Masks (3 layers or more) are required at SAAS

Masks (3 layer or more) will be required to be worn by all students and adults while inside on campus regardless of vaccination status. Masks are also required to be worn by all when using SAAS transportation regardless of vaccination status. Buffs, scarves, or other single layer clothing are not considered allowable masks for these purposes.

Masks will be distributed to faculty, staff, and students prior to the start of fall classes. Disposable masks will be available if someone forgets their mask.

ADULTS – (Faculty/Staff/Svc Providers/Visitors) wear masks

• On campus inside regardless of vaccination status with students and/or with adults of any group size;
• On campus outside in congested areas regardless of vaccination status  (Examples:  pick up/drop off, queuing on sidewalks);
• On SAAS transportation for duration of trip;
• Inside as a spectator on sidelines during athletic competitions or practices (home or away); and 
• Audience member at a production or presentation.

Adults Exceptions to wearing masks include:

• Alone in your office, classroom and not expecting others to be present;
• Briefly while eating or drinking; and
• Outside in non-congested areas.

Students wear masks:

• On campus inside regardless of vaccination status;
• On campus outside in congested areas regardless of vaccination status.  (Examples:  pick up/drop off, queuing on sidewalks);
• On SAAS transportation for duration of trip;
• Inside as a spectator on sidelines during athletic competitions or practices (home or away); and
• Audience member at  a production or presentation

Students Exceptions to wearing masks include:

• Briefly while eating or drinking and 
• Outside in non-congested areas.

SPECIAL PROTOCOL & PPE for Athletics, Performing Arts, PE, Speech & Debate

Students are to retain 3 feet of distance between each other while on campus. Classrooms are set up using the yellow dots which depict 3 feet of distance from the nearest desks and students should be seated using those markers.Adults are to retain 6 feet of distance between each other and from students while on campus.

Adults can roam the room and assist students when necessary keeping the 6-feet distancing in mind and should avoid hovering over or coming into contact with students or others.

SAAS TRAVEL GUIDELINES for International and Domestic Travel

Student, faculty or staff travel via means that result in close contact with other commercial passengers (domestic or international) will be required to contact SAAS Safety to provide information regarding the nature and locations of their travel. 

DOMESTIC TRAVEL
This guidance applies to travel within the United States.

If Vaccinated for COVID-19 & SAAS has vaccination record –

• No quarantine required post travel.
• Monitor symptoms 14 days post travel.
• COVID testing encouraged; not required
• Still need to inform of travel.

If not Vaccinated for COVID 19 regardless of exemption–

• Take COVID test 3 – 5 days post travel (not earlier)
• Receive negative test; self quarantine for 7 full days
• May return in person on 8th day if negative test
• If positive, contact SAFETY follow COVID positive protocol

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
This guidance applies to travel outside of the United States.

CDC recommends not traveling internationally until fully vaccinated. 

If Vaccinated for COVID-19 & SAAS has vaccination record –

• No quarantine required post travel.
• Monitor symptoms 14 days post travel.
• COVID testing encouraged; not required
• Still need to inform of travel.

If not Vaccinated for COVID 19 regardless of exemption and you have to travel internationally–

• Take COVID test 3 – 5 days post travel (not earlier)
• Receive negative test; self quarantine for 7 full days
• May return in person on 8th day if negative test
• If positive, contact SAFETY follow COVID positive protocol

Quarantine 
Quarantine is when someone who has been exposed to COVID-19 stays home and away from others for the recommended period of time in case they were infected and are contagious. 

You are required to quarantine from in person SAAS activities in the following circumstances:

If you are identified as a close contact and are not fully vaccinated, you must quarantine based on the timeline and protocols below and not attend in person classes or in person activities at SAAS during the quarantine period.  

• The safest option is to stay at home (“quarantine”) and away from other people for 14 days from the exposure.  Under this option, you may return to SAAS activities without testing AND if you are not experiencing COVID symptoms AND have been fever free for at least 24 hours on Day 15 from the date of exposure.  
• An alternative to a 14-day quarantine allows you to return to SAAS after quarantining for 10 days. Under this option, you may return in person to SAAS, only if you have a COVID test at the end of that 10-day quarantine period with a negative result AND are not experiencing any COVID systems AND have been fever free for at least 24 hours.  If this quarantine option is your family’s choice, you are still asked to monitor symptoms for the full 14 days’ post exposure but may return on Day 11 from the date of exposure.
• You should not attend school, work, or participate in other social or community activities during quarantine.
• Other household members do not have to quarantine if you have been identified as a close contact unless you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 or unless you have been advised otherwise by public health or your medical provider.

