Kootenai School District

Dear Warrior parents, staff, and community members:

We received notification that some district employees have tested positive for COVID-19. While we must protect the privacy of the persons involved, we believe it is best to communicate transparently with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family. There is nothing more important to Kootenai School District than the safety and health of our students, our staff, and their families. We are working directly with county health officials to address this situation.

Every family that had a student that was exposed has been contacted. If you have not been contacted, your child was not exposed at school and may attend school. Students that were exposed are required to quarantine for 14 days and will be instructed remotely. We believe we have halted this spread but will remain vigilant.

Kootenai Schools will reopen on Monday, November 16 as normal. Please remember it is a late start. This situation may change as more information becomes available. We will communicate any changes as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience as we worked through all of the information to make sure we could make a well informed decision. As I have promised in the past, we will do everything we can to remain open for face-to-face learning.

Kootenai School District will continue to follow all COVID-related safety procedures including mandatory masks, social distancing, hand washing, and regular sanitizing and disinfecting schools. As more cases are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, we must be vigilant. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. 
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick. 
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. 
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects. 
• Stay at home when you are sick.
• Practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people. 
• Wear a cloth mask in public when you cannot social distance.

Our greatest priority is the safety of our students, staff, and community members. It is important to remember that children are greatly influenced by the reactions of adults when facing difficult circumstances. I encourage everyone to remain calm and to be empathic and respectful to those affected. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your family, especially as we face this challenging situation together. Thank you for your support of Kootenai School District

Sincerely,

Wade Pilloud
Superintendent

Student/Family Responsibilities:

·         If you have tested positive or have been confirmed to have COVID-19:

o  Do not attend school.

o   Notify your school of the positive test and your student’s need to be absent.

o   Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have not been tested but were directed to stay home from school may return to school under the following conditions (per CDC guidance):

§  At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND

§  At least 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND

§  Symptoms have improved.

Board meeting agendas, supporting documents, minutes, and school district policies are now posted online in a web-based program called Simbli. Please follow the links provided below to view them.

Agendas, Supporting Documents (Meeting Packet) & Minutes

Kootenai School Board Meeting Information  

School District Policies

Kootenai School District Policies  

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html