Dear Peninsula School District Families,

Peninsula School District’s Test to Stay program is a voluntary, parent consent COVID-19 testing program in our schools. This program is designed for students who are unvaccinated and identified as a close contact of an individual at a school or school-related event who tests positive for COVID-19.

Previously, unvaccinated students who were designated as close contacts were required to quarantine at home for 14 days. The goal of the program is to allow unvaccinated students who are identified as close contacts at school or school-sponsored events to remain in school as long as they are symptom-free and test negative for COVID-19.

A close contact is defined by the Washington State Department of Health as an individual who has spent 15 or more minutes over a 24-hour period within 6 feet of the confirmed case, or within 3 feet in a K-12 indoor classroom setting. Each confirmed case in PSD is contact traced and families are notified if their student is determined to be a close contact.

Peninsula School District was granted approval to implement the Test to Stay program by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and testing began in our schools on Monday, Oct. 4.

This testing program, combined with disease prevention strategies, can help our schools detect new cases to prevent outbreaks, reduce the risk of further transmission, and protect students, teachers, and other staff from COVID-19.

Please see this document for more details. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school. Thank you.

Please see some frequently asked questions below:

Who is eligible to participate?
Students ages 4 and up who are unvaccinated and designated as close contacts of an individual at school or school-related events who tests positive for COVID-19 are eligible.

This program is only for students who were exposed to COVID-19 at school or school-related events, not from outside activities such as daycares or private athletic clubs.
 

Is testing mandatory?
No. The program is voluntary and parent consent is required. 

Unvaccinated students who don’t participate in Test to Stay and are identified as close contacts will be required to quarantine at home for 14 days from the date of exposure.
 

What is the process for participating?
Parent consent is required. The testing process will be expedited if a parent pre-registers their child via this link. Some important notes:
 

1. The registration website says you are ‘booking an appointment.’ This is not an actual appointment - it’s the step of having your child’s test performed at school should they be identified as a close contact or develop symptoms of COVID-19 while at school.
    

2. You will be asked for insurance information; however, you will not be billed. If you don’t have insurance, you may still participate.

   1. Although pre-registration is preferred, a family may still participate even if pre-registration has not taken place. You must register each student in your household individually.
       

What kind of test is being used?
The Test to Stay program in the Peninsula School District uses a Curative PCR test. This is a self-administered, minimally invasive, nasal swab test and is observed by a trained adult.
 

When will I receive the test results?
Parents will be notified of test results by Curative within 2-3 days.
 

What are the testing procedures?
For students who have been identified as a close contact at school, parents will be contacted and asked if they want to participate in the Test to Stay program, allowing their child to remain at school as long as they are symptom free. Additionally, the student will also need to test again between day 5-7 of exposure, and quarantine at home when they are not attending school.

1. If parent consent has been provided, a test will be given and the student may return to class immediately (while awaiting test result) if they are symptom-free. Test results will be provided to the parent and the school district by the testing company. 

2. In some situations, students will be allowed to test the next day after being identified.
    

What is modified quarantine?
During modified quarantine, the student must quarantine at home except for attending school classes. Participation in non-classroom school activities, such as extracurricular and community activities, is not permitted, nor is attendance to group childcare or youth development programs. A modified quarantine is not an option for teachers, staff, or other adults.
 

When can my child return to class in the district’s Test to Stay program?
A student who is not experiencing symptoms may return to class after the test is administered. Modified quarantine can begin while waiting for test results.
 

Can my child participate in non-classroom school activities and extracurricular activities during modified quarantine?
During modified quarantine, students may only attend school and must avoid non-classroom school activities, such as extracurricular and community activities, group childcare, or youth development programs for the “modified quarantine” period of 7 days from exposure.

Students may resume extracurricular activities on day 8 if both of their tests during the modified quarantine are negative (the second test must occur after day 5 and recommended prior to or on day 7 after exposure). This is a requirement of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Test to Stay program.
 

What if my student is identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 at school, is unvaccinated, and tests positive? 
If the student tests positive, the student will be sent home for the identified isolation period, usually 10 days.
 

