COVID-19 Planning: Our Way Forward

Last Updated: February 25, 2021
As we continue to plan the 2020-21 school year, we remain vigilant in our monitoring of the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of COVID-19. The health and safety of our community members continues to be our top priority.
 
In planning for a safe return to campus for our students, the JTD Administration and Board of Trustees have relied on scientific and public health guidance to inform our decision making.
 
As of this time, Los Angeles County remains in Tier 1 / Deep Purple of the state monitoring system, and we must continue to comply with current restrictions and guidance.
 
We have successfully run on-campus supervised care for a cohort of 12 employee children since our first day of school on September 3. Under the guidance for In-Person Specialized Services, we have had back on campus students across all grades, beginning with Kindergarten on October 15 and expanding to Grades 1 and 2 on November 12. Students in Grades 3-6 were brought to campus for a half-day in October and November. JTD received the TK-2 waiver for in-person instruction from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on November 17, 2020. The list of approved schools and applications can be found on LACDPH’s website.
 
Per the guidelines from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the completed Reopening Protocols for K-12 Schools are required to be published on the school website. You may read JTD's Reopening Protocols here. The John Thomas Dye School Exposure Management and Communications Plan and The John Thomas Dye School COVID-19 Containment, Response, and Control Plan can be found on myJTD.
Per the guidelines from the California Department of Public Health, the completed CDPH COVID-10 Safety Plan (CSP) can be found here. 
 
We recognize that members of our community are likely to have many questions, and we hope that you will find some answers below. We will continue to add more information below as our plan evolves.

Health & Safety

List of 5 items.

  • Safeguards for Reopening Campus

    Guidelines & Policy
    • Opening of campus guided by local and federal public health officials
    • Policy for how symptoms and screening will be managed
    • Policy for on-campus triage of student or employee health complaints
    • Location for isolation (for student with symptoms while they await pick up)
    • Response policies for any positive test results 

    Student Protocols
    • Symptom survey completed daily
    • Temperature taken upon arrival
    • Face coverings worn at all times by all students
    • Cohorts of students to limit mixing of students
    • Physical distancing of at least 6 feet
    • Frequent scheduled proper hand hygiene (hand-washing, sanitizer, etc.) 
    • Limited sharing of materials with frequent cleaning
    • Non-contact activities during PE and recess
    • Lunches brought from home or served individually and eaten in cohort in outside spaces, whenever possible

    Faculty/Staff Protocols
    • Symptom survey completed daily
    • Temperature taken upon arrival
    • Face coverings worn at all times
    • Physical distancing of at least 6 feet in offices and classrooms
    • Minimize extended contact by teachers with multiple student cohorts

    Increased Cleaning Protocols
    • Increased cleaning staff throughout the day and after school
    • Frequent disinfecting of common areas and high-touch surfaces throughout the day
    • Fogging of all classrooms and common spaces nightly
    • Hand sanitizer and disinfectant supplies in every classroom and all common areas

    Traffic Flow
    • One-way traffic flow in designated areas to allow for physical distancing
    • Signs to indicate direction of movement
    • Increased storage in classrooms to reduce use of lockers and mixing of students

    Facilities
    • Student desks spaced at least six feet apart and facing same direction
    • Use of physical, plexiglass barriers on student and office desks
    • No-touch hand sanitizer stations throughout common areas
    • No-touch soap dispensers, sinks, and toilets in student bathrooms
    • Additional portable sinks located throughout campus to prevent crowding
    • Doors propped open to allow touchless entry
    • Windows and doors open to ensure indoor/outdoor circulation
    • Use of outdoor space as much as possible, with additional temporary tents to provide shade
    • Use of all learning spaces to ensure appropriate spacing of students

    More information about these procedures can be found in The John Thomas Dye School COVID-19 Containment, Response, and Control Plan, located on the Resource Board of myJTD. 

  • Health Screenings

    • We will be requiring families and employees to complete a daily symptom screening through our emergency communications system, Ruvna. Each morning a link will be emailed and texted to families and employees. Families and employees will complete the brief survey, and the results will be shared with the School Nurse and administrators as needed. In the case that the symptom screening is flagged due to symptoms or possible exposure, the child or employee will not be permitted on campus or will be held in isolation until a parent/guardian can pick up their child. Questions about the symptom screening results are directed to the School Nurse.

