Health and Safety Information

Student and employee health and safety is a top priority for Eastside Catholic School.

We are committed to in-person education within a safe framework for our entire community. The latest health and safety protocols will be shared here. Our plan provides a comprehensive, dynamic and socially connected experience for our students and is designed with an understanding that the reality of our times require a structure that will withstand the unpredictability of this pandemic in order to keep our students and faculty safe.

Guiding Principles

A commitment to our mission and Touchstones of academic excellence, healthy relationships and servant leadership
Ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for our students and employees
Offer a comprehensive, dynamic and socially connected experience for our students with health and safety modifications to learning protocols and physical spaces
Support students’ social-emotional development and health by strengthening programs that build community and prioritize wellness
Create a flexible and thoughtfully crafted framework to accommodate changing circumstances as needed

Our school year safety protocols will continue to evolve, driven by the latest science surrounding COVID-19. Our benchmarks for success are focused on our ability to bring students back to campus while following the requirements mandated by the Washington State Governor's office, the Washington State Department of Health, King County Public Health and our assessed ability to effectively execute the necessary safeguards.

Student & Family Health and Safety Expectations

All members of the Eastside Catholic community have a shared responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19, on and off campus.

We are grateful for the efforts of our community members to work together to prevent community spread and keep transmission of the virus to a minimal level. Students and families must commit, in collaboration with the school, to the following public health practices, guidance and safety procedures.

Health & Safety Guidelines & Expectations

Health & Safety Guidelines & Expectations

Eastside Catholic highly recommends every eligible member of our community become vaccinated. A fully vaccinated community gives us the best chance at continuing in-person classes and beating COVID-19.

Please review the below health and safety expectations of Eastside Catholic students and families.

Follow federal, state and local orders.
All families and employees are expected to follow directives from national, state and local authorities to maintain their health and safety during this pandemic. These include the Washington State Department of Public Health (DOH), Public Health - Seattle and King County, and the CDC Guide on Protecting Yourself and Others.
Stay home if sick.
Students showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 must not come to school. Parents/guardians must keep them at home and away from others and report the illness to the school. Provisions will be made to support students through remote learning. Please review information about COVID-19 symptoms provided on the CDC website.

Due to the highly contagious Omicron variant, all persons that develop any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, should get tested and continue monitoring for symptoms for 10 full days from last exposure to a positive person per the Washington State Department of Health. This recommendation is applicable regardless of vaccination status.

Symptoms include congestion or runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle or body aches, fatigue, fever or chills, cough, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell. Please review the WA DOH flowchart: What to Do if a Person is Symptomatic. Anyone with a fever should consider COVID-19 and flu testing within 48 hours of symptom onset for antivirals to be effective in reducing severity and duration of flu symptoms.

It is recommended that even if you are symptom-free to test on day 5 after COVID-19 exposure to a positive person, to rule out an asymptomatic transmission of the virus.
Contact Eastside Catholic if a student member tests positive for COVID-19.
If a student tests positive for COVID-19, a parent or guardian must notify the school as soon as possible. Please email our COVID Coordinator with questions or to report a positive COVID-19 test result. This information will remain confidential. Anyone at Eastside Catholic who tests positive will be guided by the Health Room for isolation and return to school protocols.
Remote Instruction
Remote instruction will be authorized for students who are required to isolate due to a positive test. The process of granting remote access may take up to 24 hours from when the school is notified about illness or positive test results. Students will receive remote access instructions from each teacher once notifications are complete.
Optional: Wear a face covering over the nose and mouth.
Face masks are no longer required by the State Department of Health. All students and adults may continue to wear face coverings or masks when indoors, on buses, or in any school-sponsored vehicle if they so choose.

Please Note: We are seeing an uptick in flu and cold cases with the lifting of the mask requirement. See Stay home if sick section above.
Keep medical information up to date.
All medical forms must be updated with family and emergency contacts and current medical forms for a student to attend the first day of school. As a reminder, please update your student records regarding vaccination by emailing the COVID Coordinator with the type of vaccine your student(s) received and the date they received it.
Practice excellent hygiene.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds—especially after being in a public place or blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Be safe when you eat.
Lunch will be served each day and snacks will be available for purchase. Students can eat outside whenever possible or at designated locations on campus.