SACRAMENTO WALDORF SCHOOL COVID-19 PLAN
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SACRAMENTO WALDORF SCHOOL
COVID-19 PLAN
Last Updated 2/12/2021
Contents
Our Mission Statement ............................................................................................................................. 4
Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Sacramento Waldorf School 2020 Reopening Plan .................................................................................. 4
Evidence of Consultation with Labor, Parent and Community Organizations ...................................... 6
Labor Organization ............................................................................................................................. 6
Parent Organization ........................................................................................................................... 6
Community Organization ................................................................................................................... 7
Sacramento Waldorf School COVID-19 Plan ............................................................................................ 9
Communication Plans ............................................................................................................................ 9
Staff Training and Family Education ...................................................................................................... 9
Staff Training .................................................................................................................................... 10
Family Education .............................................................................................................................. 10
Enhanced Health and Safety Measures to Mitigate COVID-19 ........................................................... 10
Cohorting.......................................................................................................................................... 10
SWS Student Bathroom Logistics ..................................................................................................... 11
Cleaning and Disinfection ................................................................................................................ 11
Healthy Hygiene Practices................................................................................................................ 12
Entrance, Egress, and Movement Within the School ...................................................................... 12
Health Screenings for Students and Staff ........................................................................................ 12
Identifying, Evaluating, and Correcting Potential Hazards .............................................................. 15
Physical Distancing .............................................................................................................................. 15
Outdoor Classrooms ........................................................................................................................ 15
Office Environment and Use of Indoor Classrooms ......................................................................... 16
Travel and Gathering Policy ............................................................................................................. 16
Face Coverings and Other Essential Protective Gear .......................................................................... 16
Mask-Wearing Guidelines ................................................................................................................ 17
Addressing Cases of COVID-19 ............................................................................................................ 19
Testing of Students and Staff ........................................................................................................... 19
Triggers for Switching to Distance Learning .................................................................................... 20
Last Updated 2/12/2021 2
Contact Tracing and Record-Keeping............................................................................................... 22
COVID-Related Time Off, Pay, and Benefits for Faculty/Staff ............................................................. 22
Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Frequently Asked Questions .................... 23
APPENDIX 1: Supporting Students for a Successful Outdoor Education Experience ............................. 26
APPENDIX 2: 2020-21 Schedules and Other Changes ............................................................................ 28
EARLY CHILDHOOD .............................................................................................................................. 28
LOWER AND HIGH SCHOOLS* ............................................................................................................. 29
*Schedules are Subject to Change ...................................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX 3: COVID Reference Guide for SWS Faculty & Staff .............................................................. 30
Last Updated 2/12/2021 3
Our Mission Statement
We accomplish our mission by recognizing each student as a
unique individual with body, soul, and spirit.
We offer an academic, artistic, and experiential education based on the insights and pedagogy of
Rudolf Steiner, which is a holistic approach that meets the needs of the developing child.
By holding a reverence for the path of each individual,
we cultivate a dynamic culture of community and life-long learning.
Overview
The Sacramento Waldorf School (SWS) COVID-19 Plan was developed originally as the SWS 2020
Reopening Plan as part of our In-Person Waiver Application in accordance with the California
Department of Public Health (CDPH), Sacramento County Public Health (SCPH), SWS Reopening Task
Force, and SWS Health, Safety, and Security Committee.
The initial section of the SWS 2020 Reopening Plan has been preserved for reference. The rest of the
document has been developed and continually updated in close consultation and collaboration with
our employees, parents, and local community organizations.
This document is intended to serve as the school’s “evergreen” COVID-19 Plan in compliance with
Cal/OSHA regulations, and specifically to comply with the Cal/OSHA emergency standard requiring a
written COVID-19 Prevention Program.
Sacramento Waldorf School 2020 Reopening Plan
We affirm that Sacramento Waldorf School (SWS) is addressing the following with consistent guidance
from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Sacramento County Public Health
(SCPH). We are following Governor Newsom’s guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our
students, faculty, and related individuals. In alignment with best practices and recommendations from
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), our plan is anchored in what is essential for children and
young people: attendance in a safe, creative, and caring environment. The accommodations we are
making to our programs and campus life are based on information available and data provided by the
State of California, the Center for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National
Association of Independent Schools, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The
WASC has accredited us since 1983 and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America since
2002. We have a proven history of excellence regarding compliance with the academic and campus
standards set before us.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 4
The Sacramento Waldorf School is a nondenominational private school with a 22-acre campus on the
bank of the Sacramento River. We have fewer than 200 students in Grades K-6. We are confident that
we can keep adults and students safe while reopening our school, and mitigate the risk of spreading
COVID-19, even if our county remains on the state monitor list. ANY teacher who wants to teach
remotely or any student who needs to receive curriculum remotely can do so.
Classes for all elementary grades, K-6, will be conducted 100% in outdoor learning spaces until risk
factors have been significantly reduced to allow for safe instruction indoors. However, we are
committed to continuing to use our outdoor learning spaces through the academic year, while
providing Continuous Learning for all students. Our Inclusion students will be held with equivalent care
and support.
The soft reopening of our campus was carefully conducted during our 2020 Summer Program, held Jul.
6 – Jul. 31 on our campus each weekday from 8 am – 2 pm. We described our approach to the summer
program for parents in the following overview: Overview Video of Sacramento Waldorf School Summer
Program 2020
We are confident in our ability to not only create a safe environment for our students, but also to
maintain a high level of academic rigor given the decades of programming that has incorporated
outdoor learning into our approach to lesson delivery.
An overview of our September Reopening approach is described in the following video:
SACRAMENTO WALDORF SCHOOL REOPENING VIDEO
We anticipate and are accommodating for the need to move between different formats of lesson
delivery throughout the year as the State’s level of COVID-19 may rise and fall.
