VOL 2, ISSUE 2
28 September 2021The latest updates on COVID-19, testing, and vaccines curated for L2R school districts.
update
Revised Reporting Requirements
Health Commons and Washington State Department of Health (DOH) have worked together to minimize the reporting burden on L2R schools.
Until we have access to a web-based reporting system that allows for bulk uploads of results, we ask that schools hold off on reporting negative and inconclusive results and only report positive results via SimpleReport.
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Announcing the L2R Learning Network!
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, L2R has worked with K–12 schools across Washington state. Together, we’ve built and managed testing programs, navigated challenges, uncertainties, and even the dreaded outbreak. The Learning Network is a platform for schools across Washington state to share the experience and knowledge gained along the way.
The Learning Network is collaborative, free, and open to all Washington state schools – both those that are enrolled in L2R and those that are not.
join us for the Learning Network’s kick-off event!
Thursday, Sept 30
1:00 – 2:30 pm
From Diagnostic to Outbreak: How to Rapidly Scale Your Diagnostic Testing Program to Respond to School Outbreaks
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WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
New DOH Recommendations
On September 14, 2021, DOH released new guidance on optional strategies that schools can implement to reduce COVID-19 transmission among teachers, staff, and students.
The guidance more clearly defines the Test-to-Stay Program, a modified quarantine approach for unvaccinated K–12 students who were exposed to COVID-19 in school. With this approach, students may continue to attend class in a modified quarantine status for seven days after exposure if they:
1. are tested at least twice* during the seven days of quarantine
are asymptomatic
continue to wear a mask
continue to quarantine from extracurricular activities
To participate in Test-to-Stay, your school must be approved by your local health jurisdiction (LHJ). If your LHJ agrees that your school can use the Test-to-Stay approach, be sure to confirm the following:
1) What types of tests should be used
(rapid vs. PCR or both)
2) *At what cadence you should be testing students
If you have LHJ approval (via a Memorandum of Agreement) and can answer those questions, L2R can provide the resources and technical support to implement Test-to-Stay in your school.
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THE L2R TOOLBOX IS LIVE!
Now the Resources You Need Are All In One Place!
L2R is providing more of what you want and need — resources to combat COVID-19 in your schools. This week we’re launching the L2R Toolbox.
The L2R Toolbox will be a living resource where you can access and download one-pagers, posters, graphics, and more to support your school’s COVID-19 testing and vaccination communications. We’ve launched the Toolbox with some essential content to get you started, and we’ll update you as we add more exciting and practical tools.
Contact us at [email protected]
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Heads up about testing ad in October
DOH will be running an ad campaign on television and social media, encouraging parents and guardians to allow their child to be tested for COVID-19 at school. The ads inform parents that COVID-19 testing is safe, easy and helps keep our schools open. The campaign is set to run for eight weeks, beginning the second week of October. We hope it will increase participation for testing in schools!
NEWS ROUND UP
The latest COVID-19 articles and podcasts
Why schools still need a remote option to mitigate COVID-19
TechTank Podcast from Brookings
September 20, 2021 – 46 min
Navigating another pandemic school year
Did You Wash Your Hands? from the New York Times
September 9, 2021 – 17 min
Season Finale: Delta Variant and the School Year
Teens and Vaccines
September 2021 – 36 min
COVID Vaccine For Kids Ages 5 To 11 Is Safe And Effective, Pfizer Says
NPR, September 20, 2021
The first results from the highly anticipated trial studying the effectiveness and safety of the Pfizer and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 showed promising results.
What we know so far about when kids can get vaccinated for COVID-19
LA Times, September 21, 2021
Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in children ages 5 to 11.
U.S. schools with mask requirements are seeing fewer outbreaks, the C.D.C. finds.
NY Times, September 24, 2021
School mask mandates have generated controversy in many parts of the country. Now, two studies, published on Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provide additional evidence that masks protect children from the coronavirus, even when community rates are high and the contagious Delta variant is circulating.
How Some Schools Are Using Weekly Testing To Keep Kids In Class — And COVID Out
NPR, September 24, 2021
On a recent Monday morning, a group of preschoolers filed into the gymnasium at Hillside School in the west Chicago suburbs. These 4- and 5-year-olds were the first of more than 200 students to get tested for the coronavirus that day — and every Monday — for the foreseeable future.
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SWAB AND JAB / EPISODE 2
The Gang Goes to School
Swab, Jab and Masky help keep their friends safe at school!
