Hillside 2023-2024 Covid-19 Protocols for In-person Learning:

We are very much looking forward to having our students join us on campus.  We will do our best to continue to support all our students. We are grateful for your continued partnership to help us ensure that Hillside can reopen safely. See the information below for a successful return, including the schedule, check-in times and policies, and recommended items to bring.

Check-in Times & Procedures 
At this point, Hillside staff will no longer be conducting symptom and temperature checks. We ask parents to complete an in-home symptom check every morning before leaving for school by reviewing with your child the following questions:

1. Do you have a cough or sore throat?

2. Do you have a fever over 101/ chills?

3. Do you have aches all over? headache?

4. Do you have shortness of breath?

5. Do you have nasal congestion? (stuffy or runny nose)

6. Do you have diarrhea/nausea/vomiting?

7. Do you have a loss of taste and/or smell?

8. Have you or your child been recently exposed to someone with Covid-19? 

If any of their answers are “yes,” we ask that your child please stay home. Test for COVID-19. If positive, notify Hillside. Students may return after 5 days of isolation and 24 hours without fever, wearing a mask for days 6-10.

Note: Day 0 is the first day of symptoms. For people without symptoms, day 0 is the day of the positive viral test.

If the answers to all of these questions are “no,” your child may attend. 

– Grades 9-11
Students in grades 9-11 are welcome to arrive at school before 8:20 a.m. in preparation for the 8:20 a.m. Zero Period class time.

– Grades 5-8
Students in grades 5-8 are welcome to arrive at school before 8:20 a.m. for the 8:20 a.m. Zero Period Study Hall time (optional) OR before 9:15 a.m. in preparation for the 9:15 a.m. First Period class time. Students in grades 5-8 arriving between 8:20 and 9:10 should attend Study Hall. 

**Note: If you are a parent/guardian of both a 9th–11th Grade and a 5th-8th Grade student, your 5th-8th Grade student may check in during the earlier high school time and join Julie for Study Hall in the Huckleberry Room.

Items to Bring
– Masks (optional)
At this time, masks are not required, but are highly recommended. Learn more about CDC guidelines here. 

– Hand Sanitizer (strongly encouraged)
We ask that students bring their own personal-sized hand sanitizers to school.

– Warm Clothing (optional)
To enable continuous air flow and ventilation, all classroom windows and doors will be opened during the school day. Some classes will even be held outside in our woods. Students who are particularly affected by the cold are strongly encouraged to bring warm layers such as sweaters, jackets, hats, scarves, and fingerless gloves.

MTWThF Schedule

• Classes will be held outdoors when feasible.  Larger rooms (Gym, Huckleberry/Stage, Maple/Fern) will be used if needed. 
• Students must wash hands frequently using the correct, thorough method or use hand sanitizer.
• Frequently touched surfaces will be regularly cleaned.

Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for K-12 Schools

The CDC recommends applying updated isolation and quarantine recommendations to K-12 settings. Public Health – Seattle & King County is adopting these recommendations. Further details will be coming soon. In the meantime, King County schools can begin applying the following recommendations immediately:

Exposed Students or Staff 

Students, children and staff, regardless of vaccination status, who are potentially exposed to COVID-19 should:
• Monitor for symptoms, AND
• Test* as soon as possible after exposure and then repeat testing every 24-48 hours through at least the first 5 days after exposure AND
• Students, children, and staff who spend time indoors with individuals at risk for getting very sick with COVID-19 should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after exposure.

Follow the DOH What to do if a Person is Symptomatic flowchart.

• Exposed students, children, and staff may continue to take part in all in-person instruction and care, including sports, performing arts, and other extracurricular activities, as long as they do not have symptoms or test positive.
• If an exposed student, child, or staff member developssymptoms, they should test and are required to immediately isolate at home, or where they currently reside, and follow the guidance outlined in the Exclusion of Individuals with Symptoms of COVID-19 

Isolation

All people with COVID-19 (with or without symptoms) need to isolate for at least 5 days.

For students, teachers, and staff who test positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms:

• Isolate for at least 5 days. Day 0 is the day of the positive COVID-19 test and day 1 is the first full day after the specimen was collected for the positive test.
• If they continue to have no symptoms, they can end isolation after at least 5 days, but must continue to wear a mask for an additional 5 days. This applies to anyone with COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status.
• If they develop symptoms after testing positive, the 5-day isolation period should start over. Day 0 is the first day of symptoms.

For students teachers and staff who have COVID-19 and have or had symptoms:

• They can end isolation after 5 days if they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.
• If the person meets these criteria, they can return to school after 5 days of isolation, but must continue to wear a mask for an additional 5 days. This applies to anyone with COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status.
• If they continue to have a fever or other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, they should wait to end isolation until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have improved.

For additional information on the updated Quarantine and Isolation guidance, please visit the CDC FAQ.

Testing 

As a reminder, King County endorses any FDA approved COVID tests for use by students and school staff, including take home/over the counter rapid tests. Please see our accepted types of tests FAQ for further information.

General Advice:

• Get fully vaccinated.
• Stay home when sick.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after you blow your nose.  See this video for the correct, thorough handwashing method:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seA1wbXUQTs. 
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands with soap and water.  Alternatively, cough or sneeze into your bent elbow. 
• Get a flu shot.
• Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system. 

King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center:

• If you believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, contact the King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center: 206-477-3977 seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
• For general concerns and questions about COVID-19, please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127.