Arizona is currently experiencing high levels of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, wear masks indoors in public. The CDC, the Academy of American Pediatricians, the Arizona Medical Association, and the Arizona Department of Health Services all recommend universal masking for teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. While data indicate that most children who get sick will recover without serious complications, they are just as susceptible to infection as adults and often asymptomatic. Both children and adults get sick and can pass the virus on to other people. This is especially true for the Delta variant, which is highly contagious. The longer a virus spreads in a partially vaccinated population, the greater the chance a variant will evolve that evades vaccine protection. To continue to offer in-person schooling, all members of the Kino community will continue to work together to make Kino School a safe place for everybody. This is especially important because half the student population is currently too young for vaccinations.
The following are highlights of our evolving safety plan:
1. We will continue to wear masks, physical distance, and practice good hygiene at school. Everyone will wear face coverings (except while eating), wash or sanitize hands frequently, and physical distance, keeping at least 6 ft away from other people wherever possible. Students who fail to follow these guidelines will be asked to stay home.
2. All students will attend classes in-person following safety protocols.
3. Students will arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 and check in with their homeroom teacher. Staff and students who are ill should stay home, as should those who have been exposed to sick people. The school should be notified when a teacher or student is not attending along with the reason. All health information will be kept confidential.
4. Classes will be held outdoors and in well ventilated indoor spaces. Air quality in indoor classroom areas will be checked on a rotating basis to monitor ventilation efficiency. Outdoor spaces will have portable cooling and technology as needed.
5. It is extremely important that everyone maintain a distance of at least 6 feet as much as possible, especially when unmasked at lunch. Our ability to keep everyone safe with in-person learning depends on it.
6. Primary, mid-level, junior high, and high school students will eat lunch together separate from the other grade levels. No lunch sharing is allowed. Lunch should not require a refrigerator, microwave, reheating, or cooking.
7. If someone develops COVID-19 symptoms at school, the person will be discreetly isolated and sent home. The person may return to school after 10 days or when they test negative for COVID-19, whichever occurs first. The director will consult with staff and determine if additional student quarantine or school closure is required.
8. If someone develops COVID19 symptoms at home and was at school the previous 2-5 days, the school will be notified. The person may return to school after 10 days or when they test negative for COVID-19, whichever occurs first. The director will consult with staff and determine if additional measures are required.
9. Parents of students >12 years of age should advise the school of vaccine status. This information is extremely important and will remain confidential. The school is responsible for the safety of all students and knowing the status of vaccine-eligible students is key to our evolving safety plan. For those who can be vaccinated, the importance of being vaccinated cannot be overstated. Vaccines keep you and the people around you safer. All current staff have been fully vaccinated. If your child can be vaccinated, please plan on having them vaccinated by the end of October.
10. Fully vaccinated parents are welcome to come to school to volunteer and monitor the playground. Please give Nancy a copy of your vaccination card if you’d like to volunteer.
We all share the responsibility to keep each other safe. This will require diligence at school and away from school. That means masking, distancing, and hygiene and avoiding places where you can't. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe and school open!
Kino School 2021-22 COVID-19 Safety Plan (external link will open in a new window)
The following are highlights of our evolving safety plan:
1. We will continue to wear masks, physical distance, and practice good hygiene at school. Everyone will wear face coverings (except while eating), wash or sanitize hands frequently, and physical distance, keeping at least 6 ft away from other people wherever possible. Students who fail to follow these guidelines will be asked to stay home.
2. All students will attend classes in-person following safety protocols.
3. Students will arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 and check in with their homeroom teacher. Staff and students who are ill should stay home, as should those who have been exposed to sick people. The school should be notified when a teacher or student is not attending along with the reason. All health information will be kept confidential.
4. Classes will be held outdoors and in well ventilated indoor spaces. Air quality in indoor classroom areas will be checked on a rotating basis to monitor ventilation efficiency. Outdoor spaces will have portable cooling and technology as needed.
5. It is extremely important that everyone maintain a distance of at least 6 feet as much as possible, especially when unmasked at lunch. Our ability to keep everyone safe with in-person learning depends on it.
6. Primary, mid-level, junior high, and high school students will eat lunch together separate from the other grade levels. No lunch sharing is allowed. Lunch should not require a refrigerator, microwave, reheating, or cooking.
7. If someone develops COVID-19 symptoms at school, the person will be discreetly isolated and sent home. The person may return to school after 10 days or when they test negative for COVID-19, whichever occurs first. The director will consult with staff and determine if additional student quarantine or school closure is required.
8. If someone develops COVID19 symptoms at home and was at school the previous 2-5 days, the school will be notified. The person may return to school after 10 days or when they test negative for COVID-19, whichever occurs first. The director will consult with staff and determine if additional measures are required.
9. Parents of students >12 years of age should advise the school of vaccine status. This information is extremely important and will remain confidential. The school is responsible for the safety of all students and knowing the status of vaccine-eligible students is key to our evolving safety plan. For those who can be vaccinated, the importance of being vaccinated cannot be overstated. Vaccines keep you and the people around you safer. All current staff have been fully vaccinated. If your child can be vaccinated, please plan on having them vaccinated by the end of October.
10. Fully vaccinated parents are welcome to come to school to volunteer and monitor the playground. Please give Nancy a copy of your vaccination card if you’d like to volunteer.
We all share the responsibility to keep each other safe. This will require diligence at school and away from school. That means masking, distancing, and hygiene and avoiding places where you can't. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe and school open!
Kino School 2021-22 COVID-19 Safety Plan (external link will open in a new window)