WINTER/SPRING 2022 Students, Faculty and Staff Updated 1.10.22 1
CONTENTS HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY
CONSULTING YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL VACCINATION & BOOSTER REQUIREMENTS COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION CAMPUS VISITOR POLICIES
QUARANTINE & ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING Safe Campus Guidelines Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19 Face Coverings Screening Process Hand Washing Technique Campus Disinfecting, Cleaning, & Other Measures Transportation QUESTIONS Disclaimer: The information in this booklet is subject to change based on guidelines issued by the CDC, CDPH, and LACDPH.
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HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY ARE OUR PRIORITY As we chart a path toward returning to campus, we remain committed to providing our community an environment where dynamic, engaging learning thrives and health, wellness, and safety are a priority. Our Task Force meets regularly to develop and review plans for keeping our faculty and students safe. Throughout this planning process, we have relied on guidelines from state and local public health officials, CDC recommendations and medical experts. We have utilized these guidelines to implement several strategies and modifications to support a healthy and safe on-campus environment relating to cleaning and disinfection, ventilation, food services and classroom spaces.
CONSULTING YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL We recognize that any in-person model has some degree of risk (particularly when case rates in LA County are high), and we also recognize the need to accommodate students and faculty with medical concerns. We encourage all community members (students, parents, faculty, and staff) to consult with their medical provider regarding the safety of returning to a campus setting, vaccinations, and boosters. Individuals with underlying medical conditions should discuss the potential risks and decide if it is something they are comfortable with.
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VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS Windward is requiring that all employees and eligible students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. What is the Definition of Fully Vaccinated (No Exceptions)?
Per CDC guidelines, to be considered fully vaccinated, all persons 12 and up must either (1) still be within 5 months of their two-dose vaccination series, or (2) have the booster shot. (Because the 12-15 age group was just approved, we are allowing an extension to get the booster until Feb. 25, 2022).
Students 16+:
Windward School has mandated that all eligible students, 16+ receive the booster, unless an approved exemption is on file. Additionally, if a student has recently had COVID, and their pediatrician or family doctor recommends an extension to the timing of the booster, then we will need a signed note on file to accommodate.
• Even if you have an exemption on file, the student is still not fully vaccinated and must quarantine, isolate and test appropriately. • Please send proof of your booster to athleticmedicine@windwardschool.org. Please consult with your medical professional if you have any
concerns regarding the booster shots. Any requests for exemption and/or extensions should be directed to Athletic Medicine and will require a note from your medical professional.
Students 12-15:
• Since this age group was just approved for the booster, we are extending the deadline to Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, unless an approved
exemption is on file. Similar to above, if a student has recently had COVID, and their pediatrician or family doctor recommends an extension to the timing of the booster, then we will need a signed note on file to accommodate.
• Please send proof of your booster to athleticmedicine@windwardschool.org. Please consult with your medical professional if you have any
concerns regarding the booster shots. Any requests for exemption and/or extensions should be directed to Athletic Medicine and will require a note from your medical professional.
• For students 12-15 years old, new quarantine guidelines will go into effect Feb. 25, 2022. Lastly, please find attached a decision tree that may help outline the management and quarantine guidelines of confirmed or suspected cases. Unvaccinated & “Not Fully Vaccinated” Individuals Individuals not fully vaccinated will need to participate in twice weekly PCR COVID-19 testing and additional quarantine measures if exposed to a close contact that has tested positive. For more information on vaccines go to covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/ 3
CAMPUS VISITOR POLICIES Onsite Parent Events, Approved Guests, and Operational Parent Volunteers • Parent Events & Approved Guests - proof of vaccination
or recent negative PCR test within 72 hours of on campus activities, surgical mask or a respirator (e.g. KN95 or N95) at all times.
• Operational Parent Volunteers - vaccination required, proof of negative PCR baseline test, and required to wear a KN95, N95, or equivalent mask while on campus.
• Athletic Spectators - limited to 3 per athlete, social distancing required, surgical mask or a respirator (e.g. KN95 or N95) required for indoor sporting events and strongly encouraged for outdoor sporting events, proof of vaccination or negative PCR test within 72 hours of event.
• Admissions (prospective families) - proof of vaccination or recent negative PCR test within 72 hours of campus visit, surgical mask or a respirator (e.g. KN95 or N95) while on campus. Proof of vaccination required for all Prospective Parent Open House attendees.
• Full Time Vendors - vaccination required, proof of negative
PCR baseline test with 72 hours, surgical mask or a respirator (e.g. KN95 or N95) while on campus.
