- UPDATED February 28, 2021 11:56 pm
We're Always Connected

COVID-19 Policies & Practices
Let’s keep Sequoyah School safe!
Our return to campus will be a process that requires a concerted community-wide effort steeped in trust, honesty, and responsible intentions and actions.

Do not come to campus if you are feeling even mildly sick.
We can do this, together!
The Sequoyah School we all know and love is still at the heart of everything we do.
Sequoyah School faculty and staff have been working diligently to welcome our students back to campus in the safest manner possible. While our return to campus may feel different, the new policies, procedures, requirements, and expectations exist with the best interest of the entire Sequoyah School community in mind.
These protocols safeguard ourselves, protect one another, and ensure that we remain in compliance with city and county mandates so that we can return to and maintain a consistent on-campus environment for our students. Please be aware that protocols may shift as COVID-19 research, data, outcomes, and local/state government mandates change.
Return-to-Campus Plan
Flu Vaccine
A flu vaccine is strongly recommended for students, faculty, and staff prior to returning to campus. In effect November through April.
Flu Vaccine Requirement
In accordance with requirements set forth by the Pasadena Public Health Department, Sequoyah School strongly recommends that students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated for influenza prior to returning to campus for any reason by November 1.
Upload your child’s vaccination record to SchoolDoc (our medical database) or email the record to Brian Eagen.
- Flu symptoms can mimic COVID-19 symptoms, so this vaccine is crucial to eliminate influenza as a complicating factor during the pandemic.
- Influenza outbreaks affect 10-20% of the population and typically begin suddenly during winter months, peaking in 2-3 three weeks, lasting up to 3-4 months.
- Non-egg-containing influenza vaccines are available for those with allergies to “regular” egg-based products.
Daily Screening
Daily Health Screening Requirement
- Sequoyah School is using a systematized, evidence-based approach to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 with the goal of ensuring that everyone returns back to campus safely.
- To provide ongoing COVID-19 clinical monitoring, education, and support for all of our students and employees, Sequoyah School has partnered with Carbon Health, a technology-enabled healthcare provider.
- Carbon Health's COVID Ready is a health tracking app that will be crucial to our transition back to campus and key to the health and safety of the Sequoyah community. See COVID Ready FAQs.
- Daily health tracking on the COVID Ready app and honest reporting are mandatory for anyone who will be on campus.

Masks
Mask Requirement
- Everyone on campus is required to wear a mask at all times, except during designated eating periods.
- Students who do not have a mask at drop-off will be asked to go home and return with a mask.
- Students may be sent home if their mask does not meet the minimum standards.
MASK PROTOCOL
- Sequoyah will provide 4 washable masks to each student and employee to rotate.
- Students should bring 2 masks every day so they can put on a fresh one after lunch.
- The school will have a small number of masks to provide to a student whose mask becomes soiled if they do not have a replacement.
- Along with their face masks, students may wear face shields (provided by the family).
MASK STANDARDS
- Masks from home should have at least 3 layers of fabric, may not have a vent, and must fit over the nose and mouth with minimal gaps.
- Bandanas and gaiters do not meet the minimum requirement.
Procedures & Expectations
AT HOME

ILLNESS
Do not come to campus if you are feeling even mildly sick. Check the Carbon Health COVID Ready app and the symptoms list below.
See COVID Ready FAQs.
SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST
Stay home if you have any of these symptoms:
- Fever of 100°F or more
- Muscle or body aches
- Cough
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea

DAILY SCREENINGS
on the COVID READY app
Prior to arrival on campus, all students and employees must engage in daily online health screenings through the Carbon Health COVID Ready app. See COVID Ready FAQs.
Honest reporting is expected daily prior to arriving on campus including days when you are not on campus.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
The Sequoyah School Cohort Model will be most successful if interactions outside of school are also restricted. We expect families and employees to engage in responsible social contact outside of school to help ensure the health and wellness of the Sequoyah community so we can be back together for on-campus learning as soon as is safely possible.
To avoid putting put our community at risk, follow the guidelines put forth by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Authorities have made clear that the majority of COVID transmissions occur within single households and when households who practice different levels of precaution mix.
ON CAMPUS

CLOSED CAMPUS
Sequoyah School will be a closed campus until further notice. Parents and visitors are not permitted to campus unless there is an essential reason, which will require an appointment and adherence to all on-campus protocols.

CAMPUS ARRIVAL
SCREENING CHECKPOINTS
Students and employees will be screened in their cars during morning drop off/arrival . Parents and students must remain in the car with masks on as they pass through the screening area.
SCREENING RESULTS
If anyone scans at or above 100˚F or has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they will be sent home.