Can my child participate in the district’s Test to Stay program if they are exposed to COVID-19 outside of school?
No, the DOH does not allow students exposed outside of school to participate in the Test to Stay program. If your student is exposed to a known case when not at school or a school-related activity, please contact your healthcare provider.
 

What if my child is vaccinated?
Students who are vaccinated and remain symptom-free do not need to test, even if identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
 

What if my student is identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 at school and chooses not to be tested at school?
Students can still participate in Test to Stay by testing with a healthcare professional.  Documentation that a test was administered by a healthcare provider, or by a testing site, is required. Families will need to provide the school with a copy of the initial test results when received. The student will need to test again between day 5-7 of exposure, and quarantine at home when they are not attending school. Our agreement with TPCHD does not allow PSD to accept over-the-counter tests or those self-administered.

Please see your school’s COVID-19 Site Coordinator for more information.

COVID-19 Building Site Safety Plans are available on each school's website. A quick reference list to site plans is also available below.

Elementary

• Artondale
• Discovery
• Evergreen
• Harbor Heights
• Minter Creek
• Pioneer 
• Purdy 
• Swift Water
• Vaughn
• Voyager

Middle School

• Goodman
• Harbor Ridge
• Key Peninsula
• Kopachuck

High School

• Henderson Bay
• Gig Harbor
• Peninsula

2021-22 School Year Guidance

Visitors and Volunteers

We love our visitors and volunteers! Parents/guardians and community members volunteering in our schools are vital to student success. Each year hundreds of volunteers share their time and energy to enhance educational opportunities, contributing thousands of hours of service and support for our school.

There are numerous opportunities at each school, ranging from supporting students in the classroom to preparing materials for teachers, to serving on a site team. Additional opportunities for service include working with parent/teacher organizations, advisory committees or booster clubs.
 
For the 2021-22 school year, visitors and volunteers are allowed on an as-needed basis and upon the approval of the school administrator. We've developed some definitions and FAQs regarding visitors and volunteers for this unique school year:

VISITORS

Definition: Individuals who are in the building on a short-term basis with minimal interaction with staff and students. This includes parents, guardians, vendors. 

Are visitors allowed in the building? 

This year we are allowing visitors in the buildings under certain parameters.

Parameters:  

• We are allowing visitors on a limited basis upon the approval of school administrators.
• Visitors are not to go into classrooms when students are present. This is important to maintaining the physical distancing protocols during the pandemic.  
• Visitors would be briefed on applicable aspects of the school safety plan and would be expected to follow them when in the building.

Are face coverings required for visitors?

Like teachers and students, all visitors and volunteers are required to wear face coverings consistent with the Governor’s Proclamation 20-09.2 Phased Reopening of K-12 Schools,  K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Reopening Washington Schools 2020 District Planning Guide. Fully vaccinated people are required to wear masks in schools; these guidelines apply to all district buildings in Peninsula School District.

Are visitors required to be vaccinated?

No. However, visitors need to follow all other applicable health and safety requirements like face coverings and physical distancing.

Visitors are not to go into classrooms when students are present. This is important to maintaining the physical distancing protocols during the pandemic.  

VOLUNTEERS: ASSOCIATED WITH CONTRACTED ORGANIZATIONS AND INDEPENDENT

Definition: Any individuals who regularly interact with students and staff. 

Are volunteers allowed in the buildings?

When we can do so safely, we are welcoming volunteers into the buildings. 

Here are some parameters for volunteers:

• We will allow volunteers on a limited basis upon the approval of school administrators.
• Volunteers will need to go through an orientation to ensure they understand the safety plan for the building; volunteers would be expected to follow the safety plan at all times
• In classrooms we try, whenever possible, to keep students 3 ft apart for safety and to reduce exclusions due to contact tracing. Classrooms, which have too many students to maintain 3 ft distancing, would not be allowed to admit volunteers when students are present
• When in spaces with other adults (e.g. classroom, teacher workroom), volunteers would not be admitted if the 6 ft between adults requirement could not be met.

Are face coverings required for volunteers?

