Communicable Disease Prevention

Aristoi Classical Academy aspires for the Aristoi community to stay informed on current public charter school health initiatives and programs, including the ongoing efforts to keep students, staff, and visitors protected against infectious diseases for the 2022-2023 school year.

During the height of the pandemic, Aristoi Classical Academy utilized federal and state funding to provide various health resources to prevent and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This included remote learning opportunities, health-grade air purification devices, on-site COVID-19 testing, increased and improved disinfecting techniques, and additional sick days for students and staff.

Moving forward, Aristoi will continue to prioritize the public health safety of the students and staff by focusing on standard communicable disease prevention measures. Communicable diseases commonly found in the school setting include Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the Flu, the Common Cold, Conjunctivitis (“pink-eye”), and various gastrointestinal viruses. By following some simple practices, we can help stop the spread of illness.

Staying home when sick. The Aristoi Parent/Student Handbook provides a detailed policy regarding student illness. Parents must ensure they do not send a child to school if the child has an infectious condition or symptoms of disease including fever (100.0 F or higher), vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, green mucus, continuous coughing or sneezing, etc. Staying home when sick can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases to other people. If a student develops a fever or symptoms of illness while at school, the school will contact the parents or delegated emergency contact for immediate pick-up.

Cleaning and disinfecting techniques. Aristoi will continue to provide standard daily cleaning & disinfecting of classrooms and shared spaces by contracted custodial staff. Additional cleaning and disinfecting strategies will be implemented at times of reported outbreaks.

Respiratory etiquette. Students, staff, and parents will frequently be reminded of good hygiene practices, including covering coughs and sneezes. Masks covering the nose and mouth will be allowed if desired.

Handwashing. Washing and sanitizing hands often, especially before eating, after using the restroom, after blowing your nose, after coughing or sneezing, and after coming into contact with highly touched objects such as doorknobs, handrails, etc. can help reduce the spread of illness.

Following exclusion criteria. How long a staff member or student must be absent from school due to illness differs based on the diagnosis. With most illnesses, a person is safe to return to school once they have been fever and symptoms free for 24 hours without the aid of medications. In some cases, a reportable infectious condition requires an extended absence. With these diseases, exclusion and re-entry criteria set forth by state and local health departments will need to be followed.

The updated Texas Education Agency (TEA) Public Health Guidance released on August 1, 2022, outlines the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Rule regarding the exclusion and re-entry criteria for students who have or are suspected of having COVID-19.

Reporting infectious diseases. Aristoi is required by law to report certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to state and local health authorities. Upon receipt of information that any teacher, staff member, student, or visitor at a school is confirmed to have a reportable infectious condition, Aristoi Classical Academy must submit a report to the Harris County Public Health Department and the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Aristoi is thankful for your participation in prioritizing the health and safety of its students, staff, and visitors. For more information on strategies to prevent the spread of communicable disease in the school setting, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To the right (below if viewing the site on mobile), you will find a list of additional Communicable Disease Resources such as:

• Texas Education Agency (TEA)
• Public Health Guidance
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools
• Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
• COVID-19 School Readmission Criteria
• Texas Infectious Disease Notifiable Conditions