      As each child and employee arrives on campus, school personnel will take temperatures using no-touch thermometers. Any child or employee with a temperature over 100.4*F will not be permitted on campus or will be held in isolation until a parent/guardian can pick up their child.

    • It is incredibly important that all community members share vital symptom, exposure, and COVID-19 testing information with us, understanding that no one will be subject to discrimination based on their health status. We are committed to protecting the privacy of any person who tests positive or is suspected of having COVID-19.

    More information about these procedures can be found in The John Thomas Dye School COVID-19 Containment, Response, and Control Plan and The John Thomas Dye School Exposure Management Plan, located on the Resource Board of myJTD. 

  • Personal Protection Protocols

    Below are some of the personal protection protocols we will be requiring for student and employee health:
    • Require face coverings for staff and students
    • Encourage students and staff to wash hands at regular intervals throughout the day, utilizing sanitizer when handwashing is not possible
    • Encourage students to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, disposing of tissue and washing hands immediately

  • Public Health Task Force

    The JTD administration has formed a Public Health Task Force, comprised of JTD trustees and members of the JTD staff with expertise in the medical, legal, and public health fields, to advise on matters related to COVID-19 and the reopening of campus. The Public Health Task Force serves in an advisory capacity, with all decisions ultimately being made by the JTD administration. The Board members who participate in the Public Health Task Force are as follows:

    Premal Desai, MD is a urologic oncologist who specializes in minimally invasive surgery at Tower Urology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.  He has served as the Clinical Chief of the Division of Urology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center for the last 4 years and is President of the Los Angeles Urological Society.  He is an active member of the medical staff, sitting on the Cancer Committee and Physician/Nurse Joint Practice Committee at the hospital.

    Roxanne Diaz is a shareholder at the law firm of Richards, Watson & Gershon and specializes in the representation of public entities advising clients on public law and land use issues.  In light of COVID-19, a part of Roxanne’s practice has shifted to assisting the firm’s clients with navigating the myriad of federal, state and county orders and legislation as well as drafting and implementing emergency legislation, including health orders, at the local level.  Roxanne currently serves as the City Attorney for the cities of Indio, Hidden Hills and Maywood.

    Stephanie Smooke Praw, MD is an Associate Professor of Medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. She is an endocrinologist, specializing in thyroid disease and thyroid cancer, Director of Education for the Division of Endocrinology, and Program Director for the UCLA Endocrinology Fellowship Program. She graduated with a BA from Yale University and completed medical school, residency, and fellowship training at UCLA. In addition to her involvement on the JTD Public Health Task Force, she also serves on the national COVID Task Force for the Association of Program Directors in Endocrinology and Metabolism (APDEM), as well as providing guidance for other Los Angeles-based institutions.

    Nanci E. Rascoff, MD, MPH was formerly an Acting Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Rascoff’s clinical work focused on juvenile arthritis and autoimmune disease.  She also served on the Credentialing and Professional Standards Oversight Committee for the hospital.  While in Seattle, she served on the Board of Trustees at the Seattle Country Day School. Dr. Rascoff received her Masters in Public Health from the University of California at Los Angeles and worked in access to care and health policy at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.  She received her BA from Harvard College and her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine.

    Hannah S. Yuen is an Associate General Counsel at Genentech, Inc., a leading biotechnology company and A Member of the Roche Group.  Since joining the company in 2003, Hannah has served as the architect of key legal strategies for complex, high stakes litigation and healthcare law matters, including the oversight of significant intellectual property disputes and the resolution of government investigations.  In her role, Hannah provides strategic legal advice and guidance to the company’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors that seeks to align legal risk with the accomplishment of core business goals and values. 

    The Public Health Task Force liaises with additional experts in the field in an advisory capacity. We welcome input from other members of the community. Please reach out to School Nurse Kristen Venick or a member of the task force if you would like to offer input or have a question for the group.

