portage township schools: back to school 2020-2021 · 1 portage township schools: back to school...

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Portage Township Schools: Back to School 2020-2021

Addressing Community Spread in Portage Township Schools (As determined by local Health Department and State Health Department)

Low to No Spread Minimal or Moderate Spread Substantial Spread ● Establish and maintain communication with

Local Health Department Officials ● Low to no known active exposure cases at school

buildings

● Establish and maintain communication with Local Health Department Officials

● Minimal or moderate active exposure cases at school buildings

● This model will only be enacted in coordination with recommendations from the Local Health Department Officials

● COVID spread is such that rolling closures are needed (could be short term or long term)

● Substantial active exposure cases or absences impacting school building attendance, and staffing

● This model will only be enacted in coordination with recommendations from the Local Health Department Officials

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What is the ONE Thing That Will Make This Plan Work? It is YOU!

We can all do our part!

We need every parent to make sure to follow the new parameters for sending healthy students to school. And even beyond that, sending healthy students with healthy family members at home. If we want to stay on the green, low to no spread plan, it takes all of us working together to make sure we are protecting our

schools from any illness. That means we cannot send sick students, or students who are exposed to sickness. This will be true for our staff members as well. We need to do the hard work to keep our buildings healthy places to learn.

Current Statistics for Portage Township Schools Source: https://www.porterco.org/1638/Dashboard-for-DESKTOP-DEVICES

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Current Statistics for Porter County (6.16.2020) Source: https://www.porterco.org/1638/Dashboard-for-DESKTOP-DEVICES

Parent Screening Measures before a child leaves home (keep child home if one or more symptoms not otherwise explained):

A fever of 100.4° F or greater ● Cough ● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ● Chills ● Repeated shaking

with chills ● Muscle pain ● Headache ● Sore throat ● New loss of taste or smell A child (or employee) should stay home from school if they test positive for COVID-19 or exhibit one or more of the symptoms of COVID-19 listed above based on CDC Guidance that is not otherwise explained.

Return to school after having one symptom above and NO COVID 19 test:

No fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers);

and ● Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved); and ● At

least 10 calendar days have passed since your symptoms first appeared. ● The state website has a list of over 200 testing facilities, their location, and hours of operation. This list is updated frequently.

Return to school after having one symptom above and testing negative for COVID 19:

Return when the fever has been gone for 24 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers or upon feeling better

Return to school after having one symptom above and testing for POSITIVE for COVID 19 with symptoms:

First: Notify your school immediately of any positive test Persons who experienced symptoms and have been tested for COVID-19 may return to school if the following

conditions are met: ● The individual no longer has a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers); and ●

Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved); and ● At least

10 calendar days have passed since symptoms first appeared; or ● The individual has received two negative tests at

least 24 hours apart.

Return to school after having one symptom above and testing for POSITIVE for COVID 19 asymptomatic:

Persons who have not had symptoms but test positive for COVID-19 may return when they have gone ten calendar days without symptoms and have been released by a healthcare provider and/or the local health department. Students may also return if they are approved to do so in writing by the student’s health care provider or Local Health Department Official.

If someone in your home has symptoms or is being tested for COVID 19:

Students and employees should remain home if someone in the household has COVID-19 symptoms or is being tested for COVID-19 until the test has returned that is negative and/or they have a test that is negative.

If someone in your home has tested positive for COVID 19:

If an individual in one’s home has COVID-19 or is quarantined because of COVID-19, those in the household should also stay home for a minimum of two weeks. Return to school after documented infection with COVID-19 should be directed by the individual’s health care provider.

Decision Making Model Based on Level of COVID-19 Spread

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In-Person Traditional Schedule

(Plan A)

In-Person and Virtual Hybrid Schedule

(Plan B, until we can return to Plan A)

Virtual Schedule

(Plan C, until we can return to plan B)

Instructional Model

Traditional Learning (brick and mortar) -or-

School Calendar Year eLearning available for students/families that do not feel safe or comfortable returning to the traditional

learning (brick and mortar) or for students who are high risk

Hybrid A/B Schedule (brick and mortar and eLearning)

-or- School Calendar Year eLearning available for

students/families that do not feel safe or comfortable returning to the traditional


eLearning until Community Spread decreases and then transition back to the Hybrid A/B

Schedule with eLearning -or-

School Calendar Year eLearning available for students/families that do not feel safe or comfortable returning to the traditional


Level of Response

School buildings are open with many additional cleaning, safety, and protective measures in place. Teachers will provide

instruction based on a traditional schedule. Technology used in the classroom will help

students who participate in eLearning to participate.

