Testing and Isolation

Testing

Symptomatic kids must stay home and those who develop symptoms during the school day may be sent home if two or more COVID-19 symptoms are present.

Rapid antigen tests are available at school and can be administered on the spot by a trained personnel. If an individual tests positive at school they will be promptly isolated and sent home. Positive individuals must notify their close contacts so they can monitor for symptoms and seek testing as needed.

Masks

Correct use of well-fitting, high-quality masks protects the wearer and others. While The Northwest School is generally a mask-optional institution, some school situations may entail masking, based on requirements from local health jurisdictions or the Department of Health.

Examples of situations where we may revert to mandatory masks include when the community transmission level is “high,” and if there is an outbreak at school. 

NOTE Students and faculty must wear masks in choir classes because of the higher risk for aerosol transmission. Additionally, there may be times when a teacher asks students to mask up during class, and we ask that students comply with these requests.

Exposure

Regardless of vaccination status, if your student has been exposed to someone who tests positive, they must participate in the school’s Test to Stay program:

• Student must remain asymptomatic. If any symptoms develop, defer to the policy above, “Stay Home While Sick.”
• Student must test as soon as possible after exposure and then again every 24-48 hours through at least the first 5 days after exposure. Please test your student at home before sending them to school each morning.
• Student should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after exposure.

Link to WA DOH requirements for schools: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/defau... 

Based on newly updated policy recommended by the state Department of Health, an individual who tests positive for Covid-19 with a PCR, NAAT, and/or rapid antigen test is required to follow isolation guidelines as described below. This protocol has been updated in light of new guidelines published on October 25, 2022.

• A student or faculty member who tests positive for Covid-19 is required to isolate for a minimum of five full days regardless of vaccination status.
• Day 0 is the first day of symptoms or day of positive test result.
• Individuals may leave isolation starting on Day 6 onwards when they meet all three of the following conditions:
  • Provide photo proof of negative rapid antigen test to Health Coordinator (ya.davis@northwestschool.org); and
  • Be asymptomatic; and
  • Be fever-free for the past 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Students living in the dormitory will have a different set of Covid-19 precautions from the rest of the school because of the higher risk associated with communal living.

Until September 30

The following policies will be in place from August 22 through September 30, 2022. 

• Mandatory masks inside the dorm unless students are inside their personal rooms.
• Each dorm student will receive a rapid antigen test upon arrival, and again three days after.
• On October 1, masks will be optional and updated policies will be released. 

Positive Test Isolation

Any student who tests positive must isolate for a minimum of five full days and follow the school’s isolation procedures.

Meals in Isolation

Any student who tests positive will be delivered meals three times a day. They will be checked on daily until they test negative. Parents will be updated throughout their student’s isolation period. 

Reporting Symptoms

Students must report any Covid-19 symptoms to dorm faculty. Dorm faculty will assess the student in conjunction with the school’s health coordinator to determine the appropriate course of action. 

Infected Roommate

In a case of Covid involving roommates, the negative-testing roommate will move into a temporary room while the positive roommate is isolated.

Socializing

To limit the possible transmission of Covid-19 in the dormitory, students are not allowed in one other's rooms. Socializing in the dorm must happen in common spaces with masks on. 

Test to Stay

If a dorm student is exposed to a positive case they must participate in the school’s Test to Stay program:

• Student must remain asymptomatic; if any symptoms develop they must follow the Staying Home When Sick protocol above.
• Student must test as soon as possible after exposure and then again every 24-48 hours through at least the first five days after exposure. Please test your student at home before sending them to school each morning.
• Student should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after exposure.