  • Updates To Facilities For Hygiene & Safety

    Below are some of the updates and considerations we will be taking to improve facilities and traffic flow: 
    • Student desks spaced at least six feet apart and facing same direction
    • Existing filters replaced with medical grade MERV 13 filters
    • Additional HEPA filters for areas with limited access to fresh air
    • Removing rugs and other communal furniture
    • Plexiglass barriers for student and teacher desks
    • No-touch sanitizer stations throughout common areas
    • No-touch soap dispensers, sinks, and toilets in student bathrooms
    • Water bottle fillers to replace drinking fountains
    • Additional portable sinks located throughout campus
    • Doors propped open to allow touchless entry
    • Windows and doors open to ensure circulation
    • Use of outdoor space as much as possible, with additional temporary tents to provide shade
    • One-way traffic flow in designated areas to allow for social distancing
    • Signs to indicate direction of movement
    • Storage in classrooms to reduce use of lockers and mixing of students

    Below are some of the increased cleaning protocols we will be implementing:
    • Clean shared objects between uses
    • Increased cleaning staff throughout the day and after school
    • Frequent disinfecting of common areas and high-touch surfaces throughout the day
    • Fogging of classrooms and common spaces nightly
    • Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in every classroom and all common areas
    • Additional portable hand washing stations around campus

    More information about these procedures can be found in The John Thomas Dye School COVID-19 Containment, Response, and Control Plan.

On-Campus Learning

List of 6 items.

  • Structure of Cohorts

    In preparation for a return to in-person learning, we will be assigning students to cohorts for both on-campus and remote learning. Cohort size will depend on the number of students on campus at each grade level, as well as the space of the cohort’s classroom to allow for appropriate physical distancing.

    In Grades K-4, one teacher is assigned to each cohort and provides instruction in all core subject areas. In Grades 5-6, one teacher is assigned to each cohort and provides instruction in language arts, social studies, social emotional learning and serves as an advisor. Math is taught separately. In all grades, art, music, and technology are taught on a trimester rotation with one specialist teacher per grade level. When back on campus, specialists in library, PE, and science will use a combination of virtual, outdoor, and indoor instruction to minimize student contacts for teachers. Floater teachers will support instruction and maintain the continuity of instruction in the case of teacher absence.

  • Limitations to On-Campus Activities

    In order to comply with social distancing protocols, the following on-campus activities will be limited for the time being: 
    • Whole grade, division, and all-school assemblies or gatherings
    • Athletics practices and games
    • Visitors to campus, including parents

    We will make every effort to postpone important on-campus activities until a later date when it might be safer to hold them on campus. If an important event cannot be postponed or needs to take place at a particular time of year, we will reimagine activities in a virtual environment. 

  • Postponement or Cancellation of Off-Campus Activities

    For the health and safety of our students, we will be postponing or canceling off-campus activities, such as field trips, athletics, and grade-level overnight trips. Every effort will be made to postpone important off-campus activities until a later date when it might be safer to travel off-campus.

  • Bus Transportation

    We recognize that many families rely on the JTD bus transportation program to get their children to/from school. In order to comply with current guidelines, we will likely be taking the following steps:
    • Families who can use alternative transportation are encouraged to do so to limit number of students on each bus
    • Bus riders spaced out as much as possible (ex. 1 child per row or against window) 
    • Siblings may be placed less than 6 feet apart.
    • All students must wear masks; addition of face shields if distance of less than 6 feet
    • Windows open if weather allows
    • Parents wait with students at stop until student is permitted to board
    • Daily symptom screening and temperature measurement required before student is allowed to enter bus
    • Increased cleaning protocols 

    For more information about the bus transportation program, please contact Auxiliary Program Manager Jason Wolfe at jwolfe@jtdschool.org.

  • Carpools

    We understand that some families rely on carpools for transportation to and from school. If other arrangements can be made, we encourage families to limit use of carpools during this period of time so as to minimize mixing of students. If a family must use a carpool for transportation, we recommend the following measures be taken to minimize exposure:
    • Seat children as far apart from one another as possible (ex. every other seat or on different rows if possible)
    • Have children wear face coverings at all times
    • Confirm the absence of symptoms before a child enters the driver’s car
    • Have the windows down, weather permitting

  • After School Care and After School Enrichment

    We recognize that many families rely on after school care in order to accommodate their work schedules. We plan to offer After School Care on a limited basis with required registration in advance. To allow for social distancing and minimize mixing of students, we will be conducting After School Care outdoors. In the case of inclement weather, we will utilize large spaces, such as the library and gym. If a family is running late for afternoon carpool, we will offer a grace period of 15 minutes of supervised care on the Upper Lawn. Any family not arriving during this time will be contacted and their child(ren) will come under the supervision of After School Care staff. Families using After School Care will be charged the hourly rate of $15/hour or a fraction thereof.

