COVID-19 Information & Resources

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, STS is committed to a rigorous academic program, the development of character and leadership, a strong and vibrant community, and the long-term sustainability of the school.

The health, safety, and well-being of the STS community remains our highest priority. We will continue to evaluate and update policies as we receive guidance from local, state, and national public health officials.

Academic Program

STS will operate a full, in-person program with regular, pre-pandemic schedules for all grades.

All students are expected to attend in-person classes. The school will not offer the choice of a full-time, parallel remote program. In the case of illness or required quarantine, the school will temporarily support at-home learning as it would have pre-pandemic. 

Extended Day and Falcon's Ledge will operate as normal.

COVID-19 vaccination

While we highly recommend students be fully vaccinated (primary series and boosters) against COVID-19 as they become eligible, it is not required for the 2022-2023 school year. This decision is in keeping with Department of Health guidelines and reflects the already high vaccination rates within our school and community. 

Be aware that protocols (masking, isolation, quarantine, etc.) for vaccinated and non-vaccinated students may differ if there are outbreaks or new variants.

Per Governor Inslee's Vaccine Mandate, all employees are required to be fully vaccinated or have a medical or religious exemption.

Masks

While masks are no longer required in school, there may be situations when the school or Department of Health temporarily recommends or requires wearing well-fitting masks. This may include an increase in case transmission at school or in the community. This could also apply to certain field trips or locations, as well as activities such as singing or PE.

Students, faculty, and staff may choose to wear a mask at school with the expectation that others' choices will be respected. Some may need to wear a mask because they or a member of their household are at high risk for severe COVID-119 disease.

TRAVEL

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are expected to follow CDC travel recommendations and requirements.

health screening

Families are asked to monitor household members for symptoms, including fever, and avoid bringing sick students to school.

Students, faculty, or staff - regardless of vaccination status - that develop any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 should remain home and contact the school for further guidance.
 

hygiene

Students and adults will wash hands frequently including when they arrive at school, before meals or snacks, after outside time, after going to the bathroom, after nose blowing or sneezing, and before leaving to go home. Hand washing stations will be installed at school entrances. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer may be used.

cleaning

Cleaning protocols will be compliant with CDC recommendations, including the types of cleaning products used and the frequency of cleaning. Special attention will be given to the cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the day and there will be nightly deep cleaning and disinfection of every classroom.

ventilation

Unlike most institutional buildings, the STS facility is a LEED Gold Certified building that employs natural ventilation methods that exchange interior and exterior air much more frequently than usual.  In classrooms, airflow is introduced via exterior wall louvers and is convected via roof-mounted vent stacks.  Interior ceiling fans provide auxiliary internal air circulation.  All ventilation settings have been adjusted to maximize fresh air intake throughout the building.

Confirmed/Suspected Case, Potential exposure and Close Contact Protocols

POSITIVE CASE NOTIFICATION AND DASHBOARD

Close contact tracing is no longer required in schools. When a positive case is reported, it will appear on the school's COVID-19 dashboard. This dashboard includes current COVID activity as well as cumulative number of positive cases. The dashboard is updated daily by 10 a.m. on days when school is in session.