The health and wellness of all of our community members relies on our individual and collective behaviors. As such, we ask every member of our community to enter into a shared compact, or agreement, around the tasks and behaviors that are most likely to reduce exposure to contaminating levels of infection. We know that mutual respect, trust, and a deep sense of our reciprocal obligations to one another will be essential to navigating this unprecedented public health challenge. We need all members of our community to accept responsibilities and to act with self-awareness and sensitivity to others.
The School has implemented a set of safety protocols and practices. It is important to note that these preventative measures can only mitigate, not eliminate risk. We believe, however, that in combination with the behavioral expectations outlined below, this path represents our best collective effort to reduce harm.
Consistent with the recommendations of the
California Department of Public Health, we strongly encourage COVID-19 vaccinations for all; mandatory universal masking in schools when indoors; and additional mitigation layers.
Daily Screening Prior to Coming to SchoolLast year, a self-screening app was used by students, faculty, and staff prior to arriving on campus. While everyone is expected to attend to their own wellness (stay home if sick), formal screening protocol will not be implemented unless local conditions suggest otherwise. Should this occur, daily screening will be reinstated.
Masks/Face Coverings Students and visitors must use face masks at all times while indoors, unless they are in medical distress. Vaccinated faculty and staff my choose to unmask indoors when no students are present. Unvaccinated persons are required to wear a mask at all times, indoors and outdoors. Face shields may be worn in addition to a face mask. We encourage community members to use masks that are fitted to the face, leaving minimal gaps between the mask and face. Bandanas or scarves are not acceptable. While community members are asked to provide their own masks, the School maintains a supply of disposable masks should they be needed.
Physical DistancingNew guidelines from the California Department of Public Health no longer require physical distancing as recent evidence indicates that in-person instruction can occur safely without minimum physical distancing requirements when other mitigation strategies (e.g., masking) are implemented.
Personal HygieneDiligent hygiene, when practiced by the entire community, helps prevent virus transmission. Regular hand-washing with soap and water is critical. Additionally, the frequent use of alcohol-based hand rub with formulations containing 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol is an effective way to prevent the spread of pathogens and infections. To support this, the School has installed hand sanitizing devices, touchless faucets in most of its restrooms, and additional portable hand washing stations.