    After School Enrichment will be conducted virtually for at least the first trimester. For more information about these programs, please contact Auxiliary Programs Manager, Jason Wolfe at jwolfe@jtdschool.org.

Remote Learning

List of 5 items.

  • Opt-in, Full-Time Remote Learning

    In order to accommodate students with medical concerns, we will be offering a remote learning program that aligns with on-campus learning. The primary platforms for remote learning in these grades will be Seesaw (lower grades), Google Classroom (upper grades), and Zoom. Depending on the number of students at each grade level, full-time remote learning will either have a designated remote teacher at each grade level or students will utilize video streaming software to observe lessons and engage in discussions with classmates. In either mode, there will be teacher support for the remote learners to ensure student understanding and participation. Remote teachers will collaborate with the other grade-level teachers to provide curriculum and instruction that accomplishes the learning goals aligned with the on-campus program. If only a handful of full-time remote learners are at each grade level, students will be connected with the in-person learning via streaming software. In this case, students will remain on the same schedule as the on-campus program for core classes and specialist classes as much as possible. For classes where synchronous learning is challenging or not possible, such as PE or other specialist classes, additional assignments will be made available using Google Classroom or Seesaw.

    When students are permitted to return to campus, families will be surveyed about their preference for resuming in-person learning or remaining in remote learning. Requests to shift to full-time remote learning or full-time on-campus learning will be considered on a case-by-case basis or at a natural break in the learning cycle, such as parent-teacher conferences or the end of the trimester. For questions about the opt-in, full-time remote learning plan, families may set up an appointment with one of the Division Heads by emailing Cheryl Alcaraz.

  • Switching to Remote Learning by Mandate

    Due to the rapidly changing nature of this public health crisis, the school is prepared to close campus and launch remote learning for all students as required by local, state, or federal mandates, as needed. Additionally, certain cohorts may need to adapt to remote learning in the case of a positive case amongst the cohort or potentially a known exposure to a positive case. All faculty will be utilizing the Seesaw and Google Classroom platforms, as well as digital curriculum tools within the core learning program, so that these switches may occur as seamlessly as possible.

  • Structure of the Remote Learning Program

    The Remote Learning Program is intended to be as similar to in-person learning as is feasible in terms of the daily schedule and structure of lessons. Students are assigned to a small cohort with a homeroom teacher who is responsible for the core instruction in math, language arts, social studies, and social emotional learning (in Grades 5-6, math is taught separately).

    Students follow a predictable Monday-Friday schedule that begins with all-school assembly at 8:00am and concludes with a closing meeting (2:40pm for Grades K-3 and 2:50pm for Grades 4-6). The schedule, including standing Zoom links, is posted to the homeroom/cohort class pages on myJTD. Parents and caregivers should support students with reminders about their schedule so that students are on time to classes.

    Students begin their day logging into all-school assembly for the Pledge of Allegiance, the Salutation of the Dawn, and school-wide announcements, including student and faculty/staff birthdays. Siblings are encouraged to join the assembly from a single device to minimize the number of participants. Students then join their homeroom’s morning meeting, which is the same link used for all lessons taught by their cohort teacher. Specialist classes have unique links, but they are the same for each class.

    Lessons are structured so that students have synchronous direct instruction, meaning the teacher introduces a concept with a mini-lesson at the start of the class, followed by teacher-monitored guided practice or independent practice. During the second part of the lessons, students mostly complete work away from their screens but stay logged into the Zoom meeting or return to it in order to access their teacher for questions or to demonstrate their understanding. Depending on the lesson, teachers may structure small group or individual check-ins with some students while others work independently.

    Because teachers are monitoring students’ progress and informally assessing their understanding throughout the day, students are not required to submit all completed work. Depending on the assignment or task, students may need to upload a work product via Seesaw and Google Classroom. We ask that parents and caregivers provide support as needed to students with this process to ensure that their work is loaded correctly.

    To balance the synchronous schedule, teachers build in screen free time and motor breaks throughout the day. The remote learning schedule features Flex Time to build community and connection while learning remotely. This time may be used for students to complete work independently, to combine cohorts or have grade level meetings, or for teachers to have individual check-ins with students. In the upper grades, this time may also be used for students to participate in clubs, such as Debate, Student Council, or the newspaper.

