Seattle Public Schools: 2021-22 Return To School Health And Safety Information

Press release from Seattle Public Schools:

07/29/2021

2021-22 Return to School Health and Safety Information

Seattle Public Schools is planning for five full days of in-person instruction at all 104 schools beginning on September 1, 2021. We are committed to working with our families, students, and staff to open schools and welcome back all students while continuing to prioritize the health of our school communities.

SPS continues to follow the requirements and guidance of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Labor & Industries, and Public Health - Seattle & King County as we plan for Fall 2021. Next school year, some health and safety protocols will remain, others will go away, and new mitigation strategies will be implemented in response to public health guidance and research. The district is working in collaboration with labor partners to ensure a smooth start to school and may adjust safety protocols based on changes in public health guidance.

Health and Safety Highlights

Cloth face coverings or masks will be required for all school personnel, PreK-12 students, and visitors for the 2021-22 school year.

• There will be specific exceptions based on age, development, or disability.
• Students, staff, and visitors may remove their masks for eating and drinking.

Physical Distancing

• 3 Feet Classrooms: To the extent possible, students and staff should practice physical distancing of three feet while in classrooms.
• 6 Feet Common Spaces: To the extent possible, students and staff should practice physical distancing of six feet while in common spaces (playgrounds, cafeteria, hallways, etc.).

Daily Health Screenings

Daily health screenings are no longer required by DOH and will not be used in the coming school year.

SPS encourages families to keep students home when they have been exposed to COVID-19, have symptoms of COVID-19, or are sick with other illnesses.

Vaccinations

SPS will not require COVID-19 vaccinations of students or staff at this time.

We will continue to promote vaccinations. As soon as the COVID-19 vaccine is approved for children under 12, we will partner with medical providers to hold in-school vaccination clinics at elementary, middle, and K-8 schools.

COVID-19 Testing

SPS will partner with Health Commons Project to provide free in-school COVID-19 testing for students and staff who have been exposed to COVID or have COVID-like symptoms.

Athletics

Students in high school and middle school will be able to participate in athletics.

Please visit our resources webpage for a full list of Health and Safety Protocols that will be in place for the coming 2021-22 school year.

This press release was produced by Seattle Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.