 You are not required to quarantine from in person SAAS activities in the following circumstances:

IF you are a close contact and fully vaccinated and SAAS has documentation of your vaccination status and if you are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms;

• It is recommended that you be tested 3-5 days following a known exposure and wear a masks indoors in all public places for 14 days or until you receive negative test results.
• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, you should isolate from others, seek appropriate medical care, and be tested for SARS-COV-2.

OR

IF you have had confirmed COVID-19 in the past 3 months and have recovered and do not have COVID-19 symptoms.

• It is recommended that you closely monitor for symptoms for 14 days and seek appropriate medical attention should symptoms develop.
• Other household members do not have to quarantine if you have been identified as a close contact unless you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 or unless you have been advised otherwise by public health or your medical provider.

ISOLATION

IF you test positive for SARS-CoV-2, you must isolate from others regardless of vaccination status.  Isolation requires you to stay home and away from others to avoid further transmission.  
 
You may return to SAAS in person classes and activities when:

• You are 10 days post symptom onset OR since positive test collection date AND

no symptoms are present AND 24 hours after fever is resolved without using fever-reducing medications.

• NOTE:  this may be up to 20 days for those who are severely ill or severely immunocompromised. 

Please contact Safety@seattelacademy.org as soon as possible so the school may begin contact tracing and quarantine protocol.

IF YOU TEST POSITIVE

IF you test positive for SARS-CoV-2, you must isolate from others regardless of vaccination status.  Isolation requires you to stay home and away from others to avoid further transmission.  
 
You may return to SAAS in person classes and activities when:

• You are 10 days post symptom onset OR since positive test collection date AND no symptoms are present AND 24 hours after fever is resolved without using fever-reducing medications.

NOTE:  this may be up to 20 days for those who are severely ill or severely immunocompromised. 

Please contact safety@seattleacademy.org as soon as possible so the school may begin contact tracing and quarantine protocol.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE COVID SYMPTOMS 

STAY HOME, seek appropriate medical attention, and contact safety@seattleacademy.org as soon as possible to discuss. This is irrespective of vaccination status.

• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and test negative for SARS-CoV-2 with a molecular test, you may return to school as long as you have not been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and subject to quarantine AND as long as other communicable diseases have been eliminated as the cause for symptoms.
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms and test negative for SARS-CoV-2 with an antigen test, per CDC antigen testing guidance, a confirmatory lab-based molecular test is recommended. An alternative to confirmatory NAAT testing is serial antigen testing performed every 3–7 days for 14 days. 
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and do not get tested for SARS-CoV-2 or see a healthcare provider and given an alternative diagnosis, you should follow the same isolation guidance as persons who test positive for SARS-CoV-2.

CLASSROOMS

• Disinfecting stations have been provided in each classroom with protocols to sanitize between each class and during the class if needed. 

DURING CLASS

• While students are in class, each building will have additional janitorial staff each day that sanitizes high contact areas such as main doors, stairwell railings, restrooms, etc. so that these areas are cleaned in preparation for the next passing time between classes.

BETWEEN CLASS

• The additional janitorial staff in each building will sanitize those classrooms and surfaces that house higher risk programs in preparation for the next class to enter. 

NIGHTLY/WEEKEND

• We have increased our cleaning and sanitation rotation each evening.
• We will do a deep sanitation of all buildings in use each night and each weekend as the student population changes.
• Our janitorial partner has undergone certified training in COVID-19 specific sanitation practices to prepare for the fall.

HAND WASHING

Individual hygiene practices will be reinforced through safety communication in orientations, in classrooms, in training campaigns, and through facility signage, in order for students, faculty, and staff to exercise individual responsibility through hand washing and healthy personal habits. 

HAND SANITIZER

Hand sanitizer is available in all commons areas, restrooms, food service areas, and in all classrooms.

