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COVID-19 Updates

Back to Bellefontaine

Updates on a safe & smart school reopening

Thank you to our Mayfield community for your support and kindness during this challenging time. We will continue to update this page with new information as it comes to hand.

The Basics

We all have an important role to play! In our effort to help maintain the health and safety of the entire school community during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must partner together.

Over the past year, Nurse Cathy Cota, RN, a fully credentialed contact tracer, has been working to create protocols for our school that conform to City, County and State public health regulations and guidelines. Our protocols will change as these regulations and guidelines change. 

Here’s a top-level overview of what in-person learning will look like as we head into Summer@Mayfield 2022.

Updated COVID-19 Guidelines

(as of June 16, 2022)
UPGRADED MASKS—We require all students, faculty and staff to wear 3-ply medical procedure masks with a nose wire or higher level (N95/ KN95) while indoors. Tight fitting masks are a must and loose or droopy masks will be asked to be replaced. 
OUTDOOR MASKING—Strongly recommended in large crowds when distancing is not possible.
ISOLATION—Can end five full days after the date symptoms started (or tested positive) IF the student has:
  1. a negative antigen test on Day 5 AND
  2. symptoms have improved AND
  3. has been fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducers
The student must wear an upgraded mask (medical grade or N95/KN95) indoors and outdoors except when eating. The test must be an FDA authorized viral COVID-19 test (e.g., NAAT/PCR preferred, or antigen test including an FDA-authorized over-the-counter test acceptable).

TESTING—Close contacts are required to test between 3-5 days after their last exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case. The Health Office will provide rapid test kits to any close contacts of any cases on campus. The rapid tests are provided by Primary Health and results must be recorded through their website.

List of 6 items.

  • Vaccination

    COVID-19 vaccination has been strongly encouraged among inside community and over 94% of our student body has been vaccinated and our faculty/staff have a 100% vaccination rate.

  • Stay Home

    If you're unwell, even slightly unwell, we ask you not to attend the ceremony. The live stream option will be available to everyone.

  • Symptom Screening

    Daily at-home self check, including temperature. All of us have a role in keeping our community healthy!

  • Face Masks

    Masks are required on campus, especially inside buildings.

  • Hand Washing

    Wash hands regularly with soap and water. Carry hand sanitizer with you. Access to restrooms will be available during the event.

  • Cover Coughs & Sneezes

    Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue.

Expectations for Students & Families

Students coming to campus must:

  • never arrive on campus sick, even if mildly sick
  • complete a daily self-screening before arriving at school 
  • wear face masks when indoors
  • wash or sanitize hands frequently  

Students must stay home if:

  • they are sick, even mildly sick, and call their primary care physician for guidance
  • they have answered “yes” to any symptoms during the daily at-home screening
  • they test positive with COVID-19 (isolate for at least 5 full days)  

Parents must:  

  • ensure their daughter’s daily screening has been completed
  • notify the Health Office if their daughter or a household member develops any COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19
  • notify the Attendance Office of their daughter’s absence if their daughter is unwell, and include her symptoms
  • ensure that their daughter is physically fit to fully participate in all aspects of a school day
  • retrieve their daughter promptly from the Health Office if she becomes ill while at school
  • stay in the car when dropping off or picking up students 

Equitable Learning

Students and families who are high risk, sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 will be accommodated without discrimination, and students will not be penalized for missing class or work. We encourage families and students to reach out to our Learning Specialist, Ann Bussard, to explore their options.

Policies and Protocols

List of 11 items.

  • Vaccinations

    • COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for all eligible students, employees.

    • The School Nurse will maintain copies of all COVID-19 vaccination cards and vaccine status.

  • Mandatory Daily At-Home Screening

    • Individuals are not to come to campus if they are sick.
    • Symptom screening worksheet reviewed at home asks if individuals have symptoms of COVID 19: fever or chills, new loss of taste or smell, cough, headache, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting, muscle or body aches, runny or stuffy nose.
    • By coming to campus, students and employees attest they have reviewed the symptom screening worksheet and have no symptoms of illness.

  • Face Masks

    • Masks completely covering the mouth and nose are required indoors for everyone on campus
    • Masks are strongly recommended to be worn outdoors in large groups when distancing is not possible
    • School maintains a supply of masks for those who fail to bring a mask to school.
    • Bandanas, scarves, gators and one-way valves are not allowed. 
     

  • Physical Distancing

    • Classes are held in the largest classroom possible.
    • Club meetings will be held in appropriately sized rooms.
    • Community gatherings will be held in the gym.

  • Indoor Ventilation

    • Doors and windows remain open as conditions permit.
    • Direct fans above the heads of individuals.

  • Frequent Cleaning & Disinfecting

    • Facility crew members perform daily cleaning of all areas and frequently touched surfaces.
    • Facility crew members will clean AND disinfect spaces that have been occupied by a COVID-19 positive individual within the last 24 hours using a disinfectant in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency COVID-19 list.
      • If less than 24 hours have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the space, clean and disinfect the space.
      • If more than 24 hours have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the space, cleaning is enough. You may choose to also disinfect depending on certain conditions or everyday practices required by your facility.
      • If more than 3 days have passed since the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the space, no additional cleaning (beyond regular cleaning practices) is needed.

