Returning to campus

Classes will start on Aug. 24 with dorms opening to international students on Aug. 7. Dorms will open to domestic boarding students on Saturday, Aug. 22. If domestic boarding students need to arrive earlier due to fall sports or other circumstances, please contact Dean of Students Jimmy Franklin at 706-839-2002. 

Preparation for interruption

As we have learned over the past few months, flexibility plays a key role in all planning. In preparing for bringing students back to campus this fall, we must be aware this year will not look the same in many areas. We must be prepared for interruptions to our daily schedule and routines due to COVID-19. Any changes to our schedules will be communicated promptly. We thank you in advance for your patience and partnership. 

Last updated July 30, 2020

Requirements for face coverings

Face coverings will be required for students, faculty and staff when physical distancing is not possible, such as hallways, stairwells and bathrooms. Exceptions to the face-covering policy will be made with consideration for medical reasons and to accommodate eating and drinking, outdoor activities and PE.

TFS will provide one face covering per student. Additional face coverings should be provided by students.

Appropriate face coverings include cloth or disposable masks, face shields or gaiters in solid colors or simple designs. No wording or messages should appear on the face coverings.

For those interested in incorporating the TFS logo in a face-covering design, it can be downloaded here. 

If the student’s face covering becomes ineffective or dirty during the academic day, TFS will supply the student with a disposable mask.

Additional disposable face coverings may be purchased at the student center.

Face coverings will be worn at all times while on all TFS buses.

Last updated July 30, 2020

Daily morning screenings 

To ensure a safe environment for all members of the TFS community, we will conduct daily health screenings. We are asking parents to partner with us in this effort. 

Any student who has a fever or is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should not come to school until 48 hours have passed since the resolution of the issue without the use of fever/symptom reducing medication.

Prior to the start of each academic day, parents/guardians must complete the questionnaire available through the TFS Magnus App before students report to school or the shuttle location. All boarding students will be screened by a dorm counselor prior to going to breakfast. Any boarding student who does not clear screening will be isolated and checked by a school nurse. Any student who does not clear screening will not be allowed to attend school.

Instructions for downloading the TFS Magnus App can be accessed here. 

We've also put together a Magnus Health App Tutorial.

Students exhibiting symptoms on campus

High-risk symptoms of COVID-19 [those that are common and relatively specific for COVID-19] include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath/increased work of breathing
• Loss of sense of taste or smell

Low-risk symptoms of COVID-19 [those that are more common and alone do not necessarily indicate COVID-19] include:

• New or unusual headache
• New or unusual fatigue
• New or unusual nasal congestion/nasal discharge
• Sore throat
• Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
• Myalgias [muscle aches]

Any student that has one high-risk or two low-risk symptoms will be isolated and assessed by a school nurse and a parent/guardian will be notified that they are to be picked up within an hour. Any student running a fever will be sent home.

Any student that has one low-risk symptom will be assessed by a school nurse, and if necessary, a parent/guardian will be notified that they are to be picked up within an hour.

Any sibling of a student identified as having a Covid-like illness will be required to leave the school as well and isolate at home.

The school nurse will follow up individually with each student who is sent home from school to determine when the child is cleared to return to the classroom setting. Any student that is sent home from school with COVID-like symptoms must remain at home until 48 hours have passed since the resolution of the issue without the use of fever/symptom reducing medication.

These students will participate in the TFS Blended Learning program. 

Employees exhibiting symptoms on campus

Employees who exhibit symptoms while on campus will report to an immediate supervisor and will leave campus immediately. 

The employee must remain at home until 48 hours have passed since the resolution of the issue without the use of fever/symptom reducing medication.

Vendors, contractors, etc. exhibiting symptoms on campus

Vendors and contractors who exhibit symptoms while on campus will report to an immediate supervisor and will leave campus immediately. The supervisor of the vendors and contractors will immediately report this information to a TFS administrator. Contractors will be responsible for communicating with TFS regarding the health of their employees.

Positive COVID-19 test/close contact exposure reporting requirements

Within 48 hours of a parent receiving confirmation of a positive COVID-19 test result for their student, or a positive test result of an immediate family member who lives with the student, a report must be made to the school.

This report can be accessed on the TFS Magnus App.

If a student has been exposed (exposure is defined as 15 minutes or greater within a distance of six feet or less) to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, the student must stay at home and follow the Return to School Strategy listed below. A report of this exposure should be made to the school via the school's TFS Magnus App. 