LIMITED TOUCH APPROACH

• Students will be issued an electronic key card that allows them to “tap in” to buses, daily pre-certification screening, as well as purchase lunch without touching any equipment.
• Packets will be created for students in arts and sciences so that they are not sharing supplies. These packets will be available for students during orientation.
• No lockers or locker rooms will be available this year. Students will need to take their personal items with them from classroom to classroom in their backpack.
• Main doorways to hallways, stairways, common areas, and restrooms will be left open to avoid using high touch door handles.

Class attendance will be required to be taken at the beginning of each block.  This serves many purposes including monitoring absenteeism and issues of student engagement, ongoing safety and duty of care, and will assist in identifying those in a classroom should a positive COVID-19 case occur. 

Seating charts will not be required as we start Fall Trimester, except as described during lunch and community times.

Families can report attendance via the following:

• Middle School email: msattendance@seattleacademy.org
• Upper School email: usattendance@seattleacademy.org
• Update Online in Veracross

LOCKERS

• Students will NOT be issued lockers this year.

BACKPACKS

• Students should keep their backpacks with them at all times.
• All items they bring with them should fit in their backpack.

LOST AND FOUND

• The school will maintain lost and found items for one week only.
• Any high-touch items such as waterbottles, hairbrushes, etc. will not be kept in the lost and found. 

Students, faculty, and staff will be required to wear a photo identification card while on campus.  Pictures will be taken during orientation days and badges distributed on the first day of school.  These cards will include: SAAS logo/identifier, photo, and name as well as a unique bar code identifier.

This card will serve the purposes of:

• Visual recognition for security purposes 

• SafeAccess daily attestation scan for those students who will need to complete a scan in the morning

• Vaccination status (discreet sticker in the corner)

• Lunch payment 

• Bus transportation attendance

Students who are unable to attend orientation will be issued a temporary ID card to be used until their official card is ready. This will be after photo re-take day in mid-to-late September. 

SAAS completed HVAC Audits in all buildings and the following measures are implemented on campus:

• MERV 8 & MERV 13 filters
• Coil cleaning, filtration gaps sealed
• Air changes per hour increased; expanded use of outside air/ventilation protocol
• GPS Air Scrubbing system installed on all owned buildings
• Air purification units added in designated classrooms
• Water system flush
• Water Fountains locked out
• Soft furniture removed

The lessons we all learned from engaging in combinations of fully remote, hybrid, and on-campus learning in the 2020-21 school year have shown that as a SAAS community we are adaptable and resilient when it comes to teaching and learning. As we approach the 2021-22 school year, our primary goal is to provide learning experiences that are meaningful, engaging, and consistent for our students in the physical classroom setting. 

We are committed to delivering our academic program established in our guiding principles: Prepare Students for College and Life, Know the Kid, Culture of Performance, and Inclusive Community. We know that clarity of academic expectations, availability for instructional support, and access to teachers and adult mentors are critical for students to be able to experience scholastic success and emotional well-being.

Growing our relationships in the classroom and providing a safe, predictable, and supportive environment for students is essential in this time of uncertainty. We continue to live and learn against the backdrop of a global health crisis, and we understand that although we expect the majority of students to return to campus, this may pose a particular hardship for some families in our community resulting in the need for remote attendance. While it may be tempting for SAAS to offer a model of hybrid education with teachers instructing in-person and remote students concurrently, we have learned in the last school year that this mode of teaching has major limitations for both students and teachers. 

This fall we are prioritizing how to deliver the best classroom experience for all of our students. Our utmost goal is to have our community whole and on campus, using Zoom intentionally to our advantage to enhance our curricular and co-curricular program, but not using it as a replacement for the learning and community engagement that happens on campus. With these principles in mind, we have designed a limited remote learning option for those students for whom remote attendance is necessary at specific times during the school year. 

Please review the following information regarding our expectations for student attendance In-Person as well as our Remote Learning Option for the 2021-22 school year:

In-person Attendance Expectations:

Students are expected to attend school in-person each school day in accordance with the regular SAAS attendance policy. This means that students should attend classes daily, in-person, five days per week on campus. 

• Students are required to be in attendance at school by 10:00 AM in order to participate in after school activities that day (productions, sports matches, practices, etc. Student Handbook, p.22).
• Students who are feeling unwell should remain at home and not expect to Zoom or attend class remotely. Any student missing in-person classes due to typical absence (appointments, illness, college visits, etc.) should follow the regular pathways as described in the Student Handbook of meeting with teachers to review missing work or assignments. (Handbook, p.20) 
• Students who need to take an extended absence for any reason should follow the regular SAAS leave policy for students (Handbook, p.20-21).