• Part-time Vendors During School Day - vaccination required, proof of negative PCR baseline test with 72 hours, surgical mask or a respirator (e.g. KN95 or N95) while on campus.
• Part-time Vendors Before or After School Day - require
surgical mask or a respirator (e.g. KN95 or N95) at all times.
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COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION COVID-19 PCR TESTING PROTOCOLS • • • • • •
Weekly PCR testing required for all employees, students and operational parent volunteers. Weekly testing required for all athletic programs that are training and/or competing, plus antigen testing on game days. Exposure testing required for any employee or student after possible Covid-19 exposure. Testing 72 hours before retreats. Unvaccinated individuals must participate in twice weekly testing. Testing available to all students, faculty and staff 5 days per week on campus through PMH labs. Testing hours: Monday-Friday during lunch, and Saturday from 9am-4pm.
Off Campus Covid-19 Testing Sites
For individuals that are symptomatic and would like to be tested, you can find more information on free COVID-19 testing at covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/; you may also choose a resource or lab through your own health provider. To that end, we also wanted to provide additional resources that may prove helpful. The list below encompasses a host of options available to you (and are listed on our website on the Campus Safety – Fall 2021 page under “Helpful Links”):
• LA County o o o o o
Santa Monica College, Optum Serve West LA Courthouse Municipal Parking Lot - Pop-UpSite Total Testing Solutions - West LA Total Testing Solutions - Ladera Heights DoctorNow
• Same Day At-Home COVID Testing
• Amazon Mail In Test (through DxTerity) • Suite 401 Drive Through Testing (Olympic Blvd) • Exer Urgent Care (Westwood and other locations) • Cedars Sinai (do NOT need to be a patient) • Santa Monica Location (Same Day PCR Results/Open 7 Days)
• Costco Mail In Tests (through AZOVA)
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QUARANTINE & ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS COVID-19 POSITIVE CASE If you test positive for COVID-19, then you must self-isolate regardless of vaccination status, previous infection, or lack of symptoms. (Anyone that tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days.) You must stay home until: • At least 5 days have passed since your symptoms first started, and • You have a negative viral COVID-19 test collected on day 5 or later, and • You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours, and
• Your symptoms are improving.
Note: Day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed. If you test on day 5 or later, it is better to use an antigen test because NAAT/PCR tests can stay positive even after you are no longer infectious.
-ORYou must stay home until: • At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first started, and • You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours, and • Your symptoms are improving. (This option does not require a viral test)
COVID-19 EXPOSURE:
If you are a close contact exposed to a positive case (or received an email from the School regarding exposure), and you meet the below exception, then you are not required to quarantine unless you experience symptoms associated with COVID-19: STUDENTS: You are fully vaccinated (meaning [1] you have completed the two shot Pfizer vaccine series plus booster IF approved and eligible OR [2] you are still within five months of the Pfizer initial two-shot series).
FACULTY/STAFF: You are fully vaccinated (meaning [1] you have completed a two dose COVID-19 vaccine plus booster [e.g., Pfizer or Moderna] or a single dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine plus booster [e.g. Johnson & Johnson/Janssen] OR [2] are still within five months of the Pfizer initial two-shot series, within six months of the Moderna initial two-shot series, or within six months of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen one-dose COVID-19 vaccine). We do ask if you are fully vaccinated to please continue to self-monitor for any symptoms AND also get tested immediately. If that test is negative, please also test again after day 5 of exposure. If either test is positive, you must isolate immediately.
WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF AN EXPOSURE?
You will be notified of possible exposures that occur on campus. If you receive an email regarding exposure, please do not panic. Since we do not use seating charts in our classrooms, you are receiving this email to notify you that an individual in the class tested positive during a 48-hour window of time. A few key points to remember: 1. The educational classroom environment is highly regulated and transmission is very low in these spaces. With weekly testing, daily health screenings, specific mask requirements, and high-grade air systems, it is unlikely the spread of the virus will take place under these conditions. With that said, we are still notifying you per the protocol and out of an abundance of caution. 2. Most individuals receiving these emails are not close contacts, but we need everyone to act as such to ensure we keep our community safe. 3. The email notifications will instruct you to watch for symptoms and explain to you the circumstances under which quarantining and additional Covid testing needs to take place.
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SAFE CAMPUS GUIDELINES Get Vaccinated
Get Vaccinated against COVID-19.
Temperature and Health Screenings
Complete Titan HST screening questionnaire before entering campus.
