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PSD : Updated DOH COVID-19 Guidance For K-12 Schools And Introducing “Let's Get Checked”

Dear Peninsula School District Community,

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Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from the Peninsula School District:

2021-11-04

Dear Peninsula School District Community,

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The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recently revised COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools. As a result, we have updated our COVID-19 Matrix and corresponding protocols.

PSD Testing Options

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PSD offers three COVID-19 testing options for enrolled students. 

  1. Curative Diagnostic Testing

  • For those students who have COVID-19 symptoms at school, families can opt to do a PCR test before students are sent home. Parent consent is required. The testing process will be expedited if a parent pre-registers their child via this link.

  1. Test to Stay

  • Test to Stay is for those students who are identified as close contacts at school or school-sponsored activities. After one month of offering Test to Stay, we’re happy to share that this program has significantly reduced the amount of in-person learning lost due to DOH quarantine requirements. Parent consent is required. The testing process will be expedited if a parent pre-registers their child via this link.

  • The Test to Stay Program continues for those who are close contacts of COVID-19 case exposures at school. The program is not available to students who are close contacts of a COVID-19 case exposure in a setting outside of school. 

    1. Let’s Get Checked - Starting Monday, Nov. 8

    • In our ongoing effort to support students and families and limit in-person learning loss, we are now providing COVID-19 PCR tests from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department called Let’s Get Checked.

    • If your PSD student is identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 case outside of school (or who develops COVID-19 symptoms at home) and has difficulty finding a test in the community, they may be eligible to access a Let’s Get Checked COVID-19 PCR test from school. 

    • Please note: There is a limited supply of COVID-19 tests that can be accessed during school/business hours pending availability. Contact your school’s office or the district office at 253-530-1000 to request a kit.  

     

    Test Requirements for In-Person Learning for Exposed/Symptomatic Students

    • The health department is now requiring the following for COVID-19 tests: (1) A non-rapid PCR test sent to a lab and returned with results; or (2) a rapid antigen test administered by a community provider. 

    • Per DOH guidance, test results must include written documentation of type of test, date collected, and student name.

    • Please note: DOH no longer accepts over-the-counter, at-home, self-administered rapid antigen tests. Tests used at PSD meet these requirements.

     

    Quarantine/Return to School

    • Please check the COVID-19 matrix for specific instructions for vaccinated and unvaccinated students. 

    • According to DOH guidance, if your student has only one of the following symptoms - congestion or runny nose, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, headache, fatigue or sore throat - your student can return to school if the symptom has resolved within 24 hours or if the symptom is consistent with a diagnosed chronic illness. Your student does not need to be tested for COVID-19. 
       

    If you have any questions, please contact your student’s school’s health room staff.
     

    Thank you,

    PSD Leadership

    This press release was produced by the Peninsula School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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