COVID 19 Health and Safety

Students who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for at least five full days, regardless of their vaccination status. They can return when the following criteria are met:

• 5 full days since symptom onset, or the positive test sample was collected; and
• No symptoms are present, or symptoms are improving; and
• No fever without the use of fever-reducing medications within 24 hours of returning.

According to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department guidelines, preschool students must isolate for 10 days.

Quarantine is for those who are close contacts of, or recently exposed to, a person with COVID-19. 

Close contacts don't need to quarantine if: 

• They are fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms. (For those 18 or older, fully vaccinated includes a booster dose.)
• Or they had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 90 days and do not have symptoms.

See the state’s updated guidelines here.

Length of quarantine depends on the situation.
 
Close contacts can shorten quarantine if they are not fully vaccinated but receive a negative COVID-19 test no sooner than 5 days after exposure. For example: 

• Exposure date: Jan. 1
• Earliest date to take a COVID-19 test: Jan. 6
• If test is negative, your child can return to activities: Jan. 7

Students must show proof of a negative test with first and last name, type of test performed, and date test was performed by a test provider or laboratory. Show the original, or a paper or digital copy to your school’s Covid Supervisor.

Close contacts must complete the full, 10-day quarantine if they have not received the vaccine (and booster for those 18+) and don't have a negative COVID-19 test.

For example, if your child was last exposed to someone with COVID-19 on Jan. 1, they could return to school Jan. 12.  

See the state’s updated guidelines here.

Students in Pre-K, Head Start or any TPS program for students not yet in kindergarten must isolate for 10 days after a COVID-positive test or quarantine for 14 days if they're a close contact of someone with COVID-19, according to updated guidance from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Because our youngest students have less ability to consistently wear masks and because of frequent student-to-student interactions, all students in the classroom(s) the COVID-positive person attends will be placed in quarantine.

When a preschooler is living in the same house as someone who has COVID, they must quarantine 5 days from individual’s symptom onset or positive test date (whichever comes first), then quarantine an additional 14 days. This means they quarantine 19 days with no option to test to shorten.

A student who lives with a COVID-19 positive person may need to quarantine for up to 15 days after the symptoms started for the COVID-positive person, unless they either quarantine away from that person or have their own positive test result. 

Quarantine can be shortened (returning to school day 11 after exposure) if these criteria are met: No symptoms have developed, and the student has received a negative COVID-19 test no sooner than day 10.

(Proof of a negative COVID-19 test includes the original, a copy, or a photo of a document or other communication from the test provider or laboratory that shows first and last name of the child, type of test performed, date test was performed.)

How does the guidance change when a preschooler lives with someone with COVID-19?
When a preschooler is living in the same house as someone who has COVID, they must quarantine 5 days from the individual’s symptom onset or positive test date (whichever comes first), then quarantine an additional 14 days. This means they quarantine 19 days with no option to test to shorten.

In the event your student is identified as a COVID-19 close contact from an organization other than Tacoma Public Schools, we ask parents/guardians to notify their school through the Family App or call your school directly. This will initiate a plan to help your student learn from home.

Please follow these steps:

• Use the school district’s Family App to take the COVID-19 health survey. When you indicate that your child has either been diagnosed with COVID-19, exposed to someone with COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms, it alerts your school’s staff and serves as an indicator that school staff should contact you.
   
• OR contact your school’s front office directly to alert them of your child’s health status and start a plan to learn from home.
   

If you receive notification from your school that your child is a close contact, school staff will add that information to the Family App. Parents do not have to take that step.

Contact tracing will continue, with school staff gathering information (including vaccine status) about everyone a student or staff member with COVID-19 may have been in close contact with at the school during their infectious period. That information is shared with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. If students must quarantine as a result of being a close contact, school principals will share that information with families. Notifications will be a phone call or recorded message and an email.

Classroom – Student close contacts

• Any students who were less than three feet away from the Covid-positive person for a total of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours during the contagious period.
• Any students who were between three to six feet away from the Covid-positive person for a total of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours during the contagious period if masks were not consistently worn correctly.

