The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has released new guidelines for schools across the state, including ours, to follow as we move into a new phase of managing the COVID pandemic. The new guidance is similar to national CDC guidance, and comes at a time when we are seeing declines in COVID-19 cases across our region, state, and nation. As we learn to live in a world with the virus and begin to resume some regular activities safely, the guidance includes both required COVID mitigation measures as well as suggested ones.

Here is a summary of the major changes that impact Wahkiakum School District. It may take a bit more time for our school district to review the new guidelines in detail and make adjustments to all of our practices--but here is the first cut. I ask for your continued patience and I promise to share information with you as quickly as possible. 

• The new guidance does not go into effect until Mar 12, 2022. We must continue to follow current guidance until then.

• Many of the state-required COVID prevention measures that have been in place will become optional instead of required. This includes things like general masking and physical distancing. Schools and organizations are allowed to implement more robust prevention measures, if necessary.

  • At Wahkiakum School District, we will become a "mask optional" district and will not be requiring students or staff to wear masks in class or on school buses starting on March 12. Anyone who still wants to wear a mask may do so. We must all be respectful of differences in individual choice when it comes to people using enhanced prevention measures like masking. Additionally, we will continue screening for fevers/temperatures each and every morning and we will also continue our enhanced hand washing protocols.

  • The vaccine requirement remains in place but masks are not required for anyone regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated or have an accomodation.

• People who have COVID symptoms must continue to stay home and away from others, and get tested. This is required regardless of whether someone is vaccinated or not. To support a healthy community environment, we will continue to offer our covid antigen testing for anyone associated with the schools. Testing is available every school day between 0815 - 0915 at the batting cages.

  • Washington State Department of Health (DOH) will be creating an updated flowchart document showing steps people should take if they have symptoms or are exposed to COVID.  We will share that once it is completed and becomes available.

  • People who test positive should continue to stay away from others for at least 5 days. People with symptoms may return to school on day 6, if symptoms have improved and their fever is resolved without medication. 

  • A mask is strongly recommended to be worn if someone is returning to school on days 6-10 OR the person can return without a mask if they test negative with an antigen test. A person who does not want to get tested or wear a mask must continue to isolate for 10 full days. 

I understand that these changes will be met with anxiety by some and excitement by others. Please be respectful to one another as each individual decides what prevention and safety measures are right for their personal or family circumstances. Compassion will be critical as we safely modify mitigation measures that were put in place over the past two years. I will share more information with you as we receive it and as we update our school district practices to align with the new guidance.

Respectfully yours,

Brent Freeman

Superintendent