Dear PNB School Students and Families,
Below please find important information regarding COVID-19 testing and masking requirements for the start of your classes. You can click here to review the complete PNB COVID protocols.
We are continuing a cautious approach at the start of this new school year. For the first few weeks of classes, masks will be required at all times. During that time, we will be assessing both community and onsite transmission levels with the intent to evolve fairly soon to a policy where masking is optional for students while in studios.
We understand many places no longer require masking and PNB is moving towards that goal. Individual businesses and organizations are encouraged to develop protocols and continue restrictions that work best for the community they serve. PNB has consistently maintained a conservative approach that has minimized onsite transmission. The start of a new school year sees many individuals reconvening after a summer of travels, summer intensives, and many fun-filled activities with friends and family. Requiring masking for the first few weeks of classes will allow us to come together for the first time since School Performance with an added layer of safety. Once settled into classes, we intend to allow for masking to be optional unless the community COVID levels significantly increase.
Please note: entry into the Phelps Center and/or the Francia Russell Center continues to be restricted to students only (no parents/guardians) at this time. School staff members will be at the doors of both locations in order to greet and guide students to their classes.
A few additional key takeaways from the COVID protocols:
MASKS:
- All students must remain masked at all times the first few weeks of classes. Higher grade (KN95, N95, KF94) masks are strongly encouraged.
- After the first couple weeks, we will assess our local and onsite transmission levels and let you know if we are able to move into voluntary masking for students while in studios for classes. Masks will remain mandatory in all other parts of the building at this time.
TESTING:
- Weekly testing is no longer be required for unvaccinated individuals, and PNB School has discontinued the vaccine requirement.
- Weekly testing is encouraged for all PNB School Students.
- Students in Seattle Levels VI, Intermediate C, VII, VIII and Advanced C will be provided a weekly rapid antigen COVID test at PNB School which is required in order to participate in Pas de Deux each week.
Best regards,
PNB COVID-19 Safety Team