Messages to Families 2021-22

Messages to Families 2021-22 School Year

 

The following are the most recent messages to OSD families providing information and updated COVID-19 guidance from local and state health officials. Please remember to keep your student home if they are sick and get them tested for COVID-19.

 

April 14, 2022

Message to families

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

As you may know, the State Board of Health (SBOH), which determines immunization requirements for students in all of Washington’s K–12 schools, has been considering whether or not to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students.

Yesterday, April 13, the SBOH voted to not require Washington’s students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for school attendance. This means that this fall, immunization requirements for our students will remain unchanged.

Note: Yesterday’s SBOH decision only applies to students. At this time, there have not been changes to Governor Inslee’s proclamation requiring school employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Information shared yesterday by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) noted, “SBOH overwhelmingly supports the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and notes that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you, especially against severe illness.”

Before making this decision, the State Board of Health organized a technical advisory group (TAG) made up of doctors, public health officials, school partners and other community members. Over a series of meetings, the TAG met to understand the benefits and challenges of requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for students. In late February, the TAG concluded its work and recommended to the State Board of Health that the vaccine not be required. In yesterday’s SBOH meeting, board members reviewed the TAG’s recommendation before deciding they agreed.

OSPI noted, “We are anticipating the current health and safety guidance from the state Department of Health will remain in place next fall.” This includes regular cleaning and disinfecting; having face coverings optional with some exceptions in schools, buses and support buildings; sharing reminders of proper hand hygiene; and physical distancing to the extent possible while ensuring a full-time in-person opportunity for all students.

Thank you,

Communications and Community Relations


March 9, 2022

Message to families

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

As we shared with you yesterday, the state Department of Health has published updated guidance outlining COVID-19 protocols in public schools. Below we have listed several key topics and the updated state guidance that goes into effect on Saturday, March 12:

Face Coverings

Face coverings will be optional in all schools and support buildings, and on school buses, with some exceptions.

 

  • Face coverings are required in all school health rooms and isolation rooms. This requirement is for anyone who enters these school health care settings, regardless of the reason for entering.
  •  Schools and district support buildings will continue to have disposable and KN95 face masks available at no cost to all students, staff and visitors at each building entry. Masks will also be available in all school health and isolation rooms.
  • While face coverings are no longer required universally in schools, the guidance states there may be situations when staff, students and visitors may be temporarily required by state or local health officials to wear masks. This may occur, for example, during a COVID-19 outbreak in a classroom or with a group of students (e.g., a choir class or a sports team). If this occurs, schools will communicate directly to families and students required to comply with any additional mitigation practices.
  • The guidance specifically addresses the need for everyone — staff, students and visitors — to respect whatever choice others make regarding masking. “Some may need to wear a mask because they or a member of their household is high risk for severe COVID-19 disease,” it states. The guidance goes on to say, “Assumptions regarding someone’s beliefs or health status should neither be made nor commented about. Schools and programs should not tolerate harassment or bullying of any kind.”

 

Physical Distancing

 

  •  The Olympia School District will continue to practice physical distancing to the degree possible and practical.

 

COVID-19 Vaccinations

 

  • All employees, contractors and volunteers continue to be required to be fully vaccinated or have a medical or religious exemption.
  •  At this time, students statewide are not required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 Testing

 

  • The Olympia School District will continue to provide access to diagnostic testing.
  •  Note: COVID-19 screening testing of students in high-risk activities (e.g., athletics, performing arts, other extra-curricular activities) is no longer required in the updated state guidance.

 

COVID-19 Notification of Potential Exposure

 

  •  The Olympia School District will continue notifications to staff/students and families.
    There may be instances when local health officials require schools to do contact tracing (e.g., during a COVID-19 outbreak).

 

What if You Have Symptoms or Test Positive for COVID-19?

 

  •  Students and staff who have COVID-19 symptoms are required to stay home and should get tested and/or see a health care provider. Individuals should follow the return to work/school protocol accordingly.
  • Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate, regardless of vaccination status. The individual may return to school 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 the use of fever-reducing medications.
    • If returning to school after day 5, the individual must either wear a well-fitted face covering during days 6-10, OR test negative with an antigen or at-home test any day after day 5. If the individual is not able to wear a well-fitted face covering, AND does not test negative, they should continue isolating at home through day 10.

