The goal of Hillcrsest SDA School (Hillcrest) is to provide a healthy and safe learning environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The following protocol and safety precautions are subject to change at any point due to new developments in the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in information available, and recommendations from the CDC, ND Governor, and ND Department of Health, or the Dakota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Hillcrest will maintain communication with families regarding changes and updates to this plan.

Attendance/Daily School Entrance and Procedures

• It is important to keep your child at home if they have any signs or symptoms of illness.
  
• Students will be screened immediately upon arrival at school and before entering their classrooms. Students showing any signs of illness, or whose temperatures register 100.4 degrees F or higher (using a non-contact forehead scan thermometer) must return home. Parents must not leave the school parking lot before their child has successfully checked into the school building.
  
• Temperatures may be checked again at any time throughout the school day. If a student develops symptoms of illness, or registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher, after arriving at school, families will be contacted to pick up their student as soon as possible. The student will wait in a designated area until they are picked up from school.
  
• Students displaying signs and symptoms of illness due to allergies must have a doctor's note confirming such in order to attend school.
  
• All persons wishing to enter the school building will be screened for any signs or symptoms of illness including a temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher.
  

Cleaning and Sanitation

• Proper hand washing and personal hygiene procedures will be taught, implemented, and encouraged throughout the school day.
  
• Students must bring personal water bottles. Water bottles should be brought home for cleaning daily.
  
• Surfaces, such as desks, tables, counters, and door knobs will be disinfected a minimum of once daily.
  
• Bathrooms are to be used by one person at a time.
  
• Bathrooms and other common areas will be cleaned regularly.
  

Home Recommendations and Family Responsibilities

• Check your child for any signs or symptoms of illness before leaving home. If your child is ill, they must remain home.
  
• If students wish to use plates or silverware at lunchtime, the family must provide disposable plates and plastic ware, or reusable plates and utensils must be brought from home.
  
• Clean and disinfect lunch boxes at least once weekly.
  
• Students should shower or bathe at least once every other day and wear clean clothes daily to reduce the accumulation of bacteria on your person.
  
• Promote healthy habits including adequate hydration, nutrition, fresh air, exercise, and sleep.
  
• Masks are not required at school at this time, but are optional if families prefer for their student to wear one.
  

Distance Learning

• It is possible that a situation may arise in which Hillcrest, or some portion of its students, may be required to transition to distance learning for a time.
  
• If an immediate family member living in the same household of a Hillcrest student tests positive for COVID-19, the student will immediately transition to distance learning for the recommended quarantine time as designated by the CDC and/or ND Department of Health. If symptoms are still present after quarantine or a negative test result, distance learning will continue until all members of the household are symptom-free.
  
• If a Hillcrest student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, that individual's classroom will immediately transition to distance learning for the recommended quarantine period or until the individual has tested negative. If symptoms are still present after quarantine or a negative test result, distance learning may continue for all or some members of the classroom.
  
• In the event that distance learning becomes necessary, for one or more students, the school will communicate procedures and expectations to families.