Our primary aim is to provide our students with a Continuous Learning Plan that allows students,
faculty, and parents to transition swiftly between formats and modify our approach to best meet the
situations presented to us throughout the school year.
● On-Campus Learning Format: K-12 – We will be in this learning format when on campus with
lessons delivered in outdoor classrooms.
● Inclusion Learning Format: K-12 – Students who are unable to be enrolled in On-Campus
Learning due to health will be offered the option for Inclusion Learning. This format allows
students to receive curriculum delivered to the On-Campus student learning groups. Inclusion
students will receive their lessons through video streaming, Parent Portal curriculum materials,
and follow-up Zoom collaboration. This option also supports the continuity of learning in the
case of a learning group needing to quarantine.
● School-to-Home Learning Format: K-12 - We will use a distance learning format if Sacramento
Waldorf School, the State of California, and/or Sacramento County deems this as the only
option in support of the safety of our community. We will immediately return to in-person
instruction when allowed.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 5
Evidence of Consultation with Labor, Parent and Community Organizations
Most classes will be offered remotely and synchronously for those students who are remaining home
for health reasons. Asynchronous curriculum will also be provided to supplement 2020-2021 learning
experiences.
Labor Organization
Sacramento Waldorf School College of Teachers (Teachers Association) is in full support of the waiver,
and the full faculty and staff have been in ongoing collaboration through the summer of 2020 to
coordinate reopening plans.
Aug. 26, 2020
To Whom It May Concern,
The Sacramento Waldorf School College of Teachers (body representative of all teachers
at Sacramento Waldorf School) is in full support of the in-person elementary school
waiver after being consulted by the school administration. Teachers welcome the
opportunity to teach outdoors and are ready to support all safety measures (masks, social
distancing, and hygiene protocols) being implemented. Likewise, any teacher wishing to
teach remotely is aware this option is available to them. We have been in close
collaboration with the SWS Reopening Task Force, our workgroup who have developed
this plan to comply with the recommendations of the Sacramento County Public Health
and California Department of Public Health officials.
We look forward to this initiative and are excited by the possibilities that it presents for
both teachers and students. We hope that the waiver will be granted.
Sincerely,
SWS College of Teachers
Parent Organization
Sacramento Waldorf School Parent Guild (PTA) supports this wavier, and the whole school parent
community has affirmed its support through a school-wide survey on 8.2.20.
Aug. 26, 2020
Dear California Department of Public Health and Authorizing Bodies,
As Co-chairs of the Sacramento Waldorf School’s Parent Guild, the representative group
of the school’s parent body, we were consulted regarding the school’s plan to file for a
Last Updated 2/12/2021 6
waiver from the local health office in order to open the school. Our parents have been
consulted in numerous ways, including parent surveys, Town Hall meetings, Question
and Answer sessions, and during class meetings. We are in agreement with the filing of
the waiver and the school’s plans of reopening the campus.
Co-Chairs of Parent Guild:
Melissa Rainsford
Beau Brown
Community Organization
Sacramento Waldorf School Board of Trustees (Our Liaison in service to Community Organizations)
serves as one of our many connections to the greater community. Our Board of Trustees members
actively engage with our community through organizations supporting the Fair Oaks and surrounding
area. The SWS BoT is in full support of the waiver and have received regular updates regarding COVID
related school strategic planning from the onset of February 2020 through the summer of 2020 to
coordinate reopening plans. Board of Trustee members have been present on a number of our faculty-
staff committees to take up this work (please see complete list of workgroups below).
Aug. 26, 2020
To Whom It May Concern:
The Sacramento Waldorf School Board of Trustees, the governing body charged with
legal and fiduciary responsibility for the school, has been coordinated with and directly
involved by the Administration in development of the in-person waiver. The Board of
Trustees approves and fully supports the in-person school waiver.
Sincerely,
Board of Trustees President
Esteri Hinman
Board of Trustees Vice-President
Ariel Cumigad
Our full faculty and staff, along with many of our parent community, are collaborating on the campus-
wide reopening project. A complete list of workgroups is listed under the section below:
• Health, Safety, and Security Committee|A Collaboration with Physicians, Infectious Disease
Specialist, former CDC Director, and the local health agency
• Reopening Task Force |The Overarching Plan
• Steering and College| Statement of Expectations for Faculty, Students, Parents
Last Updated 2/12/2021 7
• Curriculum Benchmark | To ensure curricular rigor originates from clear content objectives • Scheduling |Pedagogical Informed Scheduling • Waiver for Elementary Schools | Evidence for Excellence in our Outdoor Learning Initiative • Campus Planning Oversight | Site Planning • Outdoor Learning Areas |Classroom Coverings • Furniture | For the Outdoor Classroom • Ventilation for Indoor Spaces |Air Flow in Case Indoor Usage Needed • School-to-Home (Distance Learning) Best Practices | Aligning our Commitments • Tech Tutorials | Supporting our Staff through Continuing Education • Live Streaming | Enhancing our Distance Learning delivery in service to full Inclusion • PPE Inventory and Order Decisions |Pedagogically Informed Equipment • Hygienics |Practices, Procedure & Bathroom Usage • Communication | Keeping our Community Informed and Connected Last Updated 2/12/2021 8
Sacramento Waldorf School COVID-19 Plan
Communication Plans
SWS employs a variety of platforms to communicate with families as well as faculty/staff.
Communication regarding cases and exposures will be relayed via these platforms.
• Parent Portal
• ParentSquare
• Faculty-Staff Portal
• E-newsletter (for parents, faculty, and staff)
• E-mail (for students and faculty/staff)
SWS COVID-19 prevention procedures are outlined in this document, which can be found on the
platforms listed above.
