.

Daily questions we need each family/faculty/staff to ask:

• Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat?
• Have you had a fever of 100.4 or greater within the last 48 hours?
• Have you had new loss of taste or smell?
• Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?

If the answer is YES to any of the above questions, contact your healthcare provider and do NOT attend school.

In an effort to err on the side of caution and to assist Madison County families who are experiencing a spike in COVID, we will be issuing a mask mandate for two-year-olds through 12th grade in all common areas such as halls and any time social distancing cannot be accomplished. Many of our decisions are being made with guidance from local healthcare providers, national independent school leaders, and other advisors. We are trying to make decisions based upon science and NOT the media. Remember, the adjustments that we are making are intended to mitigate, not eliminate, the risk of contracting COVID-19.

Now more than ever, we must have clear lines of communication. If you have questions, please start with your division leader and know they are working tirelessly to keep your children safe. Here are a few important reminders as we make this move as we start school on Monday.

• Please wear your mask in the hallways and anytime you cannot be six feet apart. The mask policy is for the protection of our students, faculty and staff.
• Elementary students are not required to wear masks when playing on the playground.
• If your child has been in close contact (within six feet) with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 10 days, they must self-quarantine at home for 10 days from the last date of contact with the individual to watch for signs of illness. Please contact Jackson Christian so that the appropriate steps are initiated for your child to continue receiving instruction and assignments.

Note: This does not apply to our families who are medical personnel, first responders, or other individuals who encounter COVID-19 as part of their professional or caregiving duties while wearing appropriate PPE.

Daily questions we need each family/faculty/staff to ask:

• Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat?
• Have you had a fever of 100.4 or greater within the last 48 hours?
• Have you had new loss of taste or smell?
• Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?
• If the answer is YES to any of the above questions, contact your healthcare provider and do NOT attend school.

If student/faculty/staff tests positive for COVID-19, please contact Jackson Christian immediately. Also, contact your county’s health department and self-isolate for 14 days. If you have symptoms, you may return to school 10 days after last symptom. If you are asymptomatic, you may return to school 10 days after the positive test.

Jackson Christian continually monitors the COVID infection rate on our campus. Should it change, we are ready to adjust to ensure our students receive a high-quality education in a protected environment.

Based on the conditions at the time, our COVID safety measures employ numerous procedures, including sanitization and encouraging good hygiene, face coverings, social distancing, and other operating procedures that mitigate spread. The following serve as our current guidelines and reminders:

• Vaccines for students, faculty, and staff are encouraged, but not required.
• Masks are not required on campus. Capacity limits and social distancing requirements have also been lifted. With that said, individuals should take personal responsibility for their health. If you have any combination of the following symptoms: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, please obtain a COVID-19 test and do not come to the campus.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Jackson Christian will continue to follow state and local guidance related to isolation and quarantine protocols, as well as other recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.