Dear Mill A School District Families,
We sincerely appreciate your flexibility and patience as we work closely with the health department to provide more clarity to a very complicated subject- COVID symptoms and school attendance.
Enclosed is the most recent “Parent/Student Health Screening Flow Chart” that provides direction for the various situations in which your child may be required to stay home. However, not every scenario can be captured in a flow chart, and we have received answers from the health department to several common questions that are important for you to be aware of moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have a child who has one or more COVID-19 symptoms, do I have to keep my other child home also, if s/he is not displaying symptoms or has been exposed to a known COVID-19 case?
Answer: NO. If the sick child’s sibling(s) is not ill him/herself (and nobody in the household has been exposed to a known COVID-19 case), they can go to school. It would be ideal to test the sick child as quickly as possible.
Where can my child get tested for COVID-19?
Answer: Call for appointment in advance to all providers.
- Child’s primary care provider to ensure there is not another health issue
- Monday-Thursday, 7:30-5:30 Skamania Public Health (509-427-3850)
- NorthShore Medical Group, Stevenson or Bingen; flexible hours and days
- One Community Health, Hood River
I marked my child as not coming to school on the Qualtrics app (or the Qualtrics app says my child needs to stay home); do I still have to notify the school?
Answer: YES. Regardless if your student is sick or has an appointment, or cannot make it to school for another reason, per the MAS student handbook, you are required to notify the school when your student(s) will be absent from school. Please contact the school office (509-538-2522) and let us know as soon as possible if your child(ren) will be absent for the day. Students will be marked unexcused if we do not hear from you.
My child needs to stay home for 10 days. How do I make sure my child doesn’t fall behind on his/her assignments?
Answer: MASD is committed to continuing your child’s education regardless if they are home or at school. If you know your child will need to stay home for longer than 24 hours, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange how assignments will be shared with you and/or your student. Unless experiencing severe symptoms, student learning is expected to be ongoing and will be supported under quarantine.
If my child has to stay home for 10 days, can I come pick up the assignments from the office?
Answer: Please connect with your child’s teacher first. If you are able to pick up the material and supplies from the school, please stay in your car and call us when you arrive. A MASD staff member will bring the materials and supplies to your car.
My child has a sore throat; do I have to keep my child home?
Answer: Please review the enclosed flowchart to help you determine what your best next steps are. Please contact the office if you have questions or concerns.
As we continue to navigate this fluid situation, we will continue to update you and communicate with you. We sincerely appreciate your support and cooperation. It takes team work to make the dream work, and we cannot do this without you!
Sincerely,
Bob Rogers
Superintendent