COVID-19: WMS updates
All program levels have returned to on-campus learning.
View local health dept. and CDC updates: King Co. Health Dept., Snohomish Co. Health Dept., Washington State Dept. of Health, CDC
WMS COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for On-Site Employees, Contractors & Volunteers
WMS will comply with Governor Inslee’s directive that all on-site school employees, contractors and volunteers be vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain a religious or medical exemption. The primary goal of a vaccination policy is to create the safest possible environment for students and staff, with a focus on protecting those that are not yet eligible and those that are not able to get vaccinated. A person who has been exempted from vaccination is considered at risk for contracting and spreading the disease and will be excluded from direct contact with students.
Risk mitigation measures
Woodinville Montessori School has worked hard to put in place many measures that we expect to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19.
- We made adjustments to the North Creek campus HVAC system to increase the flow of fresh air. At the Woodinville campus, classroom windows can open to admit fresh air. The use of open windows will be monitored to ensure that classrooms maintain a reasonable temperature.
- We are restricting access to the interior of buildings to staff and students only.
- We require daily health screening of students and staff – Using a screening app called QManager, we check that all staff and students have been screened for multiple symptoms of COVID-19. This includes temperature checks. In addition to a screening app, we are visually screening students when they arrive. If we feel that there is a need to do an additional temperature check then we will do so in the parking lot.
- If a child shows symptoms during the school day staff will do a temperature check, move child to health room and contact parents/guardians for pick up.
- Staff and students are required to wash hands on arrival at the school.
- There is increased availability of hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer so that everyone on campus can clean hands as needed.
- In order to prevent co-mingling of students we have increased staffing so that we can provide before-and-after care in classrooms or in separated groups outside when student numbers are low.
- We have assigned a bathroom to each cohort group to prevent accidental co-mingling.
- Each cohort group will have their own water jugs or pitchers for classroom use. No water fountains will be available for student use, again to prevent accidental co-mingling.
- We reduced the number of students in rooms to ensure that all students have work spaces that are six feet apart from each other or we have moved classes to larger spaces so that we can meet social distancing guidelines.
- All personnel on campus will wear masks when they are around others. Students 5 years old and above are required to wear masks indoors other than when they are eating and drinking. Children 2 years to 5 years of age will be encouraged to wear cloth masks.
- We increased our cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces and materials.
- Some staff will continue to work from home so that we can reduce the number of people in the building.
- We are offering increased sick leave for staff so that they can stay home if they are sick.
- If symptoms appear during the day for staff they will be sent home immediately.
- We have changed our entry and exit procedures to minimize student traffic in the hallways.
WMS Current Travel Recommendations & Requirements for Vaccinated & Unvaccinated Travelers
WMS continues to use the CDC recommendations as a model for our own travel policies. All students that travel (domestic or international) must notify COVID Coordinator Theresa Kirby and need to be cleared before returning to campus, regardless of vaccination status - click here for our Notice of Travel form. Per the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer or Moderna) or 2 weeks after a 1-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson).
- Domestic travel (outside of Washington State & within United States)
- Fully vaccinated students: No restrictions – self-monitor for symptoms.
- Submit a Notice of Travel form before your trip.
- Unvaccinated students: Get tested with a viral test within 3-5 days of return from travel, return to school after 7 days from travel return date (even with negative test result) OR with no test, return to school after 10 days from travel return date.
- Submit a Notice of Travel form before your trip.
- All test results are sent to Theresa Kirby.
- Fully vaccinated students: No restrictions – self-monitor for symptoms.
- International travel (outside of United States)
- Fully vaccinated students: Get tested with a viral test within 3-5 days of return from travel, return to school upon negative test result. Self-monitor for symptoms.
- Submit a Notice of Travel form before your trip.
- All test results are sent to Theresa Kirby.
- Unvaccinated students: Get tested with a viral test within 3-5 days of return from travel, return to school after 7 days from travel return date (even with negative test result) OR with no test, return to school after 10 days from travel return date.
- Submit a Notice of Travel form before your trip.
- All test results are sent to Theresa Kirby.
- Fully vaccinated students: Get tested with a viral test within 3-5 days of return from travel, return to school upon negative test result. Self-monitor for symptoms.
- Washington State travel (within state)
- No restrictions for any students (fully vaccinated or unvaccinated) – self-monitor for symptoms. No travel form needed.
If your family will be traveling, it is very important to fill out the WMS Travel Form - click here for our Notice of Travel form. Please contact COVID Coordinator Theresa Kirby with any questions.
Thank you for your continued efforts in protecting the WMS community.