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COVID-19 FAQ'S
This page is currently under construction as we review new guidance and its impacts on schools. Please contact your student's school to speak with the member of their COVID Response Team with specific questions.
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. Can they come to school?
NO. A student displaying ANY ONE of the COVID-19 symptoms may not come to school, unless a health care provider has made an alternative diagnosis that explains all symptoms.
Who should I notify if my student is going to miss school?
Please call your student's school office to notify them of the reason for the absence. Here's what they will need to know;
Student Name and Grade
Your Name
Reason for student absence
If absence is due to illness, include all symptoms
If absence is due to illness, date of symptom onset
Are any other household members experiencing symptoms?
Have any household members tested positive for COVID-19?
Has student had any known contact with a positive COVID-19 case?
If the school has not heard from you, you will receive an email with a link to a form for providing the information needed. If you leave a message for the school regarding your student's absence, but more information is needed, they may email you a link to the form in order to obtain additional details.
Good communication from families is vital to helping students return to school as soon as possible, and your cooperation in the process is greatly appreciated.
If my student misses school, what should we do about their learning?
Students who are absent due to illness or quarantine will have their absences excused, and you should communicate with their individual teacher(s) regarding assignments. The majority of materials will be accessed through Google Classroom. Information about Chromebook Setup and login, along with Google account and Classroom help can be found on our Tech Help page.
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 doesn't have their chromebook or is having trouble with it. Who do I contact?
Please complete our online tech help form, and someone from our team will reach out to you.
Can we get access to a hot spot if my student is out for an extended period?
We do have mobile hotspots available for families without internet connectivity whose student(s) are under isolation or quarantine. Please complete our online tech help form, and someone from our team will reach out to you.
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.
My student tested positive for COVID-19. How long do they have to stay home?
Is COVID-19 Testing available at the school?
Testing is available through the school in accordance with Department of Health guidelines, and individuals should contact their school nurse for details.
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 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. Your cooperation with a contact tracing interview will help us keep students and staff safe.