COVID-19 Updates

Philosophy: Take into consideration with utmost respect the perspectives and opinions of every member of our school community, and notably find middle ground between risk-aversion and risk-tolerant community members. Be adaptable and make adjustments as deemed necessary based on evolving nature of the Covid-19 situation in our County. 

Guiding Principles

• Reopen using effective risk-mitigation policies, procedures, and protocols while at the same time maintaining a steadfast commitment to our school’s mission and core values
• The health, safety, and wellbeing of students, employees, and families come first and are our top priority
• Prefer in-person and on-campus learning when permitted by local authorities and at the same time offer, when necessary, a high-quality distance learning option.
• Act, educate, and communicate with clarity, respect, and transparency. 
• Be flexible, creative, adaptive.

Isolation (5d), campus return requirements

Any student or staff member diagnosed with COVID must remain in isolation for 5 full days. They may return to school on day 6 without the need of a negative covid antigen test result as long as they have been fever-free for the last 24hrs without fever-reducing medications, and their symptoms are improving.

Upon return they must wear a KN95 mask indoors through day 10 (excluding students less than 2 years old), and staff must eat lunch away from others.

Physician’s note to return to Physical Education or Sports League

It is recommended for all COVID-positive students grades 2 and up should to obtain a letter from their doctor officially clearing them to resume physical activity and Physical Education class. This is because there have been cases of cardiac events after students have been diagnosed with COVID due to vascular inflammation. 

Siblings who are immediate household members of any COVID positive individual

The sibling who has a covid positive person living in their household may continue to attend school on campus. The sibling must wear a KN95 mask indoors for 5d following the start of the positive person’s illness course. It is highly advisable that the positive person remain as separate as they can from the rest of the family. Ideally they should eat, bathe and sleep in separate rooms.

Whenever a Covid-positive is identified on campus, all parents / guardians in that class (or larger cohort if relevant) will be informed of possible exposure. This follows the new County guideline for “Group Contact Tracing”.

Symptoms of COVID include: fever (temperature >100.0F), cough, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, new loss of taste/smell, new and unexplained headache, muscle or body aches, poor feeding or poor appetite.

Return to school clearance following symptoms requires the following:

• Two negative covid antigen test results obtained at least 12hrs apart
• The student has been fever-free for 24hrs without medication that lowers a fever
• The student’s symptoms must be improving

If symptoms manifest at home:

If your child is experiencing symptoms of COVID at home (regardless of vaccination status), please keep your child at home and email the school nurse, your student’s teacher, and your child’s division director. 

If symptoms are observed on campus:

If a student is observed to have a symptom of COVID on campus, they will be isolated immediately in the infirmary. Parents (and, if unreachable, one of the student’s emergency contacts) will be called and expected to make arrangements to come and pick up the student as soon as possible (within an hour to the extent possible). The student will remain isolated and under the supervision of the school nurse (or if unavailable, by a designated administrator or staff member).  Further instructions will be provided to the parents over the phone and in writing, including instructions on how to get their students tested at no cost to the parents. 

Serious injury or illness:

For serious injury or illness, the nurse, an administrator, or anybody else on the scene will know to call 9-1-1 without delay. Medical attention will be immediately sought if COVID-19 symptoms become severe, including persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face. The SDFAS school nurse will regularly consult the CDC’s webpage for updates and further details.

SDFAS is pleased to offer child and adult sized N95, KN95, surgical, and cloth masks for students and staff. 

Masks for students 

PK-8th Grade Students: Masks are strongly recommended for students indoors for students aged 2 and up.

Students Less Than 2 Years Old (Toddler Program): Masks are neither recommended nor required.

Masks for staff

Masks are strongly recommended for all staff indoors, especially following a known exposure to a covid positive case

Face coverings for students with medical conditions or disabilities

Students with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from being able to wear a mask will be provided with accommodations. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis consistent with the School’s policy on reasonable accommodation of students. 

Safety monitoring of masking 

SDFAS employees are directed to monitor the use of masking for students who are 8 years of age or younger to ensure that they are able to breathe without choking or suffocating.

On campus testing is not allowable per CDPH regulations. Staff members are not permitted to conduct or interpret tests for students, and students are not allowed to self administer a test. Antigen covid tests are available at the front desk and in the health office for parents to conduct these tests on their students at home.

It is strongly encouraged that all students and staff conduct an at home antigen test weekly, either Sunday night or Monday morning prior to the start of school. Only positive results must be reported to the school. Antigen tests are available for pick up at the front desk.

On campus testing is not allowable per CDPH regulations. Staff members are not permitted to conduct or interpret tests for students, and students are not allowed to self administer a test. Antigen covid tests are available at the front desk and in the health office for parents to conduct these tests on their students at home.

Students: Vaccination is strongly encouraged

Covid vaccination for students is strongly encouraged and not mandatory. If you have questions regarding vaccine safety, please contact the school nurse to discuss the risks and benefits for your child. SDFAS reserves the right to revisit or change this possible at its sole discretion at any time.

Employees who have direct student contact

The covid vaccine is mandated for all employees who have sustained direct contact with students on a daily basis (teachers, assistant teachers, administrators, substitute teachers, etc.), subject to legally required exemptions. Boosters are strongly encouraged. Any staff member qualifying for a legally permitted exemption is required test for Covid twice weekly with an at-home antigen tests and are strongly encouraged to be masked with an KN95 while indoors. 

Employees who do NOT have direct student contact

Vaccines are strongly urged for those without direct student contact are eligible (janitorial staff, maintenance/facilities, security, consultants, etc.), and are evaluated on a case by case basis. A worker in the school who is not vaccinated is strongly encouraged to test twice weekly with an at-home antigen test, and strongly encouraged to be masked with an KN95 while indoors.

• Currently acquiring CO2 monitors to be installed in every classroom
• Corse-Rosenthal Boxes in every classroom
• Windows and doors are open as much and as often as feasible
• MERV 13 air filters installed in the air ducts
• Lunch held outside school-wide and daily except in the event of rain

All students and staff who engage in non-local travel* during the year or upon return from a major school break should complete an at home antigen test 3-5d following their return to San Diego. Only positive test results must be reported to the school. At home antigen tests are available at the front desk.

*Non-local travel is defined as including any of the following:

1. Travel beyond 120 miles from an individual’s place of residence.

2. Travel outside of the State of California or outside the country regardless of proximity to both borders*

The above conditions define NON-LOCAL travel as (a) regardless of the means of transportation by land, air, or sea and (b) regardless of vaccination status.

Events are allowed without restriction.

Visitors, volunteers, etc. are strongly encouraged to wear a mask indoors. See below for the vaccination policy for volunteers who are regularly on campus.

All adults approved to be on campus (volunteers and individuals from external organizations) who provide services to SDFAS are subject to the vaccine mandate and must comply with SDFAS COVID masking policy.

Additionally, all volunteers who will be working on campus more than 16 hours/week must undergo a fingerprint scan through AliveScan. Please contact the school nurse to obtain the form (and instructions) before making an appointment with AliveScan. Please find attached a comprehensive checklist of what you need to provide in order to volunteer at SDFAS. Enclosed HERE is the required “Declination of Influenza Vaccination” form for volunteers.

NOTE: A CONFIDENTIALITY OF MEDICAL INFORMATION ACT (“CMIA”), must be signed before a person shows a school employee their vaccination card or shares any other private/personal Covid-19 related health information. This form is available HERE. (All parents must complete this form by August 25 regardless).