If an employee has been exposed (exposure is defined as 15 minutes or greater within a distance of six feet or less) to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, the employee must stay at home and follow the Return to School Strategy listed below. All positive results must be immediately reported to the employee's supervisor.

Instructions for downloading the TFS Magnus App can be accessed here. 

Notification protocol 

Tallulah Falls School seeks to keep the health and safety of our students as a priority. In the event we have a student, faculty or staff member test positive for COVID-19, we will be as transparent as possible. We also want to be diligent in protecting the medical and privacy rights of our community members. In order to meet both of these standards, we will be communicating directly with the families of positive cases and those involved in contact tracing. We will always keep you informed of any suspected or positive COVID-19 cases that could impact your family. 

TFS will report to all families any time there are more than five active positive cases at one time.

Contact tracing

In the event a student, faculty or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, we will follow contact tracing guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

If the infected individual was in close contact with any other person at the school (defined as within six feet or less for a period of 15 minutes or longer), those individuals will be contacted individually and confidentially by a school representative and health department personnel to receive instructions for next steps.

Due to the complexities of contact tracing associated with COVID-19 exposure, incubation periods, testing windows in relation to exposure and symptomatic/asymptomatic indicators, each report of a positive COVID-19 test or report of “exposure” (six feet or less for a period of 15 minutes or longer), will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

The variety of COVID-19 infection scenarios requires individualized response plans to promote the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. A “one-size-fits-all” approach to contact tracing as it relates to COVID-19 infections is less effective.

Return to school strategy following a COVID-19 illness or exposure to COVID-19 through a second party

TFS’ strategy for students returning to school following a COVID-19 diagnosis is based on guidelines provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Symptomatic persons with confirmed COVID-19 (positive test result) cannot return to school until all of the following have occurred: 
  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • At least 48 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath).
  • TFS will require written clearance from a physician to return to campus learning.
• Asymptomatic persons with confirmed COVID-19 can return to school after: 
  • At least 10 days have passed since the positive laboratory test and the person remains asymptomatic.
  • Note, asymptomatic persons who test positive and later develop symptoms should follow the guidance for symptomatic persons above.
  • TFS will require written clearance from a physician to return to campus learning.
• Persons with known close contact exposure ("close contact exposure" is defined as 15 minutes or greater at a distance of six feet or less) to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19 may return to school after a 14-day shelter in place period has ended.
  • This means that if a parent or sibling has COVID-19, the student living with that parent or sibling must shelter in place for 14 days.

Campus areas exposed to COVID-19

Affected areas will be immediately closed and appropriate signage will be posted in order to restrict access. 

Plant Services personnel will clean and sanitize the affected area.

Last updated August 20, 2020

Enhanced cleaning measures

TFS has implemented an enhanced cleaning schedule to clean and disinfect commonly used areas to include any high-touch surfaces. These surfaces include but are not limited to door handles, stairway handrails, tables and restroom doors.

TFS has installed touchless faucets in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Each classroom will have an approved disinfectant and wipes to clean areas as needed throughout the day.

UV ionizers have been installed in the fresh air systems at the Upper School and HVAC systems at the Middle School. 

Hand sanitizing stations

Hand sanitizing stations will be readily available throughout the TFS campus at all primary entrances and throughout buildings. Although hand sanitizing is encouraged, proper hand washing is the most effective method to limit transmission.

COVID-19 cleaning/sanitizing exposed areas

Affected areas will be immediately closed and proper signage will be posted in order to restrict access. 

Plant services will clean and sanitize the affected area.

Last updated July 30, 2020

Academic buildings

Arrival/dismissal

Morning arrival – Students will enter academic buildings in a staggered fashion through multiple entrances with thermal temperature kiosks. 

Afternoon dismissal – Students will exit academic buildings in a staggered fashion through multiple exits. 

Classrooms

Students desks will be distanced as feasible. 

Students will have assigned seats. 

Daily schedules are being adjusted to minimize student movement during the academic day.

Students will not share supplies in the classroom setting. 

Students will be provided face shields for classroom use. 

Students should bring water bottles. Water fountains will be used to fill personal water bottles only.

Class trips

All first-semester class trips are canceled. 

Health and Hygiene Practices

Signage across campus will encourage proper health and hygiene practices, including:

• Handwashing and hand sanitizing
• Coughing and sneezing into the elbow
• Physical distancing
• Keeping hands away from the face

These practices will be discussed in the classroom on a regular basis.

Student transitions

Teachers will use a staggered release for student transitions.

Hallways will have directional signs to direct the flow of traffic.

When possible, teachers will rotate classrooms to minimize student traffic in the hallways.

