COVID Safety at Pacific School in 2021-22
"We have absolutely loved our time with the Pacific Elem family and we are going to miss so many of you! You provided a light and a sense of community during one of the most difficult years we have experienced. I will forever be grateful for this year. Everyone should be proud of what a unique, loving and special school has been created here."
Parent about their student's time in kindergarten class during COVID lockdowns, 2020-21
Parent about their student's time in kindergarten class during COVID lockdowns, 2020-21
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Sick? Stay Home
Symptomatic students still need to stay home from school. Please review the updated guidelines on page 6 here. 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:
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. Current hours and locations. 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. 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? While evidence continues to mount showing that masks are an effective way of reducing the spread of COVID, as of the summer of 2022, they are currently optional for both staff and students in school settings. 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 2022-23 school year. Students 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, lunch, and recess schedules. How do after school programs work? All after school programs meet outdoors to the greatest extent possible. What happens when students eat? We have structured our class schedule so that students can eat outside or, when eating inside, 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 required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Are parents allowed to volunteer? 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 and complete the volunteer agreements. Unvaccinated family and community members are encouraged to volunteer for the school outside, such as doing grounds maintenance, or volunteer for Parents' Club. 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 Data for Pacific School 2021-22
Cases listed here include those which were on campus while COVID-positive. Cases among our community but who never came to campus while positive are not listed here.
COVID Data for Pacific School 2020-21
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