Black Bear Bits
January 21, 2022
Important Dates
2/1: First day of Black History Month
2/3: End of Quarter 2
2/4: No School - Teacher Workday
In this edition...
- Letter from the Principal
- What Community Means
- Clothing Donations Needed
- Free Covid Tests
- Library Cards for Students
- Updated Covid Information
- Sign up for OHSU Covid Screening
- Reporting Covid-19 Vaccinations to the School
- Screen for Covid at home
- NEW Exclusion Guidelines
- Flu and Covid Vaccines Available
- Packed with Pride Needs Our Help!
- Volunteering at Tualatin Elementary
- Important Links
Letter from the Principal
Dear Tualatin Black Bear Families,
I hope this week’s message finds all our Tualatin Elementary families doing well and staying safe and healthy. I have received a lot of questions about potential moves to distance learning. As you know, middle and high schools and one elementary in TTSD have had brief moves to distance learning over the last couple of weeks. At this time, TTSD’s strategy is to move to distance learning on a school-by-school basis if it is no longer safe to conduct in-person learning. Another option is to move individual classrooms to distance learning for brief periods of time. Our school office will provide immediate communication should we find the need to move to distance learning as a school or for any individual classrooms. Tualatin Elementary is rolling along with in-person learning at this time, and looks to be in good shape as we head into next week. We do still need all of our families to do their part so we can stay open for in-person learning.
To help keep us all safe, we are still asking parents to help remind students of a few key practices.
Please continue to support proper mask wearing each day. Please take time to also make sure that your child has a properly fitting mask that does not have gaps around the nose and cheeks. With the increased contagiousness of Omicron, even for those fully vaccinated, health authorities are recommending a mask upgrade to a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask or a blue hospital-grade mask.
Physical distancing is still important during this time. We are still set up for physical distancing in classrooms, throughout the hallways and in the cafeteria.
Thank you for all the help, support and encouragement that our staff is continuing to feel within our school community at this time. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any input, feedback or questions.
Please remember to review the updated school year calendar if you have not done so already. Enjoy the weekend!
Warm Wishes,
Mr. Kingery
Principal
What Community Means
Health Room Needs Your Donations!
Free Covid Rapid Tests
There’s a new federal resource to get free FDA-authorized coronavirus test kits. At COVIDtests.gov, you’ll find information about testing and a link to the U.S. Postal Service – special.usps.com/testkits – where you can order up to four rapid tests to be sent to your home address. Or order your kits by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Your kits will be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service within 7 to 12 days.
The tests are completely free. There are no shipping costs, and you don’t have to give a credit card or bank account number. You only need to give a name and address. Once you place an order, you’ll get an order confirmation number. If you give your email address, you’ll also get an order confirmation email and delivery updates. Anyone who asks for more information than that is a scammer.
TTSD students receive a free student public library card!
Hello from your public library! Did you know that you now have a free student library card? Check out this YouTube video in English or Spanish for more information including how to get started using your card to check out books and access lots of other library resources! Questions? Call 503-684-6537 or email tplcomments@tigard-or.gov.
Updated Covid Information
OHSU Covid Screening--You can still sign up!
If you are interested in participating in the weekly OHSU screening, you can join at any time. Additionally, your student can participate whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated. If you would like to sign up, contact your student's teacher and we'll send a packet home.
If you have any questions, please contact the office. (503-431-4800)
Reporting Covid-19 Vaccinations to the School
Screen for Covid Symptoms at Home
Every day before your child leaves for school, check for symptoms of Covid. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, keep them home. Please call the attendance line (503-431-4770) to let us know what symptoms the child has so we can help you determine how long the child will need to be out of school.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
NEW Exclusion Guidelines
If your child presents with any of the following symptoms at home or at school, there are specific exclusion guidelines we will follow.
Assume COVID, if the following symptoms are present: shortness of breath, cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, and/or runny nose.
Primary Symptoms: (any ONE requires a negative covid test to return)
Fever greater than 100.4
Chills
Cough
Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell
Secondary Symptoms: (any TWO require a negative covid test to return)
Runny Nose or congestion
Sore Throat
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle or Body Aches
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
If your child has any of the above primary or secondary symptoms, please keep your child home and contact the school.
With any one primary symptom or two secondary symptoms, your student will need a negative covid test AND be symptom-free for 24 hours to return
With any one secondary symptom, please keep your student at home and monitor for any additional symptoms. If not additional symptoms, student must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning.
Vomiting or diarrhea require a 48 hour exclusion after the last episode
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics and Testing Sites
Need a COVID-19 test? Don’t go to the emergency department.
NHC’s Tualatin High School School-Based Health Center (SBHC)
is offering no-cost COVID-19 vaccines and boosters for TTSD families, ages 5 & up. The vaccines are free regardless of insurance status.
Tualatin High School SBHC * Clinic access from the North Parking Lot 22300 SW Boones Ferry Rd
- The first and second doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine will be provided to both students and family members over the age of 5 years old.
- Booster doses will also be available for those 16+ years of age and older who completed their initial Pfizer or Moderna series at least six months ago or their initial J&J vaccine two months ago.
Please make an appointment by calling 503-941-3180 to schedule.
- Appointments are strongly recommended, but not required.
- Please bring your vaccination card with you. This is for your benefit and home records.
- Want more information about the COVID vaccine?
- Call us at 503-941-3180 or read this article from the CDC: Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
January 25, 2022 from 1:00pm - 8:00pm
St. Anthony Catholic Church in Tigard will be hosting another COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic this month. Please secure your spot by making an appointment online. Some walk-in appointments will also be available. The clinic will be held towards the back of St. Anthony's campus at 9905 SW McKenzie Street, Tigard, OR 97224. For more information, visit the website or call 503-639-4179 ext. 111. https://WashingtonCountyCovidVaccine.as.me/SA012522
Tektronics COVID-19 Vaccinations for Ages 5 and Up
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
Building 58, Beaverton
Monday - Saturday 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Sunday 11:00-4:00 PM
- All three vaccines are available
- No appointment needed
- No cost
Beaverton Resource Center
This clinic takes place on Fridays inside the Beaverton Resource Center
13565 SW Walker Road.
All three vaccines are available, including boosters, third doses, and Pfizer vaccines for kids 5-11.
You can walk-in
Packed with Pride Needs Our Help
Volunteers are needed and appreciated. Opportunities include helping to:
* unload and stock food items
* pick up donations from our grocery store partners
* fill the food boxes
* help check-in station with your Spanish/English bilingual skills, every other Wednesday, 5:00-7:30p
* move and load boxes into cars at handout
* help with some schools needing to make home deliveries every other Wednesday evening
Email packedwithpridecommunity@gmail.com to be included in our weekly email about volunteer opportunities. Thank you in advance for your helping hands.
Volunteering at Tualatin Elementary
Note: All volunteers must complete the checklist below to volunteer
- Complete a background check at: www.helpcounter.net/ttsd. (This needs to be renewed every three years.)
- Be vaccinated for COVID-19. Please provide vaccine documentation using the following link-TTSD Volunteer Vaccination Documentation
- Complete Volunteer COVID training at Tualatin Elementary
- Volunteer training will be held in our school library with limited seating to meet physical distancing requirements. Masks required.
- To reserve your space at an upcoming volunteer training, please contact the office at 503-431-4800
Tualatin Elementary School
Email: tualatinoffice@ttsd.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.ttsdschools.org/tualatin
Location: 20405 SW 95th Ave
Phone: 503-431-4800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TualatinElementaryGarden/
Twitter: @TuES_BlackBears