Illnesses Protocol
When should I keep my child home from school?
Do not send your child to school if you suspect they may be ill or have exhibited any of the following signs or symptoms. Contact the office, and your healthcare provider to assess next steps:
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An elevated temperature at or over 100 degrees taken orally, or 100.4 taken temporally during the last 24 hours.
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Vomiting within the last 24 hours.
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Repeated episodes of diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
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Chills, loss of appetite, unusual fatigue, numbness of mouth, and/or lingering headache.
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A significant amount of nasal discharge, particularly if the discharge is yellow or greenish in color.
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A persistent cough.
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A significant sore throat.
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An earache.
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A significant rash
All contagious and communicable diseases (viruses, COVID, chickenpox, measles, pinworms, lice, etc.) must be immediately reported to the school office so we can comply with reporting requirements.Individual names of affected students will not be shared in any school communication.
To prevent the spread of infections at school and to allow children to fully recover, please keep your child home for 24 hours following the cessation of fever, symptoms of a common cold, vomiting, diarrhea, or any other indication of contagious illness. In the case of fever (oral temperature above 100 degrees, temporal 100.4 or higher), the child needs to be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
COVID Safety Information
Updated November 2022
After carefully considering CDC and ADPH guidelines, as well as ongoing recommendations from JCDH, Alabama Waldorf School has updated the following safety protocols.
Free Weekly Onsite Testing (grades K - 7)
AWS highly recommends all students opt-in for weekly testing.
We are happy to offer COVID-19 testing is voluntary, free, and safe. Parents and guardians give consent for their children K – 7 to be tested. Faculty & Staff may also consent to participate. This is an ongoing program. Once your child is registered for the school year, there is no need to re-register them. Testing occurs each Thursday at 11:00 am, and confidential results are texted or emailed to you (and school admin) by Friday morning.
Learn more and register your child. You must re-register your child for the 2022-2023 school year even if they participated last year.
Mask Wearing
AWS is following a Mask Optional policy for both indoors and outdoors.
(Please check here for an explanation of risk levels and corresponding recommendations.)
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This change in policy acknowledges that COVID is not "over," but the risk has decreased significantly in our local area.
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Mask optional does not mean we are no longer wearing masks at all. It means faculty/staff, parents (for their children and themselves), visitors, etc. can make the decision that is best for them.
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It means that the school reserves the right, at any time, to return to universal masking if it is deemed a necessary safety measure based on local caseloads and CDC guidelines.
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Parents are asked to inform their child’s teacher(s) should they wish for their child to continue to remain masked, and teachers will honor and encourage this choice.
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All students must continue to bring a mask to school, in the case that COVID-like symptoms present.
Exposure Guidelines for All Students, Nursery through 8th Grade, and Faculty/Staff
Following a direct exposure to COVID-19:
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If asymptomatic, student or teacher is able to come to school, and required to wear a mask for at least 5 days, and then test on day 5.
Following a positive test result for COVID-19, the student or teacher may return after:
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Minimum of 5 days from the positive test, AND
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All symptoms have improved significantly, AND
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Fever-free for 24 hours without medical aid.
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Student will need to wear a well fitting mask until it has been a complete 10 days from the positive test result.
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*Children who are unable to wear a mask must stay home for the full 10 days
Please remember to direct all COVID-related questions to adamsky@alabamawaldorf.org and report absences to absences@alabamawaldorf.org.
In the event that a case of possible or confirmed COVID-19 exposure comes to our attention, we will assess the level of exposure and risk to others using current local and CDC health guidelines. That assessment will dictate the implementation of notifications and other protocols.
In order to stay abreast of the complex and evolving situation in the United States and to exercise best practices in safeguarding our community, Alabama Waldorf School is remaining in constant communication with government and educational organizations. For the most detailed and up-to-date information on COVID-19, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Please email Annie Damsky or call 205-592-0541 you or a family member have contracted coronavirus.
Air Quality Information
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MERV 13 filters have been installed in all HVAC units. These are changed out monthly, as recommended.
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Bathroom vent fans will run at all times when children are in the classroom.
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HEPA air purifiers (in room units) will run at all times when children are in the classroom (one unit per classroom).
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Humidity will be monitored to maintain a 40-60% level, humidifiers will be added to the classroom if determined as necessary.
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Air conditioners will be set at or below 74 when room is in use, and turned up to 78 when not in use. Units will not be turned off.