In cases of COVID-19 symptoms, possible exposure, and infection, the flow chart below outlines
circumstances under which different communication actions will be taken. Communication policies and
processes have been thoroughly vetted to ensure adherence to state and local guidelines as well as
parents’, students’, and employees’ rights to privacy.
In compliance with Cal/OSHA emergency COVID-19 Standard, SWS will give notice of potential
exposure within one business day to 1) all employees who may have had COVID-19 exposure and their
authorized representatives; and 2) independent contractors and other employees present at the
worksite during a high-risk exposure period.
Staff Training and Family Education
All training emphasizes the following COVID-19 basics:
• Our COVID-19 policies and procedures to protect students, faculty, staff, and parents from
COVID-19 hazards.
• The fact that:
o COVID-19 is an infectious disease that can be spread through the air.
o COVID-19 may be transmitted when a person touches a contaminated object and then
touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.
o An infectious person may have no symptoms.
• Methods of physical distancing of at least six feet and the importance of combining
physical distancing with the wearing of face coverings.
• The fact that particles containing the virus can travel more than six feet, especially indoors,
so physical distancing must be combined with other controls, including face coverings and
hand hygiene, to be effective.
• The importance of frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and
using hand sanitizer when employees do not have immediate access to a sink or
Last Updated 2/12/2021 9handwashing facility, and that hand sanitizer does not work if the hands are soiled.
• Proper use of face coverings and the fact that face coverings are not respiratory protective
equipment; face coverings are intended to primarily protect other individuals from the
wearer of the face covering.
• COVID-19 symptoms, and the importance of obtaining a COVID-19 test and not coming to
work if the employee has COVID-19 symptoms.
• Information regarding COVID-19-related benefits to which employees may be entitled under
applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Staff Training
Whole school faculty-staff trainings are available for COVID-19 Safety-for-All and Student Support
Procedures.
SWS COVID TRAINING AUGUST 2020
• PPE BEST PRACTICES FOR TRANSITIONS |COVID On-Campus Training
• OVERALL COVID-19 SAFETY-FOR-ALL TRAINING |Thursday, Aug. 13 and Thursday, Aug. 27 with
follow-up trainings scheduled throughout the fall term. [Jenn Raley Miller, HR Consultant]
• STUDENT SUPPORT DURING COVID-19 | Thursday, Aug. 20 and Friday, Aug. 21 [Kim John Payne,
MEd Pediatric and Adolescent Counseling]
Family Education
Parent communication and training happen on an ongoing basis through our school’s Town Hall
meeting webinars and available recordings, and through individual class parent meetings.
SWS JULY TOWN HALL MEETING | PARENT REOPENING GUIDANCE
SWS SEPTEMBER TOWN HALL MEETING | PARENT REOPENING GUIDANCE
SWS OCTOBER TOWN HALL MEETING | PARENT REOPENING GUIDANCE
SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO ENSURE SAFETY ON OUR HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS:
HIGH ON-CAMPUS STUDENT ORIENTATION DOCUMENT
Enhanced Health and Safety Measures to Mitigate COVID-19
Cohorting
Students remain in outdoor learning groups of 20 or fewer students throughout the entire school day
and do not interact with students outside their learning group-cohort at any time during the school
day. Kindergarten children are placed in learning groups of 15 or fewer.
Recesses are scheduled in areas designated exclusively for the learning group-cohort. We traditionally
eat snack and lunch in class groupings; our 2020-2021 mealtime plans retain this practice with the
addition of separate outdoor eating areas designated for each learning group-cohort.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 10SWS Student Bathroom Logistics 1. Each learning group has its own bathroom. This requires 5 restrooms for the High School, 16 restrooms for the Lower School (includes Linden Hall bathrooms), and 4 restrooms for the Kindergarten. We no longer have male/female bathrooms. 2. Portable toilets are being added to our campus to meet the needs of our population. To reduce aerosols, we are intentionally renting non-flush portables. 3. We have followed all HVAC procedures to ensure the highest ventilation with existing airflow systems in place. Additional fans are being installed in restrooms to create turbulence to reduce the risk of aerosol exposure. 4. We will use bleach at an appropriate level each morning and night to kill viruses in the portable toilets. 5. Students use bathrooms one at a time, and unless there are emergencies, they wait 5 minutes between bathroom uses. This might involve a key for bathrooms that teachers would give to students, which would keep cohorts using the correct bathroom and enforce the 5 minutes between use procedure. 6. Handwashing stations are located outside of portable toilets. Cleaning and Disinfection A daily cleaning schedule has been developed to follow the path of student space usage. The school buildings, while not in use as daily classrooms, are cleaned every day using the EPA approved cleaning protocols during the time of COVID-19. We use child-safe and ecologically friendly products that meet State and licensing guidelines. All high touch surfaces and bathrooms are cleaned throughout the day. Common areas (sinks, bathrooms, doorknobs, table-tops, shared items, etc.) are cleaned and sanitized a minimum of twice daily. Daily janitorial services use stringent cleaning practices during the day while deep disinfection of the full campus is conducted each evening. Our outdoor workspaces and desks are cleaned with soap and water on a daily basis. Students took up cleaning curriculum prior to our March 13, 2020 stay-home orders. This curriculum has been further developed and implemented to ensure the students are taking part in the proper hygiene practices of our school. Bathroom use and bathroom ventilation is a high priority in our reopening plan. Learning groups are designated to one bathroom per learning group-cohort. We have rented outdoor bathrooms and integrated routine cleaning/disinfecting during the day to increase the highest safety in our processes of cleaning and disinfection. Given our outdoor learning environment, our highest attention is on the use of bathrooms. Last Updated 2/12/2021 11