    Sample Schedules

  • Student & Family Expectations

    Student Expectations for Virtual Classrooms
    • Students should be dressed in full uniform.
    • Students should follow the daily schedule posted on their class page.
    • Students should be in the Zoom classroom when class begins. If a student cannot access the Zoom room or needs technical support, the student or family should email the teacher leading the class. 
    • Students’ names should be displayed as a first name and last initial.
    • Video must be on at all times unless the teacher requests otherwise. Students may communicate via chat with their teacher in the event that they need to turn off video or leave for any reason.
    • Students should turn off mics unless it is their turn to participate.
    • Students should be seated or positioned in a workstation.
    • Students should listen respectfully with their bodies and expressions--no distracting faces, movements, or changes to Zoom settings.
    • Students should only use the chat or annotation functions as requested by the teacher while instructions/lessons are being delivered.
    • Students should only be on Zoom and/or online spaces required for the lesson.
    • Students may not use phones or other non-learning related devices during class time.
    • Students should not allow any other person to complete work for them or use an unauthorized resource during an assessment.
    • Students should submit quality work to teachers, as per given instructions.
    • Students need to incorporate teacher feedback and adjust future assignments based on given feedback.

    Parent/Caregiver Expectations for Supporting Remote Learning
    • Establish a quiet, distraction-free work area for each child. Ensure materials are readily accessible and organized. Provide earphones for children to improve sound quality.
    • Each child should be logged onto an individual device. The school may loan devices on a limited basis by request to helpdesk@jtdschool.org.
    • Support your child, as needed, with joining classes on time and uploading work so that it is submitted correctly and is legible to the teachers.
    • Allow students to work independently, encouraging them to seek support from their teachers during independent practice. If a teacher is not available, email the teacher on behalf of the child (Grades K-3) or encourage students to communicate directly via email (Grades 4-6).
    • Do not edit, correct, or proofread student work. Provide prompts to encourage students to problem solve or seek help from a teacher as needed.
    • Encourage children to take breaks for snack and lunch so that they stay hydrated and fueled for learning.
    • Ensure children are physically active every day, getting outside as much as possible.
    • Monitor children’s screen time outside of school hours.
    • Read carefully email communications from the teachers and administrators.
    • Report absences through SchoolPass and coordinate with teachers about making up missed work as needed.

  • Technology Troubleshooting

    We realize that from time to time, families may encounter technical difficulties related to hardware, internet connectivity, or accessing and using the digital platforms. We have set up a dedicated email for technology troubleshooting. Families are encouraged to use the links below to try to troubleshoot issues specific to Seesaw and Zoom. 

    Email the JTD Technology helpdesk - helpdesk@jtdschool.org 
    • Obtaining a loaner device from the school for remote learning
    • General device support
    • Access issues to platforms - Seesaw or Google Classroom 
    • Issues downloading documents from Seesaw, or printing from Seesaw/Google Classroom
    Seesaw questions - Seesaw Help Desk 
    • How do I update my Seesaw app?
    • What platforms, browsers and operating systems does Seesaw support?
    Zoom issues - Check Zoom Status 

COMMUNICATION & RESPONSE

List of 3 items.

  • Notification

    In accordance with city and state laws and regulations, the School will notify local health officials, staff, and families of any confirmed cases and/or known exposures and advise those who have had close contact to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms. The School will maintain confidentiality of the person’s identity in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

    More information about these procedures can be found in the The John Thomas Dye School Exposure Management Plan.

  • Isolation

    Staff or students who demonstrate COVID-19 symptoms (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath) while at school will be quickly isolated and supported by a designated staff member. The school will then ensure the safe transport of the sick person either home or to a healthcare facility. The areas used by the sick person will be closed off and not used until proper cleaning and disinfection can take place.

  • Response to Positive Case or Exposure

    In the case of a positive case on campus, the family of the student or the employee who has tested positive will be given Home Isolation instructions per the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) Health Officer Order. The School Nurse will work with the appropriate community members to identify close contacts of the positive case and provide them Home Quarantine instructions per the LACDPH. The school will work with the LACDPH and if deemed necessary, on-campus learning will be suspended and impacted students will switch to the remote learning platform for the period of time as advised by public health officials. More information about these procedures can be found in The John Thomas Dye School Exposure Management Plan.

Family & Community Engagement

List of 4 items.

