Integral Steps Sickness Policy and Code of Conduct During the COVID-19 Pandemic

We want to ensure Integral Steps is a safe space for everyone involved so communication and a strict policy is crucial.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@integralsteps.org. 

Please take the time to read our sickness policy and code of conduct agreement carefully.

For the protection of everyone, Integral Steps will be taking a conservative approach in handling any signs of illness and closely following the guidelines laid out by the CDC, state, and local health officials. 

What are some of the measures we are taking at Integral Steps to keep you safe?

• All Integral Steps teachers and staff will be vaccinated and wear masks.
• All instruments and materials will be sanitized and separated so students are not sharing. 
• Health self-attestations will be required at check in, where we ask each family to confirm that their child has not experienced any Covid-19 symptoms or been exposed to anyone with a confirmed diagnosis.
• HEPA filters are available in some of our spaces. Please email us at info@integralsteps.org if you need more specifics.
• Doors to the classroom and windows will be open if possible. Please email us at info@integralsteps.org if you need more specifics.
• If it becomes unsafe to learn in person due to high community spread of Covid-19, Integral Steps is ready to return to interactive and engaging online learning for as long as is needed to keep everyone safe.

What can you do to help keep others safe?

By signing up to an Integral Steps in-person program, we ask that parents and guardians agree to the following:

Symptoms of Illness / Exposure - for a child or household member

• If your child or any household member of any age (parent, sibling, nanny/babysitter, grandparent) starts to exhibit any of the following symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or other “flu-like illnesses”, you agree to keep your child at home until a COVID-19 PCR test is performed for the symptomatic individual and a negative PCR test result is obtained. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
  • • Fever
    • Loss of taste/smell
    • Shortness of breath
    • Vomiting or diarrhea
    • A cough
    • Nasal congestion or runny nose
    • A sore throat
    • General lethargy/fatigue
    • Poor appetite
    • Muscle aches or headaches
    • Belly pain
    • Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  • For more information on symptoms, please see here. 

• If a negative COVID PCR test result is obtained but flu-like symptoms persist, a doctor’s note is required clearing the individual for class. 

• If your child does not exhibit any symptoms but has had contact* with someone who has tested positive for COVID: (*Contact is defined as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more, regardless of wearing a mask)
  • If your child is not vaccinated, please note that they will not be allowed to join in-person classes till they have quarantined for 3 days and obtained a negative PCR test result. If you are unable to get a PCR test after close contact with someone with Covid-19, you can attend class on day 5 after exposure (exposure is day 1), if you have been without symptoms throughout the 5-day period.
  • If your child is vaccinated and not exhibiting symptoms, they are welcome to join class. 
• If a child becomes ill during the day with us, they will be removed from the program to wait in a separate area and the parent or caregiver will be called immediately.  For your child’s wellbeing and the health of others, you agree to pick up your child as quickly as possible. 

Code of Conduct

• Students must wear 3-ply masks over their mouth and nose. Teachers will remind students to correct this if needed. Integral Steps is able to provide 3-ply masks for any students who need them.
• Students will be required to wash or sanitize their hands at the beginning of each class. 
• Before attending, please speak with your child about the need for masks, social distancing and frequent hand washing.
• If a child removes their mask or exhibits risky behavior, such as frequent physical contact with other children, that child will be asked to observe our rules and given an opportunity to correct their behavior.   
• If a child continues to not follow social distancing and mask protocols, that student will be removed from the program to wait in a quiet place whilst the parent or guardian is contacted to come and collect the child. 
• If there is a snack break we will take it outdoors if possible. If students will be eating indoors, they will be 10 feet apart.   
• If parents, guardians or family members come inside the building for drop-off and pick-up, they must wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

Working together as a community:

We encourage families and households to wear masks in any indoor space that is not your home, regardless of vaccination status. This general practice of how we behave in the community mitigates the risk for everyone in the Integral Steps community.