Students will wear face coverings during times of transition.

Dormitories

Students will wear a face covering when in close contact with others and adequate physical distancing is not possible.

Water fountains will be used to fill personal water bottles only.

When possible, girls' dormitory meetings will take place outside at the lawn. Boys' dormitory group meetings will take place outside at the boys' dorm terrace to allow for adequate physical distancing.

Dormitory room maximum occupancy is two assigned roommates per room.  Roommates are to visit with friends in common areas. 

Occupancy limits may be necessary for dormitory common areas [hallways, bathrooms, common rooms, student center, upper and lower gyms, dining hall, Circle Building, theater and natatorium].

Meals and recreation times will be staggered by tribe groups to allow for proper physical distancing.  

Weekend trips will be limited in size and distance from TFS. 

Dining services

Tallulah Falls School has partnered with Flik Independent School Dining and will continue to provide quality, nutritious meals for the TFS community. TFS will continue to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner to boarding students seven days a week. Day students, faculty and staff will be served lunch five days a week. 

While we appreciate the opportunity for our boarding students and day students to connect over meals, we will be limiting breakfast and dinner to boarding students in order to minimize numbers. This will be re-evaluated and adjusted during the academic year. 

• Students will be released for lunch in a staggered fashion.
• All students, faculty and staff must wash/sanitize hands before entering the dining hall serving area. 
• Hand sanitizing stations will be provided throughout the dining areas. 
• During breakfast, lunch and dinner, physical distancing will be practiced by marking individual tables. Outside eating areas have been set up and students will be encouraged to use these spaces in order to promote physical distancing.
• Grab-and-go meals will be provided until further notice. Self-service drink stations will not be used until further notice. 
• The dining hall, including tables, will be disinfected after each use by a school employee.
• Until further notice, parents will not be allowed to visit during meals.
• Students will be required to wear face coverings while waiting in line to be served, they may remove their face coverings after they are seated. 

Safety guidelines by Flik Independent School Dining, Inc.

Restrooms

Restroom occupancy will be limited in order to ensure proper physical distancing. 

It may be necessary to limit occupancy in the restrooms at the dormitories. 

Lockers

Until further notice, lockers at the Middle and Upper Schools will not be assigned or used in order to avoid close contact between students.

Visitors

Only pre-arranged visitors will be allowed on campus until further notice.

Pre-arranged visitors to the Upper School campus will receive a health screening at the guardhouse. Pre-arranged visitors to the Middle School campus will receive a health screening at the entrance before entering the building. 

Parents/guardians are welcome on campus to conduct routine pick-ups and drop-offs. Please call ahead so that we can have your student waiting at the entrance. Other visits should be pre-arranged. 

To assist in the health and safety of our student-athletes during practice, we ask that parents do not enter the gym or other buildings and if waiting for their child outside, to be physically distant from others.

Extracurricular activities

TFS will continue to evaluate all extracurricular activities and approval will be on a case-by-case basis. Approved extracurricular activities will adhere to physical distancing guidelines.

Last updated August 6, 2020

Shuttles

The TFS shuttle service will run on a normal schedule. Students will be assigned seats and will be distanced as the situation allows. All students will be required to wear face coverings while on the shuttles. 

Regarding athlete shuttles, student-athletes will be assigned seats and will be distanced as the situation allows. All students will be required to wear face coverings while on the shuttles. 

All buses will be cleaned and sanitized after each route using approved products.

Proper ventilation will be practiced by the opening of windows and roof hatches. This practice will be weather dependent.

Commuters

Parents/guardians must complete the questionnaire available through the Magnus Health App before a student can drive to school.

Instructions for downloading the TFS Magnus App can be accessed here.

We've also put together a Magnus Health App Tutorial. 

Last updated July 30, 2020

Choosing blending learning

Blended learning will be available for students who fall under the following conditions:

• Students who are in a high-risk category
• Students with temporary health concerns where on-campus attendance is not recommended by a physician.
• Families that may not feel comfortable having a student(s) on campus due to the risk of exposure.

Families wishing to choose blended learning should schedule a time to communicate with the respective Academic Dean to discuss this option. 

Blended learning expectations

TFS will continue to use the Google platform for curriculum delivery. Expectations for students participating in the blended learning option will be the same as those for in-person learning regarding participation, attendance and work completion.

Students will: 

• Participate in classes based on the time schedule provided by Renweb/Facts. Classes will take place five days a week.
• Attend required Google Meets according to their schedule.
• Dress and behave as if they were in the physical classroom setting.
• Collaborate with peers and teachers as directed using the Google platform.
• Meet deadlines for work and follow all directions for submitting assignments.
• Communicate concerns to appropriate teachers and/or administrators.

