COVID-19 Information

Please support our efforts. This means supporting our efforts to ensure safety protocols on-campus. It also means supporting the spirit of these protocols off-campus. If families want in-person learning to last (or return as quickly as possible), they need to limit their social interactions and demonstrate a commitment to hygiene, masks, and honestly reporting any symptoms to the school. Finally, please continue to pray for our decisions, for those who are ill or caregiving, for medical professionals, and public officials. 

At all campuses, all visitors, students, and employees who report to campus will be screened for flu-like symptoms. All students, teachers, staff, and visitors must wear masks throughout the day except for approved times outdoors when social-distancing can be assured. Our facilities staff is cleaning regularly using state-of-the-art procedures adopted last spring. Classrooms have been rearranged, and class numbers have been reduced to ensure the recommended distance between students. When students are moving about a campus, between classes at Clyde Hill or during recess at our elementary schools, their movement may be regulated to decrease crowding.  

Students who show flu-like symptoms will be cared for in an isolated area until their parents can pick them up. Students will be out of school for at least three days and may return after a confirmed negative COVID-19 test or ten days after their last symptoms. The identity of any ill child will remain confidential.   

If we have multiple cases and suspect virus transmission among community members, we will immediately consult with the King County Health Department. Under these scenarios, classroom and/or campus-wide quarantine is possible. If this occurs, the quarantined group(s) will move to remote learning as quickly as possible.  

At the Elementary level, remote learning will follow a much more structured schedule with daily “live” instruction via a video platform. The school has adopted new platforms, practices, and equipment to ensure the very best online learning experience. The BCS@Home program, our separate, entirely remote learning program for elementary students, will lead the way in launching several of these practices and will serve as a resource for in-person teachers and students who may need to move online later in the year.  

At the Junior High and Senior High level, our students will follow a modified schedule similar to what we ended with last spring. Teachers will be trained on and implement new practices and equipment prior to the start of the year. Principal Adam Hart will follow up with Clyde Hill families directly with details on the schedule, platforms, and other information.  

There will be times when masks may not be required. PE and recess activities may not always require students to be masked.  Teachers may institute “mask breaks” for short periods in classrooms, as long as physical distancing can be maintained. 

We will require a multi-layered cloth face mask. Face shields are not an acceptable substitute but may add additional protection when wearing a mask. Recent research suggests that gaiters are also not effective in stopping the spread of the virus. There are medical exemptions for wearing a mask. If your child needs an exemption from the mask requirement, please discuss it with your principal. We encourage families to consider BCS@Home or the remote-only option at Clyde Hill if a medical exemption is necessary. 

Each campus will develop a set of protocols that are specific to its facilities. As an example, here are the safeguards in place for HS Band and Three Points music. 

Band: 

• Music class will be outside under one of the large sheds on any days that are weather permitting. 
• Painting notes (using a music note stencil) on the ground more than 6 feet apart in the shed so that the students will have “note” spots to stand on during class.  This will allow for singing during class without the use of masks. 
• Students will lower their masks when they arrive on their “notes.”  
• Students will replace masks on their faces as soon as the class is over and before lining up. 
• Students will sanitize their hands as they arrive back in class.  (touching masks) 
• If the weather does not allow for outdoor class, instruction will be in the classrooms, wearing masks and that instruction will be “thought” work, as opposed to the application (singing). 

• Music will move to one day per week, per group. EA will be with the students not receiving music instruction. 

The High School athletic program is following the guidance adopted by the WIAA. At present, the earliest interscholastic competitions would begin in late December. Information about Junior High Athletics will be announced in a timely manner, but no athletic activities will occur until students return to in-person learning. The resumption of other extracurricular activities will be announced as decisions are made, and protocols specific to those activities are in place. 

The BCS transportation system will continue to operate, and information regarding routes has been sent to those who indicated an interest in the bus service. This year the bus service will operate using fewer, regional stops. Parents using the bus system should take temperatures of their students daily before putting them on the bus and should not send them to school if the temperature exceeds 100.3. 

BCS is making every effort to do so.  This will be dependent on our ability to staff the Extended Care position. Look for additional information in the coming weeks.