• Frequently Asked Questions for COVID-related Situations

    If you have additional questions after reading this document, please refer to the Health and Safety Plan Summary at the link below, or contact your school’s principal.     Health and Safety Plan

    My child has a sore throat and cough but I think it is allergies, can they come to school? 
    COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19). Seasonal allergies triggered by airborne pollen can lead to seasonal allergic rhinitis, which affects the nose and sinuses, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, which affects the eyes.

    COVID-19 and seasonal allergies share many symptoms, but there are some key differences between the two. For example, COVID-19 can cause fever, which is not a common symptom of seasonal allergies.  Because some of the symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal allergies are similar, it may be difficult to tell the difference between them, and you may need to get a test to confirm your diagnosis.

    When should I keep my child home from school? 

    Please see What Should I Do? page.

    If my child is quarantined, will they be able to zoom into classes like last year?
    If your child is under quarantine or isolation or will experience an absence greater than 5 days due to a medical reason,  your child may Zoom into their classes beginning on the first day of their absence to hear the instruction being presented. However, unlike in last year’s hybrid model, the teacher’s attention and engagement will remain on those students who are present in the classroom. Therefore, students who are “zooming in” should not expect direct engagement by the teacher. This provides the best learning experience for the majority of our students, while also allowing those students who are absent to have some level of exposure to classroom instruction. Assignments will be provided to the student through learning platforms. Shorter absences of less than five days will be handled as they have in the past with make-up work provided to the student upon the student’s return to school.  Your child’s absence will be considered an Excused Absence and will not be counted towards the number of cumulative absences for truancy.

    When can my student Zoom into class?

    • While waiting for a test result when symptomatic
    • During a 5 day isolation period
    • When quarantining at home due to being identified as a close contact
    • Absence greater than 5 days due to a medical reason

    What happens when my child becomes sick at school?
    If your child is experiencing symptoms that are associated with COVID-19 they will wait in the quarantine area, will be required to wear a mask, and need to be picked up immediately.  The school nurse will provide instructions regarding what is necessary for the student to return to school.

    Masks/face coverings

    Mask Guidelines

    • No neck gaiters or bandanas are permitted and masks with valves are not considered COVID-19 safe.
    • Masks are required on buses.
    • Masks should cover the nose, mouth and fit under the chin.
    • Multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric (mask should block light when held up to bright light source)

    Grades 7-12

    Please refer to the table below for masking guidelines. 

    County Transmission Level

    7-Day Incident Rate per 100,000

     

    7-Day Percent Positivity

    Masking Status Grades 7-12

    Low

    <10

    AND

    <5%

    Optional

    Moderate

    10-49

    OR

    5% - 7.9%

    Optional

    Substantial

    50-99

    OR

    8% - 9.99%

    Required

    High

    >100

    OR

    >10%

    Required

    *If a county has values in two different transmission levels, then the metric that is higher determines the level of community transmission.