Dear WSVSD Families,
The Governor's emergency declaration related to COVID-19 will be ending on Monday, October 31, 2022. Recently, the Department of Health released updated guidance for schools. The major change in guidance is that it will no longer be a requirement for school district employees, volunteers, or indoor contractors to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
The quarantine periods for staff and students who test positive remain in effect. As is our current practice, any students or staff who test positive for COVID on Day 0 must quarantine for 5 days. Beginning on Day 5, students and staff can test using a rapid antigen test. Students and staff may return to school the day following a negative test results on days 5-9. The return on a negative test protocol is effective on Day 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. After a quarantine of 10 days, any student or staff may return to school on Day 11.
The district will continue to provide KN95 masks as long as we have them in stock. As long as the state continues to provide free COVID-19 tests through the Learn to Return program, rapid antigen tests will be made available to any staff, students, or families who request them. Please contact a district nurse, office staff, or principal to access them.
I appreciate everything everyone has done to adhere to state guidance and provide a safe and healthy learning and working environment in all our schools for all through the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sean D. McGeeney
Superintendent
White Salmon Valley School District