Pandemic Team Update, 03/04/2022

Dear WSP Families and Employees,

WSP’s multilayered COVID-19 mitigation approach has served us well throughout the pandemic. This has been a community effort, and we are so grateful to each of you for your partnership in navigating this challenging time together. Our Pandemic Team has continued to meet weekly, consulting regularly with experts in the field, reviewing research, and monitoring county, state, and federal guidelines. In addition, the team has processed feedback from faculty, administration, and parents. This work continues.

Given the recent change in guidance from the CDC released on February 25, and with cases in Allegheny County continuing to steadily decrease, the Pandemic Team has made the decision to ease some of our mitigation efforts at this time. With Allegheny County now in the green (lowest risk) level, the CDC currently recommends that masks be made optional, rather than required, in all indoor settings, including schools. WSP is choosing a more phased approach to easing our protocols and will keep our community updated as further changes unfold.

The following changes will take place next week:

Monday March 7th:

• Elimination of outdoor pods for both Early Childhood and Grades

• Early Childhood circle may be held inside

• Early Childhood students may help with snack prep

• Elimination of three feet distancing between desks/seating and other social distancing practices to the maximum extent feasible in the Grades

• Move from a 10-day to a 5-day quarantine after exposure

Wednesday March 9th

• Masking is optional for all outdoor campus activities—includes both Early Childhood and Grades.

• Current indoor masking for all programming continues.

Ongoing

• Evaluation of indoor masking will continue via the Pandemic Committee

Thank you to each member of our community for your patience as we move through this process. We continue to be aware of those who are vulnerable in our community and want them to know we aim to be mindful and supportive of their needs as well.

We want our community to feel supported in making choices that feel right for them about masking outdoors. Please take time to talk as a family about whether or not your child will continue to mask at school while outside. It is important that you speak directly with your child about this as well as inform your child’s teacher of your family’s plans.

Thank you again for your partnership and support as we walk this path together.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Christopherson-Clark

Meghan Dann

Pandemic Team Co-Chairs