Healthy Hygiene Practices We have built outdoor handwashing stations to meet the needs of our student population. Our students were taught an enhanced hygiene curriculum prior to the March 2020 stay-home orders. This curriculum has been enhanced and incorporated into our daily school rhythm. As we expect that young children touch their face masks, we are handwashing or hand sanitizing at least once each hour. All faculty and staff are expected to model and comply with these practices as well. There is no sharing of food. While we have processes, supplies, and equipment organized for no sharing of items, in unavoidable cases, shared supplies or equipment are sanitized before use by another learning group. Entrance, Egress, and Movement Within the School Due to the relatively small number of students in our school and our commitment to a 100% outdoor learning environment, we have made minor adjustments to ensure compliance with COVID safety. Arrival and dismissal times are staggered to provide minimal population density and maximum efficiency of traffic flow to support physical distancing and expediency during the SWS Health and Wellness Intake Process. We have significant spacing between outdoor classrooms (SWS CAMPUS MAP). Individual learning groups-cohorts are generally in the same outdoor learning space for the entire school day; students keep the same desk, and supplies are kept in separate containers. Learning areas are thoroughly disinfected at the end of each school day, or more frequently if the space is used by another learning group. We have mapped our outdoor learning spaces to ensure that pathways of travel between classes are in the awareness of all employees and students as new routines of the school year are developed. Pathways are marked with physically distanced reminders. Prior to school reopening, we hosted class-level visit days to ensure each learning group understands the routines and pathways of each school day. Health Screenings for Students and Staff In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and state and local guidelines, we implemented a successful SWS Health & Wellness Intake Process piloted during the SWS Summer Program. This intake process continues into the 2020-2021 school year, with students receiving temperature and health screenings as they enter campus. Face coverings are used during screening by both screeners and those being screened. Temperatures are measured using non-contact thermometers. Last Updated 2/12/2021 12
Student arrival times are staggered to accommodate the intake process. Students are not bussed to
campus; most are dropped off by parents and are checked as they exit the vehicle. Students who walk
or bike to campus are screened in their respective check-in station. Students Grade 1 and higher go
directly to their outdoor learning area after being screened. Each Kindergarten learning group use
separate entrances and screening areas.
Anyone on campus for longer than pick-up or drop-off is required to complete this intake process. This
includes faculty, staff, students, and any other individuals doing business on campus. Parents are
discouraged from remaining on campus beyond a typical pick-up or drop-off period. The only exception
to the intake process is for those shopping at weekly Farm Stand on Thursday afternoons.
The school has identified separated outdoor areas, a wellness tent for each school level, for students
who become ill during school to wait until they can be picked up by a parent. Parents will be instructed
to pick up their child immediately or to designate another adult to do so.
Any staff or teacher feeling ill will be sent home, and an on-call substitute will be brought in.
Please see a short video of faculty use of no-touch thermometer during morning check-in:
VIDEO: SWS SUMMER PROGRAM KINDERGARTEN HEALTH & WELLNESS INTAKE PROCESS
SWS Health & Wellness Intake Process Questions:
1. Student Name
2. Today’s Date
3. Has this person had any of the following influenza-like symptoms in the last 72 hours?
Cough or sore throat (not due to a chronic or seasonal condition), shortness of breath, chills,
repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, new loss of taste and smell, and/or
diarrhea.
4. Did this person have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher in the last 72 hours?
5. Did this person have close contact in the past 14 days, with someone who had a confirmed
COVID-19 infection?
6. I understand that masks are required on SWS campus.
7. I acknowledge that SWS has taken enhanced health and safety measures to keep everyone as
safe and healthy as possible for school. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any
place where people are present. In the spirit of community and keeping each other safe, we
must all do our part even when off-campus.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 13Last Updated 2/12/2021
Identifying, Evaluating, and Correcting Potential Hazards The Sacramento Waldorf School’s board-mandated Health, Safety, and Security Committee is responsible for regular evaluation of the SWS COVID-19 Safety Plan, including ongoing identification of potential for student, faculty, and staff exposure. The Health and Safety Committee meets frequently to review and discuss new guidance from federal, state, local bodies, as well as the medical/scientific community. Unsafe or unhealthy conditions, practices, or procedures will be discussed by the Health, Safety, and Security Committee and corrected in a timely manner based on the severity of the hazards. Employees and families may participate in identifying and evaluating potential hazards by notifying administration. Physical Distancing Outdoor Classrooms As listed in the “Entrance, Egress, and Movement Within the School” section, maps have been established to denote the pathway of movement throughout the campus each day. Outdoor classrooms are set up on our 22 acres to not only be physically distanced from each other, but also to ensure auditory distance to support classroom learning and minimize student distraction. Please see map: MAP OF SWS OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS. Outdoor furniture has been built by our school parent body to provide a natural separation during instruction. The lower grades are using ground indicators to support the young child’s understanding of 6-foot distancing. The use of outdoor classrooms is considered to be the primary engineering control to mitigate for COVID-19. Outdoor classrooms have been designed and constructed in an iterative manner to provide for the safety and comfort of students, faculty, and staff while adapting to weather conditions. Last Updated 2/12/2021 15
Office Environment and Use of Indoor Classrooms
Guidance re: physical distancing while working indoors.
• Eliminating the need for workers to be in the workplace – detail parameters for remote
work arrangements.
• Reducing the number of persons in an area at one time, including visitors.
• Visual cues such as signs and floor markings to indicate where employees and others
should be located or their direction and path of travel.
• Staggered arrival, departure, work, and break times.
• Adjusted work processes or procedures to allow greater distance between employees.
Travel and Gathering Policy
We trust that anyone traveling or making gathering decisions that could compromise the health and
wellness of our faculty, staff, or other families at the school will notify the SWS Health-Staff Officer.
Any SWS family, staff, or faculty who travel will need to quarantine for 14 days upon their return home.
Hosting out-of-town travelers or gathering with persons outside of the immediate household also
qualifies as a need for a 14-day quarantine.
