COVID-19 Protocol Information
As we have experienced repeatedly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, circumstances and information change quickly. Families should regularly consult this webpage for the latest COVID-19 information. If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out to your individual school.
Frequently Asked Questions
- After-School Activities & Performing Arts
- Athletics
- Classroom
- Cleaning
- COVID-19 Reporting
- COVID-19 Quarantining & Isolation
- COVID-19 Symptoms
- COVID-19 Testing
- COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Facility Use
- Field Trips/Overnight Trips
- FLEX Online School
- Masks/Face Coverings
- Nutrition Services
- Recess
- Social Distancing
- Transportation
- Ventilation
- Vendors/Contractors
- Visitors
- Volunteers
After-School Activities & Performing Arts
Can assemblies, extracurricular activities and social events occur?
Assemblies, extracurricular activities and social events, including proms and other school dances, are allowed. Masking is optional. Social distancing of at least 3 feet is encouraged but not required.
Do students need to wear masks to participate in performing arts rehearsals or performances?
Masking is optional.
What are the rules for audience members at performances?
There are no capacity limits for performances. Masking is optional. Social distancing of at least 3 feet is encouraged but not required. These rules apply to performances during and outside the school day.
Spectators do not need to provide proof of vaccination to attend performances.
Are concession stands allowed?
Indoor and outdoor concessions are allowed.
What about Volunteer Service Projects?
Volunteer service projects (i.e. blood drives and book fairs) can resume.
Athletics
Do student-athletes need to wear masks to participate in after-school athletics?
Masking is optional.
Do student-athletes need to socially distance?
Social distancing of at least 3 feet is encouraged but not required.
What are the rules for spectators at athletic events?
There are no capacity limits for athletic events. Masking is optional. Social distancing of at least 3 feet is encouraged but not required.
Spectators do not need to provide proof of vaccination to attend athletic events.
Are concession stands allowed?
Indoor and outdoor concessions are allowed.
Are team dinners allowed?
Team dinners are allowed.
Classroom
Are masks required in school?
Masks are optional.
Can a teacher require that the students in that teacher's classroom wear masks?
No, masks are optional.
Is social distancing in the classroom required?
Social distancing of at least 3 feet is encouraged but not required.
Do P.E. classes still need to limit exertion?
Teachers do not need to limit exertion in P.E. classes; classes can operate normally. Social distancing of at least 3 feet is encouraged but not required.
Do students share supplies?
Sharing of supplies is limited. As always, student are encouraged to do frequent hand-washing or sanitizing.
Are specialists, substitutes and maintenance employees moving from school to school?
Some staff members do move between buildings.
Cleaning
How often are school spaces cleaned?
Custodians are doing the regular cleaning routes that were done prior to the pandemic. This means custodians can now focus on additional tasks that were impacted due to the previous focus on daily disinfection.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cleaning once a day is usually sufficient to remove potential viruses that may be on surfaces and disinfecting further reduces the risk of spread. The CDC defines “cleaning” as physically removing germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects by using soap (or detergent) and water. Cleaning does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing the germs, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. The CDC defines “disinfecting” as killing germs on surfaces or objects by using chemicals.
If a facility has had a sick person or someone who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 24 hours, the district will clean and disinfect the space.
What products are used to clean and disinfect school spaces?
Custodians use a product that is a combined cleaner and disinfectant and is listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) List N, which is a list of products that kill the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to the label directions.
COVID-19 Reporting
If I believe that my student has a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19, what should I do?
Students with two primary symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever 100.4 or higher, chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell) must stay home from school for at least 5 days from the start of symptoms or until a negative COVID-19 test is obtained. We recommend that your student be tested for COVID-19 for any symptom of COVID-19. BSD offers free on-site COVID diagnostic testing for students at school (if symptoms present during the school day) or at the District Administrative Office at 16550 SW Merlo Road in Beaverton (if symptoms present outside of the school day); registration for the District Administrative Office is through ParentSquare at Central COVID-19 Testing.
If your student tests positive, please call your student's school to let the staff know. The school will then alert the school community of a positive case via ParentSquare without identifying your student specifically.
Although it’s recommended that those who have been in close contact with a positive case get tested after Day 5 following exposure, it’s not required for school attendance.
How can I find out how many COVID-19 cases have been reported in the district?