  • Restriction of Visitors to Campus

    Campus will be closed to parents and other visitors for the time being. Protocols for late arrivals and early departures can be found in the JTD Family Handbook.

  • Traditions

    One of the most treasured aspects of a JTD education is our time-honored traditions. Requirements for social distancing and restrictions on gathering will impact the way we honor these traditions. Every effort will be made to observe traditions, either in a reimagined way that allows for social distancing, virtually, or by postponing until a later date. Please see the Calendar section for more information. In the weeks and months ahead, we will share more information about these plans, which are also subject to change as public health guidance evolves.

  • Admissions

    All admissions activities taking place in the 2020-21 school year will be conducted virtually. Please check the Admissions page for information about virtual tours, open houses, admissions coffees, interviews, and student assessments.

    For more information, please visit the Admissions page of the website or contact the admissions office.

  • Calendar Updates

    Please find below updates to the calendar for the first trimester. Exact timing and links for virtual events will be provided in subsequent communications or can be found on myJTD. Plans are subject to change as public health guidance evolves.

    New Family Orientation
    August 12
    8:00-9:30am
    Held Virtually

    Back to School Picnic and Parent Orientation
    Monday, August 31
    5:00pm
    Held Virtually 

    Remote Learning Orientations for Students
    Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2
    Staggered, Half-Day Sessions
    Held Virtually

    First Full Day of School
    Thursday, September 3
    Held Virtually

    Parents' Association Class Coffee
    Wednesday, September 9
    9:30am
    Held Virtually 

    Back to School Night
    Thursday, September 24
    Held Virtually

    No School: Yom Kippur
    Monday, September 28

    No School: Professional Development Day
    Monday, October 12

    No School/Parent-Teacher Conferences
    Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23 
    Held Virtually

    Additional Parent-Teacher Conferences for Grades 5 and 6
    Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 27
    Held Virtually

    Halloween Festivities
    Friday, October 30
    1:30-3:00pm
    Drive-thru Car Parade

    Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day
    Tuesday, November 24
    Held Virtually

    Kindergarten Nutcracker
    Wednesday, December 16
    Held Virtually

    Candle Lighting
    Wednesday, December 16
    TBD

    Holiday Carols
    Thursday, December 17
    Held Virtually

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

List of 9 items.

  • Q: Can we have play dates/play sports with friends in our cohort/outside our cohort?

    A: JTD strongly recommends that families comply with all Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance on social gatherings, social distancing, mask wearing and other health and safety measures outside of school to mitigate the health risks of COVID-19. Parents should exercise their individual judgment regarding what is best for the health, safety, and well-being of their families.

  • Q: What is JTD’s travel policy?

    A: On February 3, 2021, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued the following new guidance related to travel: “All persons arriving in or returning to the County of Los Angeles from other states or countries, must self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival." Please review the updated LACDPH Travel Guidance here.
     
    As part of the daily screening, families will be asked to verify that their child has not traveled outside of California in the last 10 days.” Families who are quarantining due to travel should coordinate their absence with the appropriate Division Head. We ask that families give notice of an absence due to quarantine at least one week prior to their planned on-campus day. 

  • Q: When do you think our grade will be back on campus?

    A: JTD students’ return to campus varies by what is allowed by LACDPH.
     
    Grades K-2 Waiver: JTD filed a waiver application on Monday, October 5, seeking permission for K-2 students to return to campus full-time. Unlike the provision under which students in Grades K-2 have returned to campus, this waiver does not limit the number of students that may return to campus at one time, but is subject to compliance with other State and local guidance governing a safe return to school. LACDPH approved our application on Tuesday, November 17. We are aiming to bring students in Grades K-2 back full-time on Monday, February 1, 2021. Students enrolled in full-time remote learning will remain in their current cohorts with teachers utilizing the SWIVL to support remote learning.
     
    Specialized Services: A provision of the LACDPH guidelines allows a school to identify its most high needs students that benefit from in-person instruction. This group must not exceed 25% of the overall student population at any one time and must be limited to cohorts of 14 or fewer students. 
     
    JTD will be using this guidance to bring students in Grades 3-6 to campus according to the following schedule beginning Monday, February 1, 2021:
    Monday: Grade 3
    Tuesday: Grade 5
    Wednesday: Grade 6
    Thursday: Grade 3
    Friday: Grade 4 
    Because our cohort size exceeds 14 in Grades 4-6, we will be creating different groups for on-campus days; remote learning will continue in our original cohorts. 
     