Parents are asked to report any planned travel or gatherings to the SWS Health-Staff Officer, Terri
Stewart, at tstewart@sacwaldorf.org . Terri will work with the lower school assistant, Angela Cowham,
and/or the high school assistant, Wendy Miller, as well as with the teachers, to prepare for Inclusion
program participation during the quarantine.
Face Coverings and Other Essential Protective Gear
We have established a campus agreement regarding the wearing of face coverings for all students,
faculty, and staff, as well as parents dropping off or picking up their students.
SWS policy requires face coverings for all ages of students, faculty, and staff while on campus. Parents
will not be on campus, outside of their vehicles. Parents with children in classes K-2 will have a before
school orientation and a one-week grace period, allowing parents to accompany children into their
school year, to support their child’s sense of security at drop-off time.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 16Our farm llama has been a symbol of mutual respect and commitment. These signs have been posted
throughout our campus since early July.
Our SWS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Committee has researched and been in collaboration
with physicians and registered nurses regarding the best practices for PPEs that provide the highest
protection for our students and faculty, as well as maximum communication support between student
and teacher (e.g., see-through masks and face shields). COVID-19 budgetary money is being allocated
to ensure the social-emotional and physical health of our students are of the highest priority.
Students wear masks 100% of the time while on campus, in their designated, physically distanced,
outdoor learning area. Individual student desks and learning spaces are 6 feet apart.
Student masks are required at all time with the following two exceptions, while:
1) eating during designated eating periods
2) taking a mask break in designated mask break area
Our students have been trained on mask protocol.
Disposable masks are provided for any student who arrives at school without one or if their own mask
becomes wet or torn.
Faculty and staff wear masks 100% of the time while on campus, with the following exceptions:
• When separated from all others in an office
• When in an outdoor setting 6 feet from any student, faculty, or staff member
• While eating and drinking, provided they are at least 6 feet apart, and outside air supply to the
area, if indoors, has been maximized to the extent possible
PPE must not be shared, including gloves, goggles, or face shields. Similarly, items that employees come
in regular physical contact with, such as phones, headsets, desks, keyboards, writing materials,
instruments and tools must also not be shared, to the extent feasible. Where there must be sharing,
the items will be disinfected between uses.
Mask-Wearing Guidelines
Our community is expected to be familiar with best practices regarding mask-wearing, removal, and
cleaning.
Wearing Masks
• Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before handling mask.
• Place mask over nose and mouth and secure under chin.
• Try to make sure it fits snug around sides of face.
• Make sure you can breathe easily.
• Adjust ties or elastic for comfort and fit.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 17• Avoid touching any area of mask while wearing.
Removing Masks
• Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before handling mask.
• Untie strings/elastic/ties behind head or ears.
• Handle only by strings/elastic/ties without touching the actual mask.
• Fold outside corners together so that the exposed sides are facing each other (“dirty” part of
mask).
• Place mask into designated “dirty” bag for washing later at home.
• Be careful not to touch eyes, nose or mouth when removing mask.
• Wash hands or use hand sanitizer after handling mask.
Overall Suggestions
• Wear a clean mask every day.
• Masks should be washed in warm to hot water every day after use and hung to dry or placed in
dryer.
• Keep at least two masks in the “clean” designated bag in backpack.
• Choose a song that is appropriate for the hand washing stations so the children remember how
long to wash.
• During recess/lunch, follow the above when removing masks to eat/drink.
• Best material for masks is 100% cotton, tightly woven 2 ply material.
• Have children start to wear their masks each day, in advance of going back to school, and
increase the length of mask-wearing to become better conditioned for wearing at school.
Practice putting on and removing properly.
• Place name tag or iron-on tag to mask.
Video: How to Safely Wear a Fabric Mask
Last Updated 2/12/2021 18Addressing Cases of COVID-19
Testing of Students and Staff
Anyone who triggers intake with COVID-like symptoms will be subject to exclusion from school as per
the Sacramento Waldorf School COVID-19 Exclusion Policy (below). Testing may be available through
the county, private healthcare provider, or private lab.
We recognize that a negative test does not rule out COVID-19 infection. Unless the individual has gone
to a medical provider and that provider has been able to provide an alternative diagnosis such as flu or
RSV, Public Health recommends that the symptomatic individual be isolated for 10 days even with a
negative test result.
We will actively utilize the testing resources available to our school.
Sacramento Waldorf School COVID-19 Exclusion Policy
Student or Staff with: Action: Communication:
1. COVID-19 Symptoms • Individual sent home. • None needed
(e.g., fever, cough, • Recommend testing (If positive, see #3; if negative, see #4).
loss of taste or smell, • School/Learning Group remains open.
difficulty breathing) • If evaluated by physician and confirmed nonCOVID-19
Symptom Screening: diagnosis explains symptoms, student returns per specific
Per CDC Symptom of disease guidelines (e.g. 24 hour after starting antibiotics for
COVID-19 strep throat).
2. • Send individual home. • None needed
Close contact (†)
• Individual will be in quarantine for 14 days from last exposure
with a confirmed
• Recommend testing 5-7 days from last exposure (but negative
COVID-19 case
testing will not shorten 14-day quarantine)
• School/ Learning Group remain open
3. Confirmed COVID-19 • Inform the local public health department, immediately but no • School
case infection longer than within 48 hours after the faculty/staff/student community
notified the school. notification of
• Exclude from school for 10 days from symptom onset date or, a known case
if asymptomatic, for 10 days from specimen collection date.
Three symptom-free days are required before returning to
school.
• Quarantine exposed contacts (†), (likely entire Learning
Group) for 14 days after the last date the case was present at
school while infectious.
