Our way Forward

Last Updated: August 17, 2022
Throughout the pandemic, it has been a priority to balance campus life with the health and safety of our community. We remain vigilant in our monitoring of the dynamic and evolving nature of COVID-19 and will update the information on this site as guidance shifts.
Throughout the pandemic, the JTD Administration and Board of Trustees have relied on scientific and public health guidance to inform our decision making and have complied with current restrictions and guidance.

These plans are based on the most recent guidance for K-12 Schools from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH): COVID-19 Protocol for TK-12 Schools (updated on March 14, 2023).

The John Thomas Dye School Exposure Management and Communications Plan and The John Thomas Dye School COVID-19 Containment, Response, and Control Plan can be found on myJTD.

We recognize that members of our community are likely to have many questions, and we hope that you will find some answers below.
Please contact the School Nurse at 310-476-2811 x1504 or kvenick@jtdschool.org in case of infection, exposure, or any other questions regarding symptoms or other COVID-19 concerns.

Health & Safety

List of 7 items.

  • General Safeguards

      Health & Hygiene Protocols
      • Surgical or higher grade (KN95, KF94, or N95) masks may be required in indoor settings contingent on Los Angeles County Health Officer order
      • Masks are recommended indoors for close contacts for 10 days after exposure 
      • Frequent scheduled proper hand hygiene (hand-washing, sanitizer, etc.) 
      • Any additional requirements as specified by LACDPH guidance

      Cleaning Protocols
      • Regular cleaning throughout the day and after school
      • Disinfecting of common areas and high-touch surfaces throughout the day
      • Hand sanitizer and disinfectant supplies in every classroom and all common areas

      Facilities
      • No-touch hand sanitizer stations throughout common areas
      • No-touch soap dispensers, sinks, and toilets in student bathrooms
      • Portable sinks located throughout campus
      • Use of medical grade MERV 13 and HEPA filters
      • Indoor/outdoor circulation promoted by opening windows and doors

    • Testing

      At this time, JTD will only administer rapid antigen COVID-19 tests to students or employees demonstrating symptoms of COVID-19 or as recommended by the LACDPH after an exposure event.
       
      The School may implement surveillance testing as a mitigation strategy in a time of high transmission.

    • JTD’s Stance on COVID-19 Vaccination for Students

      All JTD employees and students are required to be fully vaccinated for the 2022-23 school year.

    • Travel and Upcoming School Closures

      We continue to recommend that families follow LACDPH and CDC guidelines for domestic and international travel. LACDPH is not requiring post-travel self-quarantining at this time; however, if this guidance changes, JTD’s travel policy will follow the LACDPH health and safety guidelines for travel.

      At this time, the California Department of Public Health strongly recommends a negative COVID-19 antigen test prior to returning to campus after extended school closures. JTD will make tests available prior to school breaks. More information will be shared prior to each school closure.

    • Health Monitoring

      Please do not come to school or send your child to school if you/they have any of the following symptoms: fever greater than 100.4 degrees F in the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, vomiting, diarrhea, or sudden loss of taste or smell. 

      If you or your child have any of the following symptoms, please administer a rapid COVID-19 antigen test prior to sending your child to school: shortness of breath, runny nose or congestion, cough, sore throat, fatigue, or headache. 

      It is incredibly important that all community members share vital symptom, exposure, and COVID-19 testing information with us, understanding that no one will be subject to discrimination based on their health status. We are committed to protecting the privacy of any person who tests positive or is suspected of having COVID-19.

    • Bus Transportation

      To ensure the health and safety of our students while riding the bus, we be taking the following steps:
      • All students may be required to wear masks in accordance with LACDPH's recommendation for public transportation
      • Windows will be open, unless in inclement weather
      • Regular cleaning protocols 
      For more information about the bus transportation program, please contact Community Program Manager Sigita Newsom at snewsom@jtdschool.org.