Consult our COVID-19 Dashboard. This data is collected by our school nurses, health assistants and the Human Resources department. To protect the privacy of those involved, no names or grade level information is released.
This information is as real-time as possible; it is updated eight times a day. Staff are given 48 hours to input data. That means day-of data on this dashboard may be incomplete. The most complete data will be two days old. Also know that data may be updated at a later date if additional information becomes available.
How can I report a COVID-related protocol concern?
Parents, students and staff can anonymously report any COVID-related protocol concern by using this online form.
COVID-19 Quarantining & Isolation
What happens if a vaccinated or unvaccinated student is diagnosed with a positive or presumptive case of COVID-19?
If your student tests positive, please call your student's school to let the staff know. The school will then alert the school community of a positive case via ParentSquare without identifying your student specifically.
Students who test positive are required to isolate at home for at least 5 days before returning to school. To calculate the 5-day period, Day 1 is the first full day after the symptoms developed or the positive test result is received. Isolation may end after 5 days if the individual is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine and other symptoms have improved. It's recommended that individuals should wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public, including at school, for 5 additional days (Day 6-10) after the end of the required 5-day isolation period. Those who are unable to wear a properly fitted mask, are advised to stay home on days 6-10 before returning to school.
How will parents be notified if a positive COVID-19 case is reported at school or on the bus?
The school principal will post a message to the school’s ParentSquare feed without notification, informing families of a positive COVID-19 case. The identity of the impacted student or staff member will not be released.
Is contact tracing or quarantining required?
Per the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), universal case investigation and contact tracing are no longer recommended in K-12 settings. Because close contacts will no longer be identified, quarantining is no longer required. The decision to pause contact tracing and quarantining is based in science and acknowledges that these practices now have very limited, if any, impact on the transmission of COVID-19 in our community. Because of the fast rate of transmission, by the time an exposure is identified and contact tracing is performed, transmission has already occurred. Staff and students should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and are encouraged to get tested if symptoms develop.
While quarantining for close contact is no longer required, there could be a situation where the Washington County Public Health Department instructs the district to quarantine a classroom or a building because of an isolated outbreak.
Washington County Public Health Department supports the current BSD COVID-19 protocol, requiring 5-day quarantine of an entire class if 20% of the classroom or 30% of the school is absent due to COVID-19. COVID-19 home test kits are available for those classroom cohorts who are quarantined.
If a student or teacher is a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19, does the student or teacher have to quarantine?
No. Quarantining for close contact is no longer required. Although not required, it is recommended that staff/students with a known COVID-19 exposure wear a well-fitted mask around others for 10 days following their last exposure.
If a teacher tests positive for COVID-19, do all of the teacher’s students have to quarantine?
No. Quarantining for close contact is no longer required.
Can staff members who've been ill at home return to work without getting a COVID-19 test?
A negative COVID-19 testing is not required to return to work or for students to return to school.
Staff members should not come to work if they are ill.
If a staff member exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, they should get a COVID-19 test. If the test is positive for COVID-19, they should notify the Human Resources COVID-19 Team: HR-COVID19@beaverton.k12.or.us and isolate.
If a staff member exhibits other symptoms not related to COVID-19, they should follow the Too Sick For School guidance before returning to work.
What counts as attendance when a student is in isolation or quarantine?
While quarantining for close contact is no longer required, there could be a situation where the Washington County Public Health department instructs the District to quarantine a classroom because an isolated outbreak.
Per the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), attendance is defined to include both participation in class activities and substantive interaction with a licensed or registered teacher during a school day or substantive interactions with educational assistants, paraprofessionals or TAPP family advocates that support meaningful learning and/or attend to student mental health and well-being.
Substantive interactions can be evidenced by any of the following or reasonable equivalents:
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Active participation in a video class
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A meaningful series of two-way communications between student and teacher via chat, text message, communication app or email
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A sustained phone call between the teacher or educational assistants/paraprofessionals and the student, or, for younger students, with the parent or guardian of the student
COVID-19 Symptoms
What are the primary and non-primary symptoms of COVID-19?
People with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-4 days after exposure to the virus. Those experiencing two primary COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever 100.4 or higher or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell) must be excluded from school. The non-primary symptoms (fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) can be seen with many other illnesses (including COVID-19), some of which may require exclusion from school. Viral testing is encouraged for any symptom of COVID-19.
