Posted: August 18, 2022
This letter contains updated information from the State Department of Health about COVID-19 health and safety guidance for schools for the 2022-2023 school year. Please note this guidance is subject to change.
Health and safety requirements for the 2022-2023 school year will closely resemble the guidance that was implemented in our district in the spring of the 2021-2022 school year.
MASKS / FACE COVERINGS
Masks are optional; however, masks may be recommended by health care providers for high-risk individuals. In addition, there may be situations when a school or the Department of Health/Whitman County Health Department temporarily recommend or require wearing masks. Students, children, and staff may choose to wear a mask at school, with the expectation that others' choices will be respected.
VOLUNTEERS
Starting this fall, the district is planning to allow volunteers back in our school buildings. All employees, volunteers, and indoor contractors in educational settings must be fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccination will be submitted with the background check application process.
WHEN TO STAY HOME / ISOLATION PROTOCOL
Students and staff who show symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home, should get tested for COVID-19, and follow the Return-to-School guidelines:
- Students and school staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate regardless of vaccination status and return to school after 5 full days of isolation if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms have improved, and they have had no fever for the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- It is recommended, but not required, that students returning from 5 days of isolation wear a well-fitted mask and remain masked for sports and other extracurricular activities on days 6 to 10. Students returning are encouraged to test before doing so.
Please visit our website for more information about isolation protocol requirements.
https://www.pullmanschools.org/covid19_information
COVID-19 CASES
The district will inform students, families, and staff when there are cases or outbreaks in school buildings. Schools are no longer required to directly notify high risk students or staff. We will communicate cases and outbreaks to families through the district weekly Friday emails and our COVID-19 Dashboard which can be found at:
https://www.pullmanschools.org/covid19_information/psd_covid_dashboard
COVID-19 TESTING
COVID-19 test kits will be available at each of our schools. Families can also access COVID-19 testing at community testing locations around Washington State. For locations visit Testing Locations or call the DOH Hotline at 833-829-4357.
Households are encouraged to test as needed at home. In Washington state, you can receive free self-tests from the Say Yes! COVID Test program. Most insurance covers the costs of up to 8 self-tests per individual per month.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please visit our website at https://www.pullmanschools.org/covid19_information or the Washington State Department of Health website at https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/resources-and-recommendations. Some materials are available in multiple languages.
You can reach Michelle Hyatt, District Lead Nurse, at [email protected] for help or more information. We look forward to creating safe and healthy spaces for our students when they return this fall.
Sincerely,
Bob Maxwell, Superintendent