Pathway Forward Update – March 31, 2022

Dear LWSD Staff and Families: 

As we head into Spring Break next week (April 4-8), we want to share a few additional updates about the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requirements and how those will impact our schools. Current conditions allow schools to resume more activities. This will create more opportunities for kids to learn and may change the way students experience school.

During April, schools will begin to change lunches, snacks, and other parts of the school day to reflect more typical practices. Schools may also begin to expand the enrichment activities they are offering.

What this looks like may vary slightly for each school. Some schools may not be able to make these changes due to their master schedule or staffing assignments. 

Here are some of the ways a layered safety approach to COVID will look in our schools this spring:

  • New! Physical Distancing – Physical distancing remains a strategy to be used when possible but should not limit student access to learning opportunities.
  • New! Testing – LWSD is increasing COVID testing availability. This includes evening drive-up testing locations, limited in-school testing and take-home test kits. Mobile testing teams will be available during outbreaks. For locations and times, please see the COVID-19 Testing page on the LWSD website. 
  • Isolation – All students and staff are required to stay home when sick and to isolate for a minimum of 5 days following a positive COVID test (DOH Decision Tree).
  • Notifications – LWSD will continue to notify exposed staff and families of positive cases and maintain a dashboard
  • Hand Hygiene – Schools will continue to remind students about the importance of frequent hand washing and sanitizing.
  • Cleaning – LWSD will continue its existing cleaning practices.
  • Ventilation – LWSD will continue its ventilation practices. 
  • Masking – Masks are required for all people entering health or isolation rooms. LWSD will continue to maintain a supply of masks for students or staff. LWSD respects student and staff choice for masking in other areas.
  • Vaccination – LWSD employees, contractors and volunteers are still required to be vaccinated.

We will continue to monitor health and safety conditions while partnering with our public health agencies. 

Please remember to keep your student home when school resumes if they have any symptoms of illness. You can visit our “Too Sick for School” webpage if you have any questions about this. 

Sincerely,
Jon

Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent
Lake Washington School District
 
 

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