Update to MLWS COVID-19 Guidelines

We are pleased to announce some relaxation and updates to our current COVID-19 protocols.

Please see attached our updated COVID-19 Policy Guide for 2021-22.

MLWS COVID-19 POLICY GUIDE

Testing

• only NAAT/PCR tests are acceptable for symptomatic staff and/or students to return to school after any illness with possible COVID-19 symptoms

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

• Rapid antigen tests are acceptable for screening purposes, such as the weekly testing

Field Trips

• outdoor field trips ok, such as: apple picking, bike trips etc
• no field trips to potentially crowded indoor or outdoor spaces

Carpooling 

• the driver must be a vaccinated individual
• all car occupants must be from the same class cohort 
• all car occupants must wear properly fitted masks (ie: over nose and mouth) inside the vehicle
• max of 2 children per row - leave the middle seat empty
• windows must be open to provide ventilation 

Gathering with Parents 

Within a Class Cohort: opt for outdoors whenever possible 

Outdoors:

• masks may be removed outdoors if 3-6 ft distancing can be maintained (3ft for students, 6 ft for adults) If distancing cannot be maintained, masks must be worn outside.
• food/drink may be consumed out of doors as long as distances of 3-6 ft are maintained

Indoors:

• children must be seated 3ft apart, adults 6 ft apart from others
• masks must be worn by all and may not be removed while indoors
• siblings may attend if they wear masks
• no food &/or drink to be consumed indoors

Mixing Class Cohorts: 

Outdoors:

• masks must be worn by all
• siblings may attend if they wear masks
• food/drink may be consumed out of doors as long as distances of 3-6 ft are maintained

Indoors:

• no Indoor mixing of class cohorts and parents at this time 

Mixing Class Cohorts for School Programs:

• only structured programs, such as Eurythmy and Orchestra may mix class cohorts where a minimum of 3 feet distance can be maintained between student cohorts and cohort exposure is limited.

Eurythmy 

• may mix up to 2 class cohorts, with 3ft distancing maintained

Orchestra

• may mix 6th, 7th & 8th Grade cohorts seated with 3ft distancing between strings and 6ft distancing between wind instruments. 
• wind players will wear special masks and have covers on the end of their instruments

Events:

• No : Open house, Music Share, Winter Faire 
• Yes: Workshare, Lantern Walk 
• Postpone: 3rd Grade Clothing Sale 

November Workshare 

• to be held outdoors
• parents may attend, seated by class cohort
• everyone must wear a mask, including students while performing
• If singing - must all be masked with 6 ft spacing, including 6 ft from teacher/audience 

Lantern Walk 

• all to wear masks for the duration of the event
• siblings may attend
• singing only if 6 ft apart with masks on
• cookie to be eaten at home!
• if above adhered to we can have some overlapping of cohorts - masks and mixing of cohorts with 3-6 ft distance 

3rd Grade Clothing Sale:

• postpone to the Spring in the hope it can be an event open to the public at this time

After-School Chamber Orchestra 

• 7 & 8th grade cohorts combined with masks, distancing and good ventilation 
• any food will be consumed outside to avoid removing masks indoors



 Alumni After-School HS Orchestra

• students must either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or get a negative test result within 72 hours of each class.  
• students and the teacher(s) must be masked and distanced
• any food will be consumed outside to avoid removing masks indoors

Visitors to the School (eg: parents, mentors, assessors etc)

• parents and adult visitors to the school, attending while students are present, need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (a Rapid test is acceptable for screening purposes) Test must be taken within 72 hours of their arrival at MLWS. No test is required if the individual is vaccinated.
• masks must be worn at all times indoors
• masks need to be worn outdoors if 6 ft distance cannot be maintained

Parent/Teacher Meetings 

• can be indoors, masked and distanced (6ft) in a well ventilated room if children (outside of the family unit) are not present. 

Class Meetings 

• can be indoors, masked and distanced (6ft) in a well ventilated room - without children present

After Care

• will be offered with the group kept small & outdoors to the extent possible
• cohorts may mix outside, must wear masks, try to keep 3 ft distancing
• during inclement weather children may be indoors, masked and distanced with good ventilation

Parent Council Events

• can offer an outdoor events, such as Twin Star Orchard but should adhere to either distancing or masking rules when mixing cohorts if it is a school-related event   
• ok to gather at school premises when children not present

Parents visiting classrooms

• Parent/Teacher meetings & class meetings can take place inside classrooms as outlined above
• If children (outside the family unit) are present at the school, the adults visiting should either be vaccinated or tested (negative rapid test taken within 72 hrs of visit)  

Notes 

• If we see an uptick in the rate of infection and/or community spread we will revisit these guidelines and reinstate some of the policies we are now loosening. 

• While we have done well with surveillance testing it does not ensure there is no COVID-19 in the school.