Students and parents must have a strong commitment to the blended learning model in order to be successful. 

Last updated July 30, 2020

Protocols

All Upper School athletic teams, practices, and competitions are governed by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), and TFS will comply with all guidelines and requirements that are issued by the GHSA.

All Middle School athletics will follow the general guidelines of the GHSA with variations implemented by TFS administration.

Students choosing blended learning are allowed to participate in athletics as long as all team standards, obligations and responsibilities are fulfilled.

Game day

Until further notice, seating at home (and away) contests will be limited. Be sure to check with the athletic director or coach regarding game day fan/visitor arrangements as each school will have its own set of guidelines, such as no fans allowed, limited attendance and online ticketing. 

Parents/guardians are welcome to transport their student-athlete to/from volleyball games, cross country meets or middle school tennis matches in the fall season. 

Parents are only allowed to watch practices when physical distancing of at least 10 feet can be maintained at all times. Parents and fans are not allowed on the court, sidelines [player bench area] or any portion of the competition area at any time before, during or after contests. 

All home volleyball, basketball, baseball and soccer games will be live streamed via the nfhsnetwork.com platform. A paid subscription is necessary to view.

Facilities

The athletic facilities will be cleaned and sanitized daily by Plant Services personnel.

Hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout the athletic facilities.

Last updated July 30, 2020

Student arrivals/drop-offs

Students may be dropped off at the entrance to the dormitories. Parents/guardians are not allowed in the dormitories until further notice. There will be staff available to assist in the drop-off process.

Roommate assignments

There will be a maximum of two students assigned per room. Students wishing to visit with one another will be required to do so in a common area while practicing physical distancing. Students will not be allowed to visit another student in dorm rooms.

Tribe groups

To reduce the number of students present at any given time, boarding students will be divided into two Tribe groups for each dorm.

• Gentlemen Tribe T and Ladies Tribe T will be students assigned to the upstairs floors.
• Gentlemen Tribe F and Ladies Tribe F will be students assigned to the downstairs floors.
• In some cases, it may be necessary to subdivide the groups to T1 and T2 and F1 and F2. 

Dorm cleaning

The dormitories will be cleaned and sanitized seven days per week by Plant Services personnel. Students will no longer have a dormitory work program.

Activities/trips

At this time, weekend activities will be limited to specific locations that are deemed safe, to limited numbers of students and to boarding students only. As we proceed through the year, we will determine when we can safely begin to open up weekend activities to all students.

Weekend leaves

Weekend leaves will be determined by local conditions and current CDC guidelines. When feasible, weekend leaves may be granted to immediate family and guardians. Less restrictive leaves may take place later in the year based on current local conditions.

Open weekend/holidays

In the past, international students have had the option to remain on campus during Open Weekends. This year, these students will also have the option to remain on campus during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Winter and Spring Breaks. The all-inclusive fee for this option will include all meals, lodging, supervision and all activities for the entire break.

Chapel/Tribe talks

TFS values the opportunities for our students to participate in chapel services/Tribe Talks; however, these meetings will be suspended until restrictions based on large gatherings are lifted.

Daily morning screenings

All boarding students will be screened by a dorm counselor prior to going to breakfast. Any boarding student who does not clear screening will be isolated until cleared by the school nurse or a medical professional.

Boarding students who exhibit symptoms

High-risk symptoms of COVID-19 [those that are common and relatively specific for COVID-19] include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath/increased work of breathing
• Loss of sense of taste or smell

Low-risk symptoms of COVID-19 [those that are more common and alone do not necessarily indicate COVID-19] include:

• New or unusual headache
• New or unusual fatigue
• New or unusual nasal congestion/nasal discharge
• Sore throat
• Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
• Myalgias [muscle aches]

If a boarding student exhibits symptoms, he/she will be isolated and assessed by a school nurse. Parents will be contacted to let them know the student is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. 

• A student showing symptoms will remain in a designated isolation area until they are symptom-free for 72 hours without the use of fever/symptom reducing medication. They may be taken for a COVID-19 test.
• Students will have the opportunity to participate in the Blended Learning Program.

Boarding students with positive COVID-19 tests 

If a boarding student tests positive, when possible, parents will be requested to either pick up the student or send a designated person to pick up the student.

For students remaining on campus [international students], these students will remain in on-campus isolation and follow the Return to School Strategy outlined in the Health and Wellness section. 

Last updated August 20, 2020