Click HERE.
On Friday, August 20 SDFAS hosted the school’s Covid-19 Plan Zoom Webinar. The following are now available:
The Zoom Webinar was moderated by the Head of School and invited panelists as follows:
Information on school supplies for all grades can be accessed by clicking here.
In the interest of student security, exact bus pick-up and drop-off addresses will NO LONGER be posted on the school website. If you did not receive the August 4 communication with the exact locations please contact our Office Manager, Stephanie Humbert, at admin@sdfrenchschool.org or at (858) 456 2807 (ext.301).
Please note. For 2021/22:
More information on school transportation — including, routes, cost, and pick-up and drop-off times — is available here.
We encourage you to subscribe to the events calendar to receive automatic reminders.
It is important to note that daily START and END times have changed as we emerge from Covid and continue to develop the school’s programs toward even greater degrees of excellence, for example, to properly accommodate the expansion of our Spanish-third-language program for all students school-wide. Please take careful note the school day is now slightly longer in Elementary and Middle School.
Please click here to view a grade-by-grade summary table (Extended Care will be offered. See 3rd bullet in the section below: “What has returned to normal post-Covid?”) (M-F) (M-F) 3:00-3:15 (Tu & Fri)
Grade
Drop Off
Class Starts
Class Ends & Pick Up
AM Drop-Off and PM Pick-Up Location
PK1 & PK2
8:15
8:30
2:45
Rear lot behind the PK building (no change)
PK0
8:30
8:45
3:00
Rear lot behind the PK building (no change)
Kindergarten
8:15
8:30
3:00
Main upper entrance drop off / pick-up zone @6550 Soledad Mtn. Road
Grades 1-2
8:30
8:40
3:20
Main upper entrance drop off / pick-up zone @6550 Soledad Mtn. Road
Grades 3-5
8:15
8:30
3:15
Main upper entrance drop off / pick-up zone @6550 Soledad Mtn. Road
Middle School
7:55
8:10
3:45-4:00 (M, W & Th)
Main upper entrance drop off / pick-up zone @6550 Soledad Mtn. Road
Return of After School Activities
We are thrilled to announce the return of After School Activities (ASA) on campus! Our ASA program has been designed to enrich students’ classroom learning and is connected to real-world experiences and skills. We offer both in-person and remote options. (In-person activities are organized by student cohort until further notice.)
If you have signed up for Extended Care you will receive a 10% discount on the after-school activity of your choice. It’s simple to sign up: Registration is through our dedicated website (see below) and payment via FACTS — we will apply the discount then.
NOTE: Sign up by Monday, Sept 6th. Classes that reach the minimum number of students will start on Sept 13th.
Please click HERE to register for After School Activities.
Click here for more details
Study Hall is back and will now be offered Monday – Friday! Please register for After-Schol STUDY HALL by clicking here.
Girard Gourmet delivers freshly made hot and cold food to the SDFAS campus. As in prior years, lunches are plated and served outdoors.
This year we will continue to transition many of the required student health forms from paper to our electronic health record — “Magnus.” You will shortly receive an email from Magnus requesting you to log in and input health information for your student. More information? Please email nurse@sdfrenchschool.org
NOTE! No more daily Magnus symptom checking prior to AM arrival.
This summer, the CDC and CDPH
Click HERE.
Philosophy Take into consideration with utmost respect the perspectives and opinions of every member of our school community, and notably find middle ground between risk-aversion and risk-tolerant community members. Be adaptable and make adjustments as deemed necessary based on evolving nature of the Covid-19 situation in our County.
