COVID-19 Response

What is Woodland Park’s approach to COVID?

Our goal is to provide a safe environment while prioritizing children’s access to in-person, free play. As recommended by North Seattle College and OPEP,  for the 2022-23 school year we will be following Washington DOH guidelines. As those guidelines change, school policies will also change. 

We recognize that while all parents want the best for all the children in our care, when it comes to COVID, we don’t all agree exactly what that may look like. Accordingly, all classes will follow the expert guidelines as the way to be the most fair and transparent to the whole community. In the 2022-2023 school year, we will not be making COVID policy decisions on a class or all-school board level.

How does layered mitigation work at Woodland Park?

Woodland Park uses a combination of strategies as outlined in the guidelines, which include:

  • Substantial class time spent outdoors, rain or shine
  • Ventilation and air cleaners in indoor spaces
  • Designated times for handwashing throughout the day
  • Vaccination required for adults
  • High-grade masks and rapid tests are available at school for any families that want them and have trouble accessing them otherwise
  • We follow WA DOH procedures to handle children/adults with symptoms and COVID exposures

Will masks be required in the 2022-2023 school year?

Currently, we believe it is most likely that the guidelines will have masks optional for both indoors and outdoors in the 2022-2023 school year. If you want your child to wear a mask when it is not required, the school can support you by helping your child to wear their mask. We will work with all children to help them respect family choices around masking. 

The guidelines may require masks in some circumstances – for instance, when returning to school after an exposure or COVID infection. If the guidelines change and universal masking is required, the school will be following those guidelines. 

Will vaccinations be required?

Currently, staff and working adults in the classroom must be vaccinated according to North Seattle College policy and must provide an attestation as part of their registration for the Parent Education component of co-op. We will follow Washington state law as regards vaccinations for children. Currently, there is no requirement for children to be vaccinated.