Face Coverings
Surgical or respirator (e.g. KN95 or N95) masks required at all times while on campus and on buses, regardless of vaccination status.
Proper Hand Sanitization & Healthy Hygiene Stations will be available throughout campus and use of them will be encouraged. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Eating and Drinking
All food and drink consumption should take place in outdoor campus locations and individuals should be socially distanced.
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Unvaccinated Individuals
Should take extra precautions to protect their health.
DAILY SELF-SCREENING PROCESS 1. All Community Members will be asked to self-screen daily by checking their temperature and observing for other symptoms associated with COVID-19 in the morning prior to leaving for school. Anyone exhibiting symptoms must notify the School and remain at home. 2. Complete the Titan HST questionnaire. The Titan HST “green” screen is required to enter campus. [Detailed instructions on how to download and use the app can be found here]
• Anyone exhibiting symptoms should notify the Athletic Medicine Team at AthleticMedicine@windwardschool.org.
3. Please note – campus visitors will be limited at this time. Only visitors for operational functions will be permitted (i.e. CulinArt volunteers, maintenance vendors, etc.). 7
TITAN HST STUDENT DAILY SCREENING PROCESS WHAT IS TITAN HST? Titan HST is Windward School’s Mass Communication Platform. Windward School is using Titan HST to pre-screen for COVID-19 and related symptoms. Users will be notified daily to complete the survey before entering campus. If cleared, a green screen will appear. Please display this screen to the security team in order to enter. STEP 1: DOWNLOAD / INSTALL THE APP
• Visit your device’s App Store and search for “Titan HST.” Alternatively, click the links below for your specific device: ○ Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/titan-hst/id855732889 ○ Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=swipe.android.titanHst&hl=en_US • Click the Install button to download and install the Titan HST app. STEP 2: LOGIN
• Launch the App. • Click the Google icon at the bottom to login with your Windward Google credentials. • Enter your full Windward email address as the username (ex: jdoe@windwardschool.org) and Windward password when prompted.
STEP 3: COVID-19 PRE-SCREENING
• All students will receive an app notification to complete a pre-screening survey. If you will be on campus that day, please be sure to complete the survey (the survey resets each day). Click on the COVID-19 tab at the bottom of the screen, if not already on that page. Select the COVID-19 Pre-Screening Survey. Answer the questions and click the Submit button. If you receive a green screen, proceed to campus and display the green screen to the security team. Security will deny your entrance if you do not have the green screen clearly visible as you enter campus. • If you receive a red screen, please remain at home and do not proceed to campus. • For questions, contact the Athletic Medicine team at athleticmedicine@windwardschool.org.
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People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms include the following:
Diarrhea
Fever
Vomiting
Cough
Nausea
Congestion or runny nose
New loss of taste or smell
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19
Chills
Fatigue
Sore throat
Repeated shaking with chills Headache
Muscle or body aches
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FACE COVERINGS FACE COVERINGS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES. Current Mask Mandates: • We require all faculty, staff and students to wear a surgical mask (3-ply or
greater) or a respirator (e.g., KN95 or N95). If you wear a surgical mask, it is also recommended that you wear a cloth face covering over it for added fit and protection.
• All community members must wear a mask indoors at all times. This includes all indoor spaces: classrooms, restrooms, the Pavilion, hallways, the gym, etc. • Students are required to wear masks outdoors at all times where physical distancing is not occuring. The only time masks can be removed is to eat food/drink. • Anyone consuming food or beverage should engage in social distancing and be 6’ away from any other individual. • Surgical masks are available with our security team in the event someone needs one. • Cloth masks are no longer allowed and can only be worn if over one of the masks listed above.
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HOW TO PROPERLY WEAR YOUR FACE COVERING
How to Put the Mask On
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Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel and throw the paper towel away.
Check the mask for any defects such as a tear or missing tie or ear loop. Throw away any that are defective.
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If the mask has ties, pick up the mask by the ties and tie the upper ties behind your head with a bow.
Once the mask is in place, use your index finger and thumb to pinch the bendable top edge of the mask around the bridge of your nose.
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Make sure the exterior side of the mask is facing out, away from your face.
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If the mask has a lower tie, then once the mask is fitted to the bridge of your nose, tie the lower ties behind your head with a bow.
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Place the mask on your face with the blue side facing out and the stiff, bendable edge at the top by your nose.
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If the mask has ear loops, put one loop around each ear.
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Make sure the mask is completely secure. Make sure it covers your nose and mouth so that the bottom edge is under your chin.