Guiding Principles
Symptomatic Students The following plan has been adopted from the San Diego Office of Education COVID Decision Tree. Regardless of vaccination status, students exhibiting symptoms of COVID are not able to come on campus until cleared to do so by the school nurse. If already at school, they will be isolated (with supervision) until parents are able to come and pick them up. Clearance following symptoms requires the following: Symptoms of COVID include: Fever (temperature >100.0F), cough, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, new loss of taste/smell, new and unexplained headache, muscle or body aches, poor feeding or poor appetite. If symptoms manifest at home: If your child is experiencing symptoms of COVID at home (regardless of vaccination status), please keep your child at home and email the school nurse, your student’s teacher, and the relevant division director. If symptoms are observed on campus: If a student is observed to have a symptom of COVID on campus, they will be isolated immediately in the infirmary. Parents (and, if unreachable, one of the student’s emergency contacts) will be called and expected to make arrangements to come and pick up the student as soon as possible (within an hour to the extent possible). The student will remain isolated and under the supervision of the school nurse (or if unavailable, by a designated administrator or staff member). Further instructions will be provided to the parents over the phone and in writing, including instructions on how to get their students tested at no cost to the parents. If an employee manifests symptoms on campus: Employees who are isolated will be asked to return home by their own means if they are well enough to do so. If this is not the case, the school will make an alternative arrangement to assist the employee in returning home or to get medical attention. Serious injury or illness: For serious injury or illness, the nurse, an administrator, or anybody else on the scene will know to call 9-1-1 without delay. Medical attention will be immediately sought if COVID-19 symptoms become severe, including persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face. The SDFAS school nurse will regularly consult the CDC’s webpage for updates and further details.
Vaccines and Vaccination Policy SDFAS strongly encourages vaccination for all students age 12 and up! Covid vaccines are currently available for all students age 12 and up. If you have questions regarding vaccine safety, please contact the school nurse to discuss the risks and benefits for your student. Vaccination is not mandated by SDFAS at this time for students 12 and over. School-mandated vaccination policy for all staff members. SDFAS has decided upon a school-mandated vaccination policy for ALL staff members. At the time of writing, barring the arrival of any new employees qualifying for a legally permitted exemption, we are pleased to report that 100% of our direct student contact instructional staff is vaccinated (including newly arriving staff). Any staff member qualifying for a legally permitted exemption is required by the State and the County to PCR test twice weekly and will wear an N95 mask at all times indoors and outside when on campus. Please note: If your student has been vaccinated over the summer please send the school nurse a photograph of their completed Covid vaccine card.
COVID Testing
Masks Parents should also discuss proper use of masks with their children, and have children practice wearing masks prior to returning to campus. The School will have disposable masks available to students who fail to bring one or whose mask becomes soiled or damaged while at school. Masks that no longer cover the nose and mouth, do not stay on the face, are soiled, or have holes or tears are not acceptable and must be discarded. Students will be provided a mask if they do not possess a replacement mask brought from home. Masks for students (required indoors and outdoors) All students. All students aged 2 years and older must wear a mask indoors and outdoors regardless of vaccination status, except while eating or drinking. Students are encouraged to bring their own mask from home, but the school will have disposable masks available to students who fail to do so or whose mask becomes damaged or soiled while at school. Masks with air filters are not permitted. Preschool students in particular. In PK, staff will reinforce the rule in age-appropriate ways, assist students in-age appropriate ways, train students in age-appropriate ways, and collaborate closely with parents, all while keeping in mind CDSS guidelines as concerns the protection and safety of young children. Masks for staff (required indoors and outdoors) All staff regardless of vaccination status are required to wear masks indoors and outdoors, except while eating or drinking. Employees are welcome to use their own masks from home, as long as they are workplace appropriate. The School has reusable cloth and disposable masks available for employees who fail to bring one or whose mask becomes damaged or soiled while at school. Employees with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from being able to wear a mask will be provided with accommodations made on a case-by-case basis consistent with the school’s policy on reasonable accommodation of employees available for consultation with the school’s Employee Handbook and Operations and/or COVID-19 addendum to that document. Please note: Unvaccinated staff members, if ever there are any, are required to wear an N95 mask indoors and outdoors, provided regularly by the school. N95s are also available for all staff members and are recommended for staff who are at higher risk of severe illness or who cannot safely distance from household contacts at higher risk. Face coverings for students with medical conditions or disabilities Students with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from being able to wear a mask will be provided with accommodations, which may include wearing a face shield with a cloth drape attached across the bottom and tucked into a shirt; this determination will be made on a case-by-case basis consistent with the School’s policy on reasonable accommodation of students. Safety monitoring of masking SDFAS employees are directed to monitor the use of masking for students who are 8 years of age or younger to ensure that they are able to breathe without choking or suffocating.
