Pinecrest Academy Establishes COVID-19 Task Force

Pinecrest Academy has established a COVID19 Task Force to ensure the safe opening of the private PreK3-12 Catholic school in the fall, with the intention of providing in-person instruction. The goal of this task force is to strive to make students, faculty, and staff as safe at school as they would be at home.

The task force represents professionals in the health care, educational, cleaning, and chemical industries. This team is gathering the most up-to-date information to guide decisions about safety measures, social factors, and educational factors in planning for a healthy environment on the school’s 68-acre campus.

“We realized we had a breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise within our parent community, and what an amazing opportunity this was for us to tap into these resources, including Larry Blanford, one of our grandparents, who is serving on the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission,” commented Charlene Dougal, Pinecrest Academy Assistant Head of School.

The team plans to fully cooperate with CDC, State, and Forsyth County health guidelines, incorporating all mandated protocol. However, Pinecrest is taking a proactive stance in putting the school’s own measures in place, in preparing for a return to classes in August.

Because Pinecrest Academy intentionally maintains small class sizes every year to be able to deliver personalized instruction, the ability to provide the standard six feet of social distancing within a classroom is an advantage, as plans are made for in-person instruction. (See photo.)

The task force is participating in a series of information-sharing sessions over the next two months, providing advice and protocol from each member’s respective area of expertise. “We will be relying on our team members’ professional experience to guide us in decisions concerning health screening, reducing density within all educational spaces, protocols for lunch hours, recess, and appropriate safety and mitigation measures for faculty, staff, students, and all athletic activities,” shared Beth Howard, Pinecrest Academy Interim Head of School.

The first Task Force meeting was held on May 26, and the second took place on June 2.

The COVID19 Pinecrest Task Force consists of the following professionals:
Mr. Larry Blandford -Task Force Advisor, Former CEO of Green Mountain/Keurig Coffee, and current member of the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission
Dr. Margaret Bourdreaux - Pediatrician
Mrs. Lori Chmura - CEO, Pinecrest Board of Directors member
Mrs. Missy Collins - Pinecrest Nurse
Mrs. Charlene Dougal - Assistant Head of School
Mr. Mark Doxtader - Business Owner, Pinecrest Board of Directors Chairman
Mr. Lenny Forti - PreK-8th Grade Principal
Mrs. Beth Howard - Interim Head of School and High School Principal
Mr. Laura Kelley - Pinecrest Founding Family, Faculty Member, and Former Healthcare Provider
Dr. Patrick Kindregan, DO - Family Physician
Mrs. Jamie Kutter - Physician Assistant
Mrs. Joan McCabe - Pinecrest CFO
Mrs. Donna Marie Mitchell - Physician Assistant
Dr. Stephanie O’Rourke - Dentist
Mrs. Dianne Patota - Business Owner, Educator, and Pinecrest Board of Directors Member
Dr. John Petros - Emory University, Urology
Dr. Teresa Petros - Urgent Care Pediatrician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Dr. Manuel Rodriguez, DO - Infectious Disease
Mr. Tan Tam - Pinecrest Board of Directors Member
Mr. Mark Tollett - Pinecrest Facilities and IT Director

While Pinecrest implemented an online learning program in March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the plan is to return to face-to-face instruction as soon as possible. The school’s educational philosophy is based on a four-pillar approach, educating the whole child through Intellectual, Human, Spiritual, and Apostolic Formation. This founding principal - and a hallmark of a Pinecrest Academy education - is best realized with in-person interaction and guidance.

“We are excited to have our students back in our classrooms. While we are prepared to return to virtual learning, should it be mandated by the State, our goal, hope, and prayer is to see our students in person come August,” said Lenny Forti, Pinecrest Academy PreK-8 Principal.

The Pinecrest COVID-19 Task Force will regularly update the school community during the summer months with findings and plans for reopening the school for in-person instruction.