Important COVID Updates at Compass

We are looking forward to the start of Compass winter classes next week but want to address some concerns over the current strain of COVID.

Since our re-opening in September 2020, we have no record of COVID being transmitted at Compass. In a year and a half, we have only sent notices six times about asymptomatic individuals (2 teachers, 4 students) who tested positive days after attending classes. Compass has had a superb record of keeping COVID out of our classrooms, and we will need everyone’s help to continue that trend.

The most important effort will be families’ diligently watching for cold- and flu-like symptoms, which may be indicators of this faster-moving, milder version of COVID. We ask families to be conscientious if they have been around others with symptoms and to stay home until sure you are sure you are not contagious.  

Over the winter break, we have prepared for our January return by changing all of the filters in our more than 20 HEPA units and in the base building HVAC systems. The custodial service has performed a deep clean of our spaces, and sanitizing and cleaning supplies are on stand-by. Also, effective Monday, January 10, we are temporarily updating our mask-wearing policy as follows:

“In response to the recent uptick in cases of COVID-19 attributable to the more contagious Omicron variant, Compass shall require that all individuals (students, siblings, parents/guardians, visitors, teachers, staff) ages 3+ wear masks regardless of vaccination status and/or immunity from prior infection. This shall remain in effect until January 31, 2022, or until such time that the “wave” of infections has receded to levels seen in Fall 2021 when an alternate mask policy was in place.”

For Compass’s complete COVID plan and current protocols, see the webpage.