BISD COVID-19 information

  • BISD believes in-person instruction is best for students and staff, and BISD strives to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 as best we can to ensure the continuation of in-person instruction. We continue to follow the guidance outlined by our state’s Department of Health (DOH) and below is a synopsis of its most recent guidance. (The complete guidance can be viewed here.) 

    As a reminder, we continue to work closely with Kitsap Public Health District (KPHD) and at any time, KPHD or the DOH has the authority to put health orders or requirements in place to lessen the impact of COVID in our schools. 

    COVID REQUIREMENTS FOR 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR

    Vaccinations

    COVID-19 vaccinations for students are currently not required. However, the DOH strongly encourages all vaccine-eligible children (ages six months and older) to be vaccinated as vaccines provide the best defense against severe COVID-19 infection. To locate COVID-19 vaccinations, visit https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/

    When Students/Staff Test Exhibit Symptoms of COVID-19

    Students and staff who have symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home and should get tested. Follow this decision tree to determine next steps.

    If Students/Staff Become Symptomatic within a BISD Facility 

    • Anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms must be immediately isolated from others, sent home, and should get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible.

    • While waiting to leave the school, the individual with symptoms is required to be isolated and wear a well-fitting face mask. Anyone providing care or evaluating the isolated individual must wear appropriate PPE.

    • Note: Masks are required at all times in school health rooms/isolation rooms as they are considered health care settings.   

    Student/Staff Access to COVID-19 Testing and Flu A, Flu B Testing

    • Free at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are available to students and staff from school nurses at each school's health room, and also at the BISD drive-through testing site. 

    • The free BISD testing site for staff and students is located at the District Office, 8489 N Madison Ave.The site is open on weekdays (school days), 7am to 3pm.

      • Free rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 is available. Results within 20 minutes.

      • Free rapid antigen testing for three illnesses is available in a single test: Flu A, Flu B, and COVID-19. Results within 20 minutes.

    Testing Recommendations

    A person with COVID-19 symptoms who tests negative on the rapid antigen test should continue to test every 24-48 hours for at least 5 days after symptoms start.  

    Persons who think they have been exposed and do not have symptoms can continue to attend school, activities and/or work. Take precautions for ten days following the last exposure to COVID-19, even if testing negative: Monitor for symptoms. Test every 24-48 hours. Even if you test negative, consider wearing a mask while around others. Follow the Washington State Department of Health guidance.

    When Students/Staff Test Positive for COVID-19

    Please report positive results to the BISD COVID team. 

    1. Complete this form: Reporting Positive Test Results, or
    2. Use the QR code included on the BISD test kits, or
    3. Call us at 206-780-1886.   

    Reporting positive tests helps the BISD COVID Response Team identify outbreaks and reduce the spread of illness in our schools. Our team will provide the latest guidance and timeline on when positive staff/students can return to school.

    Follow the isolation protocol:

    • Isolate for at least 5 days after day 0. Day 0 is the start of symptoms, or the positive test, whichever came first. The Isolation & Quarantine Calculator is a resource to help determine the timeline.   

    • Stay at home except to get medical care.
    • If possible, separate yourself from other people and animals in your household.
    • Monitor symptoms. If symptoms worsen, seek medical care. 

    • Consistent with DOH guidance, the individual may return to school after 5 full days of isolation if their symptoms have improved or they are asymptomatic and they have had no fever for the past 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications. 

    • When returning after 5+ days of isolation, please wear a well-fitted mask between days 6 to 10. 

    • Students and staff are encouraged to test with a rapid antigen test before returning to school.Testing negative before returning to school can reduce the risk of infecting others.The earliest time to test is day 6, after 5 days of isolation.

      • If the test is positive, you may still be infectious. Continue to isolate and wear a mask. Wait 24-48 hours to test again.

      • If the test is negative on two sequential tests each done 24-48 hours apart, you can end isolation and stop wearing a mask before day 10.

      • If choosing not to test after day 5, you should continue to wear a well-fitted and high-quality mask for days 6-10. 