NOTE: Must attend all recorded (or live) instruction sessions. Must complete all assignments.

Must communicate with the teacher during school hours.

Hybrid A/B Schedule: Students are assigned one of two schedules

(and assigned as a family):

Schedule for Student Group A: Traditional School Monday and Tuesday with

eLearning on Wednesdays.

Schedule for Student Group B: Traditional School Thursdays and Fridays with

eLearning on Wednesdays.

NOTE: eLearning will provide instruction from the teacher just as if the student was in the classroom. This may be a flipped model with

a recorded instructional lesson followed by a “live” session or a “live” instructional session. All sessions (live and recorded) will be recorded for later viewing on Schoology. Students will be expected

to attend all sessions and complete all work. Counselors are available for students

eLearning will provide instruction from the teacher just as if the student was in the

classroom. This may be a flipped model with a recorded instructional lesson followed by a

“live” session or a “live” instructional session. All sessions (live and recorded) will be

recorded for later viewing on Schoology. Students will be expected to attend all sessions

and complete all work. Counselors are available for students.

Short term closures for cleaning

Extended closures for community spread

Teaching and Learning In-Person

Traditional Schedule In-Person and Virtual

Hybrid Schedule Virtual Schedule (Plan C, until we can

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(Plan A) (Plan B, until we can return to Plan A) return to plan B)

● All staff and students self-screen each day before starting the day

● Masks are worn when social distancing cannot be accomplished. Staff or students who wish to wear masks at all times may wear masks. Some staff may be required to wear masks at all times

● Desks are separated as much as possible, unnecessary furniture is removed, space is established between teacher instructional area and student space

● Instruction provided in the same room for students with Title I, elementary art, elementary music, all pushed into the classroom as much as possible

● Physical education held outside when weather permissible ● All classes outside as much as possible ● Limit interaction through partner and group work ● If working with a small group or individual student, masks

are needed ● Limit large group gatherings ● Discourage the congregation of students in parking lots ,

hallways, and common areas ● Designating areas of the hallway (i.e. lanes) to walk to keep

students separated (to the extent practicable). Minimize stopping in hallway

● Students are kept in a cohort group PK-8 and teachers rotate when possible

● If students are rotating classrooms, desks are wiped between students by the student leaving the room

● Seating charts are maintained in all classroom settings

● All staff self-screen each day before starting the day ● Desks are separated as much as possible, unnecessary

furniture is removed, space is established between teacher instructional area and student space

● Instruction provided in the same room for students with Title I, elementary art, elementary music, pushed into the classroom

● Physical education held outside when weather permissible ● All classes outside as much as possible ● Limit interaction through partner and group work ● Discourage the congregation of students in parking lots,

hallways, and common areas ● Designating areas of the hallway (i.e. lanes) to walk to keep

students separated (to the extent practicable). Minimize stopping in hallway

● Provide additional time for transitions ● Students are kept in a cohort group PK-8 and teachers

rotate when possible ● If students are rotating classrooms, desks are wiped between

students by the student leaving the room ● No large group gatherings ● Seating charts are maintained in all classroom settings

No students or staff in buildings

Protective Measures Low to No Spread Minimal or Moderate Spread Substantial Spread

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● All staff self-screen each day before starting the day ● Water fountains are closed. Students bring reusable

water bottles from home ● Teach and reinforce good hygiene practices like hand

washing, covering coughs, and proper use and removal of masks

● Signs are posted throughout the school and classroom about how to minimize the spread, how to wash hands, and staying home when you are sick

● Hands are washed or hand sanitizer used frequently and at the start of school, prior to eating, after using the restroom, after blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing, and after using shared equipment

● Minimal items are to be brought to school from home ● Playground—recess times are staggered, cohort

groups used, and equipment is cleaned between use ● Spread desks far apart in the classroom. Seating

charts are maintained ● All desks face the same direction ● Students are kept in a cohort group PK-8 and

teachers rotate when possible ● If desks are shared, they are wiped between use ● Minimize the use of shared supplies and materials.