Social Distancing, Specialty Spaces, and Classroom Setup
Cohorts, Specialty Teachers and Classroom Spaces
Ventilation
Visitors Visitors, volunteers, etc. must wear a mask at all times, indoors and outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. See below for the vaccination policy for volunteers who are regularly on campus.
Volunteers All volunteers coming to the SDFAS campus MUST either have submitted in advance their vaccination card to prove fully vaccinated status; or, if arriving to volunteer for the first time, show the School Nurse their vaccination card, ID and provide contact details upon arrival in order for this information to be kept on file at SDFAS. Additionally, all volunteers who will be working on campus more than 16 hours/week must undergo a fingerprint scan through AliveScan. Please contact the school nurse to obtain the form (and instructions) before making an appointment with AliveScan. Please find attached a comprehensive checklist of what you need to provide in order to volunteer at SDFAS. Enclosed here is the required “Declination of Influenza Vaccination” form for volunteers. NOTE: A CONFIDENTIALITY OF MEDICAL INFORMATION ACT (“CMIA”), must be signed before a person shows a school employee their vaccination card or shares any other private/personal Covid-19 related health information. This form is available here. (All parents must complete this form by August 25 regardless).
Parents on Campus
Click here to learn more Return-To-Campus Plan After Vacation Breaks I. Vacation breaks. Return from “during-the-year” vacation breaks e.g. October Break, Thanksgiving, etc. The following is in effect until further notice, regardless of vaccination status and if travel is local or non-local: (a) SDFAS campus is open after each break. (b) The school requires that every vacationing family MUST conduct a rapid at-home over-the-counter antigen test for each member of the household in the afternoon or evening of the day before returning to campus. (c) All positive cases from the at-home rapid antigen tests MUST be reported immediately to the School Nurse. (d) Negative results do not need to be shared or tracked by SDFAS. (e) The school will conduct weekly PCR testing weekly (on the first day back after a weekend or holiday) with results anticipated the following morning or within 48 hours at the latest. II. Non-local travel* “during-the-year” by individuals within SDFAS households. For household members who travel during the school year and engage in any non-local travel, the school’s travel policy is as follows: (a) The individual(s) within the household who traveled MUST conduct an at-home rapid antigen test upon return to San Diego — regardless of whether or not a PCR; or other tests, was required before boarding an aircraft at the originating destination. (b) Positive cases must be reported immediately to the school nurse. (c) Negative results do not need to be reported and are not tracked by the School. (d) The school will conduct weekly PCR testing weekly (on the first day back after a weekend or holiday) with results anticipated the following morning or within 48 hours at the latest. *Non-local travel is defined as including any of the following: (1) Travel beyond 120 miles from an individual’s place of residence.* (2) Travel outside of the State of California or outside the country regardless of proximity to both borders* *The above conditions define NON-LOCAL travel as (a) regardless of the means of transportation by land, air, or sea and (b) regardless of vaccination status.
