It is that time of the year and colds, flus, and potential COVID cases are starting to creep in to our community. It may be a case of the sniffles or a sore throat and it may even be seasonal allergies or weather changes. We have to take each case seriously, however, as though each one could be COVID-19. As you can see from below, the symptoms are wide-ranging and begin 2 - 14 days after exposure. This is going to be a real challenge, as the protocol is the same for our staff and our students. You can see it in detail below, but any case with any of the symptoms listed below means that a student or staff member is out for 10 days minimum, unless they get tested for COVID and it is negative. Currently, COVID tests have been taking 3 - 5 days to get back. So, each time a staff member has a symptom, they are out for at least a week...sometimes longer. The same would apply to the kids. Today, we are down 2 staff members as we wait on testing and that means that grades 1 and 2 are combined. In order to retain social distancing, we have moved the kids to the cafeteria (A huge thank you to Mr. Gross for helping us move!!). We will absolutely let you know if there is more to tell you on this front, but for now, I just want to remind everyone of the protocol that is in place to keep our community safe.

My "normal Wednesday Smore" will be out later today, but please keep this one in your inbox or print it off as a reference tool.

Thank you,

Katie Dempsey

Principal

COVID-19 Symptoms are:

• 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

• If Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19 is not performed, stay home for at least 10 days after symptom onset, and at least 24 hours after fever has resolved and symptoms have improved. People with severe disease or who are 13 immunocompromised may need to isolate at home for longer.

• If PCR testing for COVID-19 is negative, stay home until 24 hours after the fever resolves and symptoms improve.

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VERY IMPORTANT: This means that any student who exhibits ANY COVID-19 symptoms (listed above), must be out of school for 10 days (and be at least 24 hours free of symptoms) before returning to school. The only exception is if they get cleared by a negative COVID test (and are 24 hrs free of symptoms). The school must receive a copy of the negative test in order to readmit the student prior to the minimum 10 days.

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For more info, go to: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/FallGuidanceK-12.pdf

• People who are ill and had known exposure to COVID-19 should be encouraged to be tested for COVID-19.
• People who do not have symptoms but were exposed to COVID-19 are also encouraged to get tested.
• They should stay out of school until at least 10 days after symptom onset, and at least 24 hours after their fever has resolved and symptoms have improved.
• People with severe disease or who are immunocompromised may need to be isolated at home for longer.
• Ask staff and caregivers to inform the school right away if the ill person is diagnosed with COVID-19.
• If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, it is possible that many of the student’s classmates and teachers will be considered close contacts and need to be quarantined for 14 days. Consult with the local health jurisdiction to determine the correct course of action.