 

In closing, please remember to stay home from school when sick, wash hands frequently, and keep vaccinations up-to-date.

Thank you,

Communications and Community Relations Department


 

March 8, 2022

Message to families

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

Today the state Department of Health (DOH) released updated COVID-19 health guidance for public schools and related programs such as child care and early learning. This latest update follows the Governor’s announcement last week that the statewide indoor mask mandate will end at 11:59 p.m. this Friday, March 11.

Please note:

 

  • Area school superintendents will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, March 9, with local health officials to determine Thurston County’s alignment with the new DOH guidance released today. We will communicate specifics tomorrow afternoon with all OSD staff and families regarding questions such as physical distancing, COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and other mitigation measures.
  • All staff and students must continue to wear face coverings in our schools and support buildings, as well as on our school buses, through 11:59 p.m. this Friday. Barring a new requirement from our local health department, wearing a face covering will become optional after that time in schools and support buildings, and on school buses, except when otherwise indicated in health guidance.
  • Once masking becomes optional, some may choose to wear them while others may not. It is the district’s expectation that individual choices will be honored and respected. Questioning one’s decision, or teasing or harassing anyone, will not be tolerated and could result in disciplinary action.

 

Thank you for your patience and flexibility with this latest update to COVID-19 health guidance. Please watch your email tomorrow for more information about the updated DOH guidance released today.

Communications and Community Relations Department


February 28, 2022 

Message to families

(Spanish, Vietnamese)

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that the statewide indoor mask mandate will end at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 11 — more than a week earlier than previously announced — in most settings.

Barring a new requirement from our local health department, wearing a face-covering will become optional starting on Saturday, March 12, 2022 in all of our schools and support buildings, and on school buses, regardless of vaccination status.

Below is a summary of information shared during the Governor’s press conference today and in written guidance shared by the Governor’s office and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction:

 

  • Until March 12, face coverings will continue to be required for all students, staff and visitors in all Olympia School District schools and support buildings and on school buses. Face coverings will continue to be provided in our facilities for those who do not have them.
  • Beginning Saturday, March 12, face coverings will become optional for all students, staff and visitors in schools and support buildings, and on school buses.
  • Gov. Inslee’s announcement today is in alignment with announcements this morning by Oregon and California.
  • Face coverings may still be required after the statewide mask mandate is lifted for those who recently tested positive for COVID-19, were identified as a close contact for someone with COVID-19, or for other reasons identified by the state Department of Health (DOH) or a local health officer.
  • Importantly, the expectation is that others’ choices of whether to wear face coverings starting March 12 will be respected. One should not make assumptions regarding someone’s beliefs or health status, nor should they comment on them.
  • Schools will be required to continue reporting COVID-19 cases and outbreaks, as with any other communicable disease.
  • Schools must also continue to provide access to testing for staff and students who have been exposed or are showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
  • Students or staff members who test positive for COVID-19 must remain at home and follow the CDC and Department of Health isolation protocols.
  • The Governor has not announced any intention of changing the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for school employees.
  • The state Department of Health is preparing updated guidance for K–12 schools, and they intend to release the guidance as soon as possible. Generally, guidance around masking, distancing and other mitigation measures will become recommendations — instead of requirements — once the mask order lifts.
  • Gov. Inslee and state health officials said the decision to move up the end to the statewide mask mandate for most indoor settings to 11:59 p.m. on March 11, compared to the original date of March 21 announced earlier this month, is based on science and research.

 

Guidance shared by the Governor’s office today states that data show rates of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are declining rapidly in our state, and public health models show that by mid-March cases and hospitalizations are predicted to drop to levels similar to last summer. Masks impact the learning environment, and with widespread access to vaccinations, an expansive school COVID-19 testing program, and rapidly declining cases and hospitalizations, the Governor’s office noted it was time to rebalance the benefits and challenges of universal masking in schools.