    • Public Health Task Force

      The JTD administration has formed a Public Health Task Force, comprised of JTD trustees and members of the JTD staff with expertise in the medical, legal, and public health fields, to advise on matters related to COVID-19. The Public Health Task Force serves in an advisory capacity, with all decisions ultimately being made by the JTD administration. The Board members who participate in the Public Health Task Force are as follows:

      Premal Desai, MD is a urologic oncologist who specializes in minimally invasive surgery at Tower Urology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.  He has served as the Clinical Chief of the Division of Urology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center for the last 4 years and is President of the Los Angeles Urological Society.  He is an active member of the medical staff, sitting on the Cancer Committee and Physician/Nurse Joint Practice Committee at the hospital.

      Stephanie Smooke Praw, MD is an Associate Professor of Medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. She is an endocrinologist, specializing in thyroid disease and thyroid cancer, Director of Education for the Division of Endocrinology, and Program Director for the UCLA Endocrinology Fellowship Program. She graduated with a BA from Yale University and completed medical school, residency, and fellowship training at UCLA. In addition to her involvement on the JTD Public Health Task Force, she also serves on the national COVID Task Force for the Association of Program Directors in Endocrinology and Metabolism (APDEM), as well as providing guidance for other Los Angeles-based institutions.

      Nanci E. Rascoff, MD, MPH was formerly an Acting Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Rascoff’s clinical work focused on juvenile arthritis and autoimmune disease.  She also served on the Credentialing and Professional Standards Oversight Committee for the hospital.  While in Seattle, she served on the Board of Trustees at the Seattle Country Day School. Dr. Rascoff received her Masters in Public Health from the University of California at Los Angeles and worked in access to care and health policy at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.  She received her BA from Harvard College and her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine.

      Hannah S. Yuen is an Associate General Counsel at Genentech, Inc., a leading biotechnology company and A Member of the Roche Group.  Since joining the company in 2003, Hannah has served as the architect of key legal strategies for complex, high stakes litigation and healthcare law matters, including the oversight of significant intellectual property disputes and the resolution of government investigations.  In her role, Hannah provides strategic legal advice and guidance to the company’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors that seeks to align legal risk with the accomplishment of core business goals and values. 

      The Public Health Task Force liaises with additional experts in the field in an advisory capacity. We welcome input from other members of the community. Please reach out to School Nurse Kristen Venick or a member of the task force if you would like to offer input or have a question for the group.

    Remote Learning

    List of 3 items.

    • Switch to Remote Learning

      The School reserves the right to implement Remote Learning for all students in the event that on-campus learning is not possible. Remote learning is not available to individual students on a day-to-day basis or due to travel or other voluntary activities resulting in absence from school. Remote Learning may be available on a limited basis for students if it is necessitated by a documented medical condition or specific circumstance approved by the Division Head.

      In the event that there is a threat to students being on campus, or JTD is required by local, state, or federal mandates to be away from campus for an extended time, JTD will initiate its remote learning program. Additionally, certain students or groups of students may need to transition to remote learning if in isolation or quarantine due to a positive case or outbreak. Information about how students will learn remotely will be provided by the student's teacher. This may take up to 24 hours to implement.

    • Student & Family Expectations

      Student Expectations for Virtual Classrooms
      • Students should be dressed in full uniform.
      • Students should follow the daily schedule posted on their class page.
      • Students should be in the Zoom classroom when class begins. If a student cannot access the Zoom room or needs technical support, the student or family should email the teacher leading the class. 
      • Students’ names should be displayed as a first name and last initial.
      • Video must be on at all times unless the teacher requests otherwise. Students may communicate via chat with their teacher in the event that they need to turn off video or leave for any reason.
      • Students should turn off microphones unless it is their turn to participate.
      • Students should be seated or positioned in a workstation.
      • Students should listen respectfully with their bodies and expressions--no distracting faces, movements, or changes to Zoom settings.
      • Students should only use the chat or annotation functions as requested by the teacher while instructions/lessons are being delivered.
      • Students should only be on Zoom and/or online spaces required for the lesson.
      • Students may not use phones or other non-learning related devices during class time.
      • Students should not allow any other person to complete work for them or use an unauthorized resource during an assessment.
      • Students should submit quality work to teachers, as per given instructions.
      • Students need to incorporate teacher feedback and adjust future assignments based on given feedback.