Sanitize between each use if shared ● Individual technology devices provided to each

student (K-12) ● Signs throughout the building providing information

on COVID-19, handwashing, staying home when sick, and preventative measures

● Masks are worn when social distancing cannot be accomplished. Staff or students who wish to wear masks at all times may wear masks

● Protocols established for students who begin to feel sick at school, including isolation rooms in each building

● Reporting process in place to track symptoms, absence, COVID cases, and communicate with the health department

● Visitors only by appointment. If something needs to

● All staff self-screen each day before starting the day ● Water fountains are closed. Students bring reusable

water bottles from home ● Teach and reinforce good hygiene practices like hand

washing, covering coughs, and proper use and removal of masks

● Signs are posted throughout the school and classroom about how to minimize the spread, how to wash hands, and staying home when you are sick

● Hands are washed or hand sanitizer used frequently and at the start of school, prior to eating, after using the restroom, after blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing, and after using shared equipment

● Minimal items are to be brought to school from home ● Playgrounds are closed ● Spread desks far apart in the classroom. Seating charts

are maintained ● All desks face the same direction ● Students are kept in a cohort group PK-8 and teachers

rotate when possible ● If desks are shared, they are wiped between use ● No supplies or materials are shared ● Signs throughout the building providing information on

COVID-19, handwashing, staying home when sick, and preventative measures

● All staff and students wear masks at all times ● Protocols established for students who begin to feel sick

at school, including isolation rooms in each building ● Reporting process in place to track symptoms, absence,

COVID cases, and communicate with the health department

● Visitors only by appointment. If something needs to be dropped off, there will be a location established and communicated.


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be dropped off, there will be a location established and communicated.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations: Vulnerable Populations - Elderly individuals and/or individuals with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease,

diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised and defined by Georgia in Georgia’s Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools https://www.georgiainsights.com/uploads/1/2/2/2/122221993/georgias_k-12_recovery_plan.pdf)

Low to No Spread Minimal or Moderate Spread Substantial Spread

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● Establish a point-of-contact with the local health department

● Identify local COVID-19 testing sites ● Provide hand sanitizer for students and staff ● Masks are worn by vulnerable students and staff as

needed throughout the day ● All staff and students wear masks when social

distancing cannot be maintained ● Allow vulnerable students to complete their coursework

virtually through eLearning option ● Establish a process for regular check-ins with vulnerable

students and staff ● Allow an early transition for vulnerable students to go to

classes ● Limit large group gatherings/ Interactions for

vulnerable students and staff ● Students who test positive for COVID or who are

quarantined may shift to eLearning for continuity of instruction

● Establish a point-of-contact with the local health department

● Identify local COVID-19 testing sites ● Provide hand sanitizer for students and staff ● All staff and students wear masks at all times ● Allow vulnerable students to complete their coursework

virtually through eLearning option ● Establish a process for regular check-ins with vulnerable

students and staff ● Allow an early transition for vulnerable students to go to

classes ● Limit large group gatherings/ Interactions for vulnerable

students and staff ● Students who test positive for COVID or who are

quarantined may shift to eLearning for continuity of instruction


Cleaning and Sanitizing Low to No Spread Minimal or Moderate Spread Substantial Spread

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● All staff self-screen each day before starting shifts ● Soap and hand sanitizer are available throughout the

building and in each classroom ● Routine cleaning is performed on a regularly scheduled

basis by district custodial staff assigned to that building or area. Routine cleaning includes daily cleaning and disinfecting of all restrooms, scheduled sweeping of all floors, sanitizing of cafeteria tables, emptying trash and other building based tasks

● Supplemental cleaning is performed by custodial staff over and above what is considered routine. Supplemental cleaning is focused on cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces, specifically for the purpose of preventing spread of disease

● Emergency cleaning: The emergency cleaning plan will be implemented at the direction of the Superintendent or designee in response to an actual infection located at or attributed to a particular school or location or when directed by County or State health authorities

● Upon direction to implement an emergency cleaning plan, the facility will be evacuated and plans for the length of closure will be communicated to the public and staff

● All staff self-screen each day before starting shifts ● Soap and hand sanitizer are available throughout the

building and in each classroom ● Routine cleaning is performed on a regularly scheduled

basis by district custodial staff assigned to that building or area. Routine cleaning includes daily cleaning and disinfecting of all restrooms, scheduled sweeping of all floors, sanitizing of cafeteria tables, emptying trash and other building based tasks

● Supplemental cleaning is performed by custodial staff over and above what is considered routine. Supplemental cleaning is focused on cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces, specifically for the purpose of preventing spread of disease

● Emergency cleaning: The emergency cleaning plan will be implemented at the direction of the Superintendent or designee in response to an actual infection located at or attributed to a particular school or location or when directed by County or State health authorities

● Upon direction to implement an emergency cleaning plan, the facility will be evacuated and plans for the length of closure will be communicated to the public and staff

● Deep cleaning procedures conducted by custodial staff at the direction of the Director of Facilities or Designee

Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Low to No Spread Minimal or Moderate Spread Substantial Spread

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● First-time athletes are required to have an IHSAA pre-participation physical

● Returning athletes are not required to obtain a new physical, but must provide a 2020-2021 IHSAA Health History Update Questionnaire and Consent and Release Certificate

