- Pasco School District
- COVID-19 Safety
COVID-19 INFORMATION
-
The information on this page has been updated for the 2023-24 school year.
On May 30, 2023, 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 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 05/30/23)
- COVID-19 Symptom and Exposure Flowchart for Schools & Child Care (updated 02/06/23) | Use this flowchart to determine what to do if your student has been exposed to or has tested positive for COVID-19
- Additional Languages Available from DOH: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Dari, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Additional Resources
- DOH Isolation Calculator | In addition to the flowchart linked above, use this online calculator to determine when to discontinue isolation and to return to school after a positive COVID-19 test.
- DOH What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 (updated 05/10/23) | Additional information and guidance can be found
- Additional Languages Available from DOH: Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Chuukese, Dari, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Malayalam, Mam, Marathi, Marshallese, Mixteco Bajo, Nepali, Oromo, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese
-
+ 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:
-
- 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).
(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.
-
-
+ 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 4403 W. Court St. Free at-home test kits are also available for students, staff, volunteers, and families and may be picked-up between 8 AM and 4 PM. If you'd prefer to be tested on-site by district staff, please call 509-543-6782 ahead for appointment availability. 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.
- 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.
Please call 509-543-6782 or 509-543-6700 with any questions.
-
+ MASKS
- On March 12, 2021, masks became optional in our schools, buses, and in other school district buildings.
- Masks are required to be worn in school health rooms only when an individual has or is suspected of having COVID-19.
- 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.