URGENT PICK UP
Parents/guardians are expected to pick up their student immediately for any of the following reasons:
• They have difficulties following on-campus protocols
• They become ill
• They have close contact with an ill or symptomatic individual

DISTANCE LEARNING –
Still an option
Remote learning may continue to be the best option for your students who:
• May be considered in a high-risk health category
• Cannot safely distance from household members in the high-risk category
• May be unable to comply with the on-campus behavioral expectations
Concurrent programming will continue to provide both online and on-campus students with a robust Sequoyah School educational experience.

MASKS
Everyone is required to wear a mask at all times, except during designated eating schedules.

HAND WASHING & PERSONAL HYGIENE
Everyone on campus is expected to wash their hands regularly throughout the school day. Handwashing and hand-sanitizing stations are in various locations throughout campus.

PHYSICAL DISTANCE
All students and adults on campus must maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from any other individual at all times.

COHORTS
Sequoyah School’s Cohort/Social Connections model limits interactions and therefore reduces exposure. Students must remain in their assigned stable cohort, within assigned spaces on campus during this phase.

TRAVEL
Per state and county mandates, a quarantine period is required for any travel outside of the Southern California region regardless of the mode of transportation. Families and employees should plan accordingly and keep the school informed should travel of this nature be scheduled.

Do not come to campus
if you are feeling even mildly sick.
Resources
HEALTH & SAFETY RESOURCES
CALIFORNIANS FOR ALL!
Come together to help each other. JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
From Gov. Newsom – Learn how you can get involved.
PSA: Safe Shopping and Handling of Groceries and Take-out Food
Jeffrey VanWingen, MD, demonstrates safety tips for grocery shopping, and for bringing home and handling your groceries and take-out meals.
CDC: COVID-19 Travel Information
Travel Health Notices & FAQs for the U.S. and other countries
WHO Myth-Buster Page
Learn the truth about the virus myths and misperceptions.
The New York Times
FREE access to coronavirus articles and information with an account (just enter email and a password to open an account)
The Washington Post
Subscribe with your email address to receive the Coronavirus Updates Newsletter daily. Access to all coronavirus articles and information is FREE.
PARENT RESOURCES – Helpful Articles & Ideas
The New York Times:
I Love You, Kid, but Please Get Off Me
If your child is extra clingy right now, here’s why — and what you can do about it.
The New York Times:
How Quarantine Has Brought My Family Closer Together
With no weekend sports, volunteering or church obligations, our family connections are flourishing.
The New York Times:
You’re Stronger Than Your Quarantine Fatigue
A behavioral economist explains how to keep going, six (…seven? …eight?) weeks in.
Cultivating Fierce Optimism in the Age of Coronavirus
Our high school students share links to some good news stories they've chosen. Have a read... you'll feel better!
Harvard Business Review:
That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
Why it’s important to acknowledge the grief you may be feeling, how to manage it, and how we can find meaning in it.
The New York Times: 10 Ways to Ease Your Coronavirus Anxiety
Simple tips to help you relax and put things in perspective — in between washing your hands, of course.
Child Mind Institute: Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
Article and video to help you reduce worry and stress for your kids
How to Remain Engaged with Your Community While in Isolation
Guybe Slangen, Director of Community Engagement at San Francisco Friends School, shares tips for staying connected in a time of isolation
The Washington Post: How We Can Help Kids Increase Their Sense of Control
FREE access to coronavirus articles and information with an account (just enter email and a password to open an account)
The New York Times: Talking to Teens and Tweens about Coronavirus
Experts offer advice on how parents can help adolescents get the facts straight and be prepared.
PARENT RESOURCES – Activities & Events
"This is why it’s important to wash your hands."
In this video, 8-year-old Blue Ivy Carter uses a DIY science experiment to demonstrate how hand washing prevents the spread of diseases. Blue is the daughter of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Jay-Z. (view on Bue's grandmother's Instagram post.)
Stretch Breaks
Sequoyah' high school Student Support Coordinator, Carolina Arango, reminds our students to take "active pauses" from your desks since you are sitting so much during distance learning. Stretching your muscles can aid attention, motivation, engagement, and even memory. So, click on these links and move your body!
Common Sense Media: FREE Fun Stuff to Do
An epic list of FREE online events and activities for all ages: Virtual Storytimes; Virtual Drawing Lessons; Music Classes & Performances; Educational Activities & Lesson Plans; Arts, Film, and Music Lessons & Resources; Audiobooks; Virtual Tours; Fun & Games
Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world.
LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems!
Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence at Home, Mo Willems, invites you into his studio to doodle, and shares a game he invented for you to play after the doodles.