● All students and coaches/club sponsors must adhere to all social distancing guidelines

● Coaches/club sponsors must wear masks at all times when social distancing is not possible

● When not participating in vigorous activity, and social distancing cannot be achieved, athletes should wear masks

● All equipment must be sanitized before and after every use

● Students must supply water bottles and no sharing of water bottles will be allowed

● Locker rooms used at 50% capacity, or at AD scheduling. No clothing may be left at school. All athletes must take clothing home each day to be washed

● If receiving treatment from the trainer, both the student and the trainer should wear face coverings

● Students must wash hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer before and after all workouts

● Gathering sizes should be decreased. Workouts should be in small groups with the same group. Half capacity should be used.

● Free weight lifts may be conducted. Spotters should wear masks while spotting a lift

● Contact is limited to only contact necessary to compete as defined by the IHSAA

● Schedule may be adjusted to reduce the number of events, duration, and participants present

● Spectators may be present at competitions, but must have social distance. Spectators may be limited.

● First-time athletes are required to have an IHSAA pre-participation physical

● Returning athletes are not required to obtain a new physical, but must provide a 2020-2021 IHSAA Health History Update Questionnaire and Consent and Release Certificate

● All students and coaches/club sponsors must adhere to all social distancing guidelines

● Coaches/club sponsors must wear masks at all times ● When not participating in vigorous activity, athletes must wear

masks ● All equipment must be sanitized before and after every use ● Students must supply water bottles and no sharing of water

bottles will be allowed ● Locker rooms used at 50% capacity, or at AD scheduling. No

clothing may be left at school. All athletes must take clothing home each day to be washed

● If receiving treatment from the trainer, both the student and the trainer should wear face coverings

● Students must wash hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer before and after all workouts

● Any use of the weight room will be limited to 8 athletes and 1 coach at a time. Groups of athletes who lift together should remain consistent

● Free weight lifts may be conducted. No spotters ● Contact is limited to only contact necessary to compete as

defined by the IHSAA ● Schedule may be adjusted to reduce the number of events,

duration, and participants present ● Spectators may be present at competitions, but must have

social distance. Spectators may be limited. ● Concessions can be sold in prepared, prepackaged formats.

Food handlers and cashiers must be separate

● No students or staff in buildings or on school grounds

● All school practices, meetings, activities, concerts, performances, and competitions are canceled

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● Concessions can be sold in prepared, prepackaged formats. Food handlers and cashiers must be separate

Transporting Students Low to No Spread Minimal or Moderate Spread Substantial Spread

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● Parents are encouraged to transport children to and from school

● All staff self-screen each day before starting routes ● Hand sanitizer available on the bus ● Parents are to conduct health screening (page 3) prior to

placing students on the bus and have students wash hands prior to getting on the bus. Do not send children to school if they have any symptoms (see page 3)

● Students use hand sanitizer as they enter the bus ● Bus drivers will wear masks, students will wear masks ● Assigned seats and a seating chart will be maintained ● Bus is cleaned and disinfected between each route ● No field trips ● Parents need to ensure that social distancing is utilized at

bus stops ● Students will wash hands or utilize hand sanitizer upon

arrival at school ● Student drop off and pickup: Parents are to remain in cars

when dropping off and picking up students. Please display the name of the student on the windshield visor and your child will be sent out to you at pickup. Times for arrival and dismissal will be staggered.

● Parents are encouraged to transport children to and from school

● All staff self-screen each day before starting routes

● Hand sanitizer available on the bus ● Parents are to conduct health screening (page 3)

prior to placing students on the bus and have students wash hands prior to getting on the bus. Do not send children to school if they have any symptoms (see page 3)

● Students use hand sanitizer as they enter the bus

● Bus drivers will wear masks, students will wear masks

● Assigned seats and a seating chart will be maintained

● Bus is cleaned and disinfected between each route

● No field trips ● Parents need to ensure that social distancing is

utilized at bus stops ● Students will wash hands or utilize hand

sanitizer upon arrival at school ● Student drop off and pickup: Parents are to

remain in cars when dropping off and picking up students. Please display the name of the student on the windshield visor and your child will be sent out to you at pickup. Times for arrival and dismissal will be staggered.

