UPDATE 5/14/2021:

Dear Yocum Institute Families:

Yesterday, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance regarding face masks. In the statement it reads: “Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”

Please note that currently the CDC mask guidelines include the following under Section 4: A business or a school entity must: Require that all people, including their employees, customers, teachers, students and visitors, wear a face covering and take reasonable steps to enforce the requirement. 

It is important to note that the ease on mask restrictions applies to those who have been fully vaccinated.  The health and safety of our students, families, and staff remains a top priority. While many staff members, teachers and parents have been vaccinated, we will continue to enforce the mask restriction in our facility. This is to continue to ensure the safety of our young students who are not eligible for the vaccine and those who have not yet received the vaccine. We will continue to follow the Institute’s mask restrictions, admittance size of students and limit of parents entering the building, in addition to our full safety protocols to finish the Spring Session safely.  

As things develop, we will evaluate restrictions and procedures for summer camps and classes and will be sure to communicate directly to our families.

In the meantime, we appreciate your continued support of the mitigation efforts to keep our students and staff safe.

---

As always, the safety of our students and staff are top priority. In alignment with CDC and State of Pennsylvania, the Yocum Institute is implementing safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which includes:

• Properly fitted Masks covering the nose and mouth are required for all students and anyone onsite at Yocum for ages 2+.
• For children 6+ parents are asked to drop-off without entering the building. If there is a special exception needed, please speak with your teacher. 
• Students should show up ready for class without the need to change in the bathrooms. If attending a dance or karate class, please arrive dressed in the appropriate attire (carry in your dance shoes.)
• Staff and Faculty are required to sanitize studios (door handles, sinks, tables, equipment, supplies) both before and after use.
• Class sizes are limited based on studio size in order to maintain CDC recommended social distancing and current PA Dept. of Health occupancy mandates. 
• Waiting areas have limited capacity and is posted.
• Materials/ surfaces are not shared without proper CDC recommended cleaning of them in-between use. 
• Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the building.
• Movement in hallways, bathrooms, etc. is timed as best as possible to keep groups separated and spaced.
• Faculty is screened daily for signs and symptoms of Covid-19 using the CDC checklist before they may enter the program.
• Staff members are required to stay home if they are feeling ill and/ or if they are directly exposed to anyone with Covid-19.
• Staff and students will practice good hand hygiene. Washing hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, including before and after classes/lessons.
• The building will be professionally cleaned daily, which includes being sprayed using a professional cleaning mister which uses an EPA registered disinfectant to kill some of the most dangerous, disease-causing pathogens, including COVID-19, MRSA, Norovirus, Influenza (including H1N1), Hepatitis, E.coli, Streptococcus, Salmonella, and even Tuberculosis. This product is food safe, non-toxic, and can be applied to all surfaces—even food preparation areas.
• Unless in a personal office with a closed door, Staff are required to wear a mask as directed by CDC/ State guidelines. 
• If a student is ill or exhibits symptoms of Covid 19, the student will be moved to the isolated designated area, parent will be called and will arrive for pick up ASAP. The student will not be permitted to return without a doctor’s note.
• In the event that a student or staff member test positive for Covid 19 or is suspected of having Covid 19, families and staff will be notified while maintaining confidentiality. Yocum is also responsible to notify local health officials, staff and families of exposure or confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.

In response to seeing an increased number of positive Covid cases locally, we wanted to post a few important reminders that will help us as we continue to implement our Covid-19 mitigation procedures. The Yocum Institute considers the health and safety of our students staff and community to be of the utmost importance. IMPORTANT REMINDERS If you, your child or a family member comes in contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid, or who has symptoms, please do not send them to class. We rely on families to communicate any exposure to Covid-19 so that we can respond appropriately.  All students and staff should be forthcoming and take caution if they believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms.

Complete Daily Health Screenings
All students and staff should continue to complete a a daily health check before coming to the Institute. This means take your temperature and if you experience any symptoms do not come to class. Monitor symptoms closely, and contact your health care provider as needed. Likewise, If anyone in your household is pending a test result, report that information and keep all school age children at home while awaiting results.

Mask requirements
Mask requirements remain in place. Anyone entering the building is required to wear a mask that fully covers the mouth and nose (over the age of 2).

Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include, but are not limited to, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and or diarrhea. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms please stay home. We recommend that you review the guidelines from the CDC and contact your health professional with specific questions. 

Current as of April 29, 2021

PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN

View our Preschool/Kindergarten Pandemic Health and Safety Plan