COVID Safety at Pacific School in 2021-22
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Sign Your Student (and Yourself!) Up for Onsite Testing
We are offering free weekly onsite COVID PCR testing to all students whose parents opt in. The more people who participate, the safer our entire school community will be! Unlike many PCR testing options, results are usually available the next day. Good news - Parents can also participate! Sign yourself up the same way you would your student, then be present on campus Monday or Thursday morning 8:30-10:30 to get tested. Students and adults can swab themselves or ask the trained staff to do it for them. NOTE: Although the form asks for insurance information, you do NOT have to provide it. You can just put NA in all the blanks. Free, Fast COVID Testing Options for Students, Staff, and Families
The County Office of Education is also offering drop-in drive-through testing Monday-Saturday, with results usually returned the next day. These sites are available for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Students, staff or family members or students or staff needing a test can fill out one-time registration at http://sccoe.link/inspiresc and go to any site. NOTE: Although the form asks for insurance information, you do NOT have to provide it. You can just put NA in the blanks. No appointment is required. Hours subject to change. The sites are located at:
Symptoms? Here's what to do:
If your student has any of the following, keep them home: Congestion/runny nose, Fever/chills, Cough, Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle/body aches, Headache, New loss of taste/smell, Sore throat, Nausea/vomiting, Diarrhea. Prior to returning to school ALL of the following must be true:
Program Options - Most Programs Have a Few Spots
You have the option to have your student attend school 5 days per week, 3 days per week, or zero days per week. More information is in this announcement. Please spread the word about our unique school! We are looking to add a few more students in most classes. Our funding is based entirely on enrollment, and adding students helps make the school stronger and gives students more options for friends! Current Rules
Pacific School is following the current COVID rules for schools and workplaces, which are summarized here. (This is a living document that Santa Cruz County Office of Education keeps updating as rules change.) What modifications has Pacific School made to its ventilation systems? Our HVAC system is only a few years old. In 2020, we installed MERV 13 filters on the HVAC system, and set the system to maximize incoming fresh air. In addition, we are encouraging teachers to keep windows and doors open and to teach outdoors when possible. In addition, we have stand-alone HEPA air filters for the classrooms. What are the requirements for face coverings? Face coverings are required for all adults when working with students, and for all students when indoors. The culture of the school and requirements of most programs is that students will remain masked whenever they are around each other, even outside, unless they are eating. Students have opportunities for mask breaks outside and distanced from other students if desired. Evidence continues to mount showing that masks are an effective way of reducing the spread of COVID. The current state of COVID rules for California schools and workplaces is summarized here. Are students kept in cohorts? At this time, there are no cohort requirements for the 2021-22 school year. Students in grades 1-6 will interact primarily with their own consistent classmates, but will interact with students in other classes, both indoors and outdoors, at times, in order to accommodate our coordinated math and recess schedules. Students in preschool and kindergarten will interact primarily with other students in their own class. How do after school programs work? All after school programs meet outdoors to the greatest extent possible. All after school programs ask students to wear masks when interacting with each other, and provide frequent opportunities for mask breaks distanced from other students. What happens when students eat? We have structured our class schedule so that students can eat outside as much as possible. When it is necessary to eat indoors, students are spaced out, and eat in groups with their classmates, with no more than 20 students in one lunchroom at a time. Ventilation is maximized. Are screenings of staff and students conducted? Staff are expected to conduct a health self-screen each day before arriving at work. Families should also screen their students at home. Students who display COVID symptoms at school will be kept outside and away from other students until they can be picked up. Are staff fully vaccinated? Yes, all Pacific School staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Are parents allowed in school buildings? Only vaccinated adults (parents, grandparents, guardians, etc.) are allowed to be inside school buildings. Interactions between unvaccinated adults and students need to be conducted outside. Are volunteers allowed? Fully vaccinated volunteers are allowed to work on campus and in classrooms. They need to provide the office a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination card, complete the volunteer agreements, and wear an appropriate face covering while on campus. All other visitors will be kept to a minimum. What other safety measures is Pacific School taking? Custodial staff hours have been increased to allow for additional cleaning. Staff ensure that all students (and staff) wash their hands frequently throughout the day. |
COVID Case Data for Pacific School 2021-22
COVID Case Data for Pacific School 2020-21
Get a Free Smart Thermometer
Pacific School is participating in this program. Please download the app and get your free thermometer now, in preparation for school opening for in-person instruction. Limit one per family. |