Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updates & Information
- Reopening FAQ
- Summer Notes 2021 Archives
- COVID Travel Policy
- Expectations During a Campus Closure
- For Questions and Support
Reopening FAQ
We’ve put together a list of questions and answers most likely on the top of your mind for the ’21-’22 school year. This document will be updated throughout the school year. We invite you to send us questions to ehscommunications@ehshouston.org. Thank you for your active engagement as we continue to navigate protocols and help #KnightsFightCovid.
1. How will the School make protocol and guidance decisions?
The School's leadership team will continue to make all decisions regarding our COVID policies and practices. Our consultants from Houston Methodist will continue to provide guidance and advice on the safe implementation of these decisions.
2. Are masks required?
We hope to drop all mandatory masking requirements before the ’21-‘22 school year begins.
3. Will the COVID vaccine be mandatory for students, faculty, and staff?
COVID vaccines remain optional for students and faculty. That said, the higher the rate of vaccination on campus, the more likely we can jettison the masks entirely and the more normal our lives will be. Further, vaccination status may impact quarantine for close contact, so we strongly encourage you to consider it for your child before the start of school.
4. Will daily health attestations remain?
We will no longer require daily health attestations.
5. What will the class schedules look like?
We return to the regular weekly class schedule. There will not be an option for remote learning. However, we are discussing periodic virtual days.
6. Will the student body and faculty gather daily in Chapel?
We expect that our whole student body and faculty will be able to gather for daily Chapel. We sit by advisory groups in the Benitez Chapel.
7. What’s new from the Religion Pillar?
We are initiating a Service Achievement Program and continuing monthly Parent Forum lunchtime presentations.
We will begin a new program called "Parenting in Faith." On the first Wednesday of every month, parents are invited to join us in the Chapel for a short 7:30 a.m. service of the Holy Eucharist. This will also be open to students, faculty, and staff.
Summer Notes 2021 Archives
COVID Travel Policy
COVID Travel Policy
For those planning to travel, the School's suggestion is to consider the risk to your family and others when selecting a destination and adhere to the same health and safety guidance we have been abiding by, such as wearing a mask at all times except when eating or drinking, avoiding close contact by staying at least 6-feet apart from anyone not in your household, practicing good hand hygiene, and avoiding contact with anyone who is sick. For more specific guidance on international travel, please refer to the CDC website on holiday travel, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html.
If you choose to travel outside the United States, your student will be required to complete a travel questionnaire, quarantine for 14 days, and be cleared by the EHS nursing staff before returning to school. Instead of quarantining for 14 days, you may choose to have your student take a COVID-19 test (PCR only) on day five (5) after your return from international travel. If your student remains asymptomatic and receives a negative test result, he/she may be cleared by our nursing staff to return to school as early as day eight (8). Even if your student's test is negative, stay home and self-quarantine for seven (7) full days. Please note that your student is still at risk for 14 days after your return trip, so he/she should continue to wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, and be monitored for symptoms.
Expectations During a Campus Closure
This method of learning and instruction involves a lot of self-discipline, maturity, patience, flexibility, and a high level of responsibility. With your cooperation and focus, we will be able to have productive and engaging classes with high levels of participation as we would if we were on campus! To help you understand what is expected of you, here are some guidelines.
General Expectations
- Be available to return to campus within one day for the reopening.
- Check your EHS email at the start of the school day at minimum. An email will be posted each morning at 7:30am that will provide the day’s schedule and any announcements. Use only school email and school-approved text services.
- Meet each class by period, following the normal daily schedule, unless otherwise specified. Attendance will be taken at the start of class and during advisory, Chapel, and class meetings. Students should remain available during class, though teachers may not require students to actively participate in a meeting for the entirety of the class period.
- Participate in Chapel, advisory, extracurricular, and grade level meetings.
- Appropriate clothing should be worn at all times, especially whatever may be visible in video conferencing. For instance, pajamas are not acceptable.
- During class, students should be seated in an appropriate workplace (such as a desk or table).
- During class, teachers will check in with students periodically. Students should remain available for chat or video conferencing and respond as quickly as possible when prompted.
- In general, students should mute their microphone during meetings and video conferences unless asking a question or responding to the discussion. If the camera is on, it is recommended that all participants utilize the “blur background” feature in video conferencing.
- Abide by the EHS Honor Code and Code of Conduct at all times, especially in regard to appropriate computer use and cyber-security.
Class Expectations
- At the start of class, sign into Microsoft Teams and join our class “meeting” (video conference) for attendance and to receive instructions for class that day.
- The teacher may request that your camera be turned on or off. He/she may ask that you turn your camera on at different points in the class or to share your screen so that we may collaborate.
- Your microphone should be muted and remain muted during class, except when you are actively talking (i.e. asking or answering a question).
- Throughout class your teacher will periodically check in with you and will be available for you to direct chat or video conference to ask questions.
Stepping Away During Class
It is best to take care of your needs outside of class time, but if you must step away for a moment, please choose an appropriate time to do so and change your availability status by clicking on your profile icon in the top right corner of the Teams screen and setting your status to “Be Right Back”. Reset your status to “Available” when you return.
For Questions and Support
Student or Parent Concerns: The Grade Level Deans are available for academic or student life concerns. In addition, if you or your family is in need of help, let them know:
Eric Lerch, 9th Grade Dean elerch@ehshouston.org
Meghan Moake, 10th Grade Dean mmoake@ehshouston.org
Mark Mitchell, 11th Grade Dean mitchell@ehshouston.org
Isaiah Coleman , 12th Grade Dean icoleman@ehshouston.org
Business Office Concerns: If you have questions for the business office, please contact Accounts Receivable Accountant, Kimberley Pavalock (kpavalock@ehshouston.org).
Health-Related Questions: For health-related questions or to report a positive coronavirus diagnosis, please contact School Nurse, Mrs. Connie Thomas (cthomas@ehshouston.org).
Pastoral Care: Rev. Beth Holden is available to offer care and assistance by email (bholden@ehshouston.org), and for scheduled virtual conversations or prayer via Microsoft Teams. Alternatively, you can complete the Prayer and Pastoral Care Request Form to submit prayer requests.
In addition to all of those above, you can count on support from advisors, teachers, and coaches. Know that we are here, and we care. If you need help, reach out!