A Letter From Dr. Carey
A Letter From Dr. Carey Mar 11, 2022
Dear Enumclaw School District Community,
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has released updated requirements and guidance for PK-12 schools. The changes will be effective March 12, 2022. As you already know, the state mask mandate is being lifted on March 11, 2022 at 11:59 pm. As a result, ESD will move to mask choice and will implement the updated DOH requirements/guidance when we return to school the following Monday, March 14, 2022. I want to highlight some of the information and changes below, however, you can review the full DOH document titled: Requirements and Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools, Child Care, Early Learning, Youth Development, and Day Camp Programs.
Students and staff will have the choice to wear or not wear a mask while at school and on buses with the expectation that individual choices will be respected.
The following COVID mitigation measures will still be required for all districts:
All employees in educational settings are still required to be fully vaccinated or have a medical or religious exemption per Governor’s proclamation 21-14.3.
Students and staff who have symptoms of COVID-19, are required to stay home and should get tested and/or see a health care provider and follow the return to work/care/school protocol.
A student or staff who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate for 5 full days, regardless of vaccination status.
Any student or staff who reports or exhibits COVID-19-like symptoms is required to be immediately isolated from others, sent home, and referred to diagnostic testing as soon as feasible, regardless of vaccination status. While waiting to leave the school or program, the individual with symptoms is required to be isolated in a designated isolation space. They are required to wear a well-fitting face mask, if tolerated and age appropriate. Anyone providing care or evaluation to the isolated individual is required to wear appropriate PPE.
Mask are still required by all students, staff, and visitors aged 2 years and older in the nurse/health room and in the isolation room as these are considered health care settings.
Exposed students and staff may continue to take part in all in-person instruction and care, including sports, performing arts, and other extracurricular activities, as long as they are not symptomatic. If an exposed student, child, or staff develops symptoms, they are required to immediately isolate at home.
- A student, child, or staff who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate at home, regardless of vaccination status. The isolation period is 10 full days from the start of symptoms or the date of positive test.
- The individual may return to school/care after 5 full days of isolation if:
- Their symptoms have improved or they are asymptomatic, AND
- They are without a fever for the past 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications. AND
- IF returning to school/care days 6-10, the individual is required to:
- Wear a well-fitted mask or face shield with a drape during days 6-10 of their isolation period, consistent with CDC guidance, OR
- Test negative with an antigen or at-home test any day after day 5 before returning without a mask. Testing beyond day 10 is not necessary.
- If the individual is not able to wear a well-fitted mask or face shield with a drape, AND does not test negative, they are required to continue isolating through the end of their isolation period.
The following COVID mitigation measures will be considered and used as much as space and resources allow:
Screening testing for staff will continue to be available as long as testing supplies are available.
ESD will continue to ensure good ventilation, filtration and indoor air quality. This will include:
Maintaining MERV 13 filters
Continuing to provide increased air turnover
Portable HEPA air filters when needed
Continue to maximize physical distance between students and staff to the degree possible especially for the following circumstances:
During meals (lunch configurations will return to pre-pandemic configurations with socially distant options for student choice)
Inside common areas outside of the classroom
During high-risk activities with increased exhalation (P.E., singing, playing instruments, cheering/shouting)
While riding the bus
ESD will continue to promote good handwashing and respiratory etiquette
Regular cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces
ESD will continue to utilize the ESD COVID-19 Dashboard and or weekly newsletter to inform our learning community about positive cases.
We will continue to provide access to testing as long as testing supplies are available.
We are very excited to take this next step toward normality. However, we recognize many students, families and staff may feel excited and happy while others may feel anxious or uncomfortable. In this time of transition we will continue to provide support and understanding for all in our learning community. Every person in this district has been an essential part of the success we have experienced in the past two years. I hope you can hear my words as you read this, I appreciate each of you for your perseverance and communication.
Shaun
March 14-18, 2022 is Education Support Professionals Week (formerly Classified Week), a tradition started in 1975 to recognize the contributions of Education Support Professionals in the public school system.
Thank you to all of our Custodians, Maintenance and Grounds Personnel, Nurses, Paraeducators, Bus Drivers and Transportation Personnel, Technical Staff, Cultural Specialists, Office Personnel, Food Service Personnel and our Couriers. We appreciate all of the wonderful work they do for our students and our district! #learnleadimpactESD #ESPweek2022
Kindergarten Enrollment and Orientation Information
Kindergarten Enrollment is open now. To enroll your child for Kindergarten next year (Children must be 5 years of age on or before August 31st, 2022), please visit our website: https://www.enumclaw.wednet.edu/.../online-registration
Kindergarten Orientation Schedule
Black Diamond Elementary:
March 31, 2022 5:00-6:00 pm
Byron Kibler Elementary:
March 31, 2022 5:00-6:30 pm
Call 360-802-7264 to Schedule
Southwood Elementary:
March 31, 2022 6:00-7:00 pm
Sunrise Elementary:
March 17, 2022
A-L 5:30-6:15 pm
M-Z 6:30-7:15
Westwood Elementary:
March 31, 2022 5:30- 6:30 pm
ENUMCLAW HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS
We are happy to announce that tickets are now on sale for the first full EHS musical with a LIVE audience in 2 years! Tickets are available at: enumclawperformingarts.com
Mar 18th 2022, 7:00 PM
Mar 19th 2022, 7:00 PM
Mar 20th 2022, 2:00 PM
Mar 24th 2022, 7:00 PM
Mar 25th 2022, 7:00 PM
Mar 26th 2022, 7:00 PM
Enumclaw School District is hiring!
Current openings include Substitutes, Drivers and Custodians.
For more information on current openings or to submit an online application, please visit our website:
Voluntary COVID Testing Opportunities
The Voluntary PCR COVID Testing Program Has Returned for All Enumclaw School District Staff
In collaboration with the state Department of Health, our school district will continue to participate in a state-funded program for voluntary COVID-19 screening and testing that will help contain the virus, protect our communities, and keep students and teachers healthy and safe.
This testing protocol fits into our larger strategy to contain and control the virus. We have adapted our operational practices to allow for proper countermeasures. Each precaution we take is an added layer of protection, and when used together, dramatically decreases the risk.
Testing Opportunities for Students and Families
The King County COVID testing site located next to EMS will remain open and will continue to provide access to PCR COVID testing for students and the community. For additional information on the testing site or to make an appointment please visit the link below.