August 12, 2022 

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has released new guidelines for schools across the state, including ours, to follow as we move forward to better understanding the risk and how to protect ourselves and others from the COVID virus. The new guidance is similar to National CDC Guidance, and comes at a time when we are seeing declines in COVID-19 cases across our region, state, and nation. As we learn to live in a world with the virus and resume regular activities safely, the guidance is intended to help us all protect ourselves.

Here is a summary of the major changes that impact Wahkiakum School District. 

• This new guidance will go into effect as we enter the 2022-23 academic year.

• Many of the state-required COVID prevention measures that have been in place will become optional instead of required. This includes things like general masking and physical distancing. Schools and organizations are allowed to implement more robust prevention measures, if necessary.

  • At Wahkiakum School District, we will continue to be a "mask optional" district and will not be requiring students or staff to wear masks in class or on school buses.  Anyone who still wants to wear a mask may do so. We must all be respectful of differences in individual choice when it comes to people using enhanced prevention measures like masking. 

  • The vaccine requirement for all employees remains in place but masks are not required for anyone regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated or have an accommodation.

• People who have COVID symptoms must continue to stay home and away from others, and get tested. This is required regardless of whether someone is vaccinated or not. To support a healthy community environment, we will continue to offer our Covid  antigen tests to anyone needing one.  Covid tests are available at the Elementary School office and the High School office.

  • Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has created an updated flowchart document showing steps people should take if they have symptoms or are exposed to COVID. 

  • People who test positive should continue to stay away from others for at least 5 days. People with symptoms may return to school on day 6, if symptoms have improved and their fever is resolved without medication. 

  • A mask is strongly recommended to be worn if someone is returning to school on days 6-10 OR the person can return without a mask if they test negative with an antigen test. A person who does not want to get tested or wear a mask must continue to isolate for 10 full days. 

I understand that these changes will be met with anxiety by some and excitement by others. Please be respectful to one another as each individual decides what prevention and safety measures are right for their personal or family circumstances. Compassion will be critical as we safely modify mitigation measures that were put in place over the past two years. I will share more information with you as we receive it and as we update our school district practices to align with the new guidance.

Respectfully yours,

Brent Freeman

Superintendent