Lakeside School

Comply with federal, state, and local orders.

All families and employees are expected to follow directives from national, state, and local authorities to maintain their own health and safety during this pandemic. These include Washington State Department of Public Health, Public Health - Seattle & King County, and the CDC Guide on Protecting Yourself and Others.

Get vaccinated when eligible.

Getting vaccinated is the biggest thing we can do to keep all our students safe. We want to thank every person for following this requirement and uploading student vaccination records in a timely fashion.

Updated Jan 7 to include boosters: The COVID-19 vaccine and booster is required for Lakeside employees and eligible students without a medical or religious exemption. Please review Lakeside School’s policy on the COVID-19 vaccines and this Jan. 7 update on boosters for eligible community members. Find more about booster eligibility on the CDC's website. 

Get tested.

Starting April 4, Lakeside will no longer offer surveillance testing with PCR. Instead, diagnostic testing using rapid antigen tests will be available. Diagnostic testing is testing that is performed when there is a reason to suspect that an individual may be infected, such as having symptoms or suspected recent exposure, or to determine resolution of infection.

Lakeside School will provide free antigen tests for the following individuals and situations: 

• Any student or employee who is unvaccinated. These individuals will be required to test weekly, and will receive a follow-up email with additional information.  
• Any student or employee who develops symptoms of COVID-19 while on campus. 
• Any student or employee who needs a negative antigen test to return to campus after a positive COVID-19 test result.
• Any student or employee who is going on a school-sponsored overnight trip.
• Employees who are immunocompromised or living with unvaccinated or immunocompromised people. 

Anyone who tests positive for COVID must notify Lakeside as soon as possible. Learn what to expect in the article, "What to do if your student tests positive for COVID-19."

Contact Lakeside if your student tests positive for COVID-19.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, a parent/guardian must notify the school as soon as possible. Please send a picture of the antigen test result or the PCR test result to the school at healthandsafety@lakesideschool.org. Their information will remain confidential. Students who test positive and are well enough to engage in classes receive remote learning plans. 

Stay home if sick.

Students and employees showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 must not come to school and must get tested. Parents/guardians must keep them at home and away from others and contact the student's medical provider. If a student tests positive but feels well enough to do schoolwork, the school will work with the student and family so they can participate in class.

Students who are sick with COVID or other illnesses should focus on resting and regaining their health.

If a student is on campus and develops COVID-like symptoms during the day, they will be sent to a private space on campus and evaluated by a trained Lakeside employee. The student will have their temperature taken, given a KN-95 mask, and isolated in a separate room and given an antigen test if they show two or more signs of possible infection. Lakeside will contact the family to pick up their student.

Keep medical information up to date.

All medical forms must be updated with family and emergency contacts and current medical forms. Log into Magnus Health to see your student’s required forms.  

Wear a mask.

In alignment with current Washington state and King County public health guidance, Lakeside School is mask-optional as of March 14, both indoors and outdoors. Masks are now recommended but not required on King County Metro custom bus routes. There may be times when a teacher asks students to wear a mask during class and we ask students to comply with these requests. Surgical masks will be available for students on these occasions; it is suggested that all students bring a mask to school. Contact Lakeside’s family support program if your student needs assistance with masks. 

Protocols around masking during athletics are updated as needed and communicated by Lakeside Athletics.

Practice physical distancing.

Students and teachers should maintain a physical distance of three feet or more to the degree possible. We will maximize opportunities to increase physical space between students during all scheduled activities and limit interactions in large group settings.

Practice excellent hygiene.

Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — especially after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Be safe when you eat.

Students will have the option to eat outside whenever possible or at designated locations on campus that allows for 6-foot physical distancing and proper ventilation. Students should closely read emails and follow guidance from the school. 

Avoid unnecessary travel.

Families should be careful of air travel — especially over school breaks. Please follow guidelines from the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health. Unvaccinated students that travel by plane must self-quarantine for five days upon return, and get a negative PCR test three to five days after returning from travel before they may return to classes. Vaccinated students do not need to quarantine but should monitor for symptoms and get tested if they develop.