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Wash your hands.
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Removing the Mask Wash your hands before removing the mask.
Don’t touch the inside of the mask (the part over nose and mouth). It may be contaminated from breathing, coughing or sneezing.
Untie or remove the ear loops and remove the mask by the straps.
Throw the mask in the trash.
Wash your hands.
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HAND WASHING TECHNIQUE AND EXPECTATIONS 1.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
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Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
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Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
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Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
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Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Hand Washing and sanitizing is a cornerstone of infection prevention, and all community members will be encouraged to practice widely while on campus. Signage will be prominently displayed on how to do so properly. We encourage each student to bring a pocket size hand sanitizer to use as needed. Hand sanitizer and/ or soap will be available throughout campus.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty. 12
CLEANING
We’ve continued our partnership with Uniserve Facilities Services and their highly trained staff to ensure our campus is properly cleaned and disinfected according to recommended guidelines. Their staff are on campus during the day to support the increased cleaning protocols outlined by the CDC and to continuously disinfect common areas and high-touch locations (door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, etc.) throughout the day.
AIR FILTRATION
OTHER MEASURES
We’ve increased the frequency of air filter replacement and servicing of our HVAC systems. HVAC will operate throughout the day and will be set to maximize introduction of fresh, outdoor air. HVAC filters in all buildings upgraded to MERV-13 standard. Air ionization systems have been added to all HVAC units.
CLASSROOM
Limit use of shared objects (lab, equipment, computer equipment). In instances when devices and materials are shared, students will be instructed to use hand sanitizer before and after touching any shared items. Physical Distancing Indoors - Furniture and equipment are arranged to promote 3-foot distance between students and faculty. Outdoors - Community members are encouraged to continue social distancing while outdoors, particularly when masks are removed (while drinking and consuming food). Physical Education, Theater, Music, Choral Music, and Dance will be held outdoors as much as possible and activities will be selected that allow ample physical distancing and limit physical contact.
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TRANSPORTATION Carpooling – we encourage families to coordinate carpools when possible, and recommend they:
• Verify all members of the carpool are fully vaccinated, if 12 years of age.
• Verify that all members of the carpool have self-screened at home prior to carpooling.
• Require all members of carpool to wear masks at all times. Tumbleweed Bus Program – provides morning drop off and afternoon pick up services to select locations. Registration and additional information can be found at https://www. windwardschool.org/about/transportation-program.
• Drivers are health screened prior to driving vehicles. • All students need to self-screen at home prior to departing for the bus stop, verifying they received a “green screen” after answering the Titan HST questionnaire.
• Students and parents should maintain physical distance at
bus stops and avoid congregating in groups while waiting for the bus.
• All students and drivers will be required to wear face masks while on a school bus unless actively eating or drinking.
• Bus windows will be opened to improve air circulation, weather permitting.
• Open vehicle windows to promote air circulation.
Hop Skip Drive – A youth transportation solution designed to cater to school age children. The company has enhanced safety measures which include:
• COVID-19 symptoms and exposure screening of all drivers; • Sanitization of vehicles prior to each ride; • Drivers wearing face coverings and proper personal protective equipment during rides; and
• Plastic dividers between the front and back seats are used in every vehicle.
Additional information and sign ups can be found at hopskipdrive.com.
• Seating one student per row, alternating window and aisle seating, skipping row when possible.
• Seating members of the same household next to each other. • All vehicles are disinfected after each trip. 14
QUESTIONS–WE ARE HERE TO HELP! Academic Questions (classwork related)
• Appropriate Division Director ○ Eric Mandel (MS) ○ Julia Coley (Prep) ○ Kevin Newman (Collegiate) Absences
• Appropriate Division Coordinator
Confirmed Positive Cases
• Please contact Athletic Medicine (students) and Susan Herrera(faculty/staff) Athletic Programs
• Tyrone Powell, Athletics Director Student Forms, Health Questions, Testing Requirements (athleticmedicine@windwardschool.org)
○ Sherif Zakaria (MS)
• Wayne Northrup, Athletic Medicine
○ Janyee Gutierrez (Prep)
• Edgar Gonzalez, Athletic Medicine
○ Jocelyn Castillo (Collegiate) Testing Questions
• Kelly Rivers (School Nurse) or Athletic Medicine Isolation and Quarantine Questions
• Appropriate Division Coordinator ○ Sherif Zakaria (MS) ○ Janyee Gutierrez (Prep) ○ Jocelyn Castillo (Collegiate)
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