2021-2022 COVID-19 Policies, Protocols & Procedures

SYMPTOMS of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases include:

• Fever of 100.4/38C or higher
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Other signs of new illness that are unrelated to a preexisting condition such as seasonal allergies.

• If your child has seasonal allergies or other pre-existing symptoms that are similar to COVID-19 symptoms (i.e.: runny nose, congestion), be mindful if the “typical” symptoms that your child is experiencing have worsened or changed. If the symptoms are worse or different keep all of your children home and contact the school nurse immediately
• If your child’s symptoms are consistently the same you should consult with your primary health provider to confirm the suspected diagnosis and discuss medication regimens to alleviate these symptoms.
• COVID-19 symptoms that are NOT typically present with seasonal allergies include chills and muscle aches, fever, vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, and sudden loss of smell or taste.
• We strongly encourage teachers, staff, students and families to get a flu shot

Our school policy reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining the health and safety of our students, staff and community. We must all work together to keep our school open for in-person learning. 

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, it is imperative that we all commit to staying home when ill.

When your student is ill:

• Keep your student home.
• Record the student absence in Veracross - noting situation and/or symptoms.
• Take a COVID-19 test - please contact the School Nurse to schedule an onsite test.
• If your student tests positive for COVID-19:
  • your student will need to isolate at home for a minimum of 5 days per CDC.
  • If symptoms are improved and over 24 hours have passed since fever is resolved, then your student may return to school on Day 6.
  • Student should wear a well fitted mask for days 6-10 following a positive COVID infection.
• If your student tests negative for COVID-19, your student many return once:
  • Symptoms are improved,
  • And, over 24 hours have passed since fever is resolved without use of fever reducing medications (if applicable),
  • And, over 24 hours have passed since vomiting and/or diarrhea have resolved (if applicable),
  • If any lingering symptoms upon returning to school, student should wear a well fitting mask at school until all symptoms are fully resolved.
  • Contact the School Nurse to assist you in determining when your student may return to school.

St. Joseph School offers two types of onsite school based testing for COVID-19, diagnostic and screening testing.

St. Joseph School will provide on-site diagnostic testing to all students and staff members who develop symptoms of COVID-19. Testing is available at school at the front office, via drive-up testing and via take home test kits. Please contact Nurse Kendra to schedule a COVID-19 testing appointment.

Diagnostic testing looks for infections in individuals who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. St. Joseph School offers diagnostic testing using rapid antigen tests and PCR tests.

Screening testing looks for infections when there is no reason to suspect an individual is infected as a proactive approach to minimizing the potential for outbreaks in our school. St. Joseph School uses serial rapid antigen screening and pooled PCR surveillance screening.

• Serial rapid antigen screening tests students multiple days a week using rapid antigen tests spaced out 24-48 hours apart, typically testing occurs 2-3 times per week. Rapid antigen testing is provided by the WA Department of Health using BinaxNow and CareStart rapid antigen test kits.
• Pooled surveillance testing is a type of screening test that allows multiple samples to be processed at once, testing typically occurs once per week or biweekly. Pooled PCR surveillance screening is provided by Atlas Genomics.

Families who would like to participate in onsite COVID-19 testing must provide parental consent. The consent form to enroll your student in onsite Pooled PCR Surveillance testing, PCR Diagnostic testing and/or Rapid Antigen Testing can be found in the parent portal

Additional information regarding onsite COVID-19 testing:

• Onsite COVID-19 testing is available to our community as a convenience for families and for early detection of COVID-19 in our school. Having your student tested at school is optional.
• Families who would like to participate in onsite testing must provide parental consent.
• There is no charge to families for testing. This program is provided and paid for by the WA Department of Health.
• The school will communicate the results of testing with families.

A close contact is someone who was exposed to a COVID-19 case. A close contact is generally defined by CDC and DOH as someone who was within 6 feet of a COVID-19 case for 15 cumulative minutes or more over a 24-hour period of time during the case’s infectious period.

