Responding to COVID-19
Reported Cases of COVID-19
| Last updated 05/19/2022 | Number of Cases | Location | On-campus or off-campus? |
| Current week | 3 | N/A | On-campus / Off-campus |
| Past weeks | 44 | N/A | On-campus / Off-campus |
| Cumulative | 47 |
To help us understand the impact of COVID-19 on our community, we encourage any students who have tested positive to contact academics@theseattleschool.edu. Employees should contact Kartha Heinz.
COVID-19 Protocols, Community Standards, and FAQ
- COVID-19 protocols (contract tracing, what to do if you have been exposed, etc.)
- Community health and cleanliness rhythms
- Frequently Asked Questions
For up-to-date building hours, visit our Campus page.
For questions about building access, please contact Daniel Walkup (dwalkup@theseattleschool.edu)
Current Masking Policy
Final Update on Masking During the 2022 Academic Year
We had hoped to see a decreasing trend of the relevant metrics in the current wave of COVID-19; unfortunately, however, persistent spread—both internally and externally to our community—has continued trending upward for an extended period of time.
As such, the indoor masking requirement at The Seattle School will continue through the end of the term (June 24). This means we will have been masked for the entirety of the academic year—and we acknowledge the totality of experience that decision has meant to our community.
2022 Commencement at Town Hall will also require masking, due to their facility health and safety protocols. Other special events may have different guidelines, which will be communicated directly to event participants.
Free-Tests
One of the data-points we are tracking is the availability of testing, which also seems to be improving. The following sites allow you to order at-home testing kits for free:
Vaccine Boosters
Public health officials continue to encourage us all to get vaccinations and boosters. While a booster shot is not required at this time to be considered fully vaccinated, it is a proactive step recommended for the continued public health of our learning community. During this season, we encourage you to submit proof of your vaccination booster – students here and employees here.
Vaccination Update
As of March 3, 2022, employees remain 100% vaccinated. Actively enrolled students are 89% vaccinated.
Let Us Know How We’re Doing
The COVID-19 Team continues to meet weekly to evaluate, respond, and adjust the school’s response and readiness during the pandemic. Please let us know how we are doing by taking this quick 5-minute survey. You can also use this link to send us any questions you may have.
Vaccination Requirements
Vaccinations will be required for all employees and students entering the building. If you need a waiver to this requirement for medical or religious reasons, please complete this vaccination waiver and follow the upload directions for either an employee or student. Special events may have their own requirements around proof of vaccination.
- Students will verify their vaccination status on Populi by locating the “course” called Vaccination Records. You may need to use the drop-down box under the Courses tab on your home page to select the correct term. Once there, please upload either your vaccination record or completed waiver form in the assignment titled “proof of vaccination.”
- Employees will verify their vaccination status or submit their vaccination waiver here.
Prevention
Public Health Agencies have published necessary steps that all persons should take to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and warm water. Use hand sanitizer if washing is not an option.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues or your clothing.
- Keep surfaces clean and germ-free. Properly dispose of used tissues, napkins, cutlery, etc. Wash hands after using shared keyboards, copiers, etc.
- Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently used objects and surfaces.
The Washington State Department of Health has established a hotline if you have specific questions about COVID-19: 1-800-525-0127.
Resources
Washington State Department of Health
Center for Disease Control
King County Public Health
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued an emergency order to Washington state health insurers requiring them to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for coronavirus (COVID-19). Insurers also must:
- Allow a one-time early refill for prescription drugs.
- Suspend any prior authorization requirement for treatment or testing of COVID-19.
In addition, if an insurer does not have enough medical providers in its network to provide testing and treatment for COVID-19, it must allow enrollees to be treated by another provider within a reasonable distance at no additional cost. The order is effective immediately and applies to all state-regulated health insurance plans and short-term limited duration medical plans until May 4, 2020.
WA Vaccine-Finder
Need help finding a vaccine? Check out Washington State’s vaccine locator.