Are students screened for COVID-19 symptoms?
Parents/guardians should perform a daily health evaluation before sending students to school. If a student is exhibiting two symptoms of COVID-19 or any of the symptoms listed in our Too Sick for School - Keep Ill Students Out of School guidance, the student should stay home.
What happens if a student exhibits COVID-19 symptoms at school?
If a student exhibits or complains of any COVID-19 symptoms, an adult will accompany the student to the school isolation room. A designated staff member will then take the student’s temperature. If a staff member has permission from a parent/guardian, the student will be given a diagnostic, self-administered Abbot BinaxNOW COVID-19 test. Students who have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 90 days should not be tested.
If the COVID-19 test is positive, a parent/guardian will be called to pick up the student, and the student will need to stay home from school for at least 5 days.
If the COVID-19 test is negative, a parent/guardian may still be called to pick up the student and asked to follow the Too Sick for School - Keep Ill Students Out of School guidance to return to school.
If the student is not tested at school, a parent/guardian will be called to pick up the student and keep the student home for 5 days if exhibiting a primary COVID-19 symptom or asked to follow the Too Sick for School - Keep Ill Students Out of School guidance to return to school for other symptoms.
The above applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated students.
What happens if a staff member exhibits COVID-19 symptoms at work?
The employee should notify a supervisor. The staff member can get an on-site COVID-19 diagnostic test. If the staff member tests positive, the supervisor will notify the Human Resources COVID-19 Team: HR-Covid19@beaverton.k12.or.us, and the employee should leave work. If the employee elects not to get an on-site test and has a primary symptom of COVID-19, the employee should leave work and be encouraged to see a health care provider for further evaluation.
COVID-19 Testing
Here's an explanation of our testing programs:
On-site Diagnostic Testing for Students and Staff
BSD offers free on-site COVID-19 diagnostic testing for students and staff who develop both primary and non-primary symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in their school buildings. Primary symptoms include cough, fever > 100.4 or chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and new loss of taste/smell. Non-primary symptoms often include muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, new nasal congestion and runny nose.
Students who develop two primary symptoms, or other excludable symptoms, at home should be tested before returning to school. Students may access COVID-19 testing at their school site. The Abbot BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test is the test used in schools. Parent/guardian written consent is required for a student to participate in diagnostic testing.
Positive results are reported to the Washington County Public Health Department, and the student or staff member is required to isolate for 5 days.
COVID-19 Testing Consent Forms for on-site diagnostic testing
Take-home Screening Testing for Students
The Beaverton School District is offering weekly, take-home tests to screen for COVID-19. The tests are free to families.
Who is eligible for free COVID-19 testing?
All K-12 students participating in-person learning are eligible. However, if students have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, they are NOT eligible for this program. Once 90 days have passed since their last positive COVID-19 test, they may enroll.
Pre-K and FLEX Online School students are not currently eligible.
The program is open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated students.
Why should your student participate?
Tests that screen for COVID-19 are just one more tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that our students can continue in-person learning. It’s also an effective way to prevent an infected child from unknowingly spreading COVID-19 to other family members.
How does the COVID-19 testing work?
Once a week, your school sends home a PCR COVID-19 test with your student. The following morning, you collect your student’s saliva in a collection container. All instructions and supplies are provided. Then you send the sample back to school with your student. Samples are picked up and processed by OHSU. Within 24 hours, you receive an email from OHSU with your student’s result.
If your student’s result is “unknown” or positive for COVID-19, you’ll get a phone call from an OHSU nurse who’ll advise you further.
Are test results shared with my school?
OHSU does not share test results with your school; your student’s information or COVID status is only shared with public health officials.
However, if your student tests positive for COVID-19, it’s imperative that you call your school office and let the staff know immediately. In addition, please forward the email that you receive from OHSU to your school secretary so that it can be shared with the school nurse.
Should students who've tested positive for COVID-19 continue to participate in the program?
Students who test positive should not participate in the program for 90 days after receiving their results, as they will continue to test positive during this time period. Students with a positive result do not need to opt-out of the program, but they do need to pause their participation until the 90-day period has ended. Students should let their school office know of the positive result and not take home a test kit during the 90-day period.
What if I no longer want my student to be tested?
If you change your mind after enrolling your student, just let your school secretary know that you no longer want to be part of the program.
