School Health & Safety
November 2021
District to implement Test to Stay Program
The Snohomish School District, the Snohomish Health District and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recognize the importance of students remaining in school after potential exposure to COVID-19 at school but are not showing any signs or symptoms of the virus. The Snohomish School District is participating in the DOH Test to Stay Program. The program will be implemented in our schools beginning Monday, December 6.
The state’s Test to Stay Program was introduced to keep exposed students in school after showing a negative test result to the COVID-19 virus. Students who are exposed at school would be tested with parental/guardian consent using rapid antigen tests administered by trained school personnel. A negative test result would allow students to stay in school.
In order to administer the rapid antigen tests, the state has mandated an online recording mechanism through a tool called SimpleReport. As part of the testing process, parents/guardians of students must enroll in the online registration tool at this link www.sno.wednet.edu/covidtestingregistration prior to testing. Students ages 18 and older can complete the registration process on their own. This online registration must be completed in order for our schools to administer the rapid antigen testing. In completing the online registration, parents/guardians or students (if ages 18 and older) will provide consent for this type of testing. All information will be maintained by the Washington State Department for Health and is strictly confidential.
Anyone who tests positive will be sent home immediately to isolate for 10 days. Positive results will be communicated to the Washington State Department of Health and the Snohomish Health District.
Participation Guidelines - DOH Test to Stay Program:
- Parent/guardian consent and registration of student is required.
- Students may attend school but may not participate in extra or co-curricular activities. Students must remain in modified quarantine outside of school for 7 days.
- Test #1 will be performed at school following recognition of exposure, and a second test will be collected 5-7 days after last exposure.
- If a student tests positive for COVID-19 at any time, they must isolate themselves at home and follow DOH isolation guidance.
- Fully vaccinated students who meet the definition of close contact and remain asymptomatic are not required to quarantine or participate in the DOH Test to Stay Program. However, they are welcome to participate and are encouraged to get tested 3-5 days after their exposure date.
- Students exposed to COVID-19 outside of school or as household contacts are not eligible to participate in this program, per the DOH.
- Students not meeting guidelines will return to out-of-school quarantine process.
- Students meeting the above guidelines may stay in school if they show negative results and show no symptoms of the virus.
The Snohomish School District is committed to keeping our schools safe and students healthy. Please join us by registering your child today. Please direct questions to your school principal or David Greene, COVID-19 Administrator, at 360-563-7245.
Important resources:
COVID-19 quarantine options - Beginning December 6, 2021
If your student or a member of your immediate household has tested positive for COVID-19, please make sure your school nurse or principal are aware so that appropriate health and safety precautions can be taken.
If your student has been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive (non-school related exposure) for COVID-19, please let your school nurse or principal know so they are aware of quarantine dates and can provide support.
NEW BEGINNING DECEMBER 6 - OPTION ONE: Close Contact - Test to Stay (two negative tests required) – Student remains at school
The Snohomish Health District, in alignment with the Washington State Department of Health, allows a student is identified as a close contact at school to remain at school after exposure, if they meet all of criteria below:
- Are tested at least twice during a 7-day period at school. Rapid antigen testing is completed at school and includes one test conducted as soon as possible following recognition of the exposure and one test collected 5-7 days after last exposure. Testing would require parent/guardian consent prior to any testing.
- Have no symptoms of COVID-19.
- Continue to wear a face covering/mask.
- Continue to quarantine outside of school (i.e., not participate in extracurricular activities at school, including sports and other activities outside of their home.)
The Test to Stay option is only available for students exposed at school and is not applicable to students exposed outside of school or household close contacts. This option is in alignment with the district’s Test to Stay Memo of Understanding with the Snohomish Health District.
OPTION TWO: Close contact - 7-day quarantine option (with testing)
The Snohomish Health District, in alignment with the Washington State Department of Health, allows a modified 7-day quarantine period for unvaccinated close contacts with proof of a negative test and as long as they continue to be symptom free. For those who choose this option, they must stay in quarantine for 7 full days beginning after the last contact with the positive person and they must receive a negative test result (get tested no sooner than day 5 after last contact). The test which must be completed on day 5, 6 or 7 of the quarantine period must be a physician-, lab-, pharmacy- or clinic-confirmed test and must include the person’s name, date of test, name of testing facility and test results. Results must be presented and verified by the school nurse or school principal.