• Recommend testing asymptomatic contacts 5-7 days from last
exposure and immediate testing of symptomatic contacts
(negative test results will not shorten 14-day exclusion).
• Disinfection and deep cleaning of classroom and primary
Last Updated 2/12/2021 19spaces where individual(s) spent significant time.
• Campus remains open; pivot to distance learning if total
school enrollment of 5% positivity or less at the discretion of
the school.
4. Symptomatic person • May return to school 3 days after symptoms resolve.
tests negative or a • School/Learning Group remains open.
healthcare provider
has provided
documentation that
the symptoms are
typical of their
underlying chronic
condition.
(†) A contact is defined as a person who is within 6 feet from a case for more than 15 minutes
cumulative within a 24-hour period, regardless of face coverings. In some school situations, it may be
difficult to determine whether individuals have met this criterion and an entire stable group, classroom,
or other group may need to be considered exposed, particularly if people have spent time together
indoors.
Sacramento County Testing Locations
SACRAMENTO COUNTY TESTING SITES
PROJECT BASELINE
Triggers for Switching to Distance Learning
The SWS health officer will monitor and report positive cases among any student, faculty or staff, and
the school will be closed for in-person learning within 24 hours if either the faculty or student
population reaches a 5% positivity threshold during a 14-day period.
Individual school closure (Individual schools defined as: Early Childhood, Lower School, Middle School,
High School) will be based on the number of cases, the percentage of the teacher/students/staff that
are positive for COVID-19, and following consultation with the Local Health Officer. Wider campus
closure may be appropriate when there are multiple cases in multiple cohorts in a school (EC, LS, MS,
HS) or when at least 5 percent of the total number of teachers/student/staff are cases within a 14-day
period, depending on the size and physical layout of the school.
The Local Health Officer may also determine that school closure is warranted for other reasons,
including results from public health investigation or other local epidemiological data.
If campus is closed, we will reopen after 14 days and the following has occurred:
Last Updated 2/12/2021 20• Deep cleaning and disinfection,
• Public health investigation, and
• Consultation with the local public health department.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 21Contact Tracing and Record-Keeping The SWS Health & Wellness - Symptom Screening Process is monitored by our SWS staff and tracked via a real-time reporting system. Any positive COVID-19 tests of student or faculty-staff member will be reported to the Sacramento County Public Health Department (SCPH) by our designated SWS health staff-officer. We will also immediately report to Cal/OSHA any COVID-19-related serious illnesses or death of an employee occurring in our place of employment or in connection with any employment. The health staff-officer will maintain current learning group assignments and schedules of all students to be readily available for any on-campus contact tracing. Our middle school and high school faculty will record data following each session with a learning group to note if there have been any interactions between students that could be considered COVID-19 contacts in order to follow up if a student has presumptive symptoms or tests positive for COVID- 19. This data will be compiled daily by our MS and HS administrative assistants. As outlined in our Exclusion Plan, we will follow the COVID-19 and REOPENING IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION FRAMEWORK & PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE for K-12 SCHOOLS in CALIFORNIA, 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR when a student or staff member has a positive COVID-19 test. A confirmed case will prompt quarantine of the student and exposed members of the learning group for 14 days. If a teacher is sent home, the cohort will remain intact and will be supervised by an approved faculty or staff member. When possible, the students’ usual teacher will deliver the lesson to the students remotely. If a teacher is unable to teach, a substitute teacher will serve in this role. We maintain the confidentiality of family information in alignment with SWS communication systems that allow staff and families to self-report symptoms and receive prompt notifications of exposures and closures, while maintaining confidentiality, as required by FERPA and state law related to the privacy of educational records and other privacy laws. SCPH may contact SWS health-staff officer Terri Stewart at tstewart@sacwaldorf.org. All cases/contacts will be reported to SCPH using our reporting form. COVID-Related Time Off, Pay, and Benefits for Faculty/Staff SWS is committed to complying with federal, state, and local laws and guidance as it pertains to COVID impacts on employment. These policies have been evolving quickly over the past year, and often take effect with little warning. We will do our best to keep employees up to date as things change. Faculty and staff may contact Aralyn Tucker, HR Coordinator, at atucker@sacwaldorf.org with any questions or concerns. Our policy is to maintain records of the steps taken to implement our written COVID-19 Prevention Program in accordance with CCR Title 8 section 3203(b). This written COVID-19 Prevention Program is available at the workplace to employees via the employee portal and via email, as well as to authorized employee representatives and to representatives of Cal/OSHA immediately upon request. Last Updated 2/12/2021 22
The following Q&A items provided by Cal/OSHA serve as a guide for pay and leave related to COVID- 19. Each individual situation should be discussed with the HR Team on a case-by-case basis to determine which policies and regulations apply. Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Frequently Asked Questions Reference: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/COVID19FAQs.html#exclusions Q: Must an employer pay an employee while the employee is excluded from work? A: If the employee is able and available to work, the employer must continue to provide the employee’s pay and benefits. An employer may require the employee to exhaust paid sick leave benefits before providing exclusion pay, to the extent permitted by law, and may offset payments by the amount an employee receives in other benefit payments. (Please refer to the Labor Commissioner’s COVID-19 Guidance and Resources for information on paid sick leave requirements.). These obligations do not apply if an employer establishes the employee’s exposure was not work-related. *** Q: Does an employer have to “maintain an employee’s earnings, seniority, and all other employee rights and benefits, including the employee’s right to their former job status, as if the employee had not been removed from their job” if the employee is unable to work because of his or her COVID-19 symptoms? A: No, if an employee is unable to work because of his or her COVID-19 symptoms, then he or she would not be eligible for exclusion pay and benefits under section 3205(c)(10)(C). The employee, however, may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation or State Disability Insurance benefits. *** Q: How long does an employee with COVID-19 exposure, or who tests positive for COVID-19 from the workplace, receive pay while excluded from the workplace? A: An employee would typically receive pay for the period the employee is quarantined, which could be up to 14 days (see above for potential impact of EO N-84-20). If an employee is out of work for more than a standard quarantine period based on a single exposure or positive test, but still does not meet the regulation’s requirements to return to work, that extended quarantine period may be an indication that the employee is not able and available to work due to illness. The employee, however, may be eligible for temporary disability or other benefits. *** Q: Must an employer exclude an employee who claims a COVID-19 workplace exposure? A: An employer should take any reports seriously and should investigate any evidence of an exposure. It is ultimately the employer’s responsibility to determine if an exposure occurred. Last Updated 2/12/2021 23
