Bluestem's 2021-2022 Covid Procedures

For the 2021-2022 academic year, Bluestem will use the following COVID protocols, based on the recommendations and research of leading public health leaders:

• Until children under 12 are able to be vaccinated, all Bluestem students, staff, and visitors are required to wear properly-fitting face masks, regardless of city ordinances or directives. KN-95 masks are available for staff use.

• Students will eat lunch and snack outdoors, spaced at least 6 feet apart, whenever weather allows. When weather does not allow, students will be spaced at least 12 feet apart indoors.

• Bluestem families are asked to sign a community compact agreeing to abstain from certain unsafe behaviors. If a family must break the compact, their child will be asked to eat separately for two weeks. Arrangements will be made with the family to ensure that the student continuees to receive an excellent education.

• All students may learn remotely, for any reason and for any amount of time. This allows families to err on the side of caution and to make the decisions that are comfortable for their family without concern that their child is missing out.

• All families are given expert guidance on safety procedures for their particular circumstances, so that all families may be part of the community even if parts of the compact are impossible for their family to meet.

• All staff must be vaccinated.

• Bluestem has placed air filters and fans throughout the school to maximize airflow.

• Bluestem has implemented increased sanitizing measures.

• Staff and students are screened before entering the classroom and the school follows a strict exclusion policy.

In addition, if the Lincoln-Lancaster County COVID risk dial moves to RED:

• All families must submit vaccination cards for all eligible household members.

• All families must receive booster shots for their vaccination when they become available to them.

• the school will have KN-95, KN-94, or M-95 masks available for student and staff use.

• Spacing between students for indoor lunch will be increased to 30 feet.