Classroom – Teacher and staff close contacts

• Any teacher or staff who was less than 6 feet from the Covid-positive person for a total of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours during the contagious period.

Any person in these settings
Close contacts in all the settings below include any students or teachers/staff who were less than six feet away from the Covid-positive person for a total of 15 minutes or more within 24 hours during the case’s contagious period:

• Lunchroom, breaks, recess
• Sports, performance arts, or other extracurricular activities
• Transportation
• For staff, consider interactions with colleagues or additional meetings (e.g. staff meetings, parent-teacher conferences, break rooms

In the event of a positive COVID-19 case at a TPS school or office location, we work directly with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) as they conduct contact tracing. Based on the guidance provided by TPCHD and the school COVID-19 case response tool kit, notifications are sent to impacted staff, students and families. Each case and situation requires unique action as determined by the TPCHD.  

Tracking chart

When a student is identified as a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, there are three ways to return to school: 

1. Close contacts who are fully vaccinated are not required to quarantine unless they have COVID-19 symptoms. They are encouraged to get tested 5-7 days after exposure. If your student is identified as a close contact and is vaccinated, you must show proof of vaccination to your school to re-enter.
    
2. Close contacts who are NOT fully vaccinated can shorten their required quarantine by receiving a negative COVID-19 test no sooner than five days after exposure to a COVID-positive person. With a negative test and no symptoms, students can return to school after seven full days of quarantine after their exposure date. (Preschool students must quarantine 14 days, per the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.)
   
   Students must show their school proof of a negative test result with first and last name, type of test performed, and date the test was performed by a test provider or a laboratory. The original test result, or a paper or digital copy are acceptable.
    
3. Close contacts who are NOT fully vaccinated and do NOT have a negative COVID-19 test can return to schools 10 days past the date of exposure to a COVID-positive person, as long as they have no symptoms. (Preschool students must quarantine 14 days, per the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.)

Parents/guardians will be notified of this information by their school. Please note, for those living with a person who is COVID-positive, quarantine may be extended. 

To keep others healthy, please keep your child home if they are sick, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19.

Washington State Department of Health information on K-12 COVID-19 requirements
 

Students
The parent or guardian of each student who is deemed a close contact of someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will get a notification from their school’s COVID Supervisor (typically the principal). The notification includes the date of exposure to the person who tested positive and the date the child can return to school in person. 
    
When a child is in a classroom or school activity with a person who tested positive, but the child is not deemed a close contact, the parent or guardian will receive a notification from their school's COVID Supervisor that no action is required.

Staff
Staff members who are deemed a close contact of someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will get a notification from their site’s COVID Supervisor. The notification includes the date of exposure to the person who tested positive and the date the staff member can return to work in person. 
    
Each time someone at a school or other district site tests positive for COVID-19, all staff at that site will receive a notification from their COVID supervisor that no action is required.

Please note that cases linked to a community partner or other organization will be investigated and communicated by that organization. 

In the event your student is identified as a COVID-19 close contact from an organization other than Tacoma Public Schools, we ask parents/guardians to notify their school through the Family App or call your school directly. This will initiate a plan to help your student learn from home.

Please follow these steps:

• Use the school district’s Family App to take the COVID-19 health survey. When you indicate that your child has either been diagnosed with COVID-19, exposed to someone with COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms, it alerts your school’s staff and serves as an indicator that school staff should contact you.
   
• OR contact your school’s front office directly to alert them of your child’s health status and start a plan to learn from home.
   

If you receive notification from your school that your child is a close contact, school staff will add that information to the Family App. Parents do not have to take that step.

UPDATE SEPT. 30, 2021: The Washington State Department of Health updated its language for K-12 spectator events, including athletics:

Indoors: Masking is required universally for all spectators attending indoor K-12 sporting activities, regardless of vaccination status. Audience members should be seated in “family units,” and those small groups should be spaced at least 6 feet apart.

