At least three private schools in Los Angeles County offered their teachers and other staff a way to get COVID-19 vaccinations during a time of limited supplies — one school urging them to use restricted access codes and two others certifying that their staff were responsible for healthcare-related duties.

The actions of the three schools — Alverno Heights Academy in Sierra Madre, Westmark School in Encino and Mirman School in Brentwood — are laid out in school emails, meeting minutes and letters provided to The Times by multiple staff members at the schools.

The administrators’ actions to quickly secure staff vaccinations during a time of severely limited doses — a critical issue for all public and private campuses — show how some private schools have been willing to boldly interpret rules in their quest to bring students safely back to school and protect employees.

County health officials have said school employees are not generally eligible for vaccines until March 1, when supplies will initially fall far short of demand.

A glimpse into an alternative, unauthorized pathway emerged this month, when Northridge Hospital Medical Center provided vaccine appointments directly to 14 private schools and day-care centers, including Wesley School in North Hollywood, where a senior hospital executive had a child enrolled.

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department said those actions violated vaccination guidelines.

COVID-19 shots for teachers at upscale private school violated rules, L.A.

COVID-19 shots for teachers at upscale private school violated rules, L.A.

Northridge Hospital Medical Center violated county rules when it gave the COVID-19 vaccine to teachers and staff at the private Wesley School.

There also are numerous examples of private schools that appear to have fully adhered to county health department policies.

would include “education and childcare workers.” That stipulation appears to have allowed staff at Alverno and at least one other private school to set up appointments.

school reopening contingent on full staff vaccinations, making for uncertain date.

school reopening contingent on full staff vaccinations, making for uncertain date

If you have a QR code, they are letting people in at Dodger Stadium and not asking to see any work ID,” said Head of School Julia Fanara, according to the minutes, which paraphrased her remarks

When presented with copies of the minutes and emails, the school did not challenge their authenticity but maintained, in a statement provided by Fanara, that its role was to provide information to staff and that vaccinations were not required

Westmark School in Encino specializes in educating children in grades two through 12 who who have “clinically diagnosed language-based learning disabilities,” Head of School Claudia Koochek said

The letter also said three staff members who had presented the letter were vaccinated

In a statement to The Times, Koochek said her employees were eligible for vaccines because the school had a “health office” and any staff member working on campus had potential direct duties related to keeping everyone safe

The Times communicated with four staff members who said the letter did not correctly describe their role or that of most others at the school

Pricey Los Angeles private school moves ahead of others for teacher vaccinations

Pricey Los Angeles private school moves ahead of others for teacher vaccinations

The Wesley School, a private academy in North Hollywood, announced it has vaccinated its teachers even though teachers are not yet eligible under current county health department rules

The Los Angeles County Office of Education on Thursday said that ahead of March 1, the exemption allowing school staff to be vaccinated has been narrow

“School health office staff (nurses, health aides) are eligible to receive the vaccine during Phase 1A as healthcare workers,” spokeswoman Margo Minecki said

The school provided a link to make appointments and a “To whom it may concern” form letter that staff members could present, signed by Head of School Dan Vorenberg:

“As staff member, (insert name) works full time for Mirman and has direct responsibility for all students while working providing necessary support to our Health Coordinator throughout the school day in support of providing health services to our student,” the letter states in part

Ericka Dean, Mirman’s director of marketing and communications, said the school “felt it prudent to share this information with our staff, as it is our duty to ensure their continued safety along with protecting the well-being of our families.”