How do I enroll my student in this weekly COVID-19 testing program?
You need to fill out two forms to give consent. Contact your school for more details.
If there is no school on the pick-up day, when will my student receive the test kit? If my student is absent on the pick-up day, when will my student receive the test kit?
In both cases, students will not receive test kits for that week.
At-home Screening Testing for Staff
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has launched a COVID-19 testing program for K-12 staff to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools. This project offers free weekly screening tests by mail to any unvaccinated BSD staff member. Testing is not recommended for vaccinated K-12 staff because the risk of COVID-19 in vaccinated individuals is low. Any unvaccinated staff member with an approved medical or religious exception to the Governor’s vaccine mandate is required to test weekly for COVID-19.
All testing is mailed directly to the homes of K-12 staff and is confidential. The COVID-19 test is self-administered by gently swabbing just inside the nose. The swab is then returned to the testing laboratory by mail. Results are communicated to staff members within days. The District is not notified of the results. If any staff members test positive for COVID-19, they must share the results with the COVID-19 team in Human Resources: HR-COVID19@beaverton.k12.or.us
To participate in this testing program, staff members should look for the COVID-19 Testing link on the Staff Intranet. Once enrolled, they'll be sent an email by our laboratory partner, LabDash, to complete the registration process.
Community Testing Sites
Where in the community can I get a COVID-19 test?
To find a COVID-19 testing location near you, check the Get Vaccinated Oregon website.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Are students required to get the COVID-19 vaccine to attend in-person learning?
BSD follows guidance from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) in regards to which vaccinations are required for students to attend our schools and what exemptions are acceptable. At this time, ODE and OHA have not required the COVID-19 vaccine for students. If that changes in the coming months, we'll follow state guidance.
Where can my student get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Students ages 5 and up are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you'd like information about where to find a vaccine, visit the state's Find a COVID Vaccine in Oregon website. You also can dial 211 on your phone for more information.
How can I record my student’s COVID-19 vaccination status?
On your student's Online Verification form (under Immunization Registration), you can enter whether your child has received the COVID-19 vaccine. You'll be asked to provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccine if you choose to include the date(s) in the Immunization Registration section. You can either upload your COVID-19 vaccination card in ParentVUE while completing your online verification or you can take it to your school office.
If you've already completed the Online Verification process, you can go back at any time and upload the card.
Are BSD staff required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
According to OAR 333-019-1030, all BSD employees must receive the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine OR the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine AND be at least 14 days past their final vaccine dose to be considered fully vaccinated. Exceptions may be made for eligible medical or religious reasons. Employees need to fill out appropriate OHA forms. Those unvaccinated employees approved for a medical or religious exception must follow requirements provided by Risk Management.
How can I find out if my student's teacher is vaccinated or has a medical or religious exception?
The District is not be releasing the vaccination status of individual staff members.
Have all district employees either provided proof of vaccination or have an approved medical or religious exception, per the Governor's order?
Yes
Are volunteers required to show proof of vaccination?
Per OAR 333-019-1030, all volunteers are required to show proof of vaccination or obtain an approved medical or religious exception to volunteer at school. See Volunteers section for more details.
Are visitors required to show proof of vaccination?
Per OAR 333-019-1030, all visitors are required to show proof of vaccination or obtain an approved medical or religious exception to visit a school. See Visitors section for more details.
Facility Use
Are district facilities open for rental or use?
Yes, all users of district facilities must complete the Facility Use Request process. Approvals will be dependent on a complete facility use application and no schedule conflicts.
If my organization is not a school-sponsored club, will it be able to rent space after school?
Third-party groups and non-school-based clubs and teams are allowed in buildings subject to a complete and approved facility use application. Examples of third-party users include, but are not be limited to, private companies offering activities and events and meetings for PTOs/PTCs, local agencies and community groups.
Do users have to provide proof of vaccination or wear masks?
Any group holding an event on school property makes a reservation through School Dude. As part of that process, the sponsoring organization will need to attest that it is taking responsibility for following the vaccination requirements in OAR 333-019-1030. For more explanation, please see Visitors section.
Field Trips/Overnight Trips
Are field trips allowed?
Both outdoor and indoor field trips are allowed. Masking is optional. Social distancing of at least 3 feet is encouraged but not required.
Are overnight trips allowed?