Masks will still be required in some settings, Inslee said, such as hospitals, outpatient and dental offices, long-term care settings and correctional facilities.

Area superintendents will be meeting with our local health officials in the next week to determine Thurston County’s alignment with new state guidance. Look for more communication prior to March 12.

Thank you,

Communications and Community Relations


February 17, 2022

Governor announces new face covering guidance effective March 21

(Spanish, Vietnamese

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

Beginning March 21, 2022, face coverings will be encouraged but no longer required in K-12 schools statewide, Gov. Jay Inslee announced during a press conference today, February 17.

Below is a summary of important information shared today by the Governor’s office:

  • Until March 21, face coverings will continue to be required for all students, staff and visitors in all Olympia School District schools and support buildings. Face coverings will continue to be provided for those who do not have them.
  • Once the statewide indoor mask requirement is lifted for K-12 schools on March 21, face coverings will still be required on school buses per a federal mandate that requires masks to be worn on all forms of public transportation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to revisit this requirement in mid-March.
  • Once the statewide mask requirement lifts on March 21, barring a new requirement from our local health department, face coverings will become optional in our school buildings.
  • As a reminder, our district will not tolerate bullying of any kind for those who choose to continue wearing masks.
  • Masks may still be required for those who recently tested positive for COVID-19, were identified as a close contact for someone with COVID-19, or for other reasons identified by the state Department of Health (DOH) or a local health officer.
  • Schools will be required to continue reporting COVID-19 cases and outbreaks, as with any other communicable disease.
  • Schools must also continue to provide access to testing for staff and students who have been exposed or are showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
  • Students or staff members who test positive for COVID-19 must remain at home and follow the CDC and Department of Health isolation protocols.
  • The Governor has not announced any intention of changing the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for school employees.

 

COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools is expected to be updated by DOH in early March. Current requirements regarding distancing, ventilation and sanitation in schools will change from requirements to recommendations effective on March 21, the Governor’s office reported.

Note: Since the beginning of this school year, health department guidance has allowed students to forego face coverings outdoors as long as they are physically distanced, regardless of vaccination status. At elementary schools, in most cases, that opportunity has been limited to smaller, designated outdoor areas. Beginning tomorrow, February 18, masks will be optional in all open areas during outdoor recess, provided that state guidance is still being followed.

The decision to remove the statewide mask requirement in most settings beginning March 21 was based on the best science and research available, Inslee said. Data show rates of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are declining rapidly statewide, and public health models show that by mid-March, cases and hospitalizations are predicted to drop to levels similar to last summer.

Masks will still be required in some settings, Inslee said, such as hospitals, outpatient and dental offices, long-term care settings and correctional facilities.

Thank you for your continued flexibility as we navigate this pandemic together. We are anticipating receiving additional information from public health officials in the coming weeks. We will continue communicating with you as we learn about changes to the guidance for our district.

Communications and Community Relations Department


January 13, 2022

Updated COVID-19 Health Guidance

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

We want to share some important changes to COVID-19 quarantine, isolation and testing guidance announced late yesterday by Thurston County health officials.

Please carefully review the updated guidance linked below, especially if your student is currently in isolation or quarantine for COVID-19. Depending on their vaccination status, the new protocols may affect when your student is able to safely return to school.

The new guidance is outlined in a flowchart posted January 12 on the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) website. The updated protocols align with guidance recently established by the state Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Importantly, the updated Thurston County K-12 health guidance issued yesterday, January 12, states:

 

Test to Stay, a protocol in which a student or staff member completes post-exposure testing at regular intervals in order to complete a modified quarantine, is now inclusive of all K-12 staff and students, regardless of where COVID-19 exposure occurred (e.g. home, community, school).

 

  • Note: Do NOT come to school to get your student tested if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. OSD students and staff who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with the virus may be tested for free at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the Capital Region Education Service District 113 (ESD 113).