    The Care Connect Washington program provides assistance for people who are isolating due to a positive COVID-19 test. This program started on 9/1/22 for Kitsap Co. residents. To sign up, call 1-800-525-0127, then press #.  Services offered include: 

    • Food Box: to fulfill immediate needs before fresh food can be delivered
    • Fresh Food Delivery: 1 delivery of fresh food per household, 5-day supply (will provide for the whole household including cats & dogs)
    • Hygiene Kit: gloves, masks, thermometer, pain reliever, hand soap, hand sanitizer
    • Financial Support: up to $1,000 per household to help cover rent, mortgage, utilities
    • Social Service Referrals: medication delivery, clothing, arranging primary care/mental health services, etc.
    • Case Management: up to 21 days while in isolation

    Notifying Groups or Individuals of Potential Exposure

    Schools are required to directly notify staff of known COVID-19 exposure, and inform students, staff, and families when there are outbreaks in schools.

    • BISD notifies the community of cases through our daily COVID calendar.   

    • A person who tests positive for COVID should notify their close contacts of potential exposure to COVID and encourage them to get tested. Potential infectiousness begins 2 days before symptoms started, or 2 days before the positive test - whichever was the first indication of COVID-19 infection.

    Responding to Outbreaks  

    An outbreak is defined as:

    • At least 5 cases within a specified core group meeting criteria for a COVID-19 case from a positive viral test OR

    • Multiple COVID-19 cases from positive viral tests comprising at least 20% of students, teachers, or staff within a specified core group AND

    • The following criteria are met:
      1. cases have a symptom onset or positive test result within 7 days of each other AND
      2. there is no evidence that transmission was more likely to have occurred in another setting AND
      3. cases were epidemiologically linked in the school setting.

    BISD is required to report all COVID-19 cases to KPHD and works with KPHD in determining possible outbreaks. If there is a suspected outbreak, additional mitigation measures may be temporarily required to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19. Additional measures may include requiring mask use, implementing testing protocols, moving certain activities outdoors, etc. BISD will work with impacted classrooms/athletic teams/activities to respond appropriately.

    COVID MITIGATION STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED THROUGHOUT BISD

    • Stay Up to Date on Vaccination

    • Stay Home When Sick

    • Test if symptomatic or exposed to COVID-19

    • Mask 

    While masks are no longer required universally in schools, students and staff may choose to wear a mask at school. Their choices will be respected and honored. In addition, there may be situations when a school, Kitsap Public Health District, The Washington State Department of Health, or a person’s medical provider temporarily recommends or requires wearing well-fitting masks. 

    In addition, students or staff who tested positive and are returning to school/work after 5 days of isolation, should wear a well-fitting mask from days 6 to 10. 

    Schools and the BISD testing site will provide masks for those who desire to wear them. Masks continue to be required in all school health rooms and isolation rooms, which are considered health care settings. 

    • Increased Ventilation

    Ventilation is one of the most important COVID-19 prevention strategies for schools.  BISD HVAC systems are programmed to deliver maximum outside air while school is in session. Standard building HVAC systems are complemented by the addition of portable air filtration devices in strategic areas, including classrooms with few air changes per hour, areas utilized for COVID isolation, and areas of high circulation.  Specific windows and doors have been identified by Facilities staff and will remain open to increase air circulation in environments with specific airflow designs.

    • Respiratory Etiquette and Handwashing

    Good respiratory etiquette and frequent handwashing are encouraged in our schools. 

    Respiratory etiquette means practicing healthy habits that prevent the spread of germs: 

    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. 

    • Throw used tissues in the trash. 

    • Cough and sneeze into your elbow, not your hands, when you don’t have a tissue.

    Self-serve hand sanitizer (70% alcohol) is available throughout all school buildings, as well as sinks with soap dispensers. Washing hands should occur for at least 20 seconds.

    • Cleaning and Disinfecting

    High-touch surfaces like doorknobs, faucet handles, check-in counters, drinking fountains, and restrooms are cleaned and disinfected daily.

    • Transportation

    Ventilation on BISD buses is maximized by keeping at least two front and two rear windows open a few inches. Standard cleaning between morning and afternoon bus routes continues. 

    • Additional Eating Spaces 

    Outdoor spaces for eating are available for students and staff.