Remote Learning Expectations:

Our goal to have all of our students attending fully in person means that we are balancing the desire for remote learners to have access to the regular curriculum of each class in which they are enrolled with the recognition of the necessary limitations and variability of remote access, depending on each student's unique schedule and grade level. Specifically, remote learners should expect to engage in a cohort model of fully remote learners organized by grade level. The remote cohort may be a combination of grades at each division level (Middle School 6-8 and Upper School 9-12), depending on the number of students present from each grade level. We want to differentiate the experience for younger and older students in order to best meet their developmental and academic needs.

• Remote learners will be supported academically in the core course areas of Math, Science, English, History, and World Languages. Due to the unique nature of our World Languages, Arts, Innovations, and American Studies courses, these classes may only be available on a limited basis, and we may have to make adjustments to students' course selections for the fall trimester.
• Remote learners will engage in primarily self-paced, asynchronous work administered through our Schoology Learning Management System, and they will also experience weekly synchronous check-ins with teachers to receive instructional support. Based on the number of students engaged in remote learning, we will develop a schedule that is age-appropriate, centers student connection, and prioritizes skill development and growth in the core academic subject areas. The daily schedule for remote learners may vary by grade level or division as the remote cohort evolves. 
• Remote learners should expect to have more limited access to those activities outside of the school day such as sports, rehearsals, and other after-school clubs. Those remote learners who wish to attend grade level retreats should be in touch with their respective Division Head for further information and expectations (Middle School - Julia Kassissieh and Upper School - Catherine Ezzo). 
• Remote learning for each student will be evaluated at the midterm and final marking periods with every family so that students have clear entry points for the most natural times to return in person to classes and activities as they are able. 
• Remote learners can expect to experience regular weekly synchronous check-ins with their advisor. 

We are confident in our ability to provide meaningful instruction and feedback to students that deepens their learning and builds capacity, both for in-person classes and for the remote cohort  learning environment. We will continue to prioritize learning plans that provide opportunities for students to receive and engage with feedback and have access to teachers. 

If you have any inquiries about the process for participating in the cohorted remote learning option, please contact Giselle Furlonge, Assistant Head for Academics, and include the student’s Division Head as well (Middle School - Julia Kassissieh and Upper School - Catherine Ezzo). You can expect Giselle Furlonge and the appropriate Division Head to reach out to schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss course schedule implications and to determine next steps in the remote learning cohort process. We are dedicated to supporting each student and family as we navigate the 2021-22 school year together.  

• FAQ: Do you have to isolate if you are COVID positive and are fully vaccinated? 
  YES, isolation is still required if you test positive for COVID regardless of vaccination status. The duration of your isolation depends upon whether you are asymptomatic at the time of receiving your test results or based on the onset of symptoms should they exist.
   
• FAQ: How long does a COVID positive isolation period last? 
  The time period for isolation after a positive test is 10 days post symptom onset or receipt of positive test result AND at least 24 hours after any symptoms remain.
   
• FAQ: Do you still have to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated and are identified as a close contact?  
  NO, you are not required to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated and identified as a close contact IF you do not exhibit any COVID-related symptoms. You are required to more closely monitor symptoms for a period of 14 days post exposure, wear your mask indoors with others and outdoors in congested areas, stay home and report if you have an onset of symptoms, and are strongly encouraged to test 3-5 days post exposure.
   
• FAQ: What happens once SAAS receives a COVID positive report?
  A number of steps are taken when a report of symptoms and/or a confirmed positive test occurs including:

1. Report received of symptom onset and/or COVID positive test.
2. Individual instructed to isolate immediately and seek appropriate medical care.
3. Interview individual for timing of symptom onset, testing, conditions, and close contact information as defined by WA Department of Health for a K-12 setting.
4. Notification begins as soon as possible starting with those most directly impacted. This early notification is intended to reduce the chances of transmission.
   a) Close contacts  are notified first to begin quarantine, testing, and/or symptom monitoring.
   b) We then communicate, as appropriate, to those in specific classroom or group for awareness, inform of steps that have been taken, confirm that they are not considered close contacts, confirm next steps regarding their quarantining or not, offer contact information for questions, and commitment of ongoing communication should conditions or consultation change.
5.  Notify Public Health (if positive case) and participate in a parallel contact tracing process. SAAS starts its own contact tracing immediately upon notification of a positive case and does not wait on Public Health due to their backlog and capacity to quickly respond.
6.  Initiate specific sanitation protocol.
7.  Monitor all for recovery, symptom onset or worsening, and/or any subsequent positive cases.
8. Offer and provide support to the COVID positive individual and those affected.
9.  Be available for questions.
10.  Provide information to SAAS community on an ongoing basis reflecting individual or summary information regarding exposures on campus.