Overnight trips are allowed. Please consult with coaches, athletic directors or school administrators for specific rules.
FLEX Online School
If I’d prefer my student not to attend in-person learning, what online option do I have?
FLEX Online School is designed as a full-year online program. While taught by BSD teachers, the content and delivery are different from neighborhood schools.
Can my student enroll or withdraw from FLEX Online School at any time?
Students can only enroll in FLEX at the quarter or semester break; students should only transfer back to a neighborhood school at the quarter or semester break. This is necessary so that the school can be staffed at the appropriate level for enrollment and so that students can forecast for classes that meet their needs. In addition, FLEX curriculum does not generally follow the same timing and flow as curriculum in neighborhood schools, so transfers in the middle of a school quarter may create hardships for students and families.
Students (grades 9-12) should talk with their counselors about how transferring will impact their credits and schedules.
FLEX applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but enrollment, forecasting and classroom assignments happen at the quarter and semester breaks. The same timeline applies for students wishing to transfer from FLEX back to their neighborhood schools.
UPDATE: We are making an exception. If students want to enroll in FLEX because of the new mask-optional policy, they can do so from now through April 18, prior to the start of fourth quarter. Contact FLEX for more information.
How is FLEX Online School different from last year’s Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL)?
FLEX is very different from last year’s CDL. FLEX does not try to recreate a typical school schedule in an online format. With CDL, students spent most of the day in Zoom classes. At FLEX, students work at their own pace through the curriculum. At the elementary level, there’s short whole group instruction time daily; on some days, there’s time spent with a teacher in small groups, as well. For K-5 students, it’s critical to have an adult at home (Learning Coach) who can guide students through the curriculum, helping them manage the calendar of assignments and live meetings and encouraging learning and progress. For middle and high school students, there are blocks of time on each A and B day when teachers are available to answer questions and go over homework, giving students flexibility in how and when they complete assignments and opportunities to learn at their own pace. This system can be challenging for students who do not manage their time well or do not feel comfortable asking their teachers for help or responding to their teachers’ communications.
Other key points to understand:
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Seniors finishing their requirements graduate from FLEX, not their home school.
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Students enrolling in FLEX are unenrolling from their neighborhood or option school.
Can I switch from FLEX Online School to my neighborhood school later in the year?
FLEX is designed as a full-year online program. The content and sequencing are different from neighborhood schools. However, if students would like to transfer to their neighborhood schools, they’re encouraged to do so at the end of a quarter or semester to minimize disruption.
Can I switch from FLEX Online School back to an option school later in the year?
If you had a previous placement at an option school or program (ACMA, BASE, ISB and Rachel Carson Environmental Science Program) and then switched to FLEX, your option school or program spot is not reserved or guaranteed. Remember, enrollment in our option schools and programs is done by lottery; when a student leaves, that spot is filled by a student on the waiting list. All our option schools and programs have waiting lists.
Can I switch from FLEX Online School back to SUMMA later in the year?
Yes. Unlike the option schools and programs, SUMMA does not have a waiting list.
Can a student be enrolled in FLEX Online School if the student has an IEP?
FLEX offers Special Education services in a Resource Room setting. FLEX does not currently have specialized programs. If your child is in a specialized program, FLEX may not be able to provide your student with a free appropriate public education (FAPE). If your student is placed in a specialized program and you enroll your student in FLEX, your student's IEP team will need to meet to determine if your student's needs can be met with a Resource Room level of support. If your student cannot be served in a Resource Room setting, then the IEP team may determine that your student is not able to attend FLEX.
Do FLEX Online School students have access to free meals?
FLEX students may register online to pick up a free 5-day meal bag. Pick-ups occur on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. at either Beaverton or Westview High Schools. When students register, they’ll be asked to select a location.
Where can I learn more about FLEX Online School?
Check out the FLEX webpage.
Masks/Face Coverings
Are students and staff required to wear masks at school?
Masking is optional. However, those unvaccinated employees with approved medical or religious exceptions must follow requirements provided by Risk Management. It is recommended that individuals who are returning to school following 5 days of isolation after a positive test result, should wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public, including at school, for 5 additional days (Days 6-10).
The District is requiring unvaccinated volunteers or visitors with approved medical or religious exceptions to wear masks, despite the district's general mask-optional policy.
