Covid Protocols

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Just like our students, each of our staff and faculty members (we call ourselves "staffulty") bring unique perspective, passion, and expertise to our school community. At SA, you're not only going to find an amazing group of peers, you'll also find caring mentors and make unique connections amongst our staffulty.

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We'd Love to Talk With You!

Are you engaged, motivated, and ready to be challenged? Are you looking for an education that will help you reach your full potential? Would you like to be taught by some of the best teachers you'll ever have? If so, register for an Open House or Visit Day to find out how amazing high school can be.

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You'll Ask Some Hard Questions

Your teachers are going to inspire you to explore your academic interests and passions. Through our wide variety of interesting and rigorous course offerings, and our innovative block schedule that allows you to go deeper and achieve more, you will discover a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

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You'll Find You

Our students have a way of describing the unique, ineffable qualities that define our school. Whether it's the tradition of "Tea and Toast" in the Commons Dining area, the sound of snapping that can be heard in Community Meeting to signify agreement, the piles of backpacks in the Central Plaza, or the ways that students feel welcomed and supported in being who they are, we just know it when we see it.

That's So SA

You'll Learn to Express Yourself

Shakespeare may have said that “all the world’s a stage,” but perhaps it’s also true that the stage is all the world. Visual and performing arts education builds empathy, fosters teamwork and confidence, and encourages the kind of creative and collaborative thinking that students need to succeed.

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You'll Be Part of the Team

One of the great benefits of small school athletics is the chance to play a large role. Fostering teamwork and a cooperative, but competitive, spirit, our athletic program allows for students to participate in ways they might not be able to in a larger program. We field eight sports, with teams at the Varsity and JV levels. We also offer a wide array of PE courses, encouraging all students to be physically fit.

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2022-2023 Covid Protocols

Updated: September 15, 2022

Quarantine & Isolation Guidelines:

Stay home for at least 5 days after the start of symptoms (or after the date of first positive test if no symptoms).
Isolation can end after Day 5 if symptoms are not present or are resolving and a PCR or rapid antigen test collected on Day 5 or later tests negative.
If unable to test, choosing not to test, or testing positive on Day 5 (or later), isolation can end after Day 10 if fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
If fever is present, isolation should be continued until 24 hours after fever resolves.
If symptoms, other than fever, are not resolving, continue to isolate until symptoms are resolving or until after Day 10. If symptoms are severe, or if the infected person is at high risk of serious disease, or if they have questions concerning care, infected persons should contact their healthcare provider for available treatments.
- You may end isolation after day 5 ONLY IF: Take a Covid test on or after Day 5 and it is negative and be fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are resolved or resolving.
Per CDPH masking guidance, infected persons should wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings (see masking section below for additional information).

Please notify healthcare@sonomaacademy.org if you obtain a positive test result. Please notify attendance@sonomaacademy.org if missing school for any other reasons.

Vaccinations for Staff: All Sonoma Academy employees, subs, coaches, and tutors are required to be fully vaccinated as permitted by state law.

Vaccinations for Students: All students are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated (with boosters).

Testing: We keep a supply of rapid antigen tests on campus which can be utilized if anyone presents with symptoms at school. Additionally, we recommend that students test if they are notified that they are close contact with a positive case, if anyone in the household is positive and/or experiencing symptoms, and if they themselves are experiencing symptoms.

Masking: Masks are optional for everyone. Everyone should feel comfortable wearing a mask if they choose. When masking, we recommend utilizing a surgical mask or N95-type mask. We reserve the right to implement school-wide mandatory masking protocol should conditions warrant.

Distancing: There are no distancing requirements but spacing, especially while unmasked outside or for classroom seating, is highly encouraged.

Food Service and Eating: Food service is operating fully without restrictions. Outdoor seating is always available and encouraged, especially when weather is favorable.

Visitors: We strongly recommend that visitors are fully vaccinated (including with boosters) or test prior to arrival on campus.

Cleaning: Sonoma Academy is cleaned daily to the highest standard.

Air Filtration: Air purifiers (with UltraHEPA filter combined with a dual action Carbon/Gas Trap/VOC filter) have been placed in every room and office. MERV-13 filters have been installed in all HVAC systems and are changed frequently. Classroom doors and windows will be open to allow for fresh air circulation.

Sick Protocol: Please stay home when sick! Do not come to campus if you are experiencing any cold, flu-like, or other symptoms commonly related to Covid. If you are experiencing these symptoms please follow the isolation and quarantine guidelines above.

Notify the School of a Covid Diagnosis or Positive Covid Test:

Parents must notify healthcare@sonomaacademy.org (even if you have notified attendance@sonomaacademy.org) if a student is out due to a positive Covid test or diagnosis. Please include the date the student first showed symptoms or tested positive. This is important because we need to adhere to the quarantine guidelines in place, and this timeline will determine when a Covid-positive individual may return to campus. Follow the guidelines for isolation and quarantine above.

Submitting a Negative Test After Covid Diagnosis (or other Illness): In order to ensure our community’s health and wellbeing, we are requiring that any individual who stays home with any Covid symptoms and/or who tests positive or is diagnosed with Covid must submit a negative Covid test (either rapid antigen at-home or PCR) that is clearly labeled with the individual’s name, date, and time of the test, before returning to school. A photo of a rapid test (labeled as indicated) or a PDF of the PCR results must be submitted to healthcare@sonomaacademy.org before returning to school. If someone who has had Covid continues to test positive after 10 days of isolation and symptoms are resolved or resolving and they are fever-free without the use of medication for at least 24 hours, they may return to school without submitting a negative Covid test.

Please note that anyone with Covid or a Covid-positive test must follow the Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines above.

Sonoma Academy Is...

...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.

Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.