Like teachers and students, all visitors and volunteers are required to wear face coverings consistent with the Governor’s Proclamation 20-09.2 Phased Reopening of K-12 Schools, K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Reopening Washington Schools 2020 District Planning Guide. Fully vaccinated people are required to wear masks in schools; these guidelines apply to all district buildings in Peninsula School District.

Do volunteers need to be vaccinated?

Yes. Per OSPI guidelines, volunteers will need to be vaccinated. 

Who is responsible for the vaccination status of volunteers? 

• If the volunteer is placed in our schools by an outside organization, then the organization is responsible for verifying vaccination status. Verification is documented using this form which can be completed and returned to PSD Risk and Compliance Manager Sara Hoover at hoovers@psd401.net. 
• Those not associated with an outside organization must verify their vaccination status with the building’s COVID Site Coordinator. 
   

We will revisit these guidelines as COVID-19 conditions change. 

Click here to be redirected to our Volunteer application

Before School and Work

This year, attestation forms and health check-ins are not required by the Washington State Department of Health.

However, regardless of vaccination status, staff and students should not come to school if they are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Staff and students should not come to school or work if:

• They are unvaccinated and a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
• They tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 10 days or have been told to self-monitor, self-isolate, or self-quarantine because of concerns about a COVID-19 infection.

Face Coverings/Mask Requirements and Standards

Peninsula School District follows the guidance of Washington State Department of Health, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) for mask guidance.

All staff, students, and visitors must wear a mask indoors unless they have a medical exemption. Those with an exemption must still wear an approved clear face covering or a face shield with a drape or wrap as an alternative to a cloth face covering. If used, face shields should extend below the chin, wrap around to the ears, and have no gap at the forehead. Altering or modifying face coverings may compromise their ability to protect your child and others.

Face coverings/masks are a current legal requirement. It is a state mandate and local school boards do not have the authority to make masks optional. Click here for Q&A mask guidance at a July 2021 school board meeting outlining parameters of decision control.

Face coverings/masks can be removed to eat and drink. Masks are not required for outdoor school settings.

11/18/21 Clarification update: Masks are not required at recess/outdoors.

Behavior and health teams work with those with medical conditions on an individual basis for support to safely receive education. 

Please note, effective masks per CDC guidance:

• Are two or more layers with washable and breathable fabric
• Completely covers nose and mouth
• Fits snugly against the sides of an individual’s face without gaps
• Has a nose wire for snug fit to prevent air from leaking out the top of the masks.

It is the expectation of the Peninsula School District that students and staff do not wear gaiters that are single ply, bandanas, scarves, or valve masks per CDC recommendations. If a student or staff member wears one of the listed, a face covering/mask will be provided by the school district. 

Physical Distancing

We will implement a physical distance of 3 feet or more between students in classroom settings to the degree possible and reasonable as per the guidance of the Washington State Department of Health.

In common areas, such as school commons, lunch rooms, and hallways, we will maximize physical distancing to the greatest extent possible given the space available. We will follow the DOH guidance to maximize opportunities to increase physical space between students during all scheduled activities, and limit interactions in large group settings.

For the 2021-2022 school year,  we have been instructed by the Washington State Department of Health that physical distancing requirements should not prevent a school from offering full-time, in-person learning to all students/families. 

Physical distancing for adults continues to be 6 feet. Read more here.

Close Contacts

Generally, a close contact is someone who was within six feet of a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 cumulative minutes over a 24-hour period during the period of time when the person with COVID-19 was infectious. The infectious period of someone with COVID-19 starts two days before the onset of symptoms or is estimated as two days before the positive test collection date if someone with COVID-19 is asymptomatic. This definition applies regardless of whether the case or contact was wearing a mask. If identified as a close contact, a person may need to quarantine.

In a K-12 indoor classroom, the close contact definition excludes students who were at least three feet away from an infected student when (a) both students were wearing face coverings/masks and (b) other prevention strategies were in place (see DOH guidance, page 12). This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting who are expected to maintain 6 feet of separation.

The definition of a close contact may vary in some situations (e.g., less time spent in close proximity to an unmasked person who is coughing, direct cough/sneeze spray, or other contact that is more intense like sharing drinks, eating utensils, etc.). The ultimate determination of close contact is made by the local health jurisdiction during its investigation; it may delegate this determination if appropriate. 

