Perkiomen School

COVID-19 Information & Updates

How to protect yourself and others
Taking advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), individuals can practice everyday prevention measures like:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
    • If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
    • Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.
    Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. 
  • Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. 
    • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
    • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
      • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
    • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
    • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
    • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
  • Monitor your health.
    • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. 
    • Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
      • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
    • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
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HELPFUL LINKS

CDC (Center for Disease Control) COVID-19 Webpage:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 Webpage:
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

 

 

PERKIOMEN SCHOOL'S RESPONSE for 2019-2020

  • As directed by PA Governor Tom Wolf, Perkiomen School's campus closure was extended until the end of the academic year.  Faculty and staff worked remotely.
  • Students participated in Virtual Perkiomen - distance learning via our Portal - starting March 19.

 

2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR

  • Perkiomen School's plan for fall campus opening – Perkiomen Resolved is a solution for meeting each student's goals, built for each student's situation.
     
  • Our hybrid approach is a flexible, intentional plan allowing us to meet the needs of every student. 

Read more about our reopening plan on our Perkiomen Resolved webpage. 

 

 

 

Campus Mitigation Measures: Updated May 13, 2021
 
  • Our on-campus indoor masking protocol remains unchanged.
  • When indoors we expect masks for exercising and practices.
  • Faculty, staff, and students who are outside and actively participating in exercise or an athletic event may remove their masks.
  • Spectators and team members on the sidelines – both home and visitors – will continue to wear masks.
  • Masks will be worn during special events, including Prom, Commencement, and Middle School Moving Up.
  • Masks may be removed when outdoors, participating in a normal school day activity, if participants are stationary and at least six feet apart.
     
Guidelines for Mask Wearing: Updated February 12, 2021

The CDC conducted experiments to assess two ways of improving the fit of medical procedure masks.  Each modification substantially improved source control and reduced wearer exposure.

These experiments highlight the importance of good fit to maximize mask performance. There are simple ways to achieve better fit of masks to more effectively slow the spread of COVID-19, including:

  • wearing a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask
  • wearing a medical procedure mask with knotted ear loops and tucked-in sides

We are recommending that our school community follow this new guidance while on campus. 

The Pennsylvania Secretary of Health issued a Universal Face Coverings Order to protect residents from the spread of COVID-19. 

Face coverings must be worn in indoor spaces and if social distancing is not possible. 

A study released June 30, 2020 in the scientific journal Physics of Fluids describes how the materials and construction of a face mask can impact its effectiveness. The study’s findings state that well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric, and off-the-shelf cone-style masks, proved to be the most effective in reducing droplet dispersal.  It is also important to use masks made of good quality tightly-woven fabric as well as masks that provide a good seal along the edges without being uncomfortable. 

We are recommending all face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) should:

  • Be made with at least two layers of material
  • Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin
  • Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
  • Be secured with ties, ear loops or elastic 

At this time, based on guidance from this study, neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.

Students and faculty may wear additional protective equipment, like a face shield or goggles, if desired.

Students should launder reusable masks properly. The CDC offers guidelines on washing and drying masks.  

When not wearing while eating or drinking, masks for reuse should be stored in paper bags that are clean and breathable to reduce the potential for microbial growth - a brown paper lunch bag is recommended and should be disposed at the end of the day, with a new bag used each day. The CDC recommends a similar practice in health care settings.  

 


VIDEO ARCHIVES

March 21, 2020

April 1, 2020 

A Message from the Head of School, Mark A. Devey

April 9, 2020

This website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.