January 6, 2022

Grant County is experiencing a significant rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. Keeping our schools open for in-person instruction remains a top priority. It is important that we all do our part to keep our school communities healthy. Please take note of the following new guidance:

New Requirements for Sporting Event Attendees

In a statement released Wednesday, the Region 7 Health Districts of Grant, Chelan-Douglas, Kittitas and Okanogan Counties announced that venue capacity at sporting events will be capped at 50 percent. Ephrata Schools will begin implementation of this new guidance immediately. To ensure we remain within the reduced capacity guideline, tickets for all school events will only be available via on-line purchase at www.ephratatigers.com. Though cash purchased tickets will not be available at the door, regular season passes such as ASB, CWAC Golden Age, punch cards, etc. will still be honored until capacity is reached.

Face coverings continue to be a requirement for all observers, coaching staff, and non-competing athletes and referees. We ask for your patience and cooperation in this matter to help keep our events open to our new 50 percent capacity requirement. The Health District will monitor compliance and has the authority to reduce our capacity or eliminate spectators if we are found in violation. Please mask up to keep spectators at our events.

Requirement for Athletes

As announced prior to Winter break, the Washington State Department of Health announced new testing guidelines for student athletes. The most notable of new rules are in place for all athletes include:

• Required testing of all athletes, coaches, trainers and support personnel, regardless of vaccination status.
• Increased testing frequency to three times per week. Among those screening tests, at least one must occur no sooner than the day before the competition; ideally, and whenever possible, the day of the event.

Reminder of COVID Testing Site

Ephrata Schools offer free, drive-up COVID-19 testing for students and staff. The testing site is located in the portables across the street from the District Office each school day from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The testing facility is closed during all school holidays and when school is closed or delayed for weather. You can confirm testing site hours on our website at www.EphrataSchools.org.

The Ephrata School District is committed to kids and learning. It’s our job to keep our kids safe so that they can do their job and learn in the classroom and at school. Right now, this means we must follow rules and regulations set forth by our state and local health authorities. 

We appreciate your assistance as we work to incorporate these new rules. We will keep you informed as we learn of any additional changes.

Sincerely:

Tim Payne
Ephrata School District Superintendent