Another Private School Receives Waiver

As the speculation of another shutdown continues to grow, Pasadena’s Public Health Department cleared another private school to allow students below the third grade to return to school for instruction.

On Monday, the city announced that Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School has completed the process to begin reopening. 

“We expect to maintain an ongoing conversation with schools that have reopened under the waiver process so that we may continue to provide technical assistance and support,” city Health Department Director Dr. Ying-Ying Goh wrote in a letter announcing the waivers to local schools.

“As community conditions change and science evolves, we may require you to revise your application and/or reopening plan and update your posted documents,” Goh wrote.

County health officials announced last week they would enact a second shutdown if the daily case average of the Coronavirus passed 4,000.

The county passed that threshold on Sunday and a press conference is scheduled for Wednesday. 

City officials have not announced plans to go along with the county’s health order. Pasadena has its own Health Department and does not have to comply with the county’s health order. However, the department must comply with state orders, although typically they can issue orders that are stricter than the state. 

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School joins nine other schools that have been granted waivers. 

Last week, Mayfield Junior School, International School of Los Angeles, and Pasadena Christian School received waivers to reopen, according to the city’s website. 

The Pasadena Unified School District had planned to open schools in December, but local Health Department officials are now telling educators to be prepared to continue distance learning.

Local health officials have been visiting area schools to provide hands-on consulting about the waivers.

All the schools have been warned that they could be forced to close again in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. 

Other schools to receive approved waivers from the city Health Department include High Point Academy, Sequoyah School, Chandler School, St. Philip the Apostle School, and Polytechnic School. 

More schools expect to receive approved waivers over time. Waiver application components have been posted online for two months to allow schools to prepare for reopening.

More information on the requirements and standards for reopening can be found at https://www.cityofpasadena.net/public-health/return-to-school-waiver/#approved-school-waivers.