Immunization Policy
Among our most cherished Jewish values is the imperative for preserving life and maintaining health. We embrace this value specifically by taking preventive measures to protect the public health of our Temple community as a whole. This is why, beginning August 2019, we require all children planning to attend any Temple Beth Sholom education and/or youth programs to adhere to the immunization standards described below.
Vaccination is a shared responsibility and is our expectation.
Parents bring their children to Temple Beth Sholom and assume that their children will enjoy themselves, have positive social interactions, learn from the rich Jewish environment and be safe and healthy. All the learning experiences, friendship building, Jewish identity affirmation and character development can only happen if we are absolutely confident that individual safety and public health remain at the center of every decision made throughout Temple Beth Sholom. Reducing the risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses from entering any of our Temple programs is simply the single most effective strategy to protect public health. This goal can be accomplished only through the appropriate vaccination of all members of our education and youth programs. Individual families may choose to defer the vaccination of their children; at Temple Beth Sholom we cannot and will not defer the safety of our education and youth programs.
ALL THOSE WHO ARE ATTENDING PROGRAMS AT TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM OR ARE TRAVELING ON A TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM PROGRAM are required to have completed the age-appropriate vaccine schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please visit https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/immunizations/Pages/Immunization-Schedule.aspx for the most up-to-date immunization schedules.
Yes, there are exceptions to the Temple Beth Sholom vaccination policy, and they are very, very rare.
We recognize that individuals who have had a documented allergy or severe adverse reaction to a particular vaccine may not be able to complete the immunization schedule as outlined. Additionally, individuals with medical conditions such as congenital immunodeficiency or HIV, cancer and who are receiving chemotherapy, transplant patients, and persons receiving immunosuppressive drugs and chronic steroids also may not be able to receive certain vaccines. In these extremely rare circumstances, current documentation from a Physician (MD or DO), or a Pediatric/Family Practice Advanced Practice Nurse (ARNP or PNP), describing the reason for exemption from immunization must be furnished to Temple Beth Sholom. We are happy to discuss case by case management of the extremely rare circumstance of medical contraindication to partial or complete vaccination.
Thank you!
The vaccination of all children and teens in our community is essential in order to maintain a safe educational and travel environment for your child. We thank you for your timely attention to these requirements.
jLAB Covid-19 Policies and Guidelines Fall 2021
Our current detailed plans regarding our practices and approaches to safely manage the risks of COVID-19 and the Delta Variant, reflect strict adherence to the guidelines set by our Temple Beth Sholom Task Force who monitor the guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Miami Dade County Health Department, the City of Miami Beach, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Please understand that these health guidelines and protocols are constantly changing.
Current vision for the fall:
Physical Distancing and Co-mingling
Elementary children will only co-mingle in set cohorts. All children in jLAB will always be masked and appropriately distanced when possible.
Masks and Clothing
Teachers, Temple staff, children and parents must wear masks during drop off and pick up. Teachers will wear appropriate masks throughout the day except when eating (for example, N-95, KN-95, or surgical masks with cloth masks over them). All jLAB children will be required to wear masks throughout the time they are at Temple Beth Sholom except when eating. Masks are required on the playground and in other outdoor locations except when eating. Cloth masks must be cleaned regularly. Disposable masks are acceptable. Please make sure your child wears an appropriately sized mask.
Physical Health and Safety
All children will have easy access to sinks stocked with soap and paper towels to wash their hands. Children and staff will be required to wash hands following our handwashing policy and/ or use hand sanitizer upon classroom entry, prior to using any shared materials, going and upon returning from outside.
Children who develop symptoms during jLAB will be supported by a staff member and kept in an isolated space in the school office area until parents are able to pick up.
Emotional Health and Safety of our Children, Families, and Staff:
We consider the emotional and social well-being of our children, families, and staff critically important. We ask that you notify staff of any emotional stress symptoms your child is displaying at home. As a professional team, we are committed to supporting your child to the best of our abilities during jLAB and will maintain open and transparent communication with you.
Drop off
ALL PARENTS AND DRIVERS MUST WEAR MASKS DURING CARPOOL REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS
- At this time, parents will not be permitted to enter the front gate. We will revisit this throughout the year.
- Monday afternoon families will drop off in the carpool lane between 4:15 and 4:30 pm.
- Wednesday afternoon families will drop off in the carpool lane between 2:15 and 2:30 pm.
- Saturday morning families will drop off in the carpool lane between 9:15 and 9:30 am.
- Late arrival Please contact the school office.
- Staff will be present to supervise and/or walk children into jLAB at each of these times.
Pick Up
ALL PARENTS AND DRIVERS MUST WEAR MASKS DURING CARPOOL REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS
Children will be brought to the front of the building in the Palm Plaza and brought out to the carpool lane for pickup. We ask that you arrive on time and remain in your car. Please display your child’s pick-up sign in the window of your vehicle.
Communication with staff
Any special instructions or information regarding your child should be emailed directly to your child’s teacher prior to the start jLAB that day.
Please make sure all parent and authorized pick-up person’s contact information is up to date in our database. Make sure all release authorization information is current. There should be at least one person on the list that is available by phone when your child is in jLAB.
Symptoms and Exclusions
If a child or staff member presents with any one or combination of the symptoms consistent with Covid-19 (see below) or tests positive for Covid-19 they must immediately report this result to the Director of jLAB, Barb Shimansky at 305-538-7231 ext. 232 or barb@tbsmb.org or Temple Beth Sholom’s Executive Director, Jeff Graff at 305-538-7231 ext. 231 or Jeff@tbsmb.org.
Any one or combination of the following symptoms will require children or teachers to follow our exclusion protocol:
- A fever of 100.0 or above
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach cramping
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- If a family member living within your home has any one of the above symptoms
The affected child or staff member cannot return to school until the following is true:
- 10 days since the date of the positive PCR Covid–19 test or a negative Covid-19 test result is secured. At this time, the Covid-19 test must be a PCR test and not an Antigen test
- Symptoms have improved over a three-day period and no fever for at least 72 hours without a fever reducing medication
Children with pre-existing health conditions that could make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 will need verification from a doctor to return.
What if someone in our community tests positive or is exposed to someone who tests positive?
If someone is exposed to Covid – 19, this person must quarantine and get a PCR Covid – 19 test on day five following exposure. If symptoms are present, then get a PCR test sooner than five days. This person can return to jLAB with a negative PCR test result. If someone is positive for Covid – 19, the protocol outlined in the symptoms and exclusions section will be followed. We will report the case to the Miami Dade County Health Department and follow their recommendations for group closure and reopening. The affected families will be notified via email if a Covid-19 case has been reported.
Cleaning Classrooms and Materials
We will disinfect the school environment as required by the health department.
- We will disinfect high touch materials in the outdoor spaces after each group use.
- All classrooms will be disinfected using the regulations outlined by the Health Department daily.
***Please note that we adhere to the highest of health and safety practices daily. Our typical handwashing, food handling, and sanitization practices will continue to be strictly enforced.
