What frequency of information are you planning on?
The district is working to communicate directly with parents and staff to make sure they have the most up-to-date information as we learn it. Those communications will come via ParentSquare notifications, email and Skyward channels. Please check our website regularly for updates.
Specific information about distance learning and your students will be coming regularly, directly from your school principals and teachers. They will use ParentSquare, Google Classroom for grades 3-12, Seesaw for grades K-2, and Skyward.
Where is the district getting direction?
District leadership is communicating regularly with the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Department of Health, to ensure we have accurate information to share with parents, staff and students.
There are several major documents which guide our reopening plan, along with feedback from students and parents/guardians via our surveys.
- Mid-Point Survey and Fall 2022 Family Survey from 3-8-22 School Board meeting & WSD Parent Survey (Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and preliminary Spring 2021 survey results)
- Washington Department of Health School Guidance [updated 8-10-2021]
- This document outlines the suggested metrics that local health authorities and school district officials in deciding whether to resume in-person learning.
- Washington Department of Health Ventilation and Air Quality for Reducing Transmission of COVID-19
- Guidelines for increasing ventilation and ensuring adequate airflow and circulation to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) guidance for sports
- The WIAA offers guidelines for safe practices, matches, and competitions within COVID-19 regulations.
- Department of Labor and Industries COVID-19 Workplace Safety and Health Requirements
- As employers, schools have an obligation to provide employees a safe and healthy work site in accordance with state and federal law and safety and health rules, including addressing hazards associated with COVID-19.
- Washington Department of Health, OPSI and L&I – Employer Health and Safety Requirements for School Scenarios
- Health and safety for workplaces specifically tailored to school situations, covers personal protective equipment needed in different job types.
- Department of Health – Cloth Face Coverings
- Guidelines for wearing and requiring masks for all school staff, students, and visitors.
- CDC Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting
- Guidance on cleaning public spaces and schools, including approved disinfectants and protocols.
- CDC Guidelines for quarantining
- Stigma Reduction Resources
- A person’s race/ethnicity or nationality does not, itself, put them at greater risk of COVID-19. However, data are revealing that communities of color are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19- this is due to the effects of racism, and in particular, structural racism, that leaves some groups with fewer opportunities to protect themselves and their communities.
How are you keeping students and staff safe?
The district has implemented a number of safety routines and protocols that are keeping students and staff safe as they come back to campus. We have implemented daily health screenings, mandatory face coverings, social distancing, hand washing, additional cleaning, signage, and staff training to ensure our facilities are safe. Our Fall 2020 Health and Safety Training Presentation, shared with the school board on October 13, 2020, offers more details about the safety planning.
Is the District Office open?
Yes, but please check to see if you can do your business over the phone before coming to visit. You can reach us during business hours – 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM at 360-954-3000. We require all staff and visitors to do a health screening, wear a mask, and to adhere to social distancing protocols.
What about building rentals? Can we still use schools in off-hours?
All events in our schools have been canceled or postponed. For more information you can contact Community Education at gary.mcgarvie@washougalsd.org
What terms are used to talk about people who have been exposed to the virus and those who may become ill?
- Close contact: within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from 2 days before symptom onset in the infected person, (or, for asymptomatic persons, 2 days prior to test specimen collection). For students in a classroom setting, we use a 3′ rule for determining close contacts per guidance from the state.
- Quarantine: A close contact to a confirmed positive case needs to quarantine at home for 14 days. Contact does not leave the house except for medical care. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to prevent them from exposing non-infected persons if they become sick. (CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/)
- Isolation: Separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Isolation will usually last for ten days after symptom onset; AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever without fever-reducing medication; AND symptoms have improved* (*Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation)
- Contagious Period: 2 days prior to symptom onset (or 2 days prior to date positive test was performed if no symptoms) to 10 days after onset of symptoms at least 24 hours have passed with no fever without fever-reducing medication; AND symptoms have improved (or date positive test was performed if no symptoms).
- Incubation Period: A period of 2 to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19 during which time the exposed person can become contagious if they were infected by the exposure (This is why close contacts are advised to quarantine the full 14 days regardless of a negative lab test).
What resources are available for staff, students, and their families, who are impacted by COVID-19?
- If a student or their family is struggling financially, our Family Resource Center staff can provide support. The Family Resource Coordinators are very good at connecting individuals with support and resources in our community, in addition to resources we may have available at your student’s school.
- We recognize that remaining isolated or quarantined at home may be difficult and impact individuals and their family financially. There are many resources available to help people impacted by COVID-19 at the links below:
- Clark County website for school-specific links, see “Schools and childcare facilities” https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/covid-19-resources
Page updated September 11, 2021
Where can I go for more resources and information on COVID-19
Clark County Public Health
Washington State Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
