COVID-19 Policy Update - September 2, 2021
An Important Letter From Our Board Of Directors
Dear Families of QCS,
Earlier this week, Governor Wolf announced that beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 7th, persons both attending and employed within schools would need to wear face coverings.
After much prayer and discussion, the Quakertown Christian School Board of Directors determined that we would continue with our mask-optional approach as we had set in place for the 2021-22 school year. This was not an easy decision and members of the Board spoke to both sides of the process; though, in the end, the Board is unified in this decision as we move forward.
While we will continue to be mask-optional, we do strongly encourage our staff and students to wear masks while in the building per CDC recommendations. Additionally, QCS leadership will periodically reassess current trends in COVID-related numbers in our area and do retain the option of making a change if necessary.
QCS will continue to use CDC-recommended screening tools and sanitation products to help keep our building safe and those within healthy.
We ask that you continue to help in this process by monitoring your child’s health and refrain from sending her/him to school if they are even “slightly under the weather.”
If you have not yet done so, you must complete our COVID Waiver form and return it to the school office as soon as possible.
Please continue to pray for God’s guidance as we continue to navigate each day that we are given.
In Christ,
The Quakertown Christian Board of Directors
Posted: August 3, 2021
Quakertown Christian School’s Plan for 2021-2022
At this time QCS is taking the approach of school being “back to normal.” Dr. David Damsker, Director of Health in Bucks County, has stated that at this time he does not believe masks for students are needed. However, if you as a parent are more comfortable with your child wearing a mask, we understand that, and as a community, we will support your decision. We will also support your decision regarding vaccinations as this is also a family decision. As always, QCS will continue to monitor the situations daily, and we will continue to encourage families to monitor their children’s health each day prior to their coming to school. When in doubt, please keep your child at home.
Posted: August 3, 2021
Quakertown Christian School’s Plan for 2020-2021
During this unprecedented situation when we are “all in this together,” the QCS staff and administrators remain committed to offering the educational program that first brought you to Quakertown Christian School. In spite of the quarantine caused by the COVID-19 virus, we have continued to equip students to be leaders through an exceptional education within a culture emphasizing Christ-like love, peacemaking, and service. The Leadership Team and the new Head of School, Mr. Stephen Schrag, along with the former Head of School, Dr. Timothy Gray, met recently to discuss and explore our options for the 2020-2021 school year within the parameters established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result of this planning, we present the following scenarios for the coming school year:
Plan A: On-Campus Learning Model
We are prepared to be back on campus with live instruction. By targeting a maximum of 15 students per grade level, we believe we will be able to maintain a safe, healthy environment for our students and employees. Teachers will use their normal instructional tools in addition to some “newer tools” such as Google Classroom, pre-recorded instructional videos, and potentially live streaming when necessary. We will continue to utilize integrated social emotional learning as well as interventions and enrichment to accommodate all learners as we teach our PA
standards-based curriculum. As an organization, we are willing to consider making adjustments to the school calendar, attendance requirements, and other processes as needed.
Plan B: Short-Term, Intermittent, Individualized Learning Model
While other schools are talking about “phasing” (rotating when different groups of students are permitted to attend school), we will NOT need to do phasing at QCS by maintaining 15 students per grade. That being said, we are willing and able to make accommodations for individuals and families who may experience unforeseen, mitigating circumstances. These accommodations would be arranged and implemented through QCS administration and the Longacre Academic Center for Education.
Plan C: Distance-Learning Model
While we hope and pray that God brings healing and we do not need to return to mandated lockdowns again, we will be even better prepared if that does happen. If we are not permitted to be on campus, we will continue to do our best to provide our students with an exceptional education and our families with the support needed to persevere. We would use an “asynchronous instruction” model similar to what we used the past several months, taking into consideration the lessons we have learned so that we can be even better. Should we find ourselves in another long-term lockdown scenario, we will offer support to our families facing unexpected income changes. We thank you for entrusting us with your children and we look forward to seeing God’s continued faithfulness to QCS!
Posted: July 23, 2020
