Updated Monday, March 2 at 8:05 a.m.
The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount, and we are closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19.
We are following guidance from Public Health Seattle & King County, Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Current guidance is:
- No comprehensive screening process is necessary.
- Be alert to students, staff and visitors who exhibit cough, fever, difficulty breathing in conjunction with travel to China.
- If you suspect someone may have COVID-19 based on symptoms + travel, isolate the person away from others and alert your school nurse or district health services staff.
Staff have been directed to be alert for students and staff who have a cough, fever and/or difficulty breathing and have recently traveled to China or have had contact with someone being evaluated for COVId-19. If that situation arises, staff will:
- Keep the student away from others until they can be taken home by a family member. Staff will be sent home.
- Alert the school nurse or district health service office.
Guidance is changing frequently due to local and global developments. We will communicate updates via email and robocall, on the district website and on our social media platforms.
Please remind your student of the importance of following good hygiene practices that prevent the spread of communicable diseases:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or a tissue.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick. See our guidelines for when to stay home.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Although the spread of COVID-19 appears to have started in China, it is important to remember that Coronavirus infection is not connected to any race, ethnicity, or nationality. We will not make assumptions about a student’s or staff member’s risk of illness based on any of these factors. Misinformation about coronavirus can create fear and hostility that harms people and makes it harder to keep everyone healthy. We are making a plan to minimize impacts on teaching and learning should health authorities recommend one or more school closures. We will keep you informed.
You can stay up to date by consulting the following webpages:
Here are Public Health factsheets on COVID-19 in multiple languages.