  • Hygiene & Hand Washing

    • Individuals are taught and reinforced to wash hands or use hand sanitizer, avoid contact with one's eyes, nose, and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes.
    • Hand hygiene is promoted throughout the day.
    • Restrooms are stocked with adequate supplies of soap, tissues and no-touch trash cans.
    • Hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethyl alcohol is in all classrooms, offices and high traffic areas.

  • Health Office Protocols

    • The School Nurse acts as the COVID-19 Liaison and reports positive cases and performs contact tracing per the local public health department guidelines and per AB 86 (2021) and California Code Title 17, section 2500.
    • Isolation practices are determined by the local public health departments Exposure Management Plan.
    • The School Nurse will consult with and follow the guidance of the Pasadena Public Health Department regarding who is considered a close contact.
    • Students in isolation will be able to participate in class via a hybrid model.

  • Food & Meals

    • All individuals will eat outdoors.
      • On rainy days:
        • Students may eat in the gym, and depending on the number of available chairs, in the Commons and the Sussex Room. 
        • Windows/doors should stay open with fans and/or air purifiers running.
        • Students MUST clean up after themselves.
        • Students may take off their mask only if they are actively eating. Once done, they must place their mask back on.
        • Pike and the Library are off limits for eating.
        • If a teacher is present in a classroom and gives permission to eat there, students may do so. 
        • Empty classrooms without a teacher are off limits.
    • Surfaces will be cleaned frequently.
    • There is no need to limit food service approaches to single use items and packaged meals.

  • Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures

    Please pay special attention to the following traffic guidelines as well as those listed under “Vehicles and Parking” in the Parent & Student Handbook:
    • Please make every effort to arrive early for drop-off, and do not arrive too early at pick-up time (no earlier than 5-10 minutes after the end of the school day). Vehicles are not permitted to wait in the middle of Bellefontaine Street with their engines off.
    • If you plan to pick-up your daughter early, please inform the guard that you are here for pick-up. Park along the North Lawn and stay in your car, and your daughter will walk out to your car.
    • During peak times, a Mayfield Senior School traffic attendant will be posted at the fork in the driveway. Wait for directions from the attendant before beginning a left turn or entering the gate on a right turn. (This includes the early morning and late afternoon Athletics and Conservatory drop-off and pick-up times.)
    • Dropping off or picking up students on Bellefontaine Street or Grand Avenue is NOT permitted. ALL DRIVERS MUST ENTER CAMPUS TO PICK UP OR DROP OFF.
    • All cars entering campus during peak drop-off and pick-up times must approach from Grand Avenue and make a right turn into campus. Left turns into campus will not be permitted during peak pick-up time. (This includes the early morning and late afternoon Athletics and Conservatory drop-off and pick-up times.)
    • Please do not make a u-turn in the middle of Bellefontaine or at the Grand Avenue intersection or in the street to join the queue line.
    • Cars enter the campus via the Bellefontaine Street gate only and exit by the Grand Avenue gate. All cars must make a full stop at the gym for pedestrians as well as inside the lower gate on Grand Avenue before proceeding across the sidewalk.
      Students should not be picked up or dropped off in front of the gym. Cars must pull into the Senior Parking lot.
    • Please note that parking on the street in front of the school is restricted when school is in session. The City of Pasadena has placed no parking signs to facilitate the drop off and pick up queue.
    • Please do not block or pull into neighbor driveways.  

  • Campus Visits

    • Nonessential visitors and volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations, particularly when there is moderate-to-high COVID-19 community transmission, are limited. 

Health Updates from Nurse Cota

1 Announcements displayed.

Daily Symptom Checklist

  • fever of 100°F or more
  • muscle or body aches
  • cough
  • headaches
  • sore throat
  • new loss of taste or smell
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • congestion or runny nose
  • chills
  • nausea or vomiting
  • fatigue
  • diarrhea

Definition of a “Close Contact”

It is worth noting that the definition of a "close contact" was recently updated by the Pasadena Public Health Department. It is now being defined as someone sharing the same indoor airspace (i.e. home, waiting room, airplane, etc.) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period during and infected person’s infectious period (for example: three individual 5-minute interactions could account for a total of 15 minutes of exposure). 

Helpful Links

Mental Health Resources

In a time of so much uncertainty and change, the health, including the mental health, of our community is our very first priority. Additional mental health access may be needed due to the COVID-19 school environment. We encourage families and students to reach out to our School Counselor, Erika Mastrobuono, LCSW, to explore their options. In addition to the resources provided by the CDC, Ms. Mastrobuono also recommends www.mentalhealth.gov.

PDF Downloads

— Kate Morin, Head of School

It is times like these that I am particularly grateful to be part of a loving and faith-filled community. I know that you will continue to join me in holding in the Light all those affected by COVID-19.

Vaccination Rates

List of 6 items.

  • 100%

    Overall Faculty & Staff Vaccination Rate
    as of Sept. 16, 2021

  • 93%

    Overall Student Body Vaccination Rate
    as of Sept. 16, 2021

  • 88%

    of the Freshman Class is vaccinated
    as of Sept. 16, 2021

  • 95%

    of the Sophomore Class is vaccinated
    as of Sept. 16, 2021

  • 98%

    of the Junior Class is vaccinated
    as of Sept. 16, 2021

  • 93%

    of the Senior Class is vaccinated
    as of Sept. 16, 2021
Mayfield Senior School
500 Bellefontaine St
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 799-9121
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.