School buildings are closed

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Serving Meals Low to No Spread Minimal or Moderate Spread Substantial Spread

● All students wash hands prior to breakfast and lunch ● Hand sanitizer is provided for students and staff ● Staff wear masks and students will wear masks when

social distancing is not possible, except when eating ● No self-serve service available ● Disposable plates and utensils are utilized ● Assigned seating utilized ● Seating chart is kept for cafeteria tables ● Tables are added and tables are spread apart to

increase distancing or additional lunch times are added

● Cafeteria is cleaned between each meal service ● Floor is marked to space students while they wait to

receive their meals ● Food should not be shared ● Students go in small groups to dispose of trash in cans

spread throughout the cafeteria

● All students wash hands prior to breakfast and lunch ● Hand sanitizer is provided for students and staff ● Staff wear masks and students will wear masks,

except when eating ● No self-serve service available ● Disposable plates and utensils are utilized ● Lunch will be served in classrooms or additional

overflow areas will be utilized ● Food should not be shared

Students go in small groups to dispose of trash in cans spread throughout the cafeteria

● School buildings are closed ● Reduce contact by providing a week’s

worth of meals at one pick up ● Serve 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches for

pickup one day per week at Portage High School West (Door Entrance F) as practiced during the summer

● All staff in masks ● Communication will be provided to

parents for how to sign up for and pick up meals

Additional Resources Documents

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View Decisions at a Glance Document (COVID-19)

Portage Township Schools

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Screening to be Completed by Parent Each School Day

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A child (or employee) should stay home from school if: 1. He or she tests positive for COVID-19 2. He or she exhibits one or more of the symptoms of COVID-19 listed below based on CDC Guidance that is not

otherwise explained 3. If someone in your home has any of the symptoms below of COVID-19 or is being tested for COVID-19 4. If someone in your home has tested positive for COVID-19

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 A fever of 100.4° F or greater (please check this every school day) Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Chills Repeated shaking with chills Muscle pain Headache Sore throat New loss of taste or smell

If you screen your child in the morning and any of these four areas cause you to keep your child home, please call your child’s school office immediately and report the reason for your child’s absence. Additionally, if you have other children attending Portage Township Schools, they will need to stay home as well. Your school office will help you navigate when

to return to school and help your child access eLearning lessons.

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Return to school after having one symptom below and NO COVID 19 test:

A child (or employee) may return to school when they have met all of these criteria: 1. No fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers);

and 2. Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved); and 3. At least 10 calendar days have passed since your symptoms first appeared

Any student, teacher, administrator, or staff who is symptomatic for infection should stay home and consult their primary care provider or seek testing. The state website www.coronavirus.in.gov has a list of over 200 testing facilities, their location and hours of operation. This list is updated frequently. SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 A fever of 100.4° F or greater (please check this every school day) Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Chills Repeated shaking with chills Muscle pain Headache Sore throat New loss of taste or smell

Vulnerable Populations:

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Vulnerable Populations - Elderly individuals and/or individuals with serious underlying health conditions, including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and those whose immune system is compromised such as

by chemotherapy fo Return to school after having one symptom above and

testing negative for COVID 19: A child (or employee) may return to school when they have met all of these criteria:

1. Return when the fever has been gone for 24 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers or if there is no fever, upon feeling better.


Please stay in contact each day with your school nurse to provide health updates and receive guidance. Your child’s school will help make sure you are on the right path with eLearning.

d such as by chemotherery for K-12 Schools https://www.georgiainsights.com/uploads/1/2/2/2/122221993/georgias_k-12_recovery_plan.pdf

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Return to school after having one symptom above and testing POSITIVE for COVID 19 asymptomatic:

IMPORTANT: Notify your school immediately of any positive test A child (or employee) may return to school when they have met all of these criteria:

1. Persons who have not had symptoms but test positive for COVID-19 may return when they have gone ten calendar days past their test without symptoms and have been released by a healthcare provider.

2. This could be longer if the student becomes symptomatic. 3. Students may also return if they are approved to do so in writing by the student’s health care provider.


If someone in your home has symptoms or is being tested

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for COVID 19: IMPORTANT: Notify your school immediately of any positive test A child (or employee) may return to school when they have met all of these criteria:

1. Students should remain home until the results of the test are determined if someone in the household has COVID-19 symptoms or is being tested for COVID-19.

2. Should the student become symptomatic, please notify the school office immediately for further guidance and assistance.


If someone in your home has tested positive for COVID 19:

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IMPORTANT: Notify your school immediately of any positive test A child (or employee) may return to school when they have met all of these criteria:

1. If an individual in one’s home has COVID-19 or is isolated because of COVID-19, those in the household should also stay home for a minimum of two weeks.

2. This could be longer if the student becomes symptomatic. 3. Return to school after documented infection with COVID-19 should be directed by the individual’s health

care provider. SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 A fever of 100.4° F or greater (please check this every school day) Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Chills Repeated shaking with chills Muscle pain Headache Sore throat New loss of taste or smell

Information