COVID-19 Updates

List of 13 items.

• Mask Requirements

  • For the 2022-23 school year, masks are optional for all students, faculty/staff, and visitors to Sewickley Academy’s campus, both indoors and outdoors. This also applies to school buses and vans operated by public and private school systems. This is subject to change, in which case students and families will be notified accordingly.

• Vaccination

  Sewickley Academy strongly encourages all community members to get vaccinated and their booster for COVID-19.

• Physical Distancing

  Classrooms and indoor learning spaces have returned to their traditional layout. Students are reminded and encouraged to maintain safe and respectful distance between themselves and their peers.

• Health Screenings

  • All Sewickley Academy community members should self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms daily.
  • Individuals with a temperature of 100℉ or above, chills, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, worsening headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea should stay home from school and contact Beth Brown, School Nurse. 
  • If your child becomes sick or symptomatic at school, please pick them up within an hour of notification.

• Cleaning, Disinfection, and Ventilation on Campus

  • All high-touch surfaces, classrooms, common areas, restrooms, and shared equipment will be cleaned and disinfected frequently.
  • All buildings will utilize HVAC intake settings, open windows, and/or fans to increase the flow of fresh air.

• Hygiene

  • We will practice and reinforce best practices for good hygiene. 
  • Touchless hand sanitizing stations are located in the common areas, and bottles of hand sanitizer are in each classroom.
  • Though water fountains are once again functional, it is highly recommended for all individuals to bring reusable water bottles to school. Water filling stations are available for use in all divisions.
  • In an effort to limit the shared materials between students, we ask that each student continue to bring their own computer and earbuds/headphones/earphones each day.

• Cafeteria Use

  • Both school cafeterias are open, and students will have access during their scheduled lunch period to allow sufficient distancing between individuals. Outdoor seating options are available and encouraged for use.

• Assemblies & Field Trips

  • Assemblies, gatherings, and meetings may be held in person or virtually, depending on the nature of the event.
  • Field trips will be scheduled following the rules and guidelines of the destination.

• Parents & Visitors

  • In general, visitors will be welcomed on campus.
  • Locations and times for parent coffees may vary and will be communicated by each Division.

• Athletics

  • Athletics will follow WPIAL/PIAA guidelines.
  • There are no restrictions on spectator limits at home athletic events.
  • Currently masks are not required for athletes or spectators.

• Virtual School/Remote Learning

  • After consultation with Beth Brown, School Nurse,  students with COVID, an extended illness, or quarantining due to COVID-19 exposure may be permitted remote access to core academic classes. 
  • Students with documented health needs who require an extended absence from school should contact Beth Brown, School Nurse, and the appropriate Division Head who will work with them, their teachers, and family to coordinate the reasonable and necessary accommodations.

• COVID-19 Case Procedures

  • Symptoms and Testing
    • Students or employees with symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should stay home and contact Beth Brown, School Nurse, as soon as possible. If symptoms continue, follow up with a physician to determine if a COVID-19 test is necessary.
    • If a test is not recommended, the individual may return to school when fever-free for 24 hours (below 99.5℉ without fever-reducing medication) and symptoms have improved.
    • If a test is recommended, a negative PCR test is required for return to school.
    • All test results must be shared with the school nurse.
  • Positive Cases
    • If your child or someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed to COVID-19, contact Beth Brown, School Nurse, immediately.
    • Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus will need to follow the CDC’s Isolation Guidelines. 
    • Students or employees who test positive for COVID-19 may not return to school until at least 5 days after symptoms first appeared and have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and improved symptoms. Beth Brown, School Nurse, will notify the individual and/or family of the approved date of return.
    • Students who require an extended absence from school should contact Beth Brown, School Nurse, who will work with them, their teachers, and family to coordinate the reasonable and necessary accommodations.
  • Contact Tracing
    • Contact tracing was suspended in the spring of the 2021-22 school year.

  • Communication Protocols
    • Sewickley Academy will share information  regarding COVID-related absenteeism, while protecting the infected individual’s confidentiality, via an online dashboard updated weekly.

  Resources:

  • Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - COVID-19
  • PA Department of Health: COVID-19 in Pennsylvania

• Pandemic Team

  • Dr. Ashley (Brown ’00) Birtwell, Head of School
  • Beth Brown, RN, BSN, School Nurse
  • Chris Anderson, Associate Head of School
  • Dave DeNardo, Director of Finance & Operations 
  • Dr. Tom Doyle, School Physician
  • Jim Miller, Director of Buildings & Grounds
  • Win Palmer, Director of Athletics
  • Jamie Nestor, Head of Senior School
  • Dr. Shannon Mulholland, Head of Middle School
  • Dr. Jerilyn (Carter ’86) Scott, Head of Lower School
  • Jennifer Donovan, Communications Manager