View more information about the ESD 113 drive-through testing site
View other Thurston County COVID-19 testing locations

  • OSD participates in the Learn to Return Test to Stay program; however, please be aware that testing options will be available at school as long as there is staff capacity and testing supply. In the event that it is no longer available at school, staff and families should use the ESD or community testing options.
  • Preschool students are not eligible for Test to Stay at this time.

 

Isolation, used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those not infected, has been reduced to 5 days at home since symptom onset or a positive COVID-19 test. Symptoms must be absent or resolving, with no fever in the past 24 hours (and no fever-reducing medication).

Quarantine is not necessary if students and/or staff members are asymptomatic (not experiencing symptoms) and:

 

  • Age 18 or older and up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines (primary series and boosters);
  •  Age 5–17 and completed primary series of vaccines; or
  • Had confirmed COVID-19 in the last 90 days and recovered.

 

Again, details about the changes summarized briefly above are included in the PHSS flowchart. More information is also included in written format in the following DOH documents:

 

 

Due to the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant and our goal to continue in-person learning for as many students as possible, we want to remind families that one of the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is KEEP YOUR STUDENT HOME IF THEY ARE SICK AND GET THEM TESTED FOR COVID-19.

We will continue to update families with any additional updates to COVID-19 guidance.

Thank you,
Communications and Community Relations Department


Message from the Superintendent
January 10, 2022

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

 

In many ways it is hard to believe that we are approaching the two-year anniversary of the arrival of COVID-19 in the Olympia School District. I remember wondering in the spring of 2020, shortly after schools had closed, what it might look like a year from then, or two years later. I know like all of you, I was hoping that by this time this pandemic would be in our rearview mirror. Alas, it is not. 

 

We are managing yet another surge of COVID-19 cases locally and statewide and school districts are experiencing staffing challenges due to quarantine, illness and an already short supply of substitutes. The effects of the rapid spread of COVID, largely due to the contagious nature of the Omicron variant, are compounded by employees out sick with the seasonal flu or for other reasons common this time of year.

 

While we continue to tap into all available resources in Olympia, including district office staff, to fill in and maintain a safe in-person learning environment for all students, we’ve had to temporarily close some classrooms, sports teams, and programs, and cancel bus routes. Some of you have personally experienced the impacts of those decisions. But so far, our staff and administrators have been creative, resourceful and resilient and managed to shuffle and cover for one another and keep our campuses functioning. Given the uneven and scattered impact of Omicron, those challenges vary from day to day, week to week, school to school, and site to site.

 

Because in-person learning is critical to the well-being of our students and families, our goal, like the governor and OSPI, is to keep schools open. And, at the same time, we want you to know that we are also preparing, as a last resort, to temporarily shift a school classroom, program or school to remote learning should it become necessary. 

 

We want to help families be prepared in case of a temporary shift to remote learning, by suggesting the following.

 

  • For students who bring chromebooks to and from school, please remind them to bring their device home every night, along with their charger. If they have not been instructed to bring their chromebook to school, please keep it in a safe place at home.

  • If your student’s chromebook is damaged or missing a charger, please contact the OSD Technology Department Help Desk as soon as possible. The Help Desk can be reached at [email protected].

 

In a press conference last Friday, state Superintendent Chris Reykdal said that public health experts predict a peak in COVID-19 cases in late January followed by a steady decline. If we can get through this surge, hopefully there is a more predictable and stable spring in our future. He also reminded us that schools are one of the “safest places for kids,” due to health and safety protocols such as face coverings, effective hand hygiene and physical distancing.

 

Given widespread vaccinations and the effectiveness of health and safety mitigation measures in schools, neither the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) nor the Governor’s office intend to issue regional or statewide school or district closures. More likely, it would be staffing challenges that may drive districts to issue temporary closures for classrooms, programs or schools.

 

On that note, in closing, I want to thank the more than 150 people who inquired about serving as emergency substitute teachers after our request a couple of months ago. As a result, we’ve added dozens of teacher subs to our ranks. While it hasn’t solved our problem, it has helped. Our paraeducators, likewise, play a critical role in serving our students in our in-person classrooms, and the need for para substitutes is equally stretched. So, if you think you might have interest in serving in that role, please visit this news story on the OSD website to see how you might be able to help.