In addition, a school nurse, school staff, students and visitors are required to wear a mask in areas of the school that meet the definition of health care setting per OAR 333-019-1011(6)(d). This may include a school health room, isolation space and other areas that are designated for providing healthcare.
Are masks required on school buses?
Masking is optional. It is recommended that individuals who are returning to school following 5 days of isolation after a positive test result, should wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public, including at school, for 5 additional days (Days 6-10).
Would the District ever go back to requiring masks?
The District does reserve the right to reinstate masking if guided to do so by ODE, OHA or Washington County Public Health due to worsening COVID-19 conditions.
Nutrition Services
Are breakfasts and lunches free for all students?
Yes. Nothing is required for students to access free meals. Students can just go to the cafeteria when breakfast or lunch is served and select what they would like to eat.
Please know that students who bring lunches from home do not qualify for free milk; milk is part of the free meals. Milk by itself costs 50¢.
Are free meals available for siblings or other children not enrolled in BSD?
We’re unable to provide meals to children who aren’t currently enrolled in a BSD school.
Do FLEX students have access to free meals?
FLEX students may register to pick up a free 5-day meal bag by calling 503-356-3955. Pick-ups occur on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. at either Beaverton or Westview High Schools. When students register, they’ll be asked to select a location.
Do students need to be socially distanced in the cafeteria?
Social distancing of at least 3 feet is encouraged but not required.
How are breakfasts and lunches served?
Breakfast is served in cafeterias. Most breakfast items are wrapped and individually portioned.
At lunch, most items are individually portioned, but not all items are wrapped. For example, fruits and vegetables may be either packaged or put in paper boats for service. The paper boats are on the service line behind sneeze guards but not wrapped. Students select the items that they want, touching only the paper boats that they’ll be placing on their trays. Younger students are helped with this process.
Nutrition Services also may use salad bars for fruit and vegetable service where space permits. Serviceware on salad bars is changed between lunch periods.
Can I pick my student up for lunch?
As a parent/guardian, you're always able to pick up your child at school. However, keep in mind, lunch periods are short.
Can high school students eat in their cars or leave campus on their own for lunch?
Recess
Social Distancing
Transportation
Are masks required on school buses?
Masking is optional.
What about social distancing on the bus?
There is no mandatory social distancing requirement.
While students continue to have assigned seating on buses?
No
What other safety measures are in place on the bus?
Hand sanitizer and masks are available from the driver. A minimum of four windows per side are kept open to ensure ample airflow. Roof hatches also may be opened depending upon weather conditions.
Can students ride a bus other than their assigned bus?
The Transportation department is returning to its practice of accepting school-endorsed notes for student guest riders.
What happens if there are not enough bus drivers to cover all routes?
If we have 43 or more drivers absent, we’ll need to place up to 9 routes on a 90-minute delay. The delay would apply to both morning and afternoon routes. For example, if your student normally arrives at school at 8 a.m. they will arrive at 10:30 a.m. and if they normally leave school at 3:05 p.m. they will leave at 4:35 p.m.
If your student’s route is impacted, you’ll receive a ParentSquare notification by 6:00 a.m. that morning. Unfortunately, we’re unable to give you more advance notice because we often don’t have a full count of absent drivers until the morning.
Schools with affected routes will operate on a normal schedule. Students who arrive late will not be penalized, and teachers will not introduce new material or administer tests when busing is impacted.
Ventilation
What is the plan with ventilation moving forward?
The District will continue some practices that were initiated during the pandemic. These include:
- Introducing more outside air (OSA) in most buildings.
- Extending operation run times (in general 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.).
- Using MERV-13 (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filters.
Vendors/Contractors
Are contractors, vendors and school-based programs allowed on district property, including schools, during school and non-school hours?
Contractors, vendors and school-based programs are allowed on district property, including schools, during school and non-school hours. A school-based program is defined as “a program serving children or students that takes place at or in school facilities”; the program may have “direct or indirect contact with children or students.”
To comply with the ORS 333-019-1030, all contractors, vendors and school-based programs need to verify with the District that their employees or volunteers have been vaccinated. This includes after-school programs and on-site child care programs. This attestation is handled at the district level, not the school level. Office staff does not have to check proof of vaccinations for contractors/vendors.
What are some other examples of people who are considered to be contractors/vendors?
Examples include, but are not limited to, DHS employees, Washington County Sheriff's Office employees, Pacific Automation, Champions and construction workers.
