COVID-19 FAQ'S
What is COVID-19?
View this helpful poster from the Department of Health.
How do I know if it might be COVID-19?
View COVID-19 Symptoms as provided by the Department of Health.
My child is displaying one or more symptoms on the COVID-19 Symptoms list that cannot be attributed to a known condition (such as allergies or asthma.) Can they come to school?
NO. A student displaying ANY ONE of the COVID-19 symptoms that cannot be attributed to a known condition (such as allergies or asthma) may not come to school. The current Delta Variant presents more like a cold than previous variants, so even a runny nose means no school.
My child was out of school due to symptoms but has not been in close contact with a positive or presumed positive case. Now what?
If a student misses school due to symptoms, the student may not return until an interview occurs with a contact tracer from the school district and a return date is established. Blaine School District staff are following these Washington State Department of Health guidelines to determine a return date for student's who are symptomatic but have had no known close contact with a positive or presumed positive case.
What is a close contact?
A close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of distance for more than 15 minutes, within a 24 hour period, to a person who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID, starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection.)
K-12 close contact exception criteria: In a K-12 indoor classroom, the close contact definition excludes students who were at least three feet away from an infected student when both students were consistently and correctly wearing face coverings/masks. The following people are K-12 close contacts if they were within the specified distance from COVID-19 case for a cumulative total of at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period:
• A student 0-3 feet from a student COVID-19 case in an indoor classroom, regardless of mask usage.
• A student 3-6 feet from a student COVID-19 case in an indoor classroom if either the case or potential contact was not wearing a mask consistently and correctly.
• A student 0-6 feet from a staff COVID-19 case in an indoor classroom, regardless of mask usage.
• A staff member 0-6 feet from a COVID-19 case in an indoor classroom, regardless of mask usage.
• A person (including students and staff) 0-6 feet from a COVID-19 case in any setting other than an indoor classroom (e.g., cafeteria, outside, sports, performance), regardless of mask usage.
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 LHJ during its investigation; it may delegate this determination if appropriate. (from WA DOH Supplemental Considerations to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools issued September 13, 2021)
What happens if my student is identified as a close contact?
If, during the process of contact tracing a lab confirmed positive case or suspected positive case, your student is identified as having been a close contact to the case, someone from the School District's COVID Team will contact you. (This is a good reason to make sure your contact phone numbers in Skyward are current.)
What is a modified quarantine?
Modified quarantine is a quarantine period (for asymptomatic individuals) in which a student stays at home except to attend school classes in-person. In K-12, modified quarantine may only be used in conjunction with a Test to Stay protocol approved by the Local Health Jurisdiction (Whatcom County Health Department). The modified quarantine period is from the most recent Department of Health guidance issued September 13, 2021.
Is my student eligible for a modified quarantine period?
Students who are identified as a close contact through a school based exposure, and who are asymptomatic, have the opportunity to participate in BSD's Test to Stay Protocol. It requires two rapid antigen tests to be administered by the school during the first seven days following exposure.
If my student is required to quarantine, what should we do about their learning?
Students who are absent due to quarantine will have their absences excused, and you should communicate with their individual teacher(s) regarding assignments. If your student is absent due to illness, please focus first on their and your family's wellness, and work with their teacher(s) regarding assignments when you are able.
My student's chromebook isn't working. Who do I contact?
Please complete our online tech help form, and someone from our team will reach out to you. You may also wish to visit our Tech Help page.