Dear Staff and Families,

Happy New Year!  We are looking forward to welcoming students back to classrooms tomorrow and are cautiously optimistic that in-person instruction will continue as planned, amidst this recent surge in disease transmission. That said, I’d like to take the opportunity to address some concerns:

• School Guidance:  As we have throughout the pandemic, Puyallup School District will continue to follow the guidance provided by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) to make decisions that support the health and safety of everyone.  The updated CDC guidance on isolation and quarantine times does not apply to K-12 schools.  We will continue to wait for updated K-12 guidance from local and state officials and will communicate changes as quickly as information is received. 

• Stay home if sick:  If you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider and get tested.  Staff should call absences in early so we can plan.  As you are aware, demands for tests are high.  Pierce County testing sites are available here.  In addition, mass testing begins today at the Washington State Fairgrounds (Gold Lot) through Jan. 7.  No appointment is required, and testing is free. The hours are Monday, 12 – 6 p.m. and Tue. – Fri., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Unvaccinated students should register for ‘Test-to-Stay’:  This testing program allows unvaccinated students who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 while at school to continue attending school as long as they are symptom-free and test negative for COVID-19.  This testing program, combined with disease prevention strategies, can keep students in school, while helping the district detect new cases to prevent outbreaks, reduce the risk of further transmission, and protect others from COVID-19.

It will take all of us working together to ensure a safe and healthy return from winter break.  Thank you to custodians and maintenance crews for getting our buildings ready and thank YOU for continuing to do your part.  Required face coverings and maximum physical distancing where possible remain top mitigation strategies reducing disease transmission in schools. 

Stay safe, remember to plug in and start up devices today, and we will see everyone in class tomorrow! 

In service and support,

Dr. John A. Polm
Superintendent
Pronouns: He/Him/His