COVID-19 Information and Resources

Updated March 4, 2021

WHAT'S NEW: We have changed the cadence of our on-campus testing to every other week.

This page provides convenient access to Santa Catalina's response to COVID-19, including our planning efforts, safety measures, and policies. It will be updated as new information becomes available.

On-Campus Testing

Santa Catalina School offers on-campus COVID-19 testing every other week. The testing is provided by OneHealth LLC, and parents will find the updated flyer for each event on our COVID-19 testing information website. Our expectations for the frequency of testing varies by grade level, as described below.

Grades 4 to 9: Santa Catalina School requires COVID-19 testing for students in Grades 4 to 9 attending on-campus instruction or participating in our small, targeted educational cohorts. Students unable to take the testing offered by the school will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test to the Health Center (email health.center@santacatalina.org) before returning to in-person classes or activities for the following week.

Kindergarten to Grade 3: While testing for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will not be required at this time, we strongly encourage parents to consider the benefits of regular, asymptomatic testing as a way to help lower the spread of COVID-19.

Testing after school breaks: All students in Kindergarten to Grade 9 attending in-person classes will need to complete a PCR test following school vacation weeks. Students who do not participate in testing will be required to remain at home for distance learning for 10 calendar days after the vacation weeks.

Required Health Form

Parents, faculty, staff, and other visitors to campus must first complete our Health Check Form prior to each visit to Santa Catalina School.

Parents, faculty, and staff: Please use the SafetyApp to complete our form. Download this Quick Reference Guide for information on how to install the app and register.

All other visitors: Please fill out our web-based form before coming onto campus.

Fill out the health form

Students on Campus

PreK-Grade 5 are on campus for in-person learning
Grades 6 and 7 are on campus in distance learning cohorts
Grade 9 day students are on campus in distance learning cohorts

State Metrics for Reopening Schools

California has adopted a tiered system for determining whether schools and other businesses may reopen, based on a county's COVID-19 risk level. There are four color-coded tiers: purple (widespread); red (substantial); orange (moderate); and yellow (minimal). Schools can reopen for in-person instruction once their county has been in the red tier for at least five consecutive days. Monterey County is currently in purple. For more information, see California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Health and Safety

Below you will find school guidelines regarding ways to report and avoid exposure to COVID-19, as well as general resources for your overall well-being.

Community Expectations

We urge everyone in our community to take steps to protect good health. In order to mitigate the risk of infection and the spread of COVID-19, we ask you to incorporate these practices into your daily routine:

wash your hands
wear a mask in public and in situations when distancing cannot be met
maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from others and avoid large crowds
continue to follow public health orders and minimize exposure

COVID-19 Exposure

If anyone in your household has been notified by the Monterey County Health Department (or another health department) that they were in contact with a suspected or confirmed individual infected with COVID-19, please notify your division head (Christy Pollacci for the Lower and Middle School and Julie Edson for the Upper School). Christy or Julie will inform the administrative team and take direction from the Monterey County Health Department.

COVID-19 Suspected or Confirmed Cases

If a student or employee becomes ill with COVID-19, or someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, you must notify Christy Pollacci for the Lower and Middle School and Julie Edson for the Upper School. The school will then notify the Monterey County Health Department. The school’s response will be dictated by health and safety concerns and our desire to provide uninterrupted education for all students.

COVID-19 On Campus

Flu Shots

Self-Care and Well-being

Catalina remains committed to the physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational health of each member of our school community. We encourage everyone to practice self-care as we strive to maintain a healthy and thriving community. Here are ways that each member of our community can contribute to not only their individual wellness, but also the wellness of our entire school community.

Physical: Take care of your own health by getting adequate sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and finding opportunities for exercise and movement each day.
Emotional: In these days of uncertainty, fear and concern are normal reactions to these extraordinary circumstances. We encourage everyone in our community to stay connected and reach out if support is needed. Faculty, advisors, residential faculty, and our Upper School counselor are engaged and ready to help students navigate these challenges with resilience.
Spiritual/Relational: Resilience will help us get through this together, so remember to pause, to reflect on the good, to practice empathy, to nurture relationships, to play, and above all, to seek balance. Whether in the in-person or distance model, Catalina remains committed to the development of the spiritual lives of our students.

Travel

Santa Catalina discourages non-essential travel and any activities that increase your risk of exposure and illness. If you must travel, notify your child’s division head before you do so.

On November 13, 2020, the California Department of Public Health issued a travel advisory which stated, “Persons arriving in California from other states or countries, including returning California residents, should practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. These persons should limit their interactions to their immediate household. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who cross state or
country borders for essential travel.”

International students should refer to the Centers for Disease Control for a list of countries from which certain travelers are prohibited from entering the United States. Students from other countries may be able to fly directly to the United States.

Home Tips

The following is from Lower and Middle School parent Bill Hayward, CEO of Hayward Lumber:

"As we all hunker down with spouses, kids, and pets, our indoor air will get pretty stuffy, CO2 levels will go up significantly, and it will generally start to feel pretty uncomfortable. Adding fresh air and sunlight is critical to keeping your indoor air healthy and comfortable. By cracking open two windows on either side of the home to create cross ventilation, you can keep the house healthy without impacting your energy bill. Just crack them open enough to feel the air on the back of your hand but not enough to feel a draft. For two-story homes, do one upstairs and one downstairs. You will be amazed how much better everyone will feel. If you want to learn more about keeping your home healthy, our team's advice is available at HaywardScore.com.”

The CDC also has a number of tips for keeping your home healthy.

Resources for Parents

School Communications

We will continue to provide you with updates and will inform you of changes in our protocols as we receive information from the state, from the Monterey County Health Department, and from the CDC.

Parents, faculty, and staff, you can read past emails concerning the 2020-21 school year in your Veracross portals.