Face Coverings and other Essential Protective Gear
UPDATE 6 JAN 2022: All students and staff must use KN95 or surgical masks. Cloth masks have been found to be less effective with the Covid omicron variant.
Teachers are required to wear masks at all times (except when eating or drinking) and encouraged to wear N95 mask when working with students. N95 masks and surgical masks are provided by the school.
According to the Center for Disease Control, “Children 2 years and older should wear a mask over their nose and mouth when in public settings where it’s difficult to practice social distancing.” Therefore, all students over the age of 2 years old are required to wear a mask while at school and while on walking field trips, except while eating and drinking. Parents are asked to provide a mask for their child. The school provides masks for children who do not have them.
All teaching staff are offered a one-time amount up to $150 for five days of washable clothing and are encouraged to wear their clothing only once before washing. Additionally, face shields are available for staff who are uncomfortable with only face masks.
Accountability: Parents are asked to “call out” via email or at parent meetings – situations when face covering is not occurring. Disinfectors will stop any parent who drops off a child without a mask and supply a mask for the child. This matter is relayed to the Head of School, and the parent will receive an email regarding the need to mask. Administrative staff call out any teacher who enters unmasked or does not take their temperature. We have a clipboard where teachers note their temperature and whether they are masked.