2021-22 COVID-19 Policy & Protocols

Guiding Principles
The health and safety of our Viewpoint Community is and will always be our first priority. As we adapt policy and protocols to changing conditions beyond our control, we are resilient in the face of challenges and grounded in clearly established school and community values.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

AGES 12 and UP: COVID-19 vaccine is required for all students ages 12 and up.
BELOW AGE 12: COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended, but not required for students between the ages of 5-11.
- If your student turns 12 in the coming school year, you will be contacted by our health office to obtain their vaccination certificate.
- If the State of California decides to require the COVID-19 vaccine for the 5-11 age group before the new academic year (2022-23), Viewpoint School will align with this requirement.
VIEWPOINT EMPLOYEES: We will continue to require that all faculty and staff be fully vaccinated.
EXEMPTION PROCESS: Questions regarding eligibility to apply for exemption should be directed to our Director of Campus Safety. Applications for exemption from vaccination will continue to be available (e.g. for medical, religious and personal belief reasons) unless disallowed by law.

TESTING

From the onset of the pandemic, Viewpoint has been a leader in surveillance testing for COVID-19 focused on early detection and prevention of transmission. At this time, in accordance with public health guidelines, we will discontinue our weekly surveillance testing program after March 21.
The school will continue to use rapid antigen tests as advisable, for example, to rule out the presence of the virus in symptomatic individuals, and on a preventative basis, e.g., overnight retreats or trips and return from breaks.

DAILY HEALTH CHECK

Use of the Magnus App COVID-19 daily attestation will be reactivated – with new questions.
Screening at the entry gates will resume for visitors and guests. You will no longer be asked to show your “GO” sign at the gate but temperature checks will continue on arrival to campus.
It remains very important that you stay aware of your health and the health of those in your household, be watchful for symptoms that suggest infection, and isolate yourself when you are sick or think you might be.

MASKING

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Physical distancing is still important.
Desk and table spacing in the classroom should maximize separation (with at least 3 feet preferred but specific separation distances no longer mandated).
Students should have assigned seating and should not move between desks within the classroom.
Clusters and crowds of students should be avoided both indoors and outdoors.
Please avoid hugging, handholding, arms locking, huddling, extended shoulder-to-shoulder hallway hangout times, or close proximity conversations.

ON CAMPUS SAFETY MEASURES

The use of shared items is discouraged:
- Avoid the use of somebody else’s mobile phone or drink from their water bottle.
- Avoid the sharing of textbooks and classroom supplies. Use classroom libraries with caution.
- Shared school laptops and iPads should be wiped down with a cleaning wipe at the end of the day before they are placed in the charging cart. Preferably by the student who used the device.
Students no longer need to wipe down their desks at the end of each class, but wipes will be available in each classroom for incoming students to use if they want to.

EATING OUTDOORS

Daily food service by SAGE has resumed.
Menus and a list of items available for purchase will be posted in advance for viewing online.
The bringing of snacks and lunch from home for personal consumption is welcome, but students are not allowed to bring in snacks or treats to share with others (e.g. for birthdays or special occasions).
Patriot Cards are required for those purchasing food from SAGE. Cash will not be accepted.
Hand washing or the use of hand sanitizer should occur before and after eating.

QUARANTINING

COVID-19 EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION

Viewpoint will notify all persons who have a school-associated exposure to a person with COVID-19 while they were infectious at school. You will receive a notification letter and/or a personal phone call from one of our certified contact tracers if you are identified as having had close contact to the potentially infectious person at school. You will receive specific quarantine and potential testing guidance based on your vaccination status. All Viewpoint School guidelines are consistent with local health authority and CDC recommendations.

Please be aware that the above protocols are subject to change, depending on current conditions and public health guidance.
The health and safety of our Viewpoint Community is and will always be our first priority. As we adapt policy and protocols to changing conditions beyond our control, we are resilient in the face of challenges and grounded in clearly established school and community values.

Following the Science of Public Health
We follow the science of public health and our protocols are constantly adjusted to align with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), and the advice of our medical experts.

COVID-19: Safety Measures

COVID-19 Task Force, Executive Committee:

Don Anderson
Director of Campus Safety and Security

Mark McKee
Head of School

Tanya Altmann MD, FAAP
School Physician

Bob Bryan
Associate Head of School

Steve Cole
Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations / CFOO

Anneke Emerson
Chief Innovation Officer

Sue Gellerman RN, BSN
Senior Nurse

William Go MD, PhD
Scientific Advisor

Heather Kruse
Chief Human Resources Officer

Christy Salcido
Chief Marketing Officer

Jill Schecter
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Jonathon Wolfson
Board of Trustees

David ZeBrack
Chair, Board of Trustees