 

Thank you,

 

Patrick Murphy, Superintendent
Olympia School District


 

January 7, 2022

Recent COVID-19 Health Information Update

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

 

The following are some health updates shared this week by local and state officials regarding COVID-19 quarantine guidance, testing locations and vaccination information.

 

Updated COVID-19 Health Guidance and One-Page Chart

On January 1 we emailed OSD families a December 31 communication from the county Health Officer outlining updated COVID-19 quarantine guidance for K-12 schools. Since then, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) has made an additional update to the quarantine guidance for asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) contacts. The county has compiled the latest information in a one-page chart that is posted on the PHSS website.

 

NEW Free COVID-19 Testing Location at Thurston County Fairgrounds

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services has opened a new drive-through COVID-19 testing site through January 14 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds; however, due to flooding, the site was closed today, Friday, January 7. It is expected to open again on Monday, January 10.

  • The free testing site will be open weekdays, January 10-14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • The testing is limited to symptomatic individuals, close contacts to a person with a positive COVID-19 test, or people who have been instructed to get tested by public health or their healthcare provider.

  • PHSS will test the last patient at 12:50 p.m. each weekday. Test results will be available approximately 48-72 hours from the time of testing.

  • This PCR testing clinic is located at the Long Lake Park entrance to the fairgrounds, 2790 Carpenter Road S.E. in Lacey.

 

As a reminder, OSD students and staff who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with the virus may also be tested for free at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the Capital Region Education Service District 113 (ESD 113)

 

COVID-19 Vaccination Locations and Information

This week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot for ages 12-15.

 

Finally, remember if your student is experiencing COVID symptoms, please stay home and get tested. Contact your child’s school.

 

Thank you,

Communications and Community Relations


 

January 1, 2022

School Resumes Jan. 3 and health guidance update

 

Hello Olympia School District families,

 

We hope you have had an enjoyable winter break, including the snow that blanketed our region. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, January 3, 2022.

 .

We have two updates to share with you today:

 

1.    Weather: We are watching the weather forecast closely. Our Operations team will be out early Monday morning to check the safety of roads around the district, and we will contact families if there are any changes to bus routes or school schedules due to inclement weather. Please continue to monitor your email, our website and/or social media channels for updates. As a reminder, our emergency snow bus routes, as well as other inclement weather information, are included in the 2021-22 Snow Bulletin posted on the district website.
 

2.    Updated COVID-19 Health Guidance: We have been monitoring the latest information related to COVID and the new Omicron variant. As always, our district will continue to follow guidance provided by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) when making decisions that support the health and safety of our students, staff and families. Safety protocols are outlined in the OSD COVID-19 Pandemic Safety Plan.

 

a.     The county Health Officer shared updated COVID-19 health guidance yesterday with area school superintendents that includes changes to quarantine guidance for Thurston County K-12 schools. The revised guidance outlines if and when students and staff need to quarantine after exposure to a positive COVID-19 case. Please review this guidance carefully, as the quarantine requirements change based on if and when individuals were vaccinated for COVID-19 and if they have received a booster dose.

b.    While quarantine guidance has changed, the county Health Officer does not recommend any changes at this time to isolation guidance. Isolation guidance remains 10 days from symptom onset or positive COVID-19 test if asymptomatic. You may be aware that recently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) provided updated isolation guidance to the general public. Again, the county Health Officer notes in her Dec. 31 letter that while they are anticipating updated K-12 guidance in the near future, during the interim the isolation guidance remains 10 days from symptom onset or positive COVID-19 test if asymptomatic for Thurston County K-12 schools.

 

 

Health officials remind everyone that effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:

  • If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, please stay home and get tested. Contact your child’s school.

  • Get vaccinated, including a booster dose if eligible.

  • Avoid large gatherings.

  • Physically distance from others who don’t live in your household.

  • Wear face coverings accordingly and properly.

  • Wash your hands regularly.

 

COVID-19 vaccination locations

 

Thank you,

 

Communications and Community Relations Department