Washington’s School Mask Mandate Ends in March, but What About the TSD?
We are continually updating this article as the mask mandate rules change. Jump to the latest Tahoma School District mask update to view current TSD policy.
FROM THE SPOKESMAN REVIEW SEE THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.
Washington’s indoor mask mandate will end March 21 [UPDATE: this date has recently changed to March 12th].
As COVID-19 case rates continue to fall, Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Thursday that masks will no longer be required in certain public places, including schools.
“We think this is both good for our health and our education of our children and the total reopening of our economy,” Inslee told reporters.
While the governor announced that beginning March 1, vaccine verification for large events will no longer be required, there has been no indication on mandates for school staff being lifted.
Updated school guidance
School officials, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and a number of Eastern Washington superintendents, have been pushing for an end to the mask mandate. School leaders in Eastern Washington say there is an urgent need to address students’ social and emotional well-being.
The Department of Health also will update guidance for K-12 schools during the week of March 7, according to Inslee’s office. The new guidance, which will include the end of the mask mandate, will go into effect March 21 [UPDATE: this date has recently changed to March 12th].
Schools still will be required to report COVID-19 cases and outbreaks. Students and staff with symptoms of COVID-19 still will be required to quarantine away from school buildings. Testing must remain accessible for those who have symptoms or have been exposed, according to Inslee’s office.
Social distancing, ventilation, and sanitation requirements also will be updated in the new Department of Health guidance.
Reykdal said the new guidance does not mean the pandemic is over. Instead, it adds “a little more flexibility to take that next step,” he said.
Until the new guidance is in place, however, Reykdal said it is still the law to follow mask mandates and other Department of Health guidance.
Inslee said he hopes districts and businesses fully understand they are breaking the law if they choose to end a mask mandate before March 21. That can lead to fines or loss of licenses.
Washington Education Association President Larry Delaney urged communities to continue taking reasonable steps to protect themselves against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Front-line educators see the challenges that we must address to have a smooth transition,” Delaney said in a statement. “We are pleased that districts will have adequate time to anticipate issues with staffing adequacy and inequities along with mask access for those who want them.”
Statement from Superintendent Mike Hanson
Dear Tahoma Family,
To view a video message from Superintendent Mike Hanson, CLICK HERE. For additional information and a written message from Superintendent Hanson, continue reading below.
This afternoon, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that Washington state’s indoor mask mandate will be lifted, effective March 21 [UPDATE: this date has recently changed to March 12th]. We will continue to adhere to all current and future masking requirements and other K-12 COVID-19 requirements set by state and local health officials. I want to share what today’s announcement means for our district moving forward, and address some of the questions that we’ll get answers to in the coming days and weeks.
First, I want to share that I do support this decision by the Governor. The state’s health experts believe that schools will be able to safely operate without universal masking, and we’re continuing to follow their guidance. We know there are benefits in classroom settings to learning without masks. Like most of the country, case counts in our district have been trending downward since the peak of the omicron spike. Our staff vaccination rate is also high, we’ve made improvements to our ventilation systems, and we’ve learned a lot about COVID-19 and how to limit the spread in our schools over the last two years.
We want to make sure that today’s announcement is clear, because it’s more complex than returning to “normal” operations on March 21. To clarify, this is a state-level decision. If a local health jurisdiction chooses, they do have the power to implement a local mask mandate (our LHJ is Public Health – Seattle & King Co.). Gov. Inslee has said previously that he doesn’t anticipate a LHJ enforcing their own mask mandate, and we’re hopeful that PHSKC will not. We are required to adhere to both the state and local requirements, and any misalignment between those two groups would lead to confusion for our district.
I’ll also reiterate that today’s announcement does not mean that there will be an immediate shift from “universal masking” to “universal unmasking” on March 21. There are still federal, state and local requirements that need to be followed, and there may be instances where masking is still required in school settings. We already know that there is a federal requirement for masking on school buses, although that will be revisited at the federal level in mid-March.
We understand that there are a number of questions that our families have, and we’ll be seeking answers to those questions prior to March 21.
In terms of masking, where will they still be required? In addition to buses, we are interested to learn other areas where masks may be needed.
We’re interested to learn about contact tracing requirements going forward. Those requirements come from the Dept. of Health, so we will coordinate with them to learn about the expectations for schools starting March 21. We will receive new requirements from the Dept. of Health on March 7 in order to prepare for this transition.