Outdoors: Masking is required universally for all spectators (no distancing requirements)

• All Tacoma Public School students will receive a box containing two iHealth COVID-19 rapid tests at school on Jan. 25. These tests are intended to support the health and safety of our community by providing results at home, as soon as symptoms are detected. (Staff will receive two tests as well.) Tests are voluntary. 
   
• All students have access to, “Let’s Get Checked,” a free, at-home test kit that students can bring home from school. Parents can request a test at the school's front office. After students bring the test home and complete it, parents or guardians register online and mail in the test sample with a free UPS shipping label. Results are provided by email or text within 24 to 72 hours. Results are lab verified and may be used when a student needs proof of a negative test result to return to school.
  
  This free, nasal swab test can be used by student who do or don’t have symptoms of COVID-19. Home Coronavirus Test. A Safe COVID-19 Testing Kit (letsgetchecked.com)
   
• TPS students, staff and their immediate family members can take a rapid antigen test at a walk-in clinic operated by Premier Medical Group. Testing is offered from 1-5 p.m. every day school is open. Lines can be long; please be prepared to wait outside. We ask that you don't start lining up until 12:30 p.m.
   
  • Testing site: Madison Early Learning Center, 3101 S. 43^rd St, Tacoma
  • No appointment needed
  • Available to those who have COVID-19 symptoms or are identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19
  • Test results are available online within 15 to 20 minutes; participants will receive a text message with a link to the results
  • Insurance and ID are not required for testing
     
• Tacoma Public Schools partners with the Washington State Department of Health to offer a free, voluntary COVID-19 PCR test to students showing symptoms of the virus. This diagnostic test is available in all of our schools. The brand of test is Curative.
   
• Student athletes who participate in high-contact indoor sports take a Binax Now COVID-19 rapid antigen screening test.
   
• TPS staff members can take a PCR, diagnostic, take-home test (Everlywell) as well as get tested at the Madison Early Learning Center.

Students: A COVID-19 vaccine is not required for students to attend school at this time. However, there are some required vaccines for school attendance.

TPS-sponsored COVID-19 Vaccination Events

Pierce County COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

This flowchart created by the Washington State Department of Health shows the steps to follow when your child is sick. If a child has any symptom listed, they should stay home in the morning or go home if these symptoms first occur at school.

To keep others healthy, please keep your child home if they:

• Are sick
• Have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are NOT vaccinated
• Have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, are vaccinated but have symptoms
• Have tested positive for COVID-19

If your child is deemed a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, they will not have to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and show no COVID symptoms.

You can show proof of vaccination to your school with a paper or digital copy of one of these three items:

• CDC COVID-19 vaccination card
• Healthcare provider record
• State immunization system record

Please show proof of vaccination to your school’s Covid Supervisor - typically the school principal – or your school’s nurse.

Tacoma Public Schools offers vaccine events by working with community partners.

See a current list of vaccine opportunities at our schools here. 

Students who can’t attend school because they have COVID-19 or are required to quarantine, will learn from home using lessons and support materials provided by their teachers. TPS has developed learning plans for various remote-learning scenarios, including small groups or entire classes, for students missing in-person school for up to 14 days.

No matter the scenario:

• Your school principal or teacher will notify you if your child must quarantine.
• Soon after, you’ll receive a learning plan from your child’s teacher.
• Elementary teachers will provide support in English Language Arts and math.
• Middle and high school teachers will provide support in all courses.
• All lessons will be in Schoology, the district’s online learning and collaboration tool.

Parents can also log into Schoology to see their child’s assignments and grades. If you have not yet received your unique parent log in code, contact your student’s school, teacher, or email our Schoology support team at SchoologySupport@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

Unlike last year, the health survey is no longer required every day. However, parents or guardians must complete a survey if their child shows COVID-19 symptoms, was exposed to COVID, and/or has been diagnosed with COVID so we can ensure appropriate contact tracing. Middle and high school students can complete their own survey. To take the survey, register on the TPS Family App.

