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COVID Safety Plan

2021-2022 Covid Specific Policies and Practices

Early Learning Academy has been hard at work to maintain our rigorous academic standards and our deeply nurturing community during the pandemic. We are committed to supporting our families and our staff. To keep you connected to our decision making, policies, and processes, please utilize these various resources. We are here to help - let us know what we can do for you!
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Based on the lessons learned during the 2020-2021 school year and the increased transmission from the Delta strain, policies and procedures have been updated to reflect current guidance and law. Outbreaks in the school community will trigger tighter restrictions than those outlined below. Some language and graphics have been taken from the Pandemic Recovery Framework provided by the San Mateo County Office of Education (rev. 8/2/21).
 
VACCINATION:
  1. All staff must be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination in order to come on campus for the 2021-2022 school year.
  2. Vaccinations are free to all. Consult your doctor or visit https://myturn.ca.gov/ to schedule.
MASKS
As of August 2nd, the San Mateo County Health Officer issued an order requiring masks to be worn regardless of vaccination status in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and workplaces, including schools. Mask wearing allows all students to be on campus regardless of distance and space allowances.
  1. All students are required to wear a mask when at school. Masks will be given to the children if theirs is not satisfactory at any point during the day.
  2. All employees are required to wear a mask when at school.
  3. No person will be allowed to come onto campus without a properly worn and well-fitting mask. Valve masks are not allowed; bandanas and gaiters are not allowed.
  4. Masks will be modeled by the staff with positivity. Children will be taught the reasoning and science behind mask wearing.
  5. Students and staff are encouraged to have at least 5 masks. All people are asked to clean masks daily.
  6. Masks may be removed during eating time when the children are outside and seated at their appropriate table spot.
  7. All children in must wear masks all day - indoors and outdoors.
GATHERINGS
  1. Outdoor Gatherings of vaccinated people in masks are allowed.
  2. Many events will be held online in an effort to include more people in the safest manner possible.
 
VENTILATION
  1. All buildings have iWave ventilation systems in place which are always on and which have a Merv rating of 13.
  2. Because of the system’s design, the ventilation works even better when doors and windows are closed.
  3. During times when outdoor air quality is poor, students and staff will continue to have safe, healthy air indoors.
  4. As an additional measure, each room is equipped with an air purifier with UV wave technology.
HAND HYGIENE
  1. Students must wash their hands immediately upon arrival.
  2. Students must bring a water bottle to school and may refill it at bottle-filling dispensers. The water fountain itself has been taped off and cannot be used.
  3. Each classroom has been outfitted with a touchless hand sanitizer dispenser.
  4. Teaching assistants or teachers will supervise the use of hand sanitizer or hand washing before and after eating and entering/ exiting the classroom. Routines will be established and maintained.
  5. Teaching assistants or teachers will also instruct children on how to wash their hands, how to ensure they are properly scrubbing, and for how long (20 seconds).
  6. Signs are posted to demonstrate and encourage healthy practices.
  7. Desks, chairs, door handles, and bathroom surfaces will be disinfected by staff daily and by the janitorial staff every night. Students will not participate in disinfecting practices that involve chemicals.
TRAVEL
  1. Please wait to travel as a family until you and all your family members are vaccinated.
  2. Please wear a mask at all times when traveling.
  3. Refer to CA Department of Public Health Travel Guidelines for more guidance.
  4. Refer to CDC Guidelines for Domestic Travel for specifics on vaccinated and unvaccinated travel.
  5. Refer to CDC Guidelines for International Travel for specifics on vaccinated and unvaccinated travel.
  6. Unvaccinated travelers will need to follow the above and below guidelines before returning to school.
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What are the symptoms of COVID?
 
Symptoms can include:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
 
If your child or anyone in the household has experienced these symptoms, DO NOT COME TO SCHOOL. Seek guidance from a primary care physician immediately.
 
More information is available here: CDC - COVID symptoms 
What do I do if my child has symptoms?
 
If your child is feeling ill (whether at night, on the weekend, or in the morning):
1- Contact Ms. Veronica . 
2- Keep your child out of school.
3- Have your child tested or seen by the doctor immediately.
4- Report the test results to the school.
5- Monitor your child's symptoms.
6- Return your child to school only after a negative test result (or doctor's clearance) AND when your child is symptom free for 3 days.
 
If a child or staff is sent home from school because of symptoms:
1- Keep your child out of school.
2- Have your child tested or seen by the doctor immediately.
3- Report the test results to the school.
4- Monitor your child's symptoms.
5- Return your child to school only after a negative test result (or doctor's clearance) AND when your child is symptom free for 3 days.