COVID-19 Guidelines

**As of 08/08/22, we were informed by Bates that with guidance from OPEP and the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, adults and children are not required to wear masks at school.  **

Your Safety Matters

We take the health of our children, our families and our community seriously. With guidance from Bates and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, we have implemented specific policies and procedures to help minimize exposures and outbreaks to the best of our abilities. 

We understand and respect your need for privacy but there may be times when we are obligated to ask if you or your children have been exposed, have been experiencing any symptoms or received a positive COVID-19 test in your household. We graciously thank you for your understanding and cooperation to help us continue to make our co-op community a healthy and safe space for our children.

If you or your child experience any symptoms or signs of illness please stay home, even if you are vaccinated. This applies to all students, volunteers and staff.

COVID-19 Protocols

It is estimated that the most contagious period is during the incubation** period. This is typically as early as 2-3 days prior to symptoms appearing through the 14 days after exposure. Knowing this helps us contact trace through our school and classes more effectively.

Families will inform their teacher within 24 hours of a positive COVID-19 test for working parents or enrolled children. This allows us to quickly contact trace and inform as needed. Your family's identity is kept strictly confidential. However, as with most infectious diseases (hand/foot/mouth, flu, etc.), a disclosure without family name will be made to our co-op community. 

Class Cancelation
After contact tracing and collecting all the pertinent information, we reserve the right to cancel additional classes or close school if deemed necessary.

Pending approval by Bates, the President and teacher, with guidance from the DOH and in agreement with the class, we may decide to test and return after 7 days.

No Exposure but Have Symptoms

In the event that you are experiencing symptoms (see chart), we are treating it as possible COVID-19. Please talk to your teacher and/or the President to know how to proceed.

Know When to Isolate

Isolate: If you tested positive

Symptoms may look like:

Close Contact is defined as:

Covid guidelines 2023.pdf