Back to school. Waitsburg's first day is Tuesday, September 7th

Important Back-to-School Information

Waitsburg School District

August 24, 2021

Dear Waitsburg School District Families,

We are excited to welcome back our students as we prepare for the 2021-22 school year. Below you will find valuable information and ways we are working to prepare for a safe return for our students and families this school year. I encourage you to continue to watch our  school district website here at www.waitsburgsd.org or call your child's school to stay updated with the latest information.

2021-2022 Back-to-School Topics

Athletics

  • Fall athletics for Waitsburg students in 7th-12th grade will resume following the direction of the WIAA and the K-12 Guidance from the Department of Health (DOH). The requirements for sporting activities in Washington schools can be found beginning on page 14 of the DOH K-12 COVID-19 School Requirements for the 2021-22 school year.

Meals

  • Most students will be eating in the school cafeteria (MPR), distanced as much as possible
  • Breakfast and lunch will be provided to ALL students at no charge

Daily Learning Schedule

  • Tuesday, September 7th – School starts for ALL students for the 2021-22 school year
  • Doors open at 8:00 am for breakfast
  • Elementary School Hours:  8:30 AM – 3:05 PM - Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
  • Secondary School Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:10 PM - Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
  • For ALL Students:  Wednesday school hours are 8:30 AM – 2:40 PM

Masks

  • Masks are required for ALL students, staff, visitors and volunteers regardless of vaccination status while indoors. All students riding the bus must wear a mask while riding WSD buses.
  • Masks need to fully cover nose, mouth and chin.
  • Masks will not be required when students are outside at recess and/or other outdoor activities.

Quarantine Protocols

  • Quarantine protocols have been updated to reduce student exclusions.
  • The close contact definition excludes students who were at least three feet away from an infected student when (a) both sides were wearing face coverings/masks and (b) other prevention strategies were in place.
  • Students who are fully vaccinated will not have to quarantine if they do not have any symptoms, even if identified as a close contact.

Daily Monitoring

  • Schools will no longer need to screen or check temperatures upon entry into the building.
  • Parents are responsible for monitoring their children daily for COVID-19 symptoms. If symptoms are present, please keep your child home and notify the school office. The school office will communicate quarantine protocols.
  • Schools will continue monitoring students, staff and visitors for symptoms, and will follow the protocols for responding to someone who shows symptoms of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

  • The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), which is the sole authority to set minimum requirements for students, is not requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for children in school settings at this time. Effective August 18, 2021, all employees working for public and private K–12 schools must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain a religious or medical exemption by October 18, 2021. This is a legal state requirement as ordered by the Governor’s Proclamation. (More information can be found on the OSPI website.)

Social Distancing

  • Students will be distanced three to six feet, to the greatest extent possible.

School Visitors

  • All WSD facilities will be open to the public during school hours (8:00 am – 3:30 pm) M – F.
  • All visitors will be required to wear a face mask indoors regardless of vaccination status.

We look forward to an awesome school year. If you have any questions, again, please contact your students' school. Please continue to check the WSD website, Facebook page, and other social media outlets for details to help you get ready for the 2021-22 school year. 

Sincerely, 

Mark Pickel 

Superintendent