School Mask Policy Update - February 28, 2022
On Friday, February 25, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rolled back coronavirus safety guidance for K-12 schools, no longer recommending mask requirements for schools in communities with low to medium risk of COVID-19 spread and severity at the community level – a new metric that takes into consideration hospitalizations and local transmission. As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit will once again follow the recommendations of the CDC, and beginning March 1, 2022, masks will no longer be required for students, faculty, and staff at the school who are vaccinated. If anyone would prefer to keep wearing a mask, they are welcome to do so. We will continue to monitor the recommendations of the CDC and will adjust this policy as needed.
COVID Protocol Update - January 11, 2022
The following guidelines are revised and outline, in detail, the steps families should take to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. On the whole, our policy mirrors the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) Guidelines, and those published and recently revised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Masks are required in our building. All faculty, staff, students and visitors entering our building must wear a face mask. No bandanas or balaclavas are permitted.
Five-day quarantines for positive tests. Cristo Rey Atlanta will follow GDPH and CDC guidelines. Anyone testing positive for Covid-19 will have to quarantine for five days from the first day of symptoms or a positive test, whichever is earlier, and may not return to school until after the fifth day. Anyone returning after the fifth day must be either asymptomatic or have symptoms that are lessening/improving. A negative test is not required for return.
All Symptomatic members of the community need to stay home and get tested. Anyone who has these Covid-19 symptoms:
fever/chills
cough
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
fatigue
muscle or body aches
headache
new loss of taste or smell
sore throat
congestion or runny nose
nausea or vomiting
diarrhea
MUST stay home and get tested. If the test is negative and you are asymptomatic, please return to school the following day. If the test is positive, please notify the school nurse immediately (clinic@cristoreyatlanta.org) and quarantine five days, starting from the day of the onset of symptoms. If the test is negative, but you are still experiencing symptoms, please remain at home until you are asymptomatic.
Where to get tested: Please go to your community health office, to CVS or Walgreens, or to any of the Georgia Department of Public Health Testing Centers. Cristo Rey Atlanta does not provide on-site testing.
Students who are in quarantine must continue to check PowerSchool and Schoology daily to keep up with assignments. Students are encouraged to contact their teachers during any absences to ensure they are staying current with their schoolwork. Teachers understand that this can be difficult, so open communication between student and teacher is essential.
Each family is encouraged to ask and answer the four important diagnostic questions below.
The Daily Home Routine
Parents and Guardians, you can assist by closely monitoring your student’s health. The following four questions are a good guide:
Q1: Does your student have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher?
Q2: Does your student display any other symptoms or signs of illness? (list of symptoms is above)
Q3: While away from school, was your student in close contact—within 6 feet for 15 minutes, with or without a mask— of someone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 (lab or diagnosis) in the last two weeks, or someone getting a test or waiting for test results?
Q4: Is your child getting a test or waiting for results?
If the answer is YES to any of these questions, DO NOT SEND YOUR STUDENT TO SCHOOL. Instead, call (404-637-2800) or email (clinic@cristoreyatlanta.org) the school to report your student’s illness or possible exposure. You will be advised to isolate your sick child from others and seek medical care and testing if appropriate.
Thank you for your close attention to these policies. Your efforts are the key elements in keeping our community as safe as possible during these trying times.
Notify the Clinic if Your Student Has Received the COVID Vaccine
All students participating in sports, clubs, retreats, and other activities must be fully vaccinated. In addition, some corporate partners are requiring that their student workers are vaccinated. Send your student's vaccine information to the clinic today. Please email clinic@cristoreyatlanta.org.
Safety protocols are in effect for all students, faculty, and staff coming into the school building. Visitors are permitted at this time, however, visitors must wear a face mask at all times.
If you are a Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School family in need, please email communications@cristoreyatlanta.org for information and resources.
Rental Assistance Program
There are funds available in the State of Georgia to assist tenants and landlords who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please go to Georgia Rental Assistance (ga.gov) to find out more and apply if you qualify.
State of Georgia COVID-19 Response
The state of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or your local federally qualified healthcare center.
Public Hotline (844) 442-2681
COVID VACCINE in Georgia
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Local Public Health Organizations
Georgia Department of Public Health
Clayton County Board of Health
Cobb and Douglas Public Health
Fulton County Board of Health
Gwinnett Newton Rockdale County Health Departments
Family Support
The Family Needs Team continues to partner with Catholic Charities Atlanta (CCA) to meet the needs of our families during this time. CCA has a program that helps eligible families find and apply for benefits when needed.
If you are eligible and need assistance applying for SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits please call 404-710-2733 or email ssierra@ccatlanta.org.
Food Locator
Find food resources for your family using your zip code. https://www.acfb.org/get-help/
Atlanta Community Food Bank COVID-19 Response - where to find food
Individuals can text "findfood" for responses in English to 888-976-2232, or "comida" for responses in Spanish to 888-976-2232.
MUST Ministries
To help the many at-risk students and their families who do not have enough food during the closing of schools due to COVID-19, MUST is coordinating the MUST Food Rapid Response program. Find information on the MUST Ministries website here.
The Giving Kitchen
The Giving Kitchen will assist families who work in the restaurant industry. For information go here.
Additional Resources
Catholic Charities Atlanta
Catholic Charities Intake/Family Stabilization Line: 770-429-2369
United Way - 211
International Rescue - Eligibility requirements, see below
Eligibility: Refugee or asylum status in the US for less than 5 years, loss of income due to COVID 19 (this must be documented somehow- through a text, letter, etc. that clearly states a cut in hours or lay off due to COVID-19), and be willing to accept a referral to their employment services to receive help in finding additional employment.
Referral process: Contact Mr. Perez at lperez@cristoreyatlanta.org for additional information and to be referred directly to the organization.
Affordable Internet Programs
Resources for Low-Income & Immigrant Atlanta/Metro-Atlanta Residents
Mental Health and Crisis Resources
In these challenging times, we are better together.
Many of our supporters have asked how they can help Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. The most immediate need is for our school families who are struggling. Kindly consider making a gift to the newly established Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit Family Fund so that we may help school families through this crisis. Providing families with temporary financial relief to meet their rent, grocery, and utility bills will help ensure that our students remain committed to their studies and will provide much-needed security in these unstable times.
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