PUGET SOUND
ADVENTIST ACADEMY

PARENT FAQs

2020-2021 School Year

Puget Sound Adventist Academy is prepared to do what it takes to make in-person learning a reality, however we can’t do it alone. In-person learning is dependent on the partnership between parents, students, faculty and staff. We ask that in conjunction with the parent guidelines, that we all do our best to minimize unnecessary contact outside of school so we can continue to learn together. This year we ask for your patience as we adjust to the new requirements. We look forward to connecting with our students in-person and can’t wait to get back to learning. 

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Q: What steps have you taken to ensure student health and safety?

A: To ensure student safety, we have:

• Placed informational and procedural signage throughout the school.

• Installed touchless hand sanitizer stations located at each building entrance.

• Scheduled the installation of true HEPA filtrations systems (which will filter the air every 30 minutes).

• Equipped the gymnasium with high volume air movers (that meet suggested guidelines).  

• Placed plastic safety barriers to safely distance students six feet apart.

• Replaced upholstered chairs with plastic chairs and items such as stuffed animals and pillows have been stored away.

• Purchased new desks to provide social distancing of six feet.

• Purchased vector foggers, and classrooms will be deep cleaned daily with HOCL as a safe, non-toxic, food grade disinfectant.  

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In addition, to also ensure student safety, we will have:

• Classroom surfaces and high traffic areas are cleaned throughout the day.

• Restrooms sanitized multiple times throughout the day.

• Distancing guidelines for students during transitions, lines and while using lockers.

• Drinking fountains disabled and replaced with touch-less filtered water filling stations. Students are encouraged to bring a clean water bottle each day.

• Require hand-washing throughout the day.

• Face coverings required in the classroom and outside when social distancing is not obtainable. Face covering breaks will be allowed under supervised conditions when students are outside.

• KSDA and PSAA implement state, county and professional organization safety guidelines and recommendations.​

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Q: What will morning drop-off (8:00 a.m.) look like? 

A: Make sure that your student is wearing the appropriate face covering, either cloth face masks and/or face shields (if appropriately aligned with state guidelines). We ask that you park by the concrete slab in front of buildings A and B. If those spots are full, please park in the slots by the field or playground and proceed to accompany your student(s) to the concrete slab. Students will wait on the socially distanced marks on the concrete while waiting to have their temperature checked. If lines are long, we ask that students wait in their parent’s vehicles until the line has shortened. Before your child continues to class, please wait until it has been confirmed that your student doesn’t have a temperature of 100.4 F or higher.​

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Q: Will hot lunch be provided?

A: No. And unfortunately, microwaves will not be an option in the classrooms.  Students are asked to bring a cold sack lunch (thermos use is allowed). Students will eat lunch with their cohort in their classroom. High school students will be assigned a classroom according to their grade. Students will be instructed to wash their hands before and after lunch; they are allowed to be mask-free while eating. Students will maintain proper distancing during lunch. 

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Q: Will there be extracurricular activities? 

A: All extracurricular activities have been postponed. 

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Q: What happens if the school decides or needs to switch over to distance learning?

A: Distant learners will have the same class schedule as in-person students and are required to use Google Classroom for involvement. We hold distance learners to the same high standard and require them to do the following: be on time and ready for attendance, have a live video feed showing their face, wear appropriate attire and maintain personal grooming, refrain from eating during class, have good classroom behavior, avoid attention-seeking behaviors such as changing the screen name or backgrounds, and improper use of emojis, stay seated at a desk/table during presentations and submit work digitally. Textbooks and other materials will be available for pickup on Thursday, September 3.

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Q: How will students stay connected, either in-person or via distance learning? 

A: Students will be issued a school email to be used for school purposes only. 

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Q: Will you be providing music classes?

A: Yes, with the help of extensive studies by the National Federation of State High School Association and the National Association of Music Education we can safely and effectively provide a modified plan for music education. We will mask every instrument, maintain proper distancing, keep up with proper hygiene for both students and their instruments, filter and provide proper airflow, reduce playing/singing to 30 minutes and provide a smaller ensemble of 8-12 voices for choir. 

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Q: Will there be an athletic program?

A: Yes, however, it will be a modified schedule. In order to salvage a fall season, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has moved soccer and volleyball to the spring. If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Director, Andrew Nye, at anye@psaa.org.

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Q: Will you be providing transportation?

A: Transportation will only be provided with our Everett van. In following state recommendations, students will have their temperatures checked and will be socially distanced as much as possible in assigned seats. Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings. The van will be deep-cleaned daily.