Positive Covid-19 Cases on Campus (Isolation) Isolation (10d), campus return (with a PCR negative), and exemption from testing (90d) Any student/staff diagnosed with COVID by a positive PCR test or by their doctor must remain in isolation for 10 full days. They may return to school after 10 full days of quarantine if they have been fever-free for the last 24hrs without fever-reducing medications, and their symptoms are improving. Students/staff who test positive for COVID are exempt from screening/testing for 90 days following their positive test, as they are presumed immune and may continue to test positive for those first 90 days. Physician’s note to return to Physical Education or Sports League (once authorized) All COVID-positive students must have a letter from their doctor officially clearing them to resume physical activity and Physical Education class. This is because there have been cases of cardiac events after students have been diagnosed with COVID due to vascular inflammation. Siblings who are immediate household members of any COVID positive individual The COVID-positive student’s siblings (or parents especially if SDFAS staff) may also be required to quarantine for up to 24 days depending on the age of the positive case, age of the sibling, the layout of the home, and ability of the COVID-positive student to fully isolate from the rest of the family.
Close Contacts (Quarantine) I am a vaccinated student or staff member: I am an unvaccinated staff member (if any): I am an unvaccinated PK student: I am an unvaccinated K-8 student or member of staff (exposure with masking) Quarantine is NOT required. You may continue to attend SDFAS on campus if you are asymptomatic and you adhere to the below requirements: I am an unvaccinated K-8 student (exposure with either or both parties unmasked)
Communication Protocol (Positive Covid Cases & Close Contacts) The below communications will be sent as soon as is feasibly possible, and in the following chronological order, dependent on the responsiveness of parents, contact tracing, and available information.
Pandemic Coordination & Response School Nurse & Pandemic Coordinator The person responsible to implement and monitor this plan is: Marilyn Rakow, School Nurse and Pandemic Coordinator (nurse@sdfrenchschool.org) reachable by phone at 858-456-2807 ext 309. In her absence and in the following order: Division Directors, Director of Enrichment Programs, Front Office Manager, Head of School, and DFO. COVID-19 Response Team The School Nurse & Pandemic Coordinator (designated SDFAS Liaison with local health authorities), Head of School, Director of Finance and Operations, Division Directors, Director of Enrichment Programs, School Counselor, Social-Emotional Learning Advisor, as needed and as members of the School’s COVID-19 Response Team, They are together responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns (and each authorized to act in the absence of the School Nurse & Pandemic Coordinator). As per above, staff, students, and parents will be instructed to contact them in the absence of the School Nurse and Pandemic Coordinator to consult, verify protocols and their implementation, or respond to any Covid issue that arises. Responsibilities
Planning, Consultation & Advisory TeamsPurpose
Senior Leadership: Planning Team
Board of Trustees: Consultation Team
Parents: Advisory Team
Government Agencies: Guidelines & Regulations
School Networks (American & French): Best Practices
Please join us in welcoming the following to the SDFAS family! Meet this year’s full academic team by clicking here! All newly arriving faculty will complete the four-day Responsive Classroom® (RC) core course. SDFAS is poised to begin its third year of RC training and the ongoing deepening of RC practices school-wide. RC provides a common framework, consistent language, and best educational practices school-wide. RC means blending together social-emotional skill building with academic teaching and learning objectives in everything we do both inside and outside of the classroom. RC methodologies increase group cohesiveness, enhance everyone’s sense of belonging, and reinforce a safe and inclusive school environment for children and adults.
For all information on the school dress code please click here Order Required Red Polo and Navy Blue T-Shirt and other Spirit Wear There is no school uniform at SDFAS; however, the school does have a Dress Code, as outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook. For the 2021/22 school year, we are excited to partner, again, with Land’s End, a provider of high-quality school clothing and spirit wear. Here is the Land’s End SDFAS webpage (900190869) where you will order: More Information. Please visit our dedicated webpage available here. Note! Please remember to label your child’s clothing and personal belongings.
IMPORTANT! If you have not already, please complete the required documents below by August 26th!