To keep others healthy, please keep your child home if they are sick, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19.

COVID HEALTH Survey

Physical distancing will not prevent a school from offering full-time, in-person learning to all students/families in the fall

• Classrooms will maintain 3 feet of distance between students to the degree possible
• Common areas (lobbies, auditoriums, the cafeteria, the gym, etc.) will maintain 6 feet of distance between students to the degree possible.
• Staff will maintain 6 feet of distance between themselves and students/ other staff.
• Seating charts must be maintained in the classroom to support contact tracing in the event of a case.
• Extracurricular activities, such as performing arts/sporting activities may have more physical distancing requirements.

Physical distancing guidance applies during the school day as well as during before- and after-school programs with TPS partners.

Students who can’t attend school because they have COVID-19 or are required to quarantine, will learn from home using lessons and support materials provided by their teachers. TPS has developed learning plans for various remote-learning scenarios, including small groups or entire classes, for students missing in-person school for up to 14 days.

No matter the scenario:

• Your school principal or teacher will notify you if your child must quarantine.
• Soon after, you’ll receive a learning plan from your child’s teacher.
• Elementary teachers will provide support in English Language Arts and math.
• Middle and high school teachers will provide support in all courses.
• All lessons will be in Schoology, the district’s online learning and collaboration tool.

Parents can also log into Schoology to see their child’s assignments and grades. If you have not yet received your unique parent log in code, contact your student’s school, teacher, or email our Schoology support team at SchoologySupport@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

All Tacoma Public Schools students will receive free meals during the entire 2021-22 school year. Find more details on our Nutrition Services page.

Each school has a specific plan for lunches based on the number of students and the physical layout of the building. Many schools added an additional lunch period. Schools are using the cafeteria and in some cases the gym and classrooms. Each school has a plan for an outside eating option if requested. And we continue to look for ways to adjust and adapt meal plans.

Tacoma Online students and family members of students in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19 can pick up daily meals from any TPS middle school. Go to a middle school's front office between these times, Monday - Friday: 

Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tacoma Public Schools conducts routine tests to ensure classrooms have the amount of air flow required by the state Department of Health. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department inspects all TPS sites every other year. If they discover an indoor air quality issue, TPS would get a recommendation to fix the identified issue within 30 days. The district has met and continues to meet or surpass state air quality requirements. 

Current efforts
In addition to routinely meeting or exceeding health department air quality standards, as determined by routine health department inspections, the district also:

• Changes air filters at least 3 times per year compared with the industry standard of twice per year
• Increased fresh air intake into the structures to maximize fresh air capacity at all sites
• Purchased two air monitoring devices identical to what the health department uses so the district can inspect between health department visits and respond to any staff concerns

New efforts
TPS is also working to modify school HVAC systems to reach state health department recommended (not required) modifications to meet even higher standards of air quality. All school sites will be updated to meet this higher recommended standard, unless they already meet the recommendation. This work will be funded with both bond and federal recovery dollars.

School Inspections performed are in accordance with the Washington State Board of Health Guide - Health & Safety Guide for K-12 Schools In Washington rules WAC 246-366-140 OSPI-DOH

Note: Due to district size and limited TPCHD personnel each Tacoma school student occupied site is inspected every other year.

School inspections will resume when TPCHD has personnel available - Inspections were stopped in March of 2020 due to Covid and resumed temporarily 1 year later in 2021.

School Inspections performed are in accordance with the Washington State Board of Health Guide - Health & Safety Guide for K-12 Schools In Washington rules WAC 246-366-140 OSPI-DOH

Ventilation - Retrofitting of older buildings is recommended but not required.

Schools kitchens, pools, intrusion sites, UST and modifications are inspected per a different appointment

Students will need to wear masks during recess and try to maintain physical distance.

They can use outdoor play equipment and toys.

Students do not have to stay in “cohorts” or groups this year (according to health department guidelines).