*** Q: Does an employer have to maintain an employee’s earnings and benefits under section 3205(c)(10)(C) if the employee is unable to work because of reasons other than protecting persons at the workplace from possible COVID-19 transmission? A: No, the employer need not maintain the exposed employee’s earnings and benefits under section 3205(c)(10)(C) if the employee with COVID-19 exposure from the workplace is unable to work because of reasons other than protecting persons at the workplace from possible COVID-19 transmission (e.g., a business closure, caring for a family member, disability, or vacation). Such employees may be eligible for other benefits, including Disability Insurance, Paid Family Leave, or Unemployment Insurance benefits. *** Q: The ETS states that an employer is not required to provide exclusion pay if the employer can establish that an employee’s COVID-19 exposure was not work related. What does that mean? A: The ETS does not require employers to pay workers who are excluded from work under section 3205(c)(10) if the employer can show that the employee’s COVID-19 exposure was not work related. In such circumstances, employers may have other legal or contractual payment obligations, but pay and benefits are not mandated by section 3205. *** Q: How are employers proving that a COVID-19 exposure is not work related and rebutting the presumption under SB 1159 related? A: SB 1159 provides a rebuttable presumption for certain workers and workplaces that an employee’s COVID-19-related illness is an occupational injury entitling the employee to workers’ compensation benefits. Rebutting that presumption and proving that COVID-19 exposure is not work related to avoid the ETS’ exclusion pay requirement involve an employer conducting comparable investigations and producing comparable evidence to show it is more likely than not that an employee’s COVID-19 exposure did not occur in the workplace. *** Q: Can an employee receive both temporary disability benefits under workers’ compensation and receive their regular wages (or a portion of them) because they are excluded for work under section 3205(c)(10)(C)? A: No. Cal/OSHA does not consider an employee receiving workers’ compensation temporary disability benefits for wages lost during the period in which they are excluded from the workplace to be “able and available to work” within the meaning of section 3205(c)(10)(C). Therefore, an employee cannot receive both types of benefits. Last Updated 2/12/2021 24
*** Q: If an employee is receiving temporary disability benefits through workers’ compensation because they test positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms that would otherwise prevent them from working, should they receive workers’ compensation benefits or exclusion pay under the ETS? A: As noted above, Cal/OSHA does not consider an employee receiving temporary disability benefits through workers’ compensation to be considered “able and available to work” within the meaning of section 3205(c)(10)(C). However, if an asymptomatic employee is able and available to work but is not eligible to receive payment through workers’ compensation for lost wages during the period in which they are excluded from work, they should be paid for that time according to section 3205(c)(10). Last Updated 2/12/2021 25
APPENDIX 1: Supporting Students for a Successful Outdoor
Education Experience
In preparation for the 2020-2021 school year, we will support the SWS students and parents in their
transition to an outdoor educational setting through a series of parent education sessions. Parent
resources will include:
• Outdoor clothing list for students*
• Suggested personal gear
• Food and water guidelines
A phased rollout of in-person learning will occur if the K-6 Waiver is approved or if the County has been
off the monitor list for 14 consecutive days.
Before the first day of On-Campus learning, younger learning groups will practice outdoor learning
routines and our enhanced hygiene and distancing practices, such as: SWS Health & Wellness Intake
Process, arrival, safe physical distancing, face mask breaks, recess, lunch, and snack break, dismissal.
Sturdy outdoor shelters will protect our students and faculty from the elements to make continuous
learning possible in all weather conditions and seasons. These will be installed on our campus by Friday,
August 28, 2020. Please do not hesitate to contact Kat McFee, Administrator, about details regarding
our outdoor classroom plans.
SWS has consulted with the general process of the Green School Yards:
• National Initiative of the Green School Yards
• COVID-LEARN-OUTSIDE
Our SWS Reopening Task Force confirms that our process of campus reopening exceeds the project
management expectations for schools collaborating on this project across the nation.
“There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”
*Outdoor Clothing List for Students
Summer
Sunscreen
Larger Water bottles
Sun Hat
Long sleeve t-shirt (cotton)
Clothing light and breathable (cotton)
Winter
Umbrella
Last Updated 2/12/2021 26Hat/beanie (wool/synthetic that can cover ears) Earmuffs Scarf Gloves Handwarmers Raincoat Jackets (with vents) Hooded warm heavy coat/for cold non rainy days Hooded Waterproof down jacket (warm and stays dry in rainy weather) Hooded Synthetic-insulation-jacket Fleece-and-soft-shell-jackets (not as good as wool) Snow Jacket 3-in-1 jacket (combine rainproof outer shell and insulated liner Layers of shirts/wicking base layer Undershirt/thermals (for extra cold weather) Long sleeve shirt (use synthetic or wool wicking long-underwear base layer that provides warmth and keeps skin dry) Long johns/ thermals Synthetic or wool underwear Sweater Long pants Rain pants Fleece pants Thick wool socks (have an extra pair on hand) Rainboots/Winter boots HOW TO LAYER Base layer (underwear layer): wicks sweat off your skin (silk or wool) Middle layer (insulating layer): retains body heat to protect you from the cold Outer layer (shell layer): shields you from wind and rain Last Updated 2/12/2021 27
APPENDIX 2: 2020-21 Schedules and Other Changes
We are doing our utmost to ensure that our students will be the least affected by the changes we need
to make, and our creative teachers are working on strategies to turn the necessary adjustments into
positive experiences and growth opportunities, as much as they can. This plan is designed to help
faculty, parents, staff members, and students create and experience the very best possible school year
under the current circumstances. As we go through the year, we will welcome parent feedback and
ideas to enhance the students’ experiences. It is our goal to provide all students with the nurturing,
rich learning experience we have come to expect from Sacramento Waldorf School, while also helping
all of us build resilience, trust, and flexibility during these unprecedented times.