All students will be required to go through a daily health screening process once they arrive on campus that includes the following:

Vaccinated Student Procedure - students will enter at the locations listed below and show their security badges to the attestation station attendants. Upon visual check of the badge, vaccinated students will complete a verbal symptom check, receive their daily sticker and continue to class. Parents of vaccinated students will not be required to complete a daily attestation through SafeAccess as a screening will occur directly with the student.  Students will not complete a temperature check upon entry.

Unvaccinated Student Procedure will be the same as required for the 20-21 school year using SafeAccess.  Students will enter at the location listed below. Parents of unvaccinated students will be required to complete a daily SafeAccess attestation health screening for students to gain entry. Students will receive their daily sticker and continue to class if GREEN pass indicates completion of daily attestation has been completed by parent.  Parents will be contacted prior to entry if RED pass indicates failure of attestation questions or if incomplete. Students over 16 may verbally complete the daily attestation screening.  Upon verbal verification with parent or student over 16, students will receive their daily sticker and proceed to class.  Students will not complete a temperature check upon entry.                            

We ask that all students and faculty/staff wear their SAAS photo ID card each day.  Temporary cards will be provided to all students during orientation.  Once photos have been taken and student ID cards have been issued, students will use these cards to check in each morning, to pay for lunch, and/or for bus attendance.   

These links are coming soon. For new SAAS families that have not registered for SafeAccess yet, you'll receive instructions for that process by August 27th. Thank yo! 

• Grade 6 enters at main entrance of the Middle School, 1137 13^th Avenue. Please pull as far south as possible and drop student off on 13^th Avenue. Please do not stop mid block.
• Grades 7 & 8 enter at the north entrance of the Middle School garage. Please pull as far south as possible and drop student off on 13^th Avenue.  Please do not stop mid block.
• Upper School grades enter at the front desk at their Block 1 or Block 2 classes. Parents should drop students on 13^th for the Main Campus block, 15^th for the Temple, & Boylston for the Madison Building.

Our Safety Team is available to answer your questions. Please email safety@seattleacademy.org or call (206) 676-6868.

Student Daily Schedule

SAAS TRAVEL GUIDELINES for International and Domestic Travel

Student, faculty or staff travel via means that result in close contact with other commercial passengers (domestic or international) will be required to contact SAAS Safety to provide information regarding the nature and locations of their travel. 

DOMESTIC TRAVEL
This guidance applies to travel within the United States.

If Vaccinated for COVID-19 & SAAS has vaccination record –

• No quarantine required post travel.
• Monitor symptoms 14 days post travel.
• COVID testing encouraged; not required
• Still need to inform of travel.

If not Vaccinated for COVID 19 regardless of exemption–

• Take COVID test 3 – 5 days post travel (not earlier)
• Receive negative test; self quarantine for 7 full days
• May return in person on 8th day if negative test
• If positive, contact SAFETY follow COVID positive protocol

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
This guidance applies to travel outside of the United States.

CDC recommends not traveling internationally until fully vaccinated. 

If Vaccinated for COVID-19 & SAAS has vaccination record –

• No quarantine required post travel.
• Monitor symptoms 14 days post travel.
• COVID testing encouraged; not required
• Still need to inform of travel.

If not Vaccinated for COVID 19 regardless of exemption and you have to travel internationally–

• Take COVID test 3 – 5 days post travel (not earlier)
• Receive negative test; self quarantine for 7 full days
• May return in person on 8th day if negative test
• If positive, contact SAFETY follow COVID positive protocol

King County Public Health

Washington State Department of Health

Center for Disease Control

Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation

OSPI Reopening Report

OSPI Reopening FAQs

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

World Health Organization COVID-19 Dashboard

Our Safety Team is available to answer your questions. Please email safety@seattleacademy.org or call (206) 676-6868.