Regardless of vaccination status, students, children, and staff who were potentially exposed to COVID-19 are encouraged to:

• Monitor for symptoms
• Consider wearing a well-fitted mask for 10 days after the last date of exposure, especially during activities (i.e. high-risk indoor sports , performing arts)
• Get tested 3-5 days after their last exposure. Molecular (PCR/NAAT), antigen, and at home tests are acceptable. If they test positive, they must isolate for 5 days (See section titled Return to School Health Policy & Procedures). Please contact Nurse Kendra to schedule a test.
• For individuals who have been recently infected (within the past 90 days), antigen testing should be performed as PCR results may remain persistently positive and not be indicative of a new, active infection.

Students and staff are not required to quarantine after a close contact exposure, regardless of vaccination status.

St. Joseph School will continue to provide regular updates to the COVID-19 dashboard. Beginning 3/14/2022 active confirmed COVID-19 cases with in-school exposure will be displayed by grade level. An active case with in-school exposure to that grade level should be interpreted as a potential exposure to students in that entire grade level. If your student had a potential exposure please see the section titled Close Contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Families with students who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 should complete this form to ensure they are notified directly by email of all possible COVID-19 exposures to their student. Examples of students at high risk of severe COVID-19 include students with cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, Diabetes, etc. For a full listing of individuals at higher risk of severe COVID-19 here.

St. Joseph School will provide written notification to families in the event of identified clusters or outbreaks in classes and grades (3 or more in-school connected cases within a cohort, not from known outside school exposure). Masking may be recommended in classes or grades with active clusters or outbreaks.

Staff members will be notified of any potential close contact exposures via written notification within 24 hours as required by WAC 296-62-600.

On August 18, 2021, Washington Governor Jay Inslee released new COVID-19 immunization guidelines for PK-12 staff statewide. Inslee announced all PK-12 staff, including substitutes, volunteers, and others are required to provide proof of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. PK-12 employees will have until October 18, 2021 to be fully vaccinated. The safety-requirement mandate does not include students.

While COVID-19 vaccination is currently not a requirement for students, it is the strongest protective measure against COVID-19 available to individuals 5 years of age and older. We strongly encourage all members of our community that are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination.

Please review and adhere to all CDC Guidelines when traveling.

Middle School

Middle School students should enter and exit the building through the following doors:

• Main Lobby entrance
• South Cafeteria stairwell, across from the Wyckoff Gym

Primary School

Students will enter and exit through their assigned doors based on homeroom:

• KA - Zebra Door (South Library)
• KB - Sloth Door (North Library)
• KC - Sloth Door (North Library)
• 1A - Sloth Door (North Library)
• 1B - Zebra Door (South Library)
• 1C - Zebra Door (South Library)
• 2A - Sloth Door (North Library)
• 2B - Monkey Door (Advancement Staircase)
• 3A - Giraffe Door (North Primary School)
• 3B - Giraffe Door (North Primary School)
• 3C - Monkey Door (Advancement Staircase)
• 4A - Monkey Door (Advancement Staircase)
• 4B - Giraffe Door (North Primary School)
• 4C - Giraffe Door (North Primary School)

At this time parents will not be allowed in the building to drop-off students.

Doors Open 8:00 a.m.
Tardy Bell 8:20 a.m.

Drop-off runs 8:00 - 8:20 a.m. Arrival times are staggered by last name as follows:

• 8:00-8:10: Last Name A-L
• 8:10-8:20: Last Name M-Z

Walkers

Students walking to campus should enter the building through their assigned door, please see above.

Parking lot

The parking lot will maintain two lanes to facilitate a smooth flow of traffic.

View Map

Lane 1 (Express) - West side against the sidewalk

• Not allowed: Students unloading from 3rd row seats or getting items out of the trunk
• All students must exit on right, passenger side of vehicle
• Quick unloaded lane, no help from staff

Lane 2 - East side against the fence

• Required lane for Grades K-2. If you have multiple grade students in your car, including a K-2 student, use Lane 2
• Any students unloading from 3rd row seats, or getting items from trunk
• Slower moving lane with faculty and staff helping students exit the vehicle
• All students must exit on right, passenger side of vehicle
• All students head to staff guided crosswalk at the prayer garden

Parents with scheduled meetings on campus will be able to park along the East fence. There is limited space and it is reserved for parents with meetings.