Do contractors, vendors and school-based programs employees or volunteers need to wear masks?
Masking is optional.
Visitors
Are visitors allowed on district property, including schools?
Yes, visitors are allowed with some restrictions.
Under School Board Policy KK, visitors are defined as individuals whose participation is not ongoing or frequent. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) provides further clarification in OAR 333-019-1030 that a visitor may include anyone who is providing goods or services to a school or school-based program, whether paid or unpaid, without regard to the frequency. In BSD, visitors include, but are not limited to, CTE industry guests/partners, career day participants, military recruiters and visiting authors/artists/readers/presenters.
Per OAR 333-019-1030, all visitors must provide proof of vaccination or submit a medical or religious exception. Those visitors with approved exceptions may work with students, but the District is requiring them to be masked, despite the district's general mask-optional policy. Unvaccinated visitors without approved exceptions will not be allowed.
A spectator is someone who is visiting a school on a one-time or occasional basis but is not providing goods or services. For example, a person may choose to attend a school art show, Battle of the Books competition, carnival, kindergarten orientation, music class recital, school tour or end-of-year clapout. A spectator does not have to provide proof of vaccination; masking is optional.
A parent/guardian who is visiting a school for a conference or IEP meetings and not providing goods or services does not have to provide proof of vaccination; masking is optional.
Contractors, vendors and school-based programs are allowed on district property, including schools, during school and non-school hours. A school-based program is defined as “a program serving children or students that takes place at or in school facilities”; the program may have “direct or indirect contact with children or students.” See Vendors/Contractors section for more details.
How does a visitor provide proof of vaccination? How does a visitor apply for a medical or religious vaccination exception?
Per OAR 333-019-1030, visitors must receive the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine OR the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine AND be at least 14 days past their final vaccine dose.
Visitors must present proof of vaccination — either a physical vaccination card or a digital copy — to the office staff. If it's a physical card, the office staff member will make a photocopy of the card and then email it to bsd-visitor@beaverton.k12.or.us; in the subject line, the staff member should type the name of the school. If it's a digital copy on say, a cell phone, the visitor should show it to the office staff member and then immediately email the copy to bsd-visitor@beaverton.k12.or.us and type the school name in the subject line. Per OAR 333-019-1030, the District must maintain the proof of vaccination for a period of two years.
Visitors must go through this process each time they arrive at school.
Visitors who are unable to be vaccinated due to a documented medical condition (including pregnancy) or due to a sincerely held religious belief must submit the required Oregon Health Authority (OHA) exception form. To download a form, scroll to the bottom of this section. The completed form should be emailed to Johanna_Shrout@beaverton.k12.or.us; type the school name in the subject line. It will be reviewed by district staff. This process can take up to five business days. No on-site, in-the-moment approvals will be granted.
Is it possible that a school-sponsored event could have volunteers who need to provide proof of their vaccination status, visitors who need to provide proof of their vaccination status and visitors who don’t need to provide proof of their vaccination status all at the same event?
Yes, it’s possible. For example, a school may sponsor a carnival. The volunteers who work the event would need to be registered in the district’s volunteer management system and either be vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious exception. The balloon artist who was hired for the event is a visitor providing goods or services and would need to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved medical or religious exception. The parents who attend with their students would be considered spectators and would not need to provide proof of vaccination. However, if one of those spectators is later asked to supervise the bouncy house, now that person is a volunteer and be subject to the rules for volunteers.
How is the above scenario different if the carnival is sponsored by a PTO, a cub scout pack or another organization?
Any group holding an event on school property makes a reservation through School Dude. As part of that process, the sponsoring organization will need to attest that it is taking responsibility for following the vaccination requirements in OAR 333-019-1030.
What qualifies as a medical or religious vaccination exception?
Per OAR 333-019-1030, a medical exception must be corroborated by a document signed by a medical provider, who is not the individual seeking the exception, certifying that the individual has a physical or mental impairment that limits the individual’s ability to receive a COVID-19 vaccination based on a specified medical diagnosis and that specifies whether the impairment is temporary in nature or permanent.
A religious exception must be corroborated by a document on a form prescribed by the Oregon Health Authority, signed by the individual stating that the individual is requesting an exception from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief and include a statement describing the way in which the vaccination requirement conflicts with the religious observance, practice or belief of the individual.
