Vistamar's Reopening Plan

Update on School Reopening - COVID-19

On the right, you will find our plans for the start of the upcoming school year. Given current State guidelines and the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, we started the 2020-2021 school year on August 25 fully online. Our schedule for fully distanced teaching and learning is included in the document on pages 21 and 22, and is similar to the schedule we used in March - June of last year, with a few enhancements.

We hope conditions will improve sufficiently during the year to allow for a safe return to in-person classes and activities. When guidelines permit, we are ready to reopen school with a hybrid teaching and learning approach allowing for safe instruction in our building. This document specifically details all aspects of the health and safety measures we will take under that scenario. The schedule for our hybrid/blended teaching and learning approach is shown on pages 19 and 20.

The unpredictable spread of the virus and the emerging science of prevention continue to create a great deal of uncertainty and need for a flexible approach. We want to assure our families that we are ready to provide Vistamar’s signature educational experience regardless of whether we can teach and learn in the building or not. And we are ready to pivot rapidly to safe in-person instruction as soon as allowed.

We continue to monitor the dynamic COVID-19 situation through information from major health agencies including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), WHO, and the California and Los Angeles County Departments of Public Health. We are following the advice of these public agencies as we navigate this unprecedented situation and focus on keeping our community safe.

Reopening FAQs

List of 3 items.

What can we expect with student, staff, and faculty health and safety?

Vistamar is committed to maintaining the health and safety of all students, faculty, and staff and following the guidelines of the LA County and CA Public Health Departments. These measures will be implemented:

• Health Screening at home - Using a phone health screening app, all students and employees will take a daily health assessment that is HIPAA compliant and based on CDC guidelines.
• All students and employees will be temperature screened before entering the school. There will be a check for COVID-19 symptoms. All entering must verify that no one in their home or care is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or has had a positive test or diagnosis.
• All faculty and staff will be trained in COVID-19 symptom identification and students will be monitored for symptoms throughout the day.
• Faculty/staff will undergo symptomatic testing prior to return to school as required by the State.
When Vistamar opens will it be online only?

Given current State guidelines and the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are planning to start the school year on August 25 fully online. Our schedule for fully distanced teaching and learning is included in the document above on pages 21 and 22, and is similar to the schedule we used in March - June of last year, with a few enhancements.
What can families expect as school reopens?

The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and families is of utmost importance. When we go back to our building, on-campus school will look much different due to new health and safety guidelines. We recognize and acknowledge this change will present challenges and want to prepare our community. At least in the short term, much of the casual, hang-out nature of the campus will need to change:

• Couches will be removed and seating in the SLC and on the patios will require greater spacing.
• We will designate maximum occupancy of rooms and routes for entry and exit in order to limit direct contact with others and maintain physical distancing.
• There will be signage throughout the building to remind students and staff about physical distancing, hand washing, and avoiding spreading germs.
• Parents and visitors will have limited to no access to the school building. We will not be able to deliver our signature community wide gatherings, such as Morning Meeting or Parents on the Patio, fully in person.

Nevertheless, as we did throughout the spring, we are planning many ways to maintain our strong sense of community that has been a true Vistamar hallmark.