Parking available from 8:20-9:00 a.m..

Additional option for Middle School students only

Lane 3 - Front of School - 18th Avenue East - north bound traffic

• Middle school student unloading only - no Primary School siblings
• All students must exit on right, passenger side of vehicle
• Drivers pull all the way up to the north fire hydrant (between primary school/parish center)
• No unloading south of the main office doors, pull all the way up (to keep Roy Street from getting backed up)

Traffic Flow (during morning drop-off)

View Map

• 18th Avenue E. - No south bound traffic during drop off/pick up. South bound traffic use 17th Avenue E.
• Roy Street from 19th - No turning west bound during drop off/pickup

Late Arrival

Parents with students who arrive late (after the allotted drop-off time, 8:00 - 8:20) to SJS campus, will bring their child to the main office door, and ring the bell for check-in procedures.

Parents with students who arrive late (after the allotted drop-off time, 8:00 - 8:20) to SJS campus, will bring their child to the main office door, and ring the bell for check-in procedures.

Visitors and Volunteers are welcome at St. Joseph School! All visitors, vendors and volunteers must enter the building through the main lobby where they will check-in. Those who are volunteering in the classroom must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

At this time, Jaguar Club will be open at a limited capacity. Please contact David Sepulveda, Director of Jaguar Club, for more information.

Logistics for ordering lunches

• For any purchased school lunch, students will receive an individually packed bag with their order
• Lunch orders are placed each week for the following week
• Order forms can be found on the Parent Portal in Veracross
• Lunch orders are due each Thursday by 3:00pm
• We are unable to accommodate orders placed after the 3:00 p.m.

Thank you very much for submitting your orders each week by 3:00p.m. on Thursday.

St. Joseph School recognizes that all school events, assemblies and church services have the potential to create opportunities for higher risk transmission of COVID-19. St. Joseph School will offer masks at the entrance of these types of gatherings for students, staff and families who wish to wear a mask.

At this time parents will not be allowed in the building to pick-up students.

Walkers are defined as:

• Middle School: Students that have permission from their parents to walk home from school
• Primary School: Students waiting for an older sibling or guardian to walk them home AND 4th grade students who have permission from their parents to walk home

Prayer Garden

• Primary School students walking home with older sibling or parent/guardian

Main Lobby Exit

Middle School walkers, students on bicycles, and those not being picked up on campus

• 3: 15 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
• 2:15 Tuesday
• 12:15 Noon Dismissal

Traffic Flow (during afternoon pick-up)

View Map

• 18th Avenue E. - No south bound traffic during drop off/pick up. Use 17th Avenue E.
• Roy Street from 19th - No turning west bound during drop off/pickup

Lane 1 - West side against the sidewalk

• Students in grades: 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7
• All students must enter on right, drivers side of vehicle

Lane 2 - East side against the fence

• Students in grades: Kindergarten, 1, 5 and their siblings from any grade
• All students must enter on right, passenger side of vehicle

Front of School - 8th grade students only

Lane 3 - 18th Avenue East - north bound traffic

• 8th grade with no siblings

Parking Lot / Drivers

View Map

• Parents/Drivers must be on time for pick-up
• If picking up multiple students, come at the later time slot
• Primary School students with Middle School siblings will remain on the parking lot to be picked up with their Middle School siblings
• Staggered dismissal times are based on grade level and last name as shown below

No parking available in the lot until after 3:30pm.

Any students whose parents have not picked them up after the allotted pick-up time will be brought to the main office to wait for their parents. Parents will be instructed to ring the doorbell upon arrival.

