When to Stay Home

Updated Oct. 25, 2021

The Washington State Department of Health has developed a flowchart (pdf) to help schools and families with symptom evaluation and management related to school attendance. Please visit doh.wa.gov for updates to the flowchart and more health information.

🌡️ See the Flowchart

COVID-19 information from the Department of Health is also available in Spanish and in Tagalog.

Call your child’s school nurse if you have questions, or call Health Services at 360-662-1070.

COVID-19 Self-Evaluation

Self-evaluation prior to coming to school:

Do you have any of the following symptoms within the last day that are not caused by another condition?
- Fever (100.4 F) or chills.
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Recent loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Have you been in close contact with anyone with confirmed COVID-19? (Note: Close contact is defined as within 6-feet for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. In a K-12 indoor classroom, the close contact definition excludes students who were at least three feet away from an infected student when (a) both students were wearing face coverings/masks and (b) other prevention strategies were in place. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting).
Have you had a positive COVID-19 test for active virus in the past 10 days, or are you awaiting results of a COVID-19 test?
Within the past 14 days, has a public health or medical professional told you to self-monitor, self-isolate, or self-quarantine because of concerns about COVID-19 infection?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, students must stay home. Parents should notify the school.

Returning to School If Your Child Has Had COVID-19 Symptoms

Symptomatic individuals may return to school under one of the following conditions:

If NO testing for COVID-19 is performed, your child may return at least 10 days after symptom onset AND being fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication AND symptoms have improved. You may provide a note from your child’s health care provider with an earlier return to school date for symptoms related to an alternative diagnosis.
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, they may return at least 10 days after symptom onset AND being fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication AND symptoms have improved. Additionally, all household members and close contacts should quarantine for 14 days and watch for symptoms. Obtain a COVID-19 test if you notice symptoms.
If your child tests negative for COVID-19 and there is no history of exposure, they can return to school after being fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication AND symptoms have improved.