We want to acknowledge that while COVID will continue to be a factor after March 21, this shift is significant for our district. We have been seeking an “off ramp” from COVID for a long time. We’re headed toward that off ramp after two years, and it’s important to acknowledge that.
We also recognize that today’s announcement may lead to hesitation for some staff, students and families. Please know that we FULLY support anyone’s choice to continue wearing a mask after March 21. Tahoma will not tolerate any shaming against anyone in our buildings who chooses to wear, or not wear, a mask where it is not required. We talk a lot about belonging in our schools, and that includes being respectful about mask choice after March 21.
Finally, we are not veering away from the guidance of our health officials. For two years we’ve followed DOH requirements and recommendations, and we’re continuing to do so. This is a big shift in guidance, and we continue to trust their expertise.
Thank you for your patience and your partnership. We’re excited for this next step that allows for a richer, more fulfilling learning environment for our students.
In partnership,
Mike Hanson, Superintendent
UPDATE FEB 28
Dear Tahoma Family,
Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that the state’s indoor mask mandate will be lifted on Friday, March 11 at 11:59 p.m., which is earlier than the initially announced date of March 21. This change was made to align with the CDC’s recently updated guidance. In conjunction with the governor’s announcement, Public Health - Seattle & King Co. (PHSKC) stated that their local mask order will end concurrently after March 11.
What does this mean for our schools?
Universal masking will no longer be required at all district schools beginning Saturday, March 12.
Our mask requirements have not yet changed in any spaces. We will continue adhering to the mask mandate until it is lifted.
With their recently updated mask guidance, the CDC announced that it no longer requires wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems. This means that masking will not be required on district buses beginning March 12, but masking is still required until then per our state and local health depts.
We are expecting an update from the state Dept. of Health next week. We anticipate this update to include guidance on physical distancing, contact tracing, screening testing for extracurricular activities, and any required masking in certain spaces.
What common questions do we have answers to at this time?
Q: Will masking still be required for unvaccinated/non-fully vaccinated students/visitors/staff in our buildings after March 11?
A: No.
Q: Can students/visitors/staff choose to wear a mask if they prefer after March 11?
A: Yes, and we fully support anyone who chooses to do so. Tahoma will not tolerate any shaming against anyone in our schools who chooses to wear, or not wear, a mask where it is not required.
Q: The date for lifting the mask mandate has already changed once. Will the date change again?
A: When asked this question today, Gov. Inslee said that he has no intention of changing the date again at this time.
We understand that you and your student may have additional questions at this time. We’re actively working to get answers for you and to provide a clear picture of what March 12 will look like at Tahoma School District.
Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to taking this important step toward our off ramp from COVID-19.
Thank you,
Mike Hanson, Superintendent
TSD COVID Response Team
UPDATE MAR 12
The Washington State Dept. of Health (DOH) this week updated the COVID-19 requirements in K-12 schools, child care, early learning, youth development and day camp programs. These changes take effect this Saturday, March 12. The full list of requirements can be found here. Continue reading below for a summary of the updates and a “frequently asked questions” section.
Beginning Saturday…
⬜ Masks
Masks are no longer required in most indoor settings and on buses. Masks are required by all students, staff and visitors ages 2 and older in all nurse/health rooms as these are considered health care settings. If individuals enter these spaces, masks will be provided.
Some students, staff and visitors will choose to continue masking, and our district fully supports all individuals in their mask choice. We’re asking all students, staff and families to please be respectful of all people’s choice whether to mask, or not mask, in areas where facial coverings are not required. Tahoma School District will not tolerate any bullying of individuals for mask choice.
⬜ At-home isolation and returning to school
An individual who tests positive for COVID-19 is still required to isolate at home, regardless of vaccination status. The isolation period is 10 full days from the start of symptoms or the date of positive test.
An individual may return to school/care after 5 full days of isolation if:
Their symptoms have improved or they are asymptomatic, AND
They are without a fever for the past 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications.
AND IF returning to school/care after day 5 of isolation, the individual:
Is required to wear a well-fitted mask or face shield with a drape during days 6-10 of their isolation period, OR
Test negative with an antigen or at-home test any day after day 5. Testing beyond day 10 is not necessary.
⬜ Reporting cases to the district
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must still report their active case to the District COVID Response Team via email at TSD-COVIDResponse@TahomaSD.us. The COVID Response Team will continue sending isolation instructions and recommended next steps to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. In instances where the district is required to contact trace, we will notify all individuals who are identified as close contacts.
