Be Positive

Be Grateful

Be Involved

• As I walk through the buildings, it is so exciting to see all our students back in the school buildings and to see our staff interacting with them on a daily basis. There have been some procedures to refine and some retraining on physical distancing and masking, but overall, I believe we are doing a very good job.
  
  
• The OK Corral (county superintendents) had their first face-to-face meeting in over a year. It was great to talk with colleagues and share ideas on how to lead through COVID. We are all struggling with how to find the correct path through these difficult times. Most of us live in communities deeply divided on COVID issues, and school leaders at all levels are in the crosshairs a lot these days. It was so good to share our successes and struggles and to learn from each other.
  

• Enrollment for September was 1,093.39 FTE. We are starting the year with an increase of 26 FTE.
  
  
• Board Policy and Procedure Updates: Link to TSD website - Policies
  2410 BP/P Graduation Requirements
  2125 BP Sexual Health Education

• We will soon have everything in place for a complete rollout of our COVID testing for staff and students with symptoms. Below is an excerpt from 2021-22 Tonasket SD COVID Health Protocols:

We are implementing an on-site COVID testing program for symptomatic staff and students. This is a no-cost to the district program that will allow anyone who desires a rapid COVID test to get one at school. This will allow us to reduce quarantine time for staff and students while helping to reduce the chance of COVID transmission.

COVID GUIDELINES
Staff members, please keep the guidelines posted in your rooms, take pictures on your phones, etc so you have access to the information when/if you are sick or exposed. This is what will be used to determine testing, quarantine, etc. We are still having to track illness, exposure, cases, etc. PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK

TESTING
A testing program will be launched in September. Rapid tests are available and can be used in some cases until we are up and running. When the testing program is up and going these are OPTIONAL tests that will be offered during certain days/times.

• These will not be done on a drop-in basis and each scenario will be different. If you are feeling ill please don't wander around looking for the school nurse or wait until you see the nurse, you need to go home/isolate if you are sick.

• If testing is needed because of exposure, etc that will be set up in an appointment type situation.

• PCR tests and rapid tests will be available on a case-by-case scenario. All testing will not be completed without written consent. Staff members who become symptomatic during the day and feel they may need a test will need to notify the office and isolate in your car until testing options are worked out. The nurse or designated person will be notified to work out the next steps. Tests will be done in a drive-up type situation.

• More information will be sent as things are set in place. If you are symptomatic/exposed after-hours local options are listed below for testing. Please remember you can call your doctor or local public health 422-7140.
  
  

This will all be a work in progress and we are going to try and offer this as a convenience for staff and students in some cases.

OFF-SCHOOL SITE TESTING LOCATIONS

• North Valley Hospital
  Can do same-day test, set up with admitting. Tests do take 6-8 hours so the same day could end up being the next day if you go in late. Can test for exposure or needed for travel, etc.
  
  

• Family Health Center
  Anyone who needs a COVID test due to exposure (recommend testing 5-7 days after exposure and to quarantine until they are tested and have results) or symptoms (can be tested immediately) need to call 422-5700 and schedule either a telehealth visit or they can schedule a car visit if they're symptomatic so the provider can listen to lungs, take bp, etc. They will then be instructed to come to the FHC curbside area for the COVID swab. Or whatever FHC clinic they live closest to.
  
  If someone needs a test for travel or employment (no symptoms and no exposure) AND if they are an established FHC patient, they can schedule a nurse COVID swab. If they have not ever been seen by anyone at FHC, they will need to schedule a telephone or telehealth visit with a provider so they can place an order for the COVID swab. Most insurance companies are no longer paying for COVID swabs for their members who need one for travel or if their employer requires a test (without any exposure or symptoms
  
  

• Confluence Tonasket - no testing

• Confluence Omak - Call 663-8711, press 1, follow instructions

• Life Line - free drive through COVID testing in Omak running daily M-F 7 am -2 pm, results in 48-72 hours, No appointment necessary: 912 Koala Ave, Omak