Clarification Update Addition (11/18/21): Close contacts exclude students who are at least three feet away from a COVID-positive student in structured settings, with assigned seating, and wearing face coverings - this includes school buses.

Vaccinations and Vaccine Resources

On August 18, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee announced a directive legally requiring all K–12 school district employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination or a medical or religious exemption by October 18, 2021.

The Governor’s directive means that all Peninsula School District employees, including contractors, were required to be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021 (must be at least 14 days past the last dose of the applicable COVID-19 vaccine regimen).

The COVID-19 vaccine is not required for students. 

Click here to read a message from Superintendent Krestin Bahr sent Friday, October 22 about staff COVID-19 vaccination and approved exemption details in Peninsula School District following the state vaccination mandate.

Currently the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is the only vaccine available to children 5 years old to 17 years old, with parental consent. We encourage families to consider immunizing students against COVID-19. Find more information on the DOH flyer What Parents of Minors Should Know.

At this time, no clinics at school facilities are scheduled but please visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Vaccine Locator web page for vaccine locations.

Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine if identified as a close contact of an individual with COVID-19, unless they have symptoms.

Please click the accordions below for information about vaccine clinic opportunities

Screening Isolation Rooms

If a student starts to feel unwell during the school day, staff will help the student to the school’s designated isolation screening room. There a school nurse or trained staff member will assess their symptoms. Parents will be notified if their child needs to be picked up from school.

In our commitment to the health and safety of all students, our staff are asked to be vigilant about assessing students for symptoms of illness.

Please ensure your contact information is up to date in the PowerSchool Parent Portal should you need to be contacted regarding a student illness or otherwise.

School Bus Safety

• Masks are required on school buses. Please arrive at your bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled time, and have your mask on when the bus arrives.
• We will work to ensure students maintain the greatest distance possible on buses. Students from the same household will sit together, wherever possible. 
• Bus air management systems will be set on the “outside air” setting with windows open (weather permitting) for ventilation
• Roof vents in buses will be open at all times.

For more information about school transportation and bus routes, please visit our transportation website.

Student Expectations

• Students will wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and is required after going to the bathroom, playing outside, petting animals, and before preparing or eating food. 
• If handwashing is not possible, hand sanitizer may be used under adult supervision. Hand sanitizer will be provided at school facilities.
• Students are encouraged to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and immediately wash their hands after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Kindly follow and adhere to the directions for maneuvering within the school buildings. 
• Wear masks at all times, covering your mouth and nose. Refrain from touching your face and others’ masks. Schools will have extra masks if one is forgotten.
• To the greatest extent possible, stay three feet away from others.

Ventilation and Cleaning Protocols

We are following CDC guidelines and working with state and local health departments as well as industry experts regarding ventilation guidance.

• Custodial staff consistently clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces on a daily basis.

Reporting a Positive COVID-19 Case

• In the event of a positive COVID-19 case at a PSD school or office location, we work directly with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) as they conduct contact tracing. 
• Based on the guidance provided by TPCHD, notifications are sent to impacted staff, students, and families. 
• If an individual is found to have close contacts while contagious, those who were in close contact will need to quarantine or elect to participate in the Test to Stay program with COVID-19 testing, unless fully vaccinated. Each case and situation requires unique action as determined by the TPCHD.

School Site Safety Plans

Like last school year, each school has a COVID-19 Site Safety Plan customized to the location, addressing entrance and exit points, traffic flow, distancing, and other safety measures.

A directory of COVID-19 Site Safety Plans is available on each school site and a directory of site safety plans is viewable here. Site safety plans are developed by the principal, assistant principal,  dean of students, school nurse, and district support staff.

As part of the plan, each school has a COVID-19 Site Safety Coordinator. This individual is responsible for ensuring protocols are followed, plus leads in implementation of updated guidance if and when necessary. COVID-19 Site Safety Coordinators also are the point of contact for reporting and managing COVID-19 cases in schools, plus working with a school nurse and communications staff.