• The SAGA School has been working hard to map out plans for an on-campus return, for both preschool and elementary, in the Fall. This planning continues despite the announcements from the Seattle Public School district and other school districts.
• SAGA has traditionally said that it follows the Seattle Public School calendar. However, we will not mirror the district's teaching practices or decisions for on-campus vs. remote learning for the Fall.
• Currently, Governor Inslee has not announced that he plans to shut down all schools. Private school advocates continue to press the case that private schools have more flexibility because they have greater ability to meet the guidelines. It is because of this flexibility that SAGA feels we will be able to safely open on campus in the Fall, both preschool and elementary, meeting the health and safety guidelines.
• SAGA would be impacted by a mandate from Governor Inslee or OSPI requiring school closure. The mandates have traditionally allowed preschool programs to continue and have shifted the course for K - 12 programs.
• SAGA would be impacted if the SAGA Leadership Team and SAGA Board of Directors felt that conditions are such that an alternate learning model is in the best interest of our staff and/or students.
• We have been successful in running childcare for both preschool and elementary students since May and we are successfully running our Summer Camp series this summer. We continue to update and refine our health and safety protocols to implement the latest King County Department of Health guidelines for in-person learning. Health and safety continue to be a priority. Staff protocols are in place for increased hand washing, frequent cleaning, and physical distancing. Face coverings will be required for students age 5 years or older. If children are sick with certain symptoms, they will be asked to stay home. There will be limited access to the building and staggered drop-off and pickup times to help prevent large groups from gathering at the entrances.
• Classroom configurations are still being formed, but it is clear that physical distancing will be implemented, outdoor instruction will be a component of learning, and consistent groups of students and faculty will be together throughout the week. (Staff announcements were made in this communication: LINK.) We are mapping out our processes so that contact tracing should be more effective if a member of the SAGA community experiences COVID-related symptoms.
• SAGA does plan to invest in maintaining a remote learning platform for our programs.