Preschool and Kindergarten Students Please email completed documents (see below) to Babeth Esterly, besterly@sdfrenchschool.org by August 26th. PK0 New Student Medical Packet Including: Emergency Information Form, Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment, Child’s pre-admission Health History – Parents Report, Physicians Report, Notification of Parents’ Rights, Acknowledgment of receipt of the Personal Rights, Parent consent for Administration of Medications, and Medication Chart, A copy of the student’s immunizations, SDFAS Emergency Health Card, SDFAS Aggressive Behaviors and Biting Policy, Parent’s Guide to Immunizations (for parents to keep) PK1 and PK2 New Student Medical Packet Including: Identification & Emergency information, Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment, Child‘s pre-admission Health History – Parent‘s report, Physician Report, Notification of Parents Rights, Acknowledgement of Receipt of Personal Rights, Parent consent for Administration of Medications And Medication Chart, A copy of the student’s immunizations, SDFAS Emergency Health Card, SDFAS Aggressive Behaviors and Biting Policy, SDFAS Potty Training Policy, Parent’s Guide to Immunizations (for parents to keep) Kindergarten New Student Medical Packet Including: A Copy of Student’s Immunizations, Parent consent for Administration of Medications And Medication Chart, Report of medical examination for school entry, SDFAS Emergency Health Card, SDFAS Aggressive Behaviors and Biting Policy, Parent’s Guide to Immunizations (for parent’s to keep) Guide to Immunizations – Physician’s Report – Proof of immunization and vaccines must be on file by the first day of the school year. As required by law, a child will not be allowed to attend school if these records are not on file. Contact Babeth Esterly, besterly@sdfrenchschool.org if you have questions.
Grades 1 through 8 Please email the completed documents to Stéphanie Humbert shumbert@sdfrenchschool.org by August 26th. 1st Grade: A School Entry Health Checkup is required for all incoming 1st graders. 7th Grade: Please be reminded that all incoming 7th graders must have their whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination before school starts. Immunization Records for New Students: Proof of immunization and vaccines must be on file by the first day of the school year. As required by law, a child will not be allowed to attend school if these records are not on file. Contact Stéphanie Humbert shumbert@sdfrenchschool.org if you have questions.
To update Emergency Contacts and Pick-Up contacts, please use FACTS.
School reading lists for Elementary and Middle School can be found here in the final Division Director update of last term’s ECHO. Picture Day will take place on Tuesday, October 5 this year with the retake on Tuesday, November 9 — more information to follow. For Library book and magazine subscriptions please click here. Information on the new location of the Bike Racks will be updated soon in this section.
Les familles disposant de faibles revenus peuvent demander à bénéficier d’une bourse scolaire pour leurs enfants français inscrits dans les établissements relevant de l’Agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger (AEFE) ou de la Mission laïque française (MLF).
Les bourses scolaires couvrent tout ou partie de la scolarité dans les établissements d’enseignements français à l’étranger. Elles sont octroyées chaque année en fonction de la situation financière et patrimoniale des familles et dans la limite du budget alloué au dispositif.
Les bourses sont versées directement à l’établissement scolaire, qui ajuste ensuite les frais de scolarité restant éventuellement à charge de la famille.
→ Campagne des bourses scolaires 2021-2022 – Phase 2 (premières demandes, révisions et renouvellements tardifs) : la date limite de dépôt des dossiers est fixée au vendredi 17 septembre 2021.
Pour tout complément d’information, veuillez consulter le site du consulat français de Los Angeles ou contacter Isabelle Gilet, admissions@sdfrenchschool.org.
I missed an email, newsletter, announcement, or important communication | communications@sdfrenchschool.org |
I have a matter related to COVID-19 | nurse@sdfrenchschool.org |
I have a question pertaining to FACTS
I would like more information about admissions |
admissions@sdfrenchschool.org |
I have an academic question regarding my child(ren) | Middle School | tfaure@sdfrenchschool.org
Elementary School | fcarlier@sdfrenchschool.org PK and Kindergarten| sricouard@sdfrenchschool.org |
I have a question concerning Extended Care/After School Activities | pmarra@sdfrenchschool.org |