Soquel PENS Fall 2021
COVID 19 Health and Wellness Policies

Our updated policy includes the following information:
If any member of your household is exposed in a masked environment to Covid-19, the exposed person must have a negative Covid test before the SPENS student and adult volunteer may come to school.  In this particular scenario, we recommend a PCR test.  However, rapid tests will also be accepted. 
If the exposure occurred in an unmasked setting, please contact your teacher to help you work through this scenario.  

The following policies were passed by the Soquel PENS Volunteer Board by unanimous decision on August 19, 2021.
  •   Soquel PENS will follow all current Santa Cruz County Office of Education Covid-19 School Guidelines regulations in regards to COVID.
  • The following classes will be offered:
    • Three days a week AM: Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM, 9-11:30 (12-12:30 seminar)
    • Three days a week PM: Monday/Wednesday/Friday PM, 12:45-3:30 (4-4:30 seminar)
    • Two days a week AM: Tuesday/Thursday AM, 9-11:30 (12-12:30 seminar)
  • Teacher Colleen and Teacher Nancy will be the in person teachers, and they are both fully vaccinated.
  • We will not be offering an online option at this time.
  • All classroom volunteers will be fully vaccinated.
  • At this time, all adults and children will wear masks both inside and outside.
(There will be reasonable exceptions for children, knowing that masks may not always stay on. For example, if a child is crying then a mask might not be practical for the moment. Short breaks from mask-wearing when outside will be allowed, but children will be reminded to put the mask back on).
**This policy will continue to be updated according to the latest County Health Department and SCCOE guidelines throughout the year.
  • Volunteers and children will be asked to wear a close fitting mask that covers from the nose to the chin (no neck gaiters, bandanas, etc.) Single use masks will be provided for volunteers or children if masks from home do not meet requirements.
  • Non-registered volunteers will drop off/pick up at the gate to the outdoor play yard. Only adults who have been registered to volunteer can come on campus at this time.
  • Parents are asked to do daily health assessments prior to coming to school. Teachers will require the person dropping off to answer basic health questions, then the child will be walked to the sink to wash their hands by a working parent or teacher.
  • Outside will be utilized as much as possible. Cubbies and tables will be placed outside.
  • Two air purifiers will be placed indoors and in-use when wet weather brings class inside. The windows stay open no matter what weather.
  • If the adult volunteer or child is showing COVID symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, they may not return to school until they have met all three of the following requirements: 
  1. 24 hrs have passed since resolution of fever without fever reducing medication AND
  2. Other symptoms have improved AND
  3. They have proof of a negative COVID PCR Test , or a doctor's note (standard county form) documenting that their symptoms are typical of an underlying condition or alternative diagnosis, OR at least 10 days have passed since the onset of their symptoms. ** subject to change per the SCCOE Covid-19 Guidelines for Schools
  • If anyone in the household exhibits a brief, singular COVID symptom then the child and the adult volunteer will stay home from school. If the registered child and the adult volunteer have remained asymptomatic for 48 hours after the household symptoms have cleared or there is a negative COVID test, the parent will check in with the teacher prior to returning to school.
  • COVID Exposure: If the adult volunteer or the child is exposed to a positive case of COVID, regardless of symptoms they will have to quarantine. The details of the quarantine depend on whether it happened at school or not. Please let us know immediately if you are in this situation so we can navigate this process with the use of the SCCOE Covid-19 School Guidelines. ** Subject to change
  • If a child in class contracts COVID, all families will be notified. We will follow the SCCOE Covid-19 School Guidelines regarding quarantine.
  • All families will bring their own snacks and each child will bring their own water bottle. Feel free to consult our snack guidelines if you want tips on what to pack. No sharing of snacks between children will be allowed. Food will be consumed outside in small, spaced out groups.
  • We will use our outside sinks for handwashing. Children can use the inside sinks when they go in to use the bathroom and diaper changes will also occur inside.

*These policies are subject to change based upon Santa Cruz County Office of Education COVID-19 School Guidelines and Regulations.
**Updated September 21, 2021