General FAQ's

Below, you will find a few of the most frequently asked questions.  You can also find specified frequently asked questions regarding medical information, Middle School, and Early Education & Lower School.
As a community, we belong one to another and should love our neighbors as ourselves. It is up to each of us to take measures on campus, at home, and in all aspects of our lives to keep us safe as a community. Our work together will control transmission, sustain our on-campus learning experience, and do our part to protect those most vulnerable to COVID-19. We request that all families returning to campus commit to these responsibilities by digitally signing the Family Pledge, which will be sent out before the start of the school year. All Veritas employees and families will be asked to make the same commitment.
 
Family Pledge
 
We pledge to:
  • Self-screen and screen members of our family daily, especially immediately prior to coming to campus.
  • Not come to campus if our student(s) or someone in our household is symptomatic or has tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Inform the School if our student(s) or someone in our household is symptomatic or has tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Notify the School of any potential exposures, symptoms, or positive COVID-19 test results in a timely manner as outlined in the School’s protocols.
  • Encourage our student(s) and their families to practice social distancing whenever feasible.
  • Have our student(s) and their families wear a face covering particularly when physical distancing is not possible or difficult.
  • Encourage our student(s) and their families to commit to frequent hand-washing and sanitizing.
  • Cooperate with local, state, and federal agencies in contact tracing efforts.
All classrooms are being reconfigured so students can sit at individual desks six feet apart from one another. Some classes will meet in the Library, Collaborative Tech Lab, and other areas usually used as common spaces. Some classrooms will have additional furniture such as bookshelves and cabinets removed to provide more space for seating.
  1. Per TEA guidelines and Governor Abbott’s Executive order as well as CDC and APA recommendations regarding face coverings, students will be required to wear them at entry, dismissal as well as transitions throughout the day. We understand that for some, wearing face coverings throughout the day can present a challenge. For that reason, our faculty and staff will provide many outlets during the day to remove face coverings while at a proper six feet distance.
  2. As we begin the year, fourth grade and above will be required to wear face coverings while indoors. We will provide abundant opportunities for students to remove their face coverings at a proper distance outdoors throughout the day.
  3. All faculty and staff will be required to wear face coverings at all times.
Face covering guidelines will be reviewed and updated as government guidelines change.
Per CDC recommendation, masks with exhalation valves are not allowed - The purpose of masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others to aid with source control. However, masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material, which can result in expelled respiratory droplets that can reach others. This type of mask does not prevent the person wearing the mask from transmitting COVID-19 to others. Therefore, CDC does not recommend using masks for source control if they have an exhalation valve or vent. - from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html
Yes, drop-off and pick-up times will be different this year. 
  • Early Education (PreK3-Kindergarten) - 3:00-3:15 p.m.
  • Lower School (1st-4th Grades) - 3:15-3:30 p.m.
  • 7th and 8th Grades - 3:35-3:45 p.m.
  • 5th and 6th Grades - 3:45-3:55 p.m.
Our Distance Learning Option will be different from online learning last spring. The new Distance Learning Option will mirror the schedule of our students on campus. We will utilize the digital platforms as stated above. Any family may select to begin with the Distance Learning Option and transition back to on-campus learning when they deem it best for their family and their circumstances. More information on schedules for the Distance Learning Option will follow in early August. Students choosing Distance Learning will join classes virtually and be able to interact in real time. Additional details will follow for families deciding to begin the year in our Distance Learning Option.
Students utilizing the Distance Learning Option must adhere to the normal daily schedule of On-Campus Learning (this will be provided to students by their individual teachers). Students are required to be “present” in all academic courses and are expected to participate in that class. Ancillary classes, such as PE, Music, etc. will be optional for students on the Distance Learning Option.
Our Board of Trustees is responsible for the present and future financial stability of Veritas.  With this important fiduciary obligation, there are many issues that must be considered. The school has fixed costs and is on a fixed income as a tuition based not-for-profit organization. A change in tuition would create significant budgetary challenges. Our faculty work at least as hard in the distance learning environment (most would indicate they are working much harder), and compensating our faculty is the largest expense of the school.  Our faculty will have an even greater challenge before them this year as they carry-out in-person learning and the Distance Learning Option.  Tuition is needed to support our school and ensure it endures during this very challenging time.  This year, our school has made significant financial investments to meet guidelines for reopening.

We recognize the economic uncertainty created by COVID-19 may raise concerns from some families. As such, we developed the COVID-19 Family Assistance Fund, as a source of financial support above and beyond our typical tuition assistance program. If you would like to discuss either of these options, please contact Marilyn Hughes at marilyn.hughes@veritasca.org
While we believe we can safely return to on-campus learning together, localized outbreaks of COVID-19 could impact on-campus learning in the future. In the event that we must close, we will shift into our optional calendars to keep on-campus learning prioritized for students and families. It is also possible that one class, group, or division may need to close temporarily, with those students continuing in the distance learning option, while other classes and divisions remain running on campus. Whether on-campus or Veritas’ Distance Learning Option, we remain committed to the strength of the Veritas experience.
At the moment, Veritas families have the option to choose between either On-Campus Learning or the Distance Learning Option based on the family’s comfortability. Because school guidelines and classroom setup have been planned out with the entire student body being adequately distanced based on CDC Guidelines, Veritas is not offering a “hybrid” model as we are able to safely facilitate the entire school community. Families choosing to begin the academic year with the Distance Learning Option may choose to transition to On-Campus Learning at a later date based on their comfortability.
Recess will be a top priority when school reopens. It is through play that children grow, and unstructured recess marks a critical moment for students to reconnect with their peers after months of isolation. During this time, every grade level will have two recess periods per day. We will create different play areas for activities on our various playgrounds and under the oaks near Mapleridge to further reduce interactions between class cohorts. We will maintain cleaning practices for equipment.
For first quarter, students are not required to wear chapel uniforms.  This is to encourage our classes to spend more time outdoors.  Students will be required to wear chapel uniforms in second quarter but are not required to wear chapel shoes.
As we begin the school year, all field trips and overnight travel will be postponed. We will reevaluate travel opportunities as the year progresses. At this time, Middle School Orientation (Carolina Creek) has been cancelled. All Cultural Expeditions Trips have been delayed to Spring.
The Performing and Fine Arts program will comply with Veritas' safety protocols. This may mean that the classes are taught in different configurations, but the goal of providing the highest quality arts education remains unchanged.
Veritas will not offer a food service throughout August and September.  
Students will not be using the cafeteria during their lunches. In order to provide for adequate social distancing, students will eat lunches in their classrooms. Teachers may have the option to have students eat outdoors (remaining socially distanced), if weather permits.
Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing will be directed throughout the day. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be available throughout campus and in classrooms. Students will be required to sanitize their hands upon entrance to each classroom. 
Our campus will be fully disinfected every day, and disinfection of contact surfaces will occur between class periods.  Additionally, Veritas has made changes in various areas to provide for proper and thorough disinfecting and cleaning on campus, namely:
  • Upgraded MERV 13 filters for all HVAC systems
  • Installation of various hand sanitizing stations at major entry and exit points
  • Purchase of additional cleaning and disinfecting equipment and materials, including an electrostatic sprayer for interior disinfecting and disinfecting fogger for exterior spaces.
We will restrict non-essential visitors on campus during the school day until circumstances change. If your child has forgotten something truly essential—medication he or she must have, for example—please contact the school office to arrange a drop-off. We will not be able to accommodate dropping off non-essential items such as band instruments, snacks, homework, books, PE clothes, etc.
If you have any further questions, please email Mr. Villafuerte at zachary.villafuerte@veritasca.org