- Pasco School District
- COVID-19 Safety
COVID-19 INFORMATION
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The information on this page has been updated for the 2022-23 school year.
On October 25, 2022, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) updated its COVID-19 guidance for schools and childcare. As part of Pasco School District's ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of our students, staff, families, visitors and volunteers, the district will use this guidance and district related district procedures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, limit outbreaks and minimize disruptions to school life.
- Guidance to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in K-12 Schools and Child Cares (updated 10/25/22)
- DOH School and Child Care Guidance Talking Points (updated 10/2022)
- COVID-19 Symptom and Exposure Flowchart for Schools & Child Care (updated 08/05/22)
- School and Child Care COVID-19 Guidance Brief for School Staff (updated 08/2022)
- Guidance to Prevent and Respond to COVID-19 in K-12 Schools and Child Cares (updated 10/25/22)
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+ WHEN TO KEEP YOUR STUDENT HOME
Please make sure your student stays home and that you notify their school if:
• They have tested positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status or presence of symptoms)
OR
• They are experiencing COVID-like symptoms (not consistent with an chronic diagnosis or alternative named diagnosis from a health care provider)
Symptoms of COVID-19 Include:
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- Fever (≥100.4°F) or chills
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Muscle or body aches
- New loss of taste or smell
- Cough (new, changed, or worsening)
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
When you notify the school of your student's absence, you will be provided guidance on when they may return to school. The district follows DOH's requirements and corresponding flowchart when making return-to-school determinations.
If a student develops or arrives at school with symptoms of illness:
(1) They will be provided a mask to wear (unless exempted) and will be moved to the school's Care Room (isolation space).
(2) Parents/guardians will be contacted and required to pick up the student from school.
(3) The school will offer parents/guardians free COVID-19 testing and will provide guidance on when the student may return to school. The district follows DOH's requirements and corresponding flowchart when making return-to-school determinations.
(4) The student will be supervised and cared for while they wait to be picked up from school.
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+ TESTING
The Pasco School District has partnered with the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) and the WA State Department of Health (DOH) to offer free, voluntary COVID-19 diagnostic testing for students, staff, volunteers & families. Diagnostic testing can show if you have an active COVID-19 infection and need to take steps to quarantine or isolate yourself from others.
- The district offers rapid antigen tests that are self-collected using a shallow nasal swab and results are generally available in as little as 10-15 minutes, depending on the test.
- The district's central testing site is located at the Pasco School District Administration Building (1215 W. Lewis St) and is open Monday-Friday from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Look for the neon yellow cones along the building and follow the directions on the signs upon your arrival. If you've not been tested by the district before, please pre-register with SimpleReport to ensure you're able to receive your test results.
- Free at-home test kits are also available for students, staff, volunteers, and families. You may pick-up at-home test kits from the Pasco School District Administration Building (1215 W. Lewis St) during regular business hours.
- All schools have the ability to conduct COVID-19 testing when a student, staff member, or volunteer develops symptoms while at school. All other testing is provided at the district's central testing site.
- To help expedite the return of staff and students to the classroom, the Pasco School District will accept the results of at-home/over-the-counter COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen tests for the purposes of returning to school/work. Please report your at-home/over-the-counter test electronically or contact the school for a paper version of the form.
- Households are encouraged to test as needed at home. In Washington state, you can receive free self-tests from the Say Yes! COVID Test program. Most insurance covers the cost of up to 8 self-tests per individual per month.
Please call 509-543-6782 or 509-543-6700 with any questions.
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+ MASKS
- On March 12, 2021, masks became optional in our schools, buses, and in other school district buildings. Masks continue to be required to be worn in school health rooms/isolation areas.
- Staff and students will have the choice to wear a mask at school, with the expectation that others’ rights and individual choices will be respected.
- Masks continue to be made available for students, staff, and visitors at all district locations.
COVID-19 Dashboard
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Pasco School District's COVID-19 Dashboard summarizies data reported by staff, families, and the Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) regarding enrolled students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are (or were scheduled to be) physically present at district locations during their infectious period.
When there is a confirmed case, the school's COVID Support Team completes the necessary investigation and makes the required notifications. The district regularly meets with BFHD to review case rates, COVID protocols, and safety recommendations.
All cases in schools or child care that meet the criteria below are required to be reported to the Benton-Franklin Health District as a suspected outbreak of COVID-19 (WAC 246-101):
- At least 5 cases within a specified core group meeting criteria for a COVID-19 case from a positive test;
OR
- Multiple COVID-19 cases from positive tests comprising at least 20% of students, teachers, or staff within a specified core group;
AND
- The following three criteria are met:
- Cases have a symptom onset or positive test result within 7 days of each other, and
- There is no evidence that transmission was more likely to have occurred in another setting (e.g., household or outside social contact) outside of the school or child care, and
- Cases were epidemiologically linked in the school or child care setting or a school-or child-care sanctioned extracurricular activity.
In the event of an outbreak, the district will work with BFHD to determine if transmission is occurring in the school setting and any mitigation steps that may be necessary.
