Protecting the health and safety of students and staff is a priority for BPS. To help prevent the spread of illness, we encourage staying home when ill, staying up to date on vaccinations, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, ventilation, and cleaning and disinfection. We will continue to have masks available as a tool to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses and have COVID-19 tests available to send home while supplies last. See below for more information.
Please keep children home when they are ill. They may return when:
- 24 hours has passed since fever, vomiting or diarrhea resolved,
- Symptoms are improving,
- And they are well enough to participate in learning
If students become ill at school, they will be kept separate from other students and a determination will be made if they need to go home. Staff will consult with the school nurse as needed. It is important that you keep your contact information current in Skyward.
As a school, we are required to notify the Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCH&CS) of cases and outbreaks of notifiable conditions; cooperate with the WCH&CS in monitoring influenza; and cooperate with public health authorities in their investigation and control of cases and outbreaks that may be associated with our schools.
We monitor absenteeism and watch for outbreaks of illness and take swift action to prevent further spread. We work closely with WCH&CS and Department of Health. Please know, in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable illness (i.e. measles, polio), WCH&CS may require us to exclude unvaccinated students and staff for their protection and to reduce the spread of the illness.
Staying up to date on immunizations (including FLU and COVID-19) is one of the best things we can do to keep our families and our community healthy and prevent the spread of disease to vulnerable populations.
Childhood immunizations are no cost in WA for everyone under age 19. Vaccines are available at:
- 360-778-6100
- Your healthcare provider
- Local pharmacies
See our Immunizations page.
We promote handwashing as well as respiratory etiquette to prevent getting or spreading infectious diseases. Handwashing can keep students and staff healthy at school and lead to fewer missed school days. Visit the to learn more.
BPS has an in-house HVAC building automation technician. Ventilation plans are tailored to specifics of the school to optimize and balance efficiency and indoor air quality.
We follow CDC and EPA recommendations for safely cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting our schools.
