COVID-19 Safety Protocol Updates
Safety Update March 14, 2021
After March 11, 2022, the universal masking requirement for K-12 and Childcare settings will terminate. CDPH strongly recommends that individuals in these settings continue to mask in indoor settings when the universal masking requirement lifts.
Because of this strong recommendation, St. Mark will continue to require masking for all people over the age of two during indoor time (outside of nap time). We will permit children and adults to unmask during outdoor time, but will continue to respect each family’s individual choice to request that their child remain masked outdoors.
The SB Health Department continuously analyzes data to inform these decisions, and we will heed their recommendations. Please see their latest document with rational for the change in policy here: https://publichealthsbc.org/individual-health/
The ability to unmask outdoors is contingent upon cases of COVID-19 staying low within our community. We reserve the right as a private child care center, as issued by Child Care Licensing, to modify this policy at any time. Decisions regarding modification to policy will continue to rely upon the ongoing communications from the Santa Barbara Health Department and Child Care Licensing.
After March 11, 2022, the universal masking requirement for K-12 and Childcare settings will terminate. CDPH strongly recommends that individuals in these settings continue to mask in indoor settings when the universal masking requirement lifts.
Because of this strong recommendation, St. Mark will continue to require masking for all people over the age of two during indoor time (outside of nap time). We will permit children and adults to unmask during outdoor time, but will continue to respect each family’s individual choice to request that their child remain masked outdoors.
The SB Health Department continuously analyzes data to inform these decisions, and we will heed their recommendations. Please see their latest document with rational for the change in policy here: https://publichealthsbc.org/individual-health/
The ability to unmask outdoors is contingent upon cases of COVID-19 staying low within our community. We reserve the right as a private child care center, as issued by Child Care Licensing, to modify this policy at any time. Decisions regarding modification to policy will continue to rely upon the ongoing communications from the Santa Barbara Health Department and Child Care Licensing.
Safety Update September 3, 2021
Community Care Licensing is now mandating ALL children over the age of 2 years old to have face masks indoors. While children are outdoors or eating, they can remove their face masks.
Community Care Licensing is now mandating ALL children over the age of 2 years old to have face masks indoors. While children are outdoors or eating, they can remove their face masks.
Safety Update August 5, 2021
As COVID Delta variant has necessitated that we continue with safety protocols, we will continue to follow the same safety protocols and practices including mask wearing regardless of vaccination status. We have been very fortunate to have minimal closures due to the diligence of our staff and parent family community. We are thankful for everyone doing their part to keep our children and community safe.
As COVID Delta variant has necessitated that we continue with safety protocols, we will continue to follow the same safety protocols and practices including mask wearing regardless of vaccination status. We have been very fortunate to have minimal closures due to the diligence of our staff and parent family community. We are thankful for everyone doing their part to keep our children and community safe.
06-21-2021 - California Re-opening, Preschool COVID protocols remain unchanged
As California has entered into a "reopening" phase, new general California safe practices and guidelines are being adopted by businesses. However, St. Mark Preschool COVID-19 safety protocols will still be in effect as we are serving children still under the age of vaccine eligibility. We will continue to monitor Community Care Licensing for any changes in required COVID safety protocols.
Please know that we continue to wash toys and surfaces all day long and ask the children to wash their hands multiple times during the day. We have daily cleaning staff and Big Green cleaners continue to come each Friday, to deep clean and disinfect every classroom. This extra effort is working! Keep it up!
As California has entered into a "reopening" phase, new general California safe practices and guidelines are being adopted by businesses. However, St. Mark Preschool COVID-19 safety protocols will still be in effect as we are serving children still under the age of vaccine eligibility. We will continue to monitor Community Care Licensing for any changes in required COVID safety protocols.
Please know that we continue to wash toys and surfaces all day long and ask the children to wash their hands multiple times during the day. We have daily cleaning staff and Big Green cleaners continue to come each Friday, to deep clean and disinfect every classroom. This extra effort is working! Keep it up!
(08-20-2020) Safety Protocol Highlights
Upon reopening, we are instituting different safety protocols and practices until therapeutics to treat the disease and/or a vaccine are developed. However, the atmosphere where children are able to grow, learn and thrive will always be in place.
The highlights of the safety protocols we are developing for reopening St. Mark Preschool are developed from information gleaned from the CDC, Santa Barbara County Public Health, and Community Care Licensing. (The safety highlights pdf can be downloaded from our website homepage.) As the COVID-19 situation and public health guidelines rapidly change, we will be closely monitoring the situation and sending regular updates to St Mark parents and families.