• The recommendation from the Washington State DCYF (Department of Children Youth and Families), is that families should have the same adult drop-off and pick-up for child(ren) each day and to avoid carpooling when possible.
• When necessary, as may be the case with SJS families, we urge parents to limit carpool partnerships and maintain consistency with masking and open windows en route.

We welcome all students, staff and visitors to wear a well fitting mask at St. Joseph School. However, beginning March 14, 2022 masks will no longer be required on campus per directive of the Archdiocese of Seattle based on current recommendations by the CDC, WA DOH, and King County Public Health.

St. Joseph School recognizes that some activities at school carry higher risk of transmission of airborne illness including during PE, while singing, and at all-school assemblies and church services. Although masks are not required during these activities, St. Joseph School will offer masks at the entry to the gym, we will offer masks to students prior to all school assemblies and church services, and prior to singing in class for any students that would like to wear a mask during these high risk activities. Please talk with your child about events and circumstances that you may want your student to wear a mask.

Additionally, we may ask students in a class and/or grade level to wear a mask at times if any grade level or classroom is experiencing a cluster or outbreak of COVID-19, defined as three or more linked cases in a cohort due to in-school exposure. St. Joseph School will communicate any identified clusters and/or outbreaks to families.

Lastly, the CDC advises that any student or staff member who is immunocompromised, medically fragile, and/or otherwise high risk for severe disease should consult their health care provider about whether or not to continue wearing well-fitted masks.

SJS will continue communication with families through Veracross.

Our intention is to use in-house substitutes.

All substitutes will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated as required for all Washington state PK-12 staff per Governor Jay Inslee COVID-19 immunization guidelines for schools.

Middle School

• Each classroom has a fresh air intake and exhaust system
• Dampers fixed to 100% fresh air on the intake unit ventilator
• Smart switches installed to allow scheduling of system to turn on 2 hours before occupancy and off 2 hours after
• Air filters replaced with higher efficiency MERV rating

Primary School

• All classrooms have operable windows for fresh air
• 16” window exhaust fan installed in each classroom
• Smart switches installed to allow scheduling of system to turn on 2 hours before occupancy and off 2 hours after
• 20” window exhaust fans installed on the 3rd floor to draw fresh air from the opposite side of the building.

LRC/Main office

• HVAC system connected to centralized controller for scheduling
• Scheduled system to turn on 2 hours before occupancy and off 2 hours after
• Air filters replaced with higher efficiency MERV rating

Common areas

• Portable HEPA air filtration units set up in common areas
• Rooms without air ventilation will not be used

General
Daily

• Disinfecting of door handles, railings, high touch surfaces, etc.
• Shared/common areas when used: desks, chairs, tables, floors, etc.
• Deep clean/disinfecting of the restrooms: sinks, toilets, counters, walls, etc.
• Mopping and disinfecting the restroom floors
• Confirming all soap and paper dispensers are completely full and always working for the high demand

Weekly

• Mopping and disinfecting hard floors in hallways and common areas
• Vacuuming carpet with HEPA filter equipment

Carpets

• Area rugs were removed from classrooms and offices
• Vacuumed when children are not present, using a vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter – or using HEPA vacuum bags

Outdoor Areas
Following CDC and King County Health Department recommendation:

Outdoor areas, like playgrounds in schools and parks, generally require normal routine cleaning, but do not require disinfection.

• Do not spray disinfectant on outdoor playgrounds—it is not an efficient use of supplies and is not proven to reduce risk of COVID-19 to the public
• High-touch surfaces made of plastic or metal, such as grab bars and railings, will be cleaned routinely
• Cleaning and disinfection of wooden surfaces (play structures, benches, tables) or groundcovers (mulch, sand) is not recommended

Disinfecting Products

• Disinfection using EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19
• Trained custodial staff on the proper mixing ratio and application of disinfecting products, wet contact time, personal protective equipment, etc.

Products:

• Oxivir Tb Cleaner Disinfectant
• Oxivir Tb Disinfecting Wipes
• Brighton Professional Hepastat 256 Disinfectant Cleaner