Full-Time PreK-12
Assumption Schedule
DeSales Bell Schedule
The masking mandate in the State of Washington ends on Saturday, March 12. After this date, masks will no longer be required inside the buildings at the Walla Walla Catholic Schools for students, staff, or visitors. We understand that some families may choose, for a variety of reasons, to continue wearing a mask at school. We will be respectful of this choice at both Assumption and DeSales.
The Washington Department of Health has released its latest guidelines for K-12 institutions, and that document can be accessed by clicking here. We have also added a link to this document to the "Documents" list above. For us at the WWCS, many of our COVID protocols will stay the same, but there are a couple of important updates. To see a summary of how our protocols at the WWCS are changing in response to this document, please click the button below.
Updated September 30, 2021
The WIAA, in accordance with the Washington State Department of Health, has stated that in order for students to participate in high-risk indoor sports (basketball and indoor cheer), all unvaccinated students must submit to a COVID-19 antigen test at least 24 hours before any competition. The requirement also applies to all indoor drama productions. The WIAA says:
“Screening testing is required for all unvaccinated athletes in high contact indoor sports (basketball, wrestling, water polo). Fully vaccinated athletes do not have to participate in screening testing. Screening testing must be performed twice weekly using a molecular or antigen test. A rapid antigen test should be performed on all unvaccinated athletes within 24 hours of the competition. In a multi-day event, testing should occur before each competition.”
This requirement is in accordance with the WDOH document regarding K-12 COVID-19 Guidelines. If you are looking specifically for the section involving vaccination status and testing, look at pages 15-19. The WIAA has also published their own FAQ document regarding COVID-19 guidelines that all leagues must follow.
Unless we abide by these guidelines and engage in regular testing of unvaccinated athletes, we will not be able to compete against other schools. For that reason, Mr. Hazeltine and Mr. Rohde have both been trained in proper administration of rapid antigen testing. They will be performing these tests twice weekly starting prior to our Winter sports seasons. Note that students who provide proof of vaccination will not have to be tested. We will not be forcing students and families to divulge vaccination status. We will be proceeding under the assumption that every student is unvaccinated, unless proof of vaccination is voluntarily provided.
These same testing requirements apply not only to high-risk indoor sports, but also to our indoor drama productions, because performing arts are considered a "high aerosol indoor activity." This is per the WIAA, the WDOH, and the Washington State Educational Theater Association. That means that all of our actors in school productions must also submit to regular testing unless they are fully vaccinated. Mr. Rohde and Mr. Hazeltine will be able to perform those tests as well.
These policies regarding testing are not meant to be discriminatory against unvaccinated students, but are intended to provide the safest possible environment for all student athletes and actors in our state. These testing requirements do not change our stance at the WWCS regarding the vaccination of students. We still believe that the choice to vaccinate children is a decision best left to parents and families.
From the beginning, the response of the WWCS to the pandemic has been as minimally invasive as possible, not exceeding what is required of us by the state. Some have suggested that all athletes and thespians ought to participate in the testing, regardless of vaccination status, for reasons of solidarity and/or the possibility of vaccinated persons transmitting COVID-19. However, the schools have elected to continue our policy of minimal invasion, and not perform any more testing than what is absolutely required by the state.
Before testing can be completed for unvaccinated students, parents must sign and return a consent form giving permission for the WWCS to administer a rapid test for their child. A printable version of that form can be found by clicking here.
Updated September 2021
The Walla Walla Catholic Schools does not require eligible students to vaccinate, nor does it require students to divulge their vaccination status. Students may voluntarily present evidence of vaccination or recent recovery from COVID-19 infection.
The Department of Health and other state regulatory bodies at times make distinctions in the protocol for those who are vaccinated and those who are not. As such, any student who does not present evidence of vaccination or recent recovery will be required to follow the guidelines for those who are unvaccinated. Students having presented evidence of vaccination/recovery will follow those respective protocols.
The WWCS will not release private medical information.
Updated September 2021
Any student, teacher, or staff who reports COVID-19-like symptoms must be immediately isolated from others and sent home and referred to diagnostic testing as soon as possible. As a reminder, students, teachers, and staff should not come to school if they have been tested and are still awaiting their test results.
COVID-19 symptoms include the following:
A person who has tested positive for COVID-19 is considered contagious starting two days before they exhibited symptoms (or if asymptomatic, two days before they test positive for SARS-CoV-2) and through the end of their isolation period. Close contacts of a person with COVID-19 should be identified to determine if they must quarantine.
Isolation – regardless of vaccination status
If a person tests positive by a molecular or antigen test, they can return to school when the
following criteria are met:
If a person with COVID-19 symptoms tests negative with a molecular test, they may return to school following existing school illness policies so long as they are not a close contact of someone with COVID-19.
Close Contact
A close contact is someone who was within six feet of a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 cumulative minutes over a 24-hour period. This definition applies regardless of whether the case or contact was wearing a mask.
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.
Quarantine
Quarantine is when someone who has been exposed to COVID-19 stays home and away from others for the recommended period of time in case they were infected and are contagious.
People who may be exempt from quarantine:
Duration of Quarantine
All cases of COVID-19 and outbreaks in schools must be reported to the local health jurisdiction per Washington State law (WAC 246-101). In addition, schools and the general public must cooperate with public health authorities in the investigation of cases and outbreaks that may be associated with the school (WAC 246-101).