How will the daily schedule differ from past years?

We have redesigned all of our schedules so they will work in a variety of conditions. Please see above on how they are different this year. 

Will my children be able to switch from virtual to in person learning and vice versa?

We are planning for the reality that students may need to quarantine at any time. Students may attend class entirely remotely at times when that is necessary.

Will daycare options be available, for kids who have to come early/stay late?

We are currently not providing day care.

How will food service work?

We are requiring students to order their lunch ahead of time to make sure there is no food to go to waste. Please look out for the order form each Monday in the Week at a Glance.

What type of technology systems will be used for classrooms? Will remote learning students be able to be part of the class and interact with other students?

Students will join class from on their own computer using Zoom. Classrooms will be outfitted with cameras and external monitors in order to better connect each classroom to students and home.  Students will all access assignments through Seesaw (K-2), Google Classroom (3-5) and myViewpoint (6-12).  Families will receive more specific information on devices and programs from their division head in the near future.

Are admission tours being offered this year?

The Admission Office will be fully staffed and able to assist prospective families with virtual tours and other opportunities to learn more about the school. Once it is safe to bring families on campus, we will let prospective families know. Please check our Admission web page for specifics.

For International Families: What if travel restrictions present my child from being present on campus once we move to on-campus learning?

Both the Admission Office, as the I-20 signatory, and 周鸣  Ming Hodgson, our Chinese family liaison, are working individually with these families to assist them with the best possible outcome to an uncertain situation.

WILL WE BE PLAYING GAMES FOR VARSITY athletic competitions?

Please visit the Viewpoint Athletics webpage for more information regarding your team and practices.

Will the athletic facilities be open for student recreational use?

Currently, per public health guidelines, the facilities are not open to students for recreational use.  As this changes, we will notify our coaches and families.

Will K-12 assemblies, performing arts and plays happen this year?

Integral to our Viewpoint philosophy are performing arts and assemblies. All assemblies will be hosted online. We have been hosting online performances in 6-12. Please visit Viewpoint Theater & Arts page to see information about our upcoming shows.

DO I NEED TO BE TESTED BEFORE COMING TO CAMPUS?

It is mandatory to have a COVID-19 PCR test on your Magnus Health file 4 days prior coming to campus. 

For more information about testing on campus, please visit our COVID-19 Testing Page.

What are the LA county requirements for schools to open in person?

The California Department of Public Health is changing their requirements fluidly. As they put in place a new tiered system to offer guidance on when schools will be permitted to reopen for in-person instruction, with the exception for waivers granted by local health departments for Grades K-6. Viewpoint is ready to begin in-person instruction once permitted by LA County.  

Blue Print for a Safer Economy - California Public Health

Can my child obtain a mask exemption?

No. With the current state of COVID-19 in our community and public health guidelines, everyone on Viewpoint Campus right now, must be able to wear a mask. Remote learning options are available for any student who is not able to wear a mask or follow safety protocols.  This may change in the future as case numbers decrease. 

Will students be required to wear masks?

Face coverings are required for all students, K-12. Data is very clear that face masks considerably decrease spread of infection. Even the K-6 students in our Viewpoint Summer Program easily wore masks. They were still able to have so much fun, recognized friends, communicated well and didn’t touch their face coverings. CDC and The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend all people 2 years of age and older wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Multiple peer reviewed studies have shown over 80 percent virus transmission reduction with masks and when you combine that with at least 1 meter distancing/3 feet there is greater than 90 percent reduction of COVID-19 transmission indoors. 

What kind of masks and face coverings are permitted?

Face coverings are required for all students, K-12, and data is very clear that even a simple two-ply cotton face coverings captures droplets, limits aerosolization and provides protection to others as well as the wearer.

Recommended Mask Specifications:

• Two-ply cotton face masks covering nose to below the chin of the wearer
• Adjustable nose bridges for better seal. If your glasses are fogging up then the mask is not a good fit over bridge of nose
• Sports gaiters covering the nose to the neck for running, hiking and skiing are acceptable for outdoor sports use only.
• Students must bring at least one extra mask to school, ideally three total. Viewpoint has disposable masks for children who have misplaced, lost or soiled their home masks.
• Please wash masks daily and pack extra masks
• Masks with activated carbon filters (e.g.PM2.5)- these are not required, but are nice to have since these are similar to KN95/N95 specifications for aerosols. However, to our knowledge none of these filters have been medically tested for superiority and mask protection also depend on fit of the mask to the wearer.

Not Permitted:

• Vented Masks - some vented masks do not capture air droplets within the vents.
• Bandanas - tied bandanas can fall off easily and may not provide adequate protection given loose fit under chin.
• Single-ply gaiters for inside use.

Will parents be allowed on campus to volunteer or to walk their children to class?

No. This year we will be restricting volunteers and visitors on campus in accordance with public health guidelines in order to limit numbers and keep our school safe. Drop off will be in usual Viewpoint fashion, with some safety changes. Morning greetings will be touchless (no hand shaking) and instead a verbal good morning and head nod will be encouraged and a masked staff or teacher will escort your child to their classroom.