Free COVID-19 testing in Seattle
If you live, work, or regularly visit Seattle, and you are experiencing a symptom(s) of COVID-19 and/or you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days, you can be tested for free, even if you don’t have insurance. For more information, please visit the city’s website.
Therapists available for first responders
Alumni and partners of The Seattle School are proud to provide therapist resources to the first responder and EMS community, available here. This list is comprised of information provided by alumni and partners who elected to be included in this resource list. Therefore, inclusion in the list does not signify an endorsement from The Seattle School, nor does The Seattle School attest to the accuracy of the information provided.
Other Resources
Washington State Department of Health
Center for Disease Control
King County Public Health
Student Resources
The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology signed and returned a Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students to the Department of Education on May 13, 2020. The purpose of our application was to support our students with COVID-19 related expenses correlating with the sudden onset of online education. We intend to distribute all funds to eligible students within the time period allowed, up to June 30, 2021.
CARES Act – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grant
The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology is a recipient of the CARES Act – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grant.
Our institution received $29,389 under the CARES Act – HEERF Student portion and $29,389 under the CARES Act – Institutional portion.
As of July 30, 2020 $7,050.25 has been distributed to 13 students with eligible expenses. To date we have 218 students enrolled for Fall 2020 with the potential to receive funding for eligible expenses as allowed under the CARES Act- HEERF requirements. As of September 30, 2020, $12,822 has been spent toward the Institutional portion, as documented in the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure report(s). $7,050.25 of those funds have been reimbursed by the Department of Education, in accordance with requirements of the grant agreement.
As of December 31, 2020, $15,163 has been spent toward the Institutional portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. In addition, the school has spent $334,883 of the $441,223 awarded under the FIPSE portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. These expenditures are documented in the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure report(s).
As of March 2021, The Seattle School is pleased to announce that we have received an additional $29,389 in funding from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) to be able to provide emergency grants to students. Please click here for more information and to apply.
As of March 31, 2021 $15,977 has been spent toward the Institutional portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. In addition, the school has spent $386,125 of the $441,223 awarded under the FIPSE portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. Expenditures for the quarter ended March 31 are documented in the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure report(s).
As of May 20, 2021 a supplemental grant for students was awarded in the amount of $74,149. $12,516 has been distributed as of July 15, 2021. The application will remain open and responses will be reviewed on a monthly basis by the committee.
As of May 31, 2021 $29,389 has been spent toward the Institutional portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. In addition, the school has spent $389,560 of the $441,223 awarded under the FIPSE portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. Expenditures for the quarter ended May 31 are documented in the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure report(s).
As of September 30, 2021 $20,934 has been spent toward the CRSSA portion of the CARES – HEERF III grant. In addition, the school has spent $391,653.66 of the $441,223 awarded under the FIPSE portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. Expenditures for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 are documented in the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure report.
As of December 31, 2021 $32,870.13 has been spent toward the CRSSA portion of the CARES – HEERF III grant. As of December 31, 2021, $30,787 has been spent toward the Institutional portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. Expenditures for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 are documented in the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure report.
As of March 31, 2022 $15,184.67 has been spent toward the CRSSA portion of the CARES – HEERF III grant. As of March 31, 2022 , $49,691 has been spent toward the Institutional portion of the CARES – HEERF grant. Expenditures for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 are documented in the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure report.
Support for Community Members
In some cities there has been a xenophobic reaction to COVID-19, blaming the virus on community members who are perceived to come from Asia. We are here to support all community members, from all races and ethnicities. Xenophobia has no place in our community. As always, any community member who experiences discrimination in any form is encouraged to contact Human Resources or our Title IX coordinators.
COVID-19 Planning Team
The Seattle School’s COVID-19 Planning Team membership has been updated as of April 27, 2021. Members now include Kartha Heinz, Gene Kim, Daniel Walkup, Misty Anne Winzenried, and Daniel Tidwell-Davis. President Derek McNeil will be brought into discussions as major decisions need to be made. The team meets weekly on Wednesday to assess updates from the King County Health Department and CDC and respond accordingly. We ask for everyone’s help to keep our community healthy and safe.