Our School

January 2022

To our FRC students and families,

In conjunction with all the school districts in Multnomah County, the David Douglas School District is adopting changes to the quarantine requirements for those who test positive or come into close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

Under guidelines set this week by Multnomah County Health Department, those who test positive for COVID or who are not up to date on their vaccines will now be required to quarantine at home for five days after the confirmed positive test or close contact, a reduction from the ten days that were previously required. Anyone, regardless of vaccine status, who has a close contact (15 minutes or longer within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19) should get a COVID-19 test after five days, if possible. The five days of quarantine should be followed by another five days of extra diligent mask-wearing using the most effective mask you have available to you, such as an N95 or KN95.

We no longer require those who have received all the vaccinations for which they are eligible (for adults, this includes booster shots) to quarantine at home if they were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, as long as they remain free of symptoms.

One important reminder: If you develop symptoms at any time, stay home. 

These new guidelines have been implemented by Multnomah County (MultCo guidelines listed here) and adopted by David Douglas and the other six school districts in the County. They went into effect starting January 11; anyone who had close contact before January 10 should follow the previous guidelines that required a 10-day quarantine.

In the coming days or weeks, we expect to announce more changes to guidelines, including contact tracing and the test to stay. Changes will come as health experts continue to evolve their approach to treating COVID-19 as an endemic (when a virus is more manageable with greater population immunity) more than a pandemic. In the meantime, please continue to take layered steps to prevent the spread of the virus – masks, social distancing, fresh air circulation, hand washing, and vaccines. It remains our intent to reopen all of our schools for in-person instruction on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Amy Straw

Principal, Fir Ridge Campus