Vancouver Public School parents in the dark again – ClarkCountyToday.com

Vancouver resident Katie Bauer discusses the Vancouver School District’s plan to open COVID testing websites on 5 college campuses

Editor’s notice: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are these of the creator alone and don’t mirror the editorial place of ClarkCountyToday.com

On Wed., Dec. 1, an area newspaper article that described how Embry Health has partnered with Vancouver Public Schools to open up COVID testing websites on 5 college campuses that might have began Mon., Dec. 6. These websites had been slated to be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. or 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m., relying on the campus. The article went on to say that 22 faculties in complete could be open by January as testing websites. Clark County has a inhabitants of roughly 500,000. Twenty-two testing websites, open for not less than 10 hours a day, 5 days per week appears extreme.

VPS has a coverage about testing wanted to return to high school after an sickness. Testing is required if a pupil shouldn’t be vaccinated and enjoying a contact sport. This is required twice per week for the length of the sport season. The coaches administer/monitor this testing and take a look at outcomes are despatched to the Health Department. High college basketball season is 12 weeks so that might be 24 nasal swabs for a pupil concerned in basketball – further if the workforce travels to tournaments.

The telephone calls by parents to high school district workers began at 8 a.m. on Dec. 1. The solutions assorted between statements resembling “I do not know what you might be speaking about” to “the communication by (the newspaper) was untimely.’’ An worker at McLaughlin Middle School said that he was unaware of the college changing into a testing website. When this worker was informed 22 had been coming by January, he laughed and mentioned, “what are they planning for?” An worker at Gaiser Middle School additionally said that the college had no info on changing into a testing website.

Embry Health was contacted. The worker at Embry was stunned the college district was not conscious of their inner press launch that was despatched out on Tue., Nov. 30. Embry said they’ve a contract with VPS. PODS had been being delivered to the college testing websites. Alki Middle School had a POD in the car parking zone. Thomas Jefferson Middle School had a POD in their car parking zone however was not listed initially as a testing website. The reporter of the newspaper article was contacted. He mentioned he acquired a press launch from Embry and wrote the article. He didn’t contact the college district to confirm the info. Before midday on Dec. 1 the article was re-written on-line. The PODS have since been eliminated.

Testing for an sickness is acceptable. Is having 22 testing websites on college campuses applicable? Are there plans to make testing necessary to attend college, vaccinated or not? VPS campuses are closed to the public throughout college hours. Why would the public be allowed onto college property to congregate at COVID websites? Parents can’t volunteer on college property except they’re vaccinated. And these coming for testing could also be coming as a result of they’ve signs. Who goes to supervise safety till 8 p.m.? VPS or Embry? Parents lately acquired an e mail concerning a pupil who skilled ‘stranger hazard’ at her college bus cease. Could this be a problem at 22 campuses? Who is paying for all of this?

By midday on Dec. 1, VPS despatched out a discover. “Vancouver Public Schools has been exploring partnerships to increase native COVID-19 testing functionality and assist households and workers members entry exams. With the assist of Clark County Public Health, the district is vetting attainable companions however has not but finalized any partnerships.”

As of the date this text was despatched in, Embry web site remains to be exhibiting a number of job postings marketed for Vancouver, WA for testing and vaccination websites. https://embryhealth.breezy.hr/?&location=Vancouver%2C%20WA#positions

Parents and taxpayers should be totally knowledgeable on all happenings at VPS.

Katie Bauer
Vancouver