COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
We have put together some frequently asked questions to give you more information on our COVID-19 protocols. You can also review our published Health and Safety Plans below.
Health and Safety Plans
We are excited to announce the return of students for in-person instruction at The Faison School and Peninsula School beginning August 3rd! With input from medical professionals, teachers, teaching assistants, parents, the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Health, our Health & Safety Plans incorporate mitigation strategies that will allow students and staff to return. We hope that you are able to take the time to read the Foreword, see the list of members of the Health and Safety Review Team and understand our mitigation procedures for in-person instruction. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon!
Faison Center COVID-19 Mitigation
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated 03/30/2021
Will the Faison Center require clients and students to get one of the COVID-19 vaccines?
At this time we are not requiring clients and students to get the vaccine; however, if 16 years or older (i.e., eligible in terms of age) and if your doctor advises it, it is strongly encouraged. We will continue to monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other Public Health officials as this may change in the coming months.
Will the Faison Center require faculty and staff to get the vaccine?
We are working in partnership with our local departments of health to ensure that the vaccine is accessible to our entire team, and the majority of our staff have already been vaccinated. At this time, we have strongly encouraged employees to get vaccinated, but have not required it. That is, however, subject to change.
What impact will there be on Faison Center operations if most of the faculty/staff are vaccinated?
Even if 100% of our employees were vaccinated, we will continue to practice a multilayered approach to risk mitigation to prevent disease transmission, as currently recommended by VDH and the CDC. However, widespread vaccination of staff and eligible clients/students will allow for us to shift towards greater on campus presence and services.
Will I be notified if/when my child’s service providers or teacher has been vaccinated?
No. We are unable to disclose employees’ personal health information to our community.
Will the Faison Center continue to conduct daily health screenings?
Yes. Students, employees, and anyone coming on campus will continue to participate in screening upon arrival to campus, however, aspects of screening may be streamlined.
Will I be required to keep my child home with symptoms of COVID-19?
Yes. Both students, clients and staff will be excluded from campus with symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone with one or more COVID-19 symptoms should stay home, contact their healthcare provider, and notify the appropriate contact at The Faison Center.
Will everyone be required to wear masks?
For the time being, all staff will continue to wear masks while indoors and when not able to adequately socially distance if/when outdoors. Students and clients who are able to wear a mask will continue to be encouraged to do so, as this is one of the most important ways of protecting their peers and staff from potential transmission.
Will the Faison Center adhere to social distancing requirements?
We will continue to follow CDC recommendations to maintain social distance whenever feasible. Given the needs of the population we serve, there are many scenarios where close contact is required, and therefore we will continue to practice our multilayered mitigation approach, including masks, screening, cleaning, and vaccination, to provide the greatest level of protection to our staff, students, clients and Faison community.
As more clients and students return to receive services on campus, will that affect the location or classroom my child receives their services?
Since the state’s phased guidance is no longer in effect, our primary objectives will focus on keeping client/student desks spaced to the extent possible, continuing to have staff, and those clients/students who can, wear masks, encouraging all eligible staff and clients/students to access vaccination and promoting thorough sanitation of instructional spaces and hand hygiene among all individuals on campus. In some cases, school students may access auxiliary instructional areas to allow for maximal social distancing, however, those determinations will be made classroom-by-classroom basis.
Will I be notified if a member of the Faison community is diagnosed with COVID-19?
Yes, although we do not disclose any identifiable information about the case, we will continue to notify families when we have a case on campus as outlined in our Health & Safety and COVID-19 Mitigation Plan. You will also be notified if your child has been in close contact with a confirmed case and advised of next steps.
Will parents be allowed on campus?
At this time we do not anticipate being able to invite parents or other visitors on campus for at least the fall semester, however, we will continue to reevaluate this.