Are visitors with an approved medical or religious exception allowed to work with students?
Unvaccinated visitors with approved exceptions may work with students, but the District is requiring them to be masked, despite the district's general mask-optional policy. Unvaccinated visitors without approved exceptions will not be allowed.
Do visitors need to wear masks?
Masking is optional, unless you are an unvaccinated visitor with an approved medical or religious exception, in which case, you must be masked.
What about parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings or 504 meetings?
A parent/guardian who is visiting a school for a conference or IEP meetings and not providing goods or services does not have to provide proof of vaccination; masking is optional.
All parents/guardians have the option of IEP meetings and 504 meetings in person or virtually. To accommodate interpreter and other staff participation, some meetings may be held in a hybrid format with some participants in person and others through a virtual platform.
All spring conferences for elementary schools will be held virtually.
Can school PTOs, PTCs or similar groups hold meetings inside of schools?
PTOs and PTCs can hold in-person meetings inside of schools.
Are visitors allowed to have lunch in the cafeteria with students?
No visitors are allowed at lunchtime (unless volunteering).
What about athletic competitions or performing arts events?
If the person is a spectator — someone who is visiting a school on a one-time or occasional basis but is not providing goods or services — they do not have to provide proof of vaccination. If the person is running a concession stand, that person is a volunteer. Please see guidance under the Volunteer section.
Volunteers
Are volunteers allowed on district property, including schools?
Volunteers, including student volunteers and peer mentors from other BSD schools, are allowed. All volunteers must be registered in our Volunteer Management System and pass a mandatory background check. A volunteer is defined as someone who is providing goods or services on an ongoing basis.
Per OAR 333-019-1030, all volunteers must provide proof of vaccination or submit a medical or religious exception. Those volunteers with approved exceptions may work with students, but the District is requiring them to be masked, despite the district's general mask-optional policy.
How does a volunteer provide proof of vaccination? How does a volunteer apply for a medical or religious vaccination exception?
Per OAR 333-019-1030, all volunteers — whether inside or outside, whether during the school day or after-school hours — must receive the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine OR the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine AND be at least 14 days past their final vaccine dose.
You must upload your vaccination card or your immunization record. Volunteers who are unable to be vaccinated due to a documented medical condition (including pregnancy) or due to a sincerely held religious belief must submit the required Oregon Health Authority (OHA) exception form.
To upload your vaccination card or to access an exception form, log onto your myimpactpage.com account. Go to the "My Profile" tab on the upper right, click on "Additional Information" and then select "Beaverton School District." Scroll to the bottom of the screen to find the COVID-19 Vaccination section. From here, you can upload your vaccination card. If you need an exception form, click on the "i" icon and download the form. After it's completed, it can be uploaded in this same area.
Once you've uploaded your information, it will be reviewed by district staff. This process can take up to a week. Per OAR 333-019-1030, the District must maintain the proof of vaccination for a period of two years.
As always, you're required to sign in to the myimpactpage.com time clock when you arrive at the front office.
What qualifies as a medical or religious vaccination exception?
Per OAR 333-019-1030, a medical exception must be corroborated by a document signed by a medical provider, who is not the individual seeking the exception, certifying that the individual has a physical or mental impairment that limits the individual’s ability to receive a COVID-19 vaccination based on a specified medical diagnosis and that specifies whether the impairment is temporary in nature or permanent.
A religious exception must be corroborated by a document on a form prescribed by the Oregon Health Authority, signed by the individual stating that the individual is requesting an exception from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief and include a statement describing the way in which the vaccination requirement conflicts with the religious observance, practice or belief of the individual.
Are volunteers with an approved medical or religious exception allowed to work with students?
Unvaccinated volunteers with approved exceptions may work with students, but the District is requiring them to be masked, despite the district's general mask-optional policy.
Does the vaccination rule apply to students who volunteer?
Student-volunteers (ages 16 and older) need to follow the same procedure (as described above) as adult volunteers regarding proof of vaccination and medical or religious exceptions.
Do volunteers need to wear masks?
Masking is optional, unless you are an unvaccinated volunteer with an approved medical or religious exception, in which case, you must be masked.
Can school PTOs, PTCs or similar groups hold meetings inside of schools?
PTOs and PTCs can hold in-person meetings inside of schools.
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