New Market Skills Center is located in Thurston County so we fall under the Thurston County Public Health Department.  The current flowchart and guidelines can be found here. 

Yes. If a student is required to quarantine due to exposure or illness, the absence is considered excused. Per district policy 3122, the student will be able to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the instructor. Instructors will have several options for ways to keep the student engaged in learning while away from the class and will utilize Google classroom for assignments and check ins with their instructor.

All students, staff, volunteers, and visitors must wear face coverings while in our school, regardless of vaccination status.

Currently, state guidance strongly recommends individuals wear face coverings outdoors in crowded spaces or when in close contact with people from outside their household for a sustained period of time, as the risk of COVID-19 infection increases with the duration and closeness of contact between individuals.

There are exemptions to required face coverings that are included in the Secretary of Health's Mask Order. 

In classrooms, desks will be placed at least three feet apart to the degree possible and reasonable, that allow for full-time, in-person learning for all students. Adults should maintain a 6-foot distance from students whenever possible.

For classes or activities when increased exhalation or aerosolization occurs - such as PE or exercise, singing, or playing instruments - distancing should be at least 3 feet, if possible, and more if space permits. Whenever possible, these activities should be moved outdoors or to large, well-ventilated spaces.

Our Deli/lunch area will have tables distanced a minimum of 6 feet apart to the extent possible for students who are eating/drinking. 

No. Health officials have removed the requirement for formal wellness screenings for students, staff and visitors at entry to school buildings. However, families should perform a health screening at home before sending their child to the bus stop or drop them at school. Students who are sick or who have COVID symptoms should be kept at home. 

Staff, likewise, should not come to work when sick or symptomatic School staff should continue to be aware of their students, staff and visitors exhibiting symptoms, and follow the protocols included in the guidance for responding to someone who shows symptoms of COVID-19. 

We cannot stress enough the importance of staying home when sick. 

Please keep your child home from school if they are not feeling well or experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms, which include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Congestion or runny nose
• Soar throat
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

To return to school after showing symptoms, a student must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours. If a child has been kept home because of COVID-19 symptoms, it is recommended by the Thurston County Public Health Officer that students take a COVID-19 test prior to returnig to school. Students and families in Tumwater School District can get free COVID-19 tests at the ESD113 located on Littlerock Road (next to Costco). 

If a child develops symptoms while at school, they will be separated from others in a designated area (health officials provide certain requirements for the 'illness room') until they can be picked up by an authorized person or, if the student drove, the guardian gives authorization for them to leave school. 

If there is a positive COVID-19 case in our school, we will work closely with the local health department to determine who is a "close contact". Only those considered close contacts will be contacted (by the health department and/or school) and be given next steps. You will not be notified of a single confirmed case unless your student is a close contact.

In the event of an "outbreak" (3 or more linked cases in a shared location), we will work directly with the health department for their direction on whether the outbreak requires the suspension of the activity. In such a case where suspension/closure is required, you will be notified as soon as possible.

We will follow the protocols outlined in the Thurston County Public Health Department Pathways documents linked here.

Please contact our main office as soon as possible if anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19. 360-570-4500

Quarantine is when someone who has been exposed to COVID-19 stays home and away from others for the recommended period of time in case they were infected and are contagious to others. Vaccinated and unvaccinated students who have a known exposure should be tested 3-5 days following the exposure. Your child may be exempt from quarantine if fully vaccinated and they do not have symptoms. If you have questions about quarantine requirements, please call the main office and they will connect you with the school nurse.

If a student is required to quarantine due to exposure or illness, the absence is considered excused. Per district policy 3122, the student will be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the instructor. Instructors will have several options for ways to keep the student engaged in learning while away from the class and will utilize Google classroom for assignments and check ins with their instructor.

Work with our school's nurse if you have questions about when your child can return following quarantine. Returning is usually possible;

• At least 24 hours have passed since recovery - defined as no fever without the use of medications and improvement in respiratory signs like cough and shortness of breath; and
• At least 10 days have passed since signs first show up; or
• It has been at least 24 hours since recover and a health care provider has certified that the student does not have COVID-19.

The following mandatory measures are among those that will still be in place in the 2021-22 school year: ventilation; regular cleaning and disinfecting; handwashing and respiratory etiquette; contract tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation when necessary; and processes for responding to and reporting cases of COVID-19.

In accordance with health department and ASHRAE recomendations, the district has increased air exchange and duration rates to provide additional circulation and filtration outside of normal hours. HVAC filters have been upgraded to capture viral particles more effectively and reduce airborne infectious materials.   

No. The State Board of Health, which has the sole authority to set immunization requirements for students, has not discussed requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for children in school settings. However, we encourage vaccination among eligible students. 

Yes. On August 18, 2021, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new directive legally requiring all K–12 school district employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination or a medical or religious exemption by October 18, 2021 as a condition of employment. The Governor’s directive means that all New Market employees, contractors, volunteers and others working in school facilities will be required to be fully vaccinated or provide a valid religious or medical exemption by October 18, 2021. For more information, visit Frequently Asked Questions on the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction webpage.

New Market is not currently offering a remote only option. 

Governor Inslee's executive order requires schools in Washington to provide 5-days per week of in-person instruction for students. With that in place, we don't anticpate a shift to hybrid or remote. If state/local requirements were to change, we have experience from last year and would be prepared to make that shift.