Table of Contents
Overview 1-2
Safety Precautions 3-5
Get Vaccinated and Boosted Take Extra Health Precautions Watch for Symptoms 5
Missed Classroom Instruction 6 Maintain a Spiritual Outlook 7
OVERVIEW
3 4
Safety Precautions for Attending Theocratic Schools
1. We are glad that you have been invited to attend an upcoming theocratic school! Holding a theocratic school requires a considerable investment of time and resources on the part of the branch office, the instructors, the students, and the volunteers who provide practical support for the school. It is likely that you have had to make a number of adjustments, and perhaps even some sacrifices, to attend the upcoming school. These efforts reflect your spirituality and deep appreciation for the divine education provided through the earthly part of Jehovah’s organization.
2. This document outlines a few basic guidelines to help us safely resume holding theocratic schools in person. Our goal is to reduce the likelihood of individuals getting sick and of having to shut down a class because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
3. Get Vaccinated and Boosted: All those attending theocratic schools must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In view of the time that has elapsed from receiving the initial vaccination, individuals need to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. Health officials indicate that staying up-to-date with the booster shots provides added protection.
4. Take Extra Health Precautions: For your safety and in order to protect others attending the school, seriously consider taking extra health precautions during the week before the school and during the school. For example, you should consider wearing a mask when at- tending congregation meetings, engaging in the ministry, using public transportation, and engaging in other activities in public settings. Where practical, perhaps you can minimize nonessential shopping and other indoor activities that could unnecessarily expose you to COVID-19. It is recommended that you take a COVID-19 test in the days leading up to the start of the school, if a test is available locally. To detect infection more effectively, some COVID-19 tests, such as at-home or rapid antigen tests, need to be repeated 24 to 36 hours apart.
5. Watch for Symptoms: No one should attend class if he experiences cold or flu-like symptoms. These symptoms include coughing, sore throat, fever, body aches, and so forth. In such cases, you should take a COVID-19 test, if possible. If you test positive for COVID- 19, you may attend the school in person if after at least five days have passed you no longer have cold or flu-like symptoms and you test negative for COVID-19. If a student has ques- tions, he may contact one of the instructors.
MISSED CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
6. Students who miss a significant amount of classroom instruction in the Pioneer Service School may contact their circuit overseer for further direction about attending the next avail- able class. For all other schools, students should contact the Theocratic Schools Desk in the Service Department for further direction.
MAINTAIN A SPIRITUAL OUTLOOK
7. We wish to express our appreciation for your conscientious approach to attending the upcoming school. By maintaining a spiritual outlook and displaying qualities such as love, reasonableness, and discernment, we are hopeful that these safety precautions will help you fully benefit from the upcoming school and look out for the interests of others who will be in attendance. (Phil. 2:4) With you, we greatly anticipate the time under God’s Kingdom when “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”—Isa. 33:24.
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