      Parent/Caregiver Expectations for Supporting Remote Learning
      • Establish a quiet, distraction-free work area for each child. Ensure materials are readily accessible and organized. Provide earphones for children to improve sound quality.
      • Each child should be logged onto an individual device. The school may loan devices on a limited basis by request to helpdesk@jtdschool.org.
      • Support your child, as needed, with joining classes on time and uploading work so that it is submitted correctly and is legible to the teachers.
      • Allow students to work independently, encouraging them to seek support from their teachers during independent practice. If a teacher is not available, email the teacher on behalf of the child (Grades K-3) or encourage students to communicate directly via email (Grades 4-6).
      • Do not edit, correct, or proofread student work. Provide prompts to encourage students to problem solve or seek help from a teacher as needed.
      • Encourage children to take breaks for snack and lunch so that they stay hydrated and fueled for learning.
      • Ensure children are physically active every day, getting outside as much as possible.
      • Monitor children’s screen time outside of school hours.
      • Read carefully email communications from the teachers and administrators.
      • Report absences through SchoolPass and coordinate with teachers about making up missed work as needed.

    • Technology Troubleshooting

      If remote learning is implemented from time to time, families may encounter technical difficulties related to hardware, internet connectivity, or accessing and using the digital platforms. We have set up a dedicated email for technology troubleshooting. Families are encouraged to use the links below to try to troubleshoot technology issues. 

      Email the JTD Technology helpdesk - helpdesk@jtdschool.org 
      • Obtaining a loaner device from the school for remote learning
      • General device support
      • Access issues to platforms - Seesaw or Google Classroom 
      • Issues downloading documents from Seesaw, or printing from Seesaw/Google Classroom
      Seesaw questions - Seesaw Help Desk 
      • How do I update my Seesaw app?
      • What platforms, browsers and operating systems does Seesaw support?
      Zoom issues - Check Zoom Status 

    Communication & Response

    List of 3 items.

    • Notification

      In accordance with city and state laws and regulations, the School will notify local health officials, staff, and families of any confirmed cases and/or known exposures. The School will maintain confidentiality of the person’s identity in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

      More information about these procedures can be found in the The John Thomas Dye School Exposure Management Plan.

    • Isolation

      Staff or students who demonstrate COVID-19 symptoms (such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath) while at school will be quickly isolated, given a rapid antigen COVID test, and supported by a designated staff member. If the community member receives a positive test result, the School will then ensure the safe transport of the sick person either home or to a healthcare facility.

    • Response to Positive Case or Exposure

      In the case of a positive case on campus, the family of the student or the employee who has tested positive will be given Home Isolation instructions per the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) Health Officer Order. The School Nurse will work with the appropriate community members to identify close contacts of the positive case and provide them instructions per the LACDPH.

      More information about these procedures can be found in The John Thomas Dye School Exposure Management Plan.

    Family & Community Engagement

    List of 3 items.

    • Visitors to Campus

      • Any parent/guardian/caregiver or vendor who comes on campus must be free of any COVID-19 symptoms.

      • Parents/guardians who have submitted proof of vaccination by the start of the school year will be provided with a badge, which must be shown to security upon arrival to campus and worn the duration of their visit.
      • Visitors without badges will be issued a single-use badge, which must be worn during the duration of their visit to campus. This badge may not be reused.

    • Admissions

      Please visit the Admissions page of the website or contact the admissions office for information about how tours, open houses, admissions coffees, interviews, and student assessments will be conducted in the 2022-23 school year.

    • Calendar Updates

      A current calendar of events can be found on myJTD. Plans are subject to change as public health guidance evolves.
       
    Ready to apply?
    Applicants for admission are accepted one year prior to the student's enrollment. If you have just found out you are moving to Los Angeles or if you have any questions, please feel free to call the admissions office for information.

    The John Thomas Dye School


    11414 Chalon Road
    Los Angeles, CA 90049
    Phone: (310) 476-2811
    The John Thomas Dye School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.

    Located In Los Angeles, CA, John Thomas Dye is an independent school for grades K-6. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.