COVID-19 Protocols and FAQs

Are Covid vaccines required for Chrysalis Staff?

Yes. Per order of the Governor, all K-12 school employees, public and private, are required to be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021. Exceptions are only for documented medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs. The current vaccination rate amongst Chrysalis employees is 97%.

Are Covid vaccines required for students?

No. Vaccines for students will be required if and when the State of Washington requires Covid vaccine for school entry. At this time, it is only required to have documentation on file as to whether a student is vaccinated or not.

Are masks required?

Yes. Students must wear properly fitting cloth face coverings at all times while indoors on campus, with the exception of when eating or drinking in designated areas only. These areas are set-up so that students maintain a minimum 6’ distance. Masks are currently required outdoors during class and recess times as well. There will be designated areas for students to take outdoor “mask breaks”, which will maintain 6’ of distance between other students and staff. These requirements will change as state and local guidelines dictate.

What kind of masks are allowed?

Chrysalis follows both the CDC guidelines and the Washington State Department of Health’s guidelines and requirements regarding masking. The CDC defines a cloth face covering as “anything that completely covers the mouth and nose and fits securely on the sides of the face and under the chin. It should be made of two or more layers of tightly woven fabric with ties or straps that go around a person’s head or behind their ears”. Single layer masks, neck gaiters, bandanas, or masks with valves are not permitted.

What if my student forgets or loses their mask during the school day?

Chrysalis will provide single use, 3 layer cloth face masks for any students that do not bring their own or who may need a replacement throughout the day.

Is there a daily health screening requirement?

Yes. Parents should self screen their children each morning to ensure they do not have any signs of illness and are not running a fever (100.4 or above). Contactless temperature checks will be done upon student arrival to campus, as well as when students enter a school van for a field trip.

What happens if my student begins to feel sick or show signs of illness during the school day?

They must be picked up as soon as possible. Any student that becomes sick during the school day will be promptly taken to a comfortable, private room for isolation until a parent/guardian or other approved adult can pick them up. They will be constantly monitored by a trained staff member until they are picked up.

What is the drop-off procedure for students?

Parents should drop their students off (or driving students should arrive) no more than 30 minutes prior to their first scheduled class for the day. Students will be screened for temperature and signed in at the front desk. Parents should remain on campus, waiting outside the building or in their vehicle until their student has been accepted for the day. 

What is the pick-up procedure?

Students should be picked up as soon as possible after their last class of the day. Parents may call the front desk or call/text their student directly when they arrive to pick them up. Parents may also come to the front door but wait outside for their student to be sent out to them. Prior arrangements should be made if a student will not be picked up within 30 minutes of their last class.

What about food and drink during the day?

Students should bring a water bottle clearly labeled with their name. They can fill it throughout the day at one of the many sinks in the building. With the exception of brief drinks of water, students must eat or drink in designated areas only while seated and maintaining a distance of 6’ from other students. Lunch and snack breaks will be held outdoors for increased safety, weather permitting. Students may not eat during class or while walking around the building.

What about sharing legos, manipulatives, etc.?

Chrysalis teachers use manipulatives and shared classroom supplies. Students will sanitize their hands before each appointment or class and after each appointment or class.Students will have their backpacks with them and can use their own personal items such as markers, pencils, etc.

What about hand washing and sanitizing?

Students will wash their hands after using the restroom, after going outside and before eating lunch. They will be asked to use sanitizer before and after classes. They can bring their own preferred sanitizer or we will have it available to them.

How are school facilities kept clean and sanitized?

High touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected with products recommended by the CDC that kill the Covid 19 virus. The products used at our school facilities are on the EPAs N list:  disinfectants used to kill SARS-CoV-2.  COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Disinfecting is done nightly. Our cleaning service provider is well educated in disinfecting procedures and has hospital cleaning experience. They have provided our cleaning and disinfecting services for 20 years.

What is the ventilation system at school like?

Both campuses have professionally maintained HVAC systems. We have them serviced quarterly and have the best filters that the system can manage. Filters are changed as recommended. Both buildings have the units set for maximum outdoor air intake. We will also keep windows and doors open whenever possible to increase air replacement. We measure air quality with a CO2 monitor if we have a high use area, to assure that proper air flow is occurring. We add air purifiers to those areas needing additional mitigation.

What are the social distancing requirements?

Everyone is encouraged to keep as much physical distance from others as possible, both indoors and out. Classrooms are set-up to keep students at a physical distance of at least 3’ from each other at all times, and common areas and outdoor spaces are designed to encourage 6’ of distance.

What if the teachers need to be closer than 6 feet?

Teachers may have a reason to be closer than 6 feet to their student. They will be wearing a multilayer cloth face mask, and will wear a KN95 mask if necessary, especially if that time is more than a brief passing.

What are the rules outside?

When community transmission is high everyone will wear masks outside. There will be designated areas for mask breaks where students can be 6 feet apart.

Are there quarantine requirements for vaccinated students and staff?

No. Close contacts who are fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms do not need to be quarantined, but should be tested 3-5 days following a known exposure to someone who has confirmed or suspected Covid-19. 

What about quarantine requirements for unvaccinated students and staff?

Yes.  If a close contact is neither fully vaccinated nor recovered from confirmed COVID-19 in the past three months, they must quarantine for a minimum of 10 days past the last close contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed Covid-19. The 10 day quarantine may be shortened to 7 days with a negative test no sooner than 48 hours prior to ending quarantine.

Will we be notified if someone on campus tests positive for Covid-19?

Yes. The Chrysalis community will be notified of confirmed cases of Covid-19 on campus. Families of students will be personally notified if they were in close contact with a confirmed case.

Is there someone we can contact with questions regarding Covid-19 policy and procedure questions?

Yes. You may contact Sarah Scarborough, our Covid-19 Response Director, at sarahs@chrysalis-school.com with any questions