Thursday, August 5, 2021 Dear Lancer Parents/Guardians, Last Friday, the DOH released new guidance for the 2021-2022 school year to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in K-12 schools. Kennedy Catholic is subject to this guidance, and we will follow all directives from federal, state, and local public health agencies, in full alignment with the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Office of Catholic Schools. We are delighted that the guidance balances the standard precautions we have grown accustomed to over the last 18 months with the need and desire to return all students to in-person instruction from the start of the school year. Although this virus and its variants continue to affect our school, our families, and surrounding communities, we are confident that this guidance allows us to safely bring students and staff back for full-time, in-person learning this fall. DOH is expected to release further guidance later in August for co-curricular activities. Until then, existing guidance will be used to guide our efforts at Kennedy Catholic. Masks/Facial Covering Due to the risks posed by the Delta variant of the coronavirus to the community at-large, the State of Washington has mandated masks indoors for all individuals during the school day, regardless of vaccination status. While two-layer cloth masks (fully covering the nose and mouth) satisfy state criteria, we encourage families to explore the options that may provide higher levels of protection when properly used (such as KN-95, KF-94, FFP2 and their equivalents). Gaiters do not meet the minimal requirements. Indoors A) Masks are required indoors, regardless of vaccination status, for all individuals when students are present. B) Faculty and staff who are verifiably fully vaccinated (as documented in accordance with state policies) do not need to wear masks inside a building when students are not
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