January 9, 2022 Update: Virtual Rehearsal 1/10/2022
Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Washington State, along with multiple inquiries and absence reports from BYSO families with concern regarding the Omicron variant, we have made the decision to host virtual rehearsals via Zoom on Monday, January 10^th for all BYSO ensembles. Please check your individual ensemble page for further details and Zoom link to virtual rehearsal.

There is no rehearsal on Monday, January 17^th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was already included in the Winter Quarter schedule. Our intention is to return to in-person rehearsals on Monday, January 24^th and to continue with in-person rehearsals and concerts for the Winter Quarter. BYSO staff and leadership are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Washington state with guidance from the Department of Health and CDC. We will keep the BYSO community updated.

January 6, 2022 Update: Cadet and Debut Families 12+ Vaccination Requirement
The City of Bellevue mandates that all Parks and Community Services recreation facilities require participants 12 and older in all indoor programs to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result from the last days (72 hours) prior to the event. As our rehearsal space at Northwest Arts Center is a City of Bellevue facility we will need to ensure that we are enforcing this policy.

How does this affect our Cadet and Debut students?

We will require one of the following from all participants 12 or older:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccine – you may choose to submit electronically here, or present to staff or volunteer at drop-off
Proof of negative COVID-19 test with the past 3 days (72 hours) prior to rehearsal
Documentation of medical or religious exemptions are not accepted

September 12, 2021: BYSO COVID-19 Policy
Click here for printable version

Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) will return to in-person rehearsals for the 2021-22 season. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our students, their families, and our team of music and administrative staff. The information below outlines the policies and procedures that BYSO will follow so that we can maintain a safe and healthy environment for our programs. At this time, Governor Jay Inslee has amended the Washington Ready proclamation 20-25.16 on Sept. 3, 2021. These policies and procedures follow the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) which states that it has based its requirements on “existing science, expert public health guidance, current policies, stakeholder input, and the CDC COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools.” Please check for updates to the guidelines as the contents may change.

The Overview of Prevention Measures section in the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document provides guidance for COVID-19 mitigation measures, and BYSO will be mindful of those that apply to our program:

universal face coverings/masks (in this document, universal masking means that face coverings are required to be worn by all individuals, regardless of vaccination status)
physical distancing
improving ventilation
handwashing and respiratory etiquette
cleaning and disinfecting
staying home when sick and seeking evaluation
contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation
responding to cases of COVID-19
meeting the reporting requirements to public health

BYSO In-Person Program Policy and Requirements

At Rehearsals

Per the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document, in-person rehearsals will follow these requirements:

We will seat students at least 3 feet apart, and more if space permits. Requirements for eating during breaks is specified in the Breaks section.
We will follow universal masking requirements for all students and staff. More specifics will outlined below in the Face Coverings & Instrument Covers section.
We will open windows and doors, when possible, to promote air change.
We will encourage hand-washing and have hand sanitizers available.
We will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g. door knobs, chairs)
We will conduct contact tracing, if we find someone infected with COVID-19.
We will meet the reporting requirements to public health.

Vaccinations

The K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document states:

“Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy available for allowing schools to resume full-time in-person instruction. COVID-19 vaccines are available to all people age 12 and older.”

Governor Inslee announced vaccine requirements for employees working in K-12, most childcare and early learning, and higher education on Aug. 18, 2021 in his Proclamation 21-14 (Vaccination Requirement). The requirement includes contractors, volunteers, and other positions that work in these settings (WA DOH COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ webpage and COVID-19 vaccination requirement for K-12 school employees: frequently asked questions (PDF) (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).

Given the above, BYSO will require the following:

For BYSO Music Staff, Administrative Staff, and Parent Volunteers

BYSO will require Covid-19 vaccinations for all BYSO music staff, administrative staff and parent volunteers and will require proof of vaccination. For those needing exemptions, we refer to the “Exemptions from Vaccine Requirement” section of Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Vaccination Requirement).

For Participating BYSO Students

BYSO strongly encourages but does not require the Covid-19 vaccination for students to participate in our programs.
However, if your participating student is vaccinated, please plan to provide vaccination status of your student on the BYSO COVID Liability Waiver and Vaccination Status Form.

Face Coverings & Instrument Covers

How To Properly Wear the Required Mask

BYSO will follow the guidance by the Secretary of Health Mask Order 20-03.4 (Aug. 19, 2021), which states that a face covering must:

Fit snugly against the sides of the face
Completely cover the nose and mouth
Be secured with ties, ear loops, elastic bands, or other equally effective method

Type of Masks Required, When/How to Use Them, and Other Best Practices

Per the Performing Arts section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document, BYSO requires the following:

Universal masking with appropriate material – MERV13 or 3-layer medical face mask or similar material – is required by all students and staff in performing arts classes and while participating in performing arts activities. Masking with MERV13 or 3-layer medical face mask or similar material is the best way of reducing aerosols from circulating in indoor spaces.
Aerosol-producing musicians, e.g., singers, woodwinds and brass, speech/debate, and theater performers are required to wear appropriate masks/face coverings and/or use appropriate bell covers while performing. Split mask face coverings/masks are required.
Bell covers with appropriate material – MERV 13 or 3-layer medical face mask or similar material – are required for brass and woodwind instruments when indoors. Bell covers are recommended when playing outdoors but not required.
Practice good hygiene collecting water condensation from brass instruments. Consider using “puppy pads” for students to empty spit valves rather than emptying directly on the floor.

Supply Your Own Masks

We ask that you supply your own masks to all BYSO events, including but not limited to rehearsals, retreats, concerts, etc. Please view the requirements in the Type of masks required section above.

Distancing

Breaks

BYSO rehearsals typically have one 10-minute break period. During this time, students may eat snacks that they’ve brought themselves outside of the rehearsal rooms. Students may bring water in covered containers. They can drink the water while in the rehearsal room and re-mask right away. If the students are masked, they should be at least 3 feet apart, and if they are unmasked, such as while eating their snacks, they should be at least 6 feet from each other.

Performances

BYSO is currently hoping to have culminating concerts. We will monitor the COVID-19 status in King County and will evaluate whether we can move forward or not per the health guidelines, closer to the date. If we are able to move forward with the concerts, we will follow the guidelines in the Performance section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document:

For performances, audience members should be seated in “family units” and those small groups should be spaced at least 3 feet apart. All audience members must wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.
Universal masking is required during performances for participants, including appropriate face coverings and bell covers on woodwind and brass instruments.

Policy Adherence

We ask that all participants in the BYSO program, including but not limited to students, staff, and volunteers, adhere to the requirements specified in this BYSO COVID-19 Policies & Procedures document so that we can maintain a safe and healthy environment. A lack of adherence may result in immediate dismissal from rehearsals that day. Repeated lack of adherence may result in removal from participation in all BYSO programs.

Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement

Reporting Cases and Outbreaks

BYSO will follow the guidance specified in the Responding to Cases or Suspected Cases of COVID-19 section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document regarding the following situations:

When someone develops symptoms of Covid-19 while at a BYSO event
Returning to In-Person Rehearsal After Testing Positive For Covid-19
Returning to In-Person Rehearsal After Someone is in Close Contact with Someone with Covid-19

BYSO will follow the guidance specified the “Reporting Cases and Outbreaks and Working with Public Health” section of the K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year (Aug. 10, 2021) document.