For school-to-home learning, visit this document to learn more about the SWS commitment to distance
learning best practices:
SWS BEST PRACTICES | COMMITMENTS
EARLY CHILDHOOD
For the 2020-21 school year, our White Rose and Red Rose Early Childhood Program will be held with
great integrity, through planning, and commitment to our children and their families.
• Our kindergarten yard will be divided into 4 smaller areas for each group of children.
• Groups will not interact with other groups to decrease the exposure to other children and
adults.
• Group placements will be announced in mid-September as state guidelines and
recommendations may change.
• ALL adults and children on campus will be wearing masks at all times.
• The kindergarten program will be nature-based and, therefore, will be all the time outdoors.
• The kindergarten program will run from 8:00 am-12:30 pm.
KINDERGARTEN EXTENDED CARE will run from 12:30pm-5:00pm
• Early Childhood Extended care will be available; only two groups, no larger than 12 students
per grouping.
• You must sign up for Extended Care no later than September 14.
• Each class will have its own outdoor gate entrance.
• Drop-off and Pick-up: To limit the potential for exposure, we kindly require that parents wear a
mask or cloth face-covering, and respect physical distancing while on campus and refrain from
entering any building on campus.
• Drop-off and Pick-up will take place at the exterior gate of your group.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 28LOWER AND HIGH SCHOOLS*
*Schedules are Subject to Change
SWS 1-8 academic schedule, click here:
Rotation 1 | School-to-Home Class Schedule
Rotation 1 | On-Campus & Inclusion Class Schedule
LOWER SCHOOL EXTENDED CARE will run from 12:35pm-5:00pm
• Lower School Extended Care will be available in grade level groupings for grades 1 - 8.
• Students in Extended Care grade level groupings will remain in the same class learning groups
during the regular school day.
• You must sign up for Lower School Extended Care no later than September 14.
• Drop-off and Pick-up - To limit the potential for exposure, we kindly require that parents wear
a mask or cloth face-covering, and respect physical distancing while on campus and refrain from
entering any building on campus.
• Drop-off and Pick-up will take place at a designated outdoor location for your group.
SWS 9-12 academic schedule, click here:
HS Distance Learning Schedule Fall 2020
Festivals
Festivals will take place in our outdoor classrooms and in procession format. These seasonal
experiences will be live-streamed or recorded for community integration. At this time, festival
attendance will involve a coordination of our student learning groups and correlated faculty and staff,
until festivals and events are reviewed again in January 2021.
Social and Emotional Health | Student Support
Our school counselor and social-emotional teacher are in collaboration with the SWS Student Support
Team to ensure our students are well held through these challenging times. Our faculty is participating
in a series of student support trainings to ensure that we work together as a faculty-staff-parent
collaborative to best serve the students of our school.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 29APPENDIX 3: COVID Reference Guide for SWS Faculty & Staff
Our Mission Statement
We accomplish our mission by recognizing each student as a unique individual with body, soul, and spirit.
We offer an academic, artistic, and experiential education based on the insights and pedagogy of Rudolf
Steiner, which is a holistic approach that meets the needs of the developing child.
By holding a reverence for the path of each individual,
we cultivate a dynamic culture of community and life-long learning.
September 2020
Dear SWS Faculty and Staff,
What an extraordinary group of dedicated and collaborative professionals work at Sacramento Waldorf
School.
Many times in the past months, we have together had the opportunity to reflect on how the circumstances
of the 2020-21 school year invite us into a unique set of community agreements and commitments. With
input from each and every one, we step together into the future – with, and in service to, the students we
find before us. As we continue stewarding our cherished community, we must tap into deep sources of
creativity and commitment to offer our students a childhood worthy of the gifts they are bringing to the
world.
Recognizing our responsibility to the health and safety of our community, the process of successfully seeking
a waiver has guided us to a on-campus option for our K-6 students. Ultimately it is our hope that students
in Grade 7 through High School will be allowed to enter their outdoor classrooms, as soon as state and
county officials open that door for our consideration. Our whole school community has come together to
take up the tasks of this great endeavor.
Conversations with the College of Teachers, Steering, and the Administration have created space for the
expression of individual perspectives and needs – a space that is continually offered throughout the school
year. We trust that our reopening plan (a living document) provides you with the confidence that the school
is thoroughly considering the needs of teachers, students, and staff. Health, Safety, and Security and the
Reopening Task Force has met faithfully to ensure right action. We want you to feel confident that we all
are well prepared, and committed to the academic, social, emotional, and physical health of all members of
our school community. Our plans balance the need for specific health and safety agreements as well as our
commitment to the warmth, care, and generosity of spirit that characterizes our school community.
While there will be unavoidable inconveniences, we sense that our students are looking forward to coming
back to school, rolling up their sleeves, discovering with their teachers what our curriculum has in store for
them, and once again enjoying the company of their friends on our beautiful campus.
What follows is a set of resources for your reference as we navigate these times together. Please do not
hesitate to reach out to Kat and Dean if you have any questions.
Last Updated 2/12/2021 30You can also read