OPTION THREE: Close contact - 10-day quarantine (no testing)
The Snohomish Health District, in alignment with the Washington State Department of Health, allows a modified 10-day quarantine period for unvaccinated close contacts. Identified close contacts may return to school 10 days after their last close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual without testing, as long as they are symptom free.
OPTION FOUR: Close contact - 14-day quarantine (no testing)
The Snohomish School District will continue to support those families who prefer to keep their students home for the 14-day quarantine.
Close contact - Vaccinated or have tested positive for COVID-19 within past 90 days
Fully vaccinated people (2 weeks after last vaccination dose) or those who have had a documented case of COVID-19 within the last 90 days with no symptoms do not need to quarantine after COVID-19 exposure. Watch for symptoms for 14 days and recommendations include getting tested 3-5 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, get tested.
Test positive for COVID-19 - 10-day isolation
- For those who test positive for COVID-19, the state guidance has not changed.
- Return to school after 10-day isolation period (from the date of testing (if no symptoms) or from the date of symptom onset).
- If symptoms or fever persist after 10-day isolation, person who tested positive can return when there is no fever and symptoms are improving.
- Stay home for the full 10-day isolation period, regardless of symptoms or test results.
Important links and resources:
- District and community testing options - Learn more about district and community testing options at hwww.sno.wednet.edu/covid19/testing
- SimpleReport rapid antigen testing registration link - In order to administer the rapid antigen tests, the state has mandated an online recording mechanism through a tool called SimpleReport. As part of the testing process, parents/guardians of students must enroll in the online registration tool at this link www.sno.wednet.edu/covidtestingregistration prior to testing. Students ages 18 and older can complete the registration process on their own. This online registration must be completed in order for our schools to administer the rapid antigen testing. In completing the online registration, parents/guardians or students (if ages 18 and older) will provide consent for this type of testing. All information will be maintained by the Washington State Department for Health and is strictly confidential.
Sick?
If a student or staff member is not feeling well and has any symptoms of illness, even mild ones, please stay home. Symptoms could include cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of taste or smell. One symptom is enough to warrant staying home as a precaution. We know it can be frustrating to stay home with mild symptoms. Children get sniffles, a cough, or upset stomach from time to time, and this is usually not cause for alarm. But this pandemic is the time for extra caution, and all students and staff should stay home even if symptoms are mild. If a student or staff member with symptoms does go to school, or if they start having symptoms while they are at school, expect they will be isolated and sent home as soon as possible. This means an ill student would likely be asked to wait in a dedicated room where they are not near others until a parent/guardian arrives to take them home. Students who are ill or are symptomatic should be picked up within 30 minutes of parents/guardians being contacted.
- Fever (defined as subjective or 100.4 F or higher)
- Cough
- Chills
- Loss of sense of taste and/or smell
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle or body aches
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea (defined as 2 or more loose stool in 24 hours)
Upon returning home
The information in this section only pertains to those individuals who are not a confirmed close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19:
- If the student or staff member is tested for COVID-19 (physician-, lab-, pharmacy- or clinic-confirmed test) and the results are negative, they may return to school once their symptoms have improved, and they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours. Anyone with symptoms is encouraged to get tested.
- If a student or staff member has symptoms but is not tested for COVID-19, they must remain home according to the timelines below and at least 24 hours after fever is gone and symptoms have improved:
- 1 class A symptom of any duration = 10-day quarantine
- 2 class B symptoms of any duration = 10-day quarantine
- 1 class B symptom lasting more than 24 hours = 10-day quarantine
- Those who have symptoms but have not tested for COVID-19 and are not close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, may obtain a medical professional’s note clearing them for return. The medical professional’s note must be based on the individual’s established medical history or must include an alternative lab-confirmed diagnosis.
Non-Discrimination Notice
Our mission
The Snohomish School District, in its commitment to excellence, places the success of each student at the center of all decisions and actions. Partnerships and strong academic programs ensure competent, responsible, lifelong learners.
Email: communications@sno.wednet.edu
Website: www.sno.wednet.edu
Location: 1601 Avenue D, Snohomish, WA, USA
Phone: 3605637300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snohomishschooldistrict/