COVID-19 Updates

What is the current status of COVID-19 in Western Pennsylvania?

The most up-to-date information can be found on the CDC’s website (including a specific list of FAQs about the virus) and the ACHD’s website. These agencies provide the most reliable fact sheets, recommendations, and advisories related to COVID-19.

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What is the best way to talk to my child about COVID-19?

The needs of each family and child will differ in responding to this situation. We recommend reading the following articles to help you decide the best way to proceed:

• How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus (Time)

• How To Talk to Kids About Coronavirus (New York Times)

 

What can our community do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

For the time being, the most important thing you can do is follow routine preventative measures. It is important that we model these measures for our students. Please review the information regarding Waldorf School of Pittsburgh's sick policy:

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• When should my child stay home?

  • If your child is not well enough to be at school at the normal start time (8:15am), keep them at home for the entire school day. Do not plan for your child to sleep in and bring them to school on a delayed schedule. Do not send them to school if they are feeling poorly and tell them you can pick them up if they start feeling worse. If you recognize that your child is not well enough to be at school for the entire day, do not send them to school for a portion of the day.

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• Per our Family Handbook, the following are signs that children are ill and may not be at school:

  • Children with a temperature above 100.4°F must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school

  • Children who have episodes of vomiting or diarrhea must be kept home for 24 hours after the last episode

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• In addition, children may not be on campus if they are ill with any common cold, influenza, or COVID-19 like symptoms. Children must refrain from being on campus if they have any unusual or persistent respiratory symptoms or the following symptoms:

  • cough

  • congestion

  • headache, muscle, or body aches

  • nasal drip**

  • nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea

  • loss of taste or smell

  • feeling cold/shivering

  • elevated temperature

  • sore throat

  • inflamed/pink eyes

 

**If you are presenting baseline symptoms such as seasonal allergies, please contact your health practitioner for further guidance as we recognize that seasonal allergies are common in Western PA.

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• Please be vigilant in looking for the symptoms of the following common contagious diseases, which require a doctor’s clearance before a child may return to school. If your child is diagnosed with one of these diseases, you must contact the front office immediately:

  • pink eye

  • strep throat

  • lice

  • chicken pox

  • impetigo, scabies, and ringworm

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• Who should I tell that my child is ill?

  • If your child is home sick, you must contact the front office by phone or email no later than 9:00am on the day of the absence for it to be excused. It is also helpful to CC your child’s teacher on any emails about absences.​

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• What else should I keep in mind?

  • The school does not have a nurse on staff. Our nursing facilities are intended for students who experience emergencies or become sick during the course of the school day. The front office is not to be considered a fallback option for students who are already feeling ill at the start of the day.

  • Be vigilant about hand-washing and other preventative actions. These basic actions keep us all healthier regardless of the season; however, they are particularly important during this season.

    • washing your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. This link demonstrates the CDC’s recommended practice for washing your hands.

    • avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

    • avoiding close contact with people who are sick

    • staying home when you are sick

    • covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash

    • cleaning and frequently disinfecting touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe

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What health and cleaning protocols is the school using?

 

For details, view the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh's Health and Safety Plan.