⬜ Physical Distancing
There are no longer physical distancing requirements set by the Dept. of Health. This includes but is not limited to classrooms, buses, cafeterias and common areas.
⬜ Contact Tracing/Close Contacts/Quarantine
There are no longer routine contact tracing requirements set by the Dept. of Health. This means that individuals will not be identified as “close contacts” by the district unless DOH or Public Health - Seattle & King Co. (PHSKC) requires contact tracing (this would likely only occur during an outbreak). Individuals who are identified as close contacts are no longer required to quarantine if asymptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, unless otherwise required by PHSKC. It is recommended by DOH that individuals identified as close contacts wear masks for 10 days following last known exposure and get tested 3-5 days after last known exposure.
⬜ Test to Stay
With the removal of contact tracing, the Test to Stay program will be discontinued beginning next week. Individuals who are currently in the Test to Stay program will not be required to complete their “modified quarantine” next week and will be able to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities without additional testing.
⬜ Vaccination Requirements
There have been no changes to vaccine requirements for any groups. All district staff, volunteers and vendors are still required to either be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, or be approved by the district’s Human Resources dept. for a medical exemption or religious exemption in order to work/volunteer in K-12 settings. This requirement is in accordance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation 24-14.1 “COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement.” There have been no changes made to include students in this requirement. We are anticipating the current state requirements to remain in place at least through the end of this school year.
⬜ Email Notifications
As part of our “off ramp” from COVID-19, we are shifting away from our notification system of daily emails with new cases in the district. Instead, we will add a link to the public dashboard in our weekly district announcements emails (which are typically sent on Wednesdays). The dashboard is also available on our COVID-19 information page HERE and can be accessed at any time. The dashboard will continue to be updated consistently, detailing each reported positive COVID-19 case in the district, including in which building the individual was present and when they were last in the building.
⬜ COVID-19 Testing
We will ensure that access to COVID-19 tests will continue to be available to district students and staff with symptoms or who were potentially exposed. The district’s testing location located at the Legacy Site (farmer’s market grounds across the street from Rock Creek Elementary School) will be discontinued at the end of next week (March 18). More information on where/how tests will be available for students and staff will be shared next week.
If you need to schedule a COVID-19 test, CLICK HERE. The test site is currently open Monday-Friday from 9-11 AM.
To order free at-home tests that are shipped through the United States Postal Service, CLICK HERE
To order free at-home tests from the Washington State Dept. of Health, CLICK HERE
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to wear a mask to school beginning Monday?
A: *No. Masks are not required in most indoor spaces. If you work in, or need to go to, the nurse’s health room, you will need to wear a mask. You can either keep a mask handy to wear when needed/preferred, or masks will be provided for individuals who go see the nurse.
*If an individual has recently completed a 5-day isolation period, they are required to wear a well-fitted mask or face shield with a drape to school during days 6-10, OR test negative with an antigen or at-home test any day after day 5. Testing beyond day 10 is not necessary.
Q: Do I need to wear a mask on a bus beginning Monday?
A: No. Masking/distancing guidance on school buses is consistent with classrooms.
Q: Am I allowed to wear a mask to school beginning Monday?
A: Yes. All people in our buildings are welcome to wear a mask at all times. The district fully supports all people’s choice to wear a mask, or not wear a mask, in places where masks are not required.
Q: Do I need to stay home if I have COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19?
A: Yes. If you are symptomatic or have COVID-19, please do not go to work. Please notify TSD-COVIDResponse@TahomaSD.us if you test positive for COVID-19.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please do not go to work, and refer to this flowchart from the Dept. of Health to determine when you can return to campus.
Q: If I am exposed to someone with COVID-19, can I still go to school?
A: Yes, if you are asymptomatic. Individuals are no longer required to quarantine following exposure if asymptomatic, regardless of vaccination status. If exposed, DOH recommends that individuals wear a mask for 10 days following last known exposure, and to get tested for COVID-19 3-5 days after last known exposure.
Q: Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
A: The district’s test site is open Monday-Friday from 9-11 AM, but the test site will be discontinued after Friday, March 18.
If you would like to schedule a COVID-19 test at the district’s site, CLICK HERE.
To order free at-home tests that are shipped through the United States Postal Service, CLICK HERE
To order free at-home tests from the Washington State Dept. of Health, CLICK HERE
Q: I have additional questions. Who should I contact?
A: Please contact your supervisor. You can also contact me directly by email or by phone at 425-413-3409.
