Dear WES Families,

I hope your break is going well and you have been able to relax and spend some time with family. As the Omicron variant continues to spread in our school community as well as the larger DMV area, I am once again writing to you with updates regarding our COVID policies.

Since my last letter, we have seen significantly more positive test results in our community, including in my own household. Fortunately, our community also continues to see mild cases, and our thoughts and prayers are with those who have tested positive for a speedy recovery.

We anticipate a substantially higher rate of positive cases over the next several weeks, and consequently we are implementing higher levels of safeguards to protect the health of our community and to keep our school open for on-campus learning. Please understand that we will experience inconveniences as we increase safeguards, but we are hopeful that these elevated levels of safety are only temporary. 

Testing on Sunday, January 2
As you know, mandatory PCR testing will take place on Sunday, January 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the WES Library. We have seen incredibly high demand from family members who would like to participate in Sunday’s testing as well. Family members can register following THESE INSTRUCTIONS. Registration for family members will close at 8 a.m. on Saturday, January 1. Those who did not register will not be able to participate in the testing. 

Those who have already tested positive for COVID-19 and remain within the quarantine window do not need to participate in Sunday’s testing, but must finish their quarantine period before returning to campus. If your child has tested positive and you have yet to inform the school, please email covid@w-e-s.org

Masks
Research shows that N95, KN95, and KF94 are the most effective masks to help prevent community transmission, and the CDC is now recommending the use of these masks to help contain the spread of the Omicron variant. For the time being, these masks will be required of all students and employees, both indoors and outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. 

We recognize that securing these masks may take time. Therefore, if students do not have access to N95, KN95, or KF94 masks, they may wear a Puraka mask (the WES dragon masks provided by the school) with a filter or a surgical mask covered by a cloth mask for the week of January 4-7. The school has ordered some filters for the Puraka masks to provide for those who do not have them. We expect them to arrive by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, and they will be distributed in the carpool lines at that time.

Unfortunately, counterfeit versions of N95, KN95, and KF94 masks do exist. For your convenience, there are some links to masks recommended by the government at the bottom of this email. 

Also, masks must be worn by students and employees alike at all times, except when eating or drinking. Employees will wear a mask even when they are alone in their offices or classrooms as an extra precaution against aerosol spread. 

Lunch and Snack Time
For the time being, lunch and snack time will be moved outdoors. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for winter weather, as students will not be permitted to remain indoors during this time. 

Quarantine Length
As I mentioned in an earlier communication, the CDC recently shortened its guidelines for quarantine length for those who tested positive. Initially, our intent was to follow the new CDC guidance. However, at this time, the Montgomery County Health Department has not adopted the new guidance and will continue to recommend its previous quarantine guidelines. Consequently, students who test positive will continue to quarantine for 10 days. 

Close Contacts of Positive Cases
Unvaccinated close contacts of a positive case may participate in our test-to-stay program to access on-site learning. Fully vaccinated close contacts of positive cases are not required to quarantine. 

However, regardless of vaccination status, if any student or employee has a household member who has tested positive, they must utilize our test-to-stay program to access on-site learning. The household member should also isolate as much as possible within the house. 

Virtual Learning
Students who are quarantining due to a positive test result will be able to access virtual learning. 

Monitoring of Symptoms
Please continue to monitor for symptoms and exercise caution when making the decision to send a child to school. The Omicron variant closely resembles cold or allergy symptoms in those who are fully vaccinated. We are encouraged by the fact that many members of our community are vaccinated. However, please remember that some are not, and others may be immunocompromised and more susceptible to the worst effects of the virus. 

ASEP and Extended Day
As of right now, ASEP and Extended Day will continue as planned.

Basketball Season
We will once again pause the use of our locker rooms and, for the time being, spectators will not be allowed at basketball games. 

Chapel
All chapels will be virtual until further notice, and students will participate in Chapel from their own classrooms. 

Community Forums
To ensure that we have our test results back and are providing our families with the most current information available, we are canceling our 9 a.m. forum on Monday, January 4. All families are invited to attend our 6:30 p.m. session on Monday HERE. Afterwards, a recording will be shared via email and in the COVID-19 Resource Board in the Parent Portal. 

WES is committed to providing an on-site learning environment while also protecting the health and wellness of our families and staff. While I know some of these changes may be frustrating, I am confident we will continue to progress forward with the same optimism, resilience, and creativity that has defined our community thus far. I am deeply thankful for each one of you.

Please know I am always here if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you on Monday evening. 

Sincerely,
Danny Vogelman
Head of School
Mask Resources

Please note that according to the CDC, there are no NIOSH certified children’s masks.

Project 95 (hub for children and adult masks)

Children’s KF94
Happy Life (brand WES used for our EC Christmas Performance)

​​Adult N95 NIOSH certified
 
Adult KF94
KN Flax (brand WES used for MS band and choral concert)