What happens if my child or someone in my family tests positive for COVID-19?

Please alert the school health office if you or anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 so we can contact trace, alert potential “close contacts,” and help stop transmission within school and our community. Information will be kept confidential and those notified will only know that they have been identified as a “close contact” of a case and proper protocols to follow.  Please keep all members of your household quarantined at home for 14 days or 10 days after symptoms begin and three days without fever.

Will the school have a contact-tracing protocol and inform me if my child has come into contact with a positive case? What is the definition of a positive COVID-19 contact or “close contact?"

• If COVID-19 positive and no development of symptoms, remain home for 10 days after exposure
• If COVID-19 positive and symptoms, remain home for 10 days since symptoms began and 72 hours without fever
• If COVID-19 negative test, remain home for 14 days or can return earlier if second COVID negative test on day 10 after exposure
• Without COVID-19 test, can return after 14 days, 72 hours fever free and symptoms improving

What is the protocol when a student comes down with virus symptoms while on campus and when can a previously sick child return to school?

When a student presents with a temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 and/or student with any COVID symptoms (such as but not limited to fever, cough, body aches, sore throat, lethargy, etc.) that does not resolve with cooling down for 15 minutes, the student will be isolated until the parent picks up the student. The school recommends that the student see their pediatrician or health care provider as soon as possible.

• If no symptoms and 10 days have passed since the date of positive COVID-19 diagnostic test OR If illness symptoms, must be 72 hours fever free with symptoms improving and at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared.

• If negative test on day one, illness symptoms, no alternative diagnosis, must be 72 hours fever free and have negative COVID-19 test on day 10
• If negative test and alternative diagnosis (such as strep throat), 72 hours fever free, improving symptoms and at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared

• Can return after 14 days, as long as 10 days since first symptoms, 72 hours fever free, and symptoms improving.

Do we need to get the Influenza Vaccination?

In addition to ensuring that all students are up-to-date on vaccines per California State Law, Viewpoint School is strongly recommending that all students, staff, and faculty receive a flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are critical in decreasing the chance of catching the flu as well as decreasing chance of the serious secondary complications such as pneumonia. It is possible to have COVID-19 and flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, at the same time. Getting vaccinated for the flu will help decrease respiratory complications, potential co-infections and confusion when a student or staff member in our community becomes sick because symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar. It will be hard to tell the difference between both viruses based on symptoms alone, and further testing will be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.  

How will bus transportation work?

Please contact, Director of Transportation, nicki.thompson@viewpoint.org for our current bus offerings. 

What type of bus service will be offered?

At this time, only round trip service is available.  Each student will be assigned his/her own seat to use both to and from school.

What is the school’s position on carpooling?

Whenever possible, it is preferred that families ride with their own household to and from school. We understand that some families will need to carpool and we will request that masks are worn and increased airflow (e.g. fan on or windows down) for everyone’s safety in the car and that the school is informed of carpool groups so we can add it to our contact tracing plans in case we are notified of any positive COVID-19 cases.  

For more information:

CDC Bus and Rideshare information

Are there any travel restrictions?

How will Viewpoint keep students, teachers, and staff safe?

We have been working diligently all summer on our four health and safety goals, and we expect everyone on campus to comply:

Decrease COVID-19  from entering campus: 

1. Campus will be closed to parents. Only authorized students, faculty and staff may return to campus.
2. Remain home if anyone in the household is sick or has a positive COVID-19 contact.  
3. Required temperature checks and health screening to enter campus.
4. COVID-19 baseline testing and surveillance testing per state mandates.  

Decrease COVID-19 transmission among staff and students: 

1. Masks required at all times inside and outside in accordance with public health guidelines.
2. Maintaining six feet distancing or three feet with extra barriers such as face shield or partitions.
3. Eating allowed outside only while maintaining six feet distancing or three feet with extra barriers such as face shields or partitions.
4. Touchless hand sanitizing and touchless restroom and water systems with frequent hand washing routines and increased cleaning staff for all high touch areas.
5. Improved HVAC and filtration with a goal to have 3X air exchanges within one hour with a MERV13 filter rating.
6. Optimized schedule and configurations to limit exposures, contacts and movement. 

Identify COVID-19 cases in a timely manner, contact trace, isolate, and inform potentially infected students to limit transmission and impact to students, faculty and staff: 

1. Viewpoint has four nurses, two EMTs, and one physician who have been certified for contact tracing.
2. Viewpoint has on demand testing capabilities and contracting surveillance testing.  
3. Viewpoint utilizes Magnus Health to ensure privacy in accordance with local and state public health guidance. Magnus Health is a HIPAA-privacy protected electronic medical record system.

Run both hybrid In-Person and Remote Learning options simultaneously:

1. Students and families who choose to be 100% remote will have a remote learning option.