    Youth Sports/Athletic Conditioning: JTD will be bringing students in Grades 6 back for one hour two afternoons a week under LACDPH’s guidance for youth sports that allows outdoor athletic conditioning. The optional after school program for Grade 6 will take place on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30-4:30pm starting on Friday, February 5, 2021. 
     
    Grades 3-6 Waiver: LACDPH is not currently allowing students in Grades 3-6 to return to campus under the TK-6 waiver allowed by the State. When the County allows these grades to return to campus, JTD is committed to acting as promptly as possible to have students in these grades come to campus as much as cohort restrictions allow.
     
    Tier 2 Status: In the event that the LA County COVID-19 rates fall and are sustained for 14 days below the statistical threshold for Tier 1 and LACDPH otherwise allows it, JTD will promptly set into motion plans to welcome back all students in a manner and on a timetable consistent with the health and safety of our community.

  • Q: How will JTD handle COVID-19 positive cases and/or potential exposures?

    A: Each situation must be assessed on an individual basis and in consultation with the LACDPH to which we are required to report all confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. For additional information, please refer to the School’s COVID-19 Exposure Management Plan, which can be found under the “COVID-19 Policies & Procedures” button on the Resource Board of myJTD.

  • Q: How will the school communicate with us about positive cases and/or potential exposures?

    A: JTD is dedicated to its partnership with families, which is rooted in transparent communication. If any member of the JTD community tests positive for COVID-19, we will promptly communicate the appropriate management plan to all individuals who are potentially impacted, in a manner that respects the privacy of all members of the JTD community.

  • Q: If my child is in Remote Learning but has tested positive or been exposed to someone who has tested positive, do I need to inform the School?

    A: You are not required to report to the School while in remote learning unless you have a family member who is coming to campus (i.e., faculty/staff member or another student who has returned to campus). You are welcome to reach out to School Nurse Kristen Venick for guidance or support. If your child is symptomatic and must miss class, please follow the regular protocol for illness and/or absences as outlined in the JTD Family Handbook.

  • Q: If my child has had a fever while remote but is scheduled to come to school, what should we do?

    A: If your child has a fever at all and they are scheduled to come to school, please reach out to School Nurse Kristen Venick as soon as possible to discuss your child’s return to school plan. Children with a fever (100.4 degrees or higher) must stay home, and may only return to school once LACDPH/JTD COVID-19 return to school criteria are met. The day of a planned return to school, parents will need to report symptoms either using the Ruvna Health Screening or by contacting our School Nurse Kristen Venick, who will provide families with further guidance.

  • Q: Do families need a negative COVID-19 test to return to campus?

    A: Yes, as an additional precaution, JTD is requiring students returning to campus to submit a negative PCR test. As a convenience to families, we will be offering free COVID-19 drive-thru testing on Wednesday, January 27 from 8:00am-4:00pm. Families will be sent a link to register insurance information, and the provider will bill $100 of the cost to insurance. The remaining $25 will be paid by JTD. Test results will be available approximately 48 hours after testing. More information on the on-campus testing was sent in a separate communication.

    If you choose not to participate in JTD’s on-campus testing, you may submit a test result administered between January 26 and your child’s planned return to campus to Kristen Venick. Click here for a full list of testing sites. Reservations typically need to be made 24-48 hours in advance, and results often take up to 48 hours. Please keep in mind the test needs to be a PCR test, not the rapid antigen test.

    Any student who chooses not to be tested or does not have the appropriate negative test result will not be allowed to participate in the on campus program and will need to participate remotely. 

    Teachers have been doing surveillance testing once per week. We are finalizing our schedule for student intermittent surveillance testing and will share more details in future communications.

  • Q: What kind of mask should my child wear?

    A: JTD will require everyone to wear a cloth face mask while on campus, unless during lunch or snack times, which will be held outdoors and physically distant to the extent possible. Students will not be allowed to wear non-school approved masks, such as those with an outer vent or those with distracting or scary designs. We prefer students wear a disposable medical-grade mask and will provide a disposable mask to students who need them. Please note that if a child's mask is not deemed sufficient (ill-fitting or too thin), we will replace it with a disposable medical-grade mask.

The John Thomas Dye School

11414 Chalon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 476-2811

Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics,  and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.

The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.