District Policy regarding preventing spread of Illness

1- We actively encourage sick students to stay home.  It is recommended by health experts that students who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness stay home and not come to school until they are free of fever, signs of fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., cough suppressants). Parent/guardian should notify the attendance office of his/her child's illness and keep him/her home if sick.

2- We will not require a doctor's/healthcare provider's note for students who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to school, as healthcare provider offices may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.  We ask parents/guardians to contact the school principal and inform him/her of a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in the family.

3- We realize that older students may be required to stay at home to care for younger sick siblings or other sick family members, as well. We will work with students/parents and help support the familial circumstances they may face as they work to get back to school. 

4- We are advised to separate sick students.  Students who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e., cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival at school or become sick during the day should be separated from other students and be sent home immediately.  Sick students should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available).

5- We emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all students. 

6- School custodial staff will perform routine environmental cleaning - all frequently touched surfaces in the school will be cleaned, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Schools will try to provide (as supply warrants) disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces can be wiped down by teachers/students before each use. 

7- Parents/guardians with students who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify the school principal and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html

8- If a student is confirmed to have COVID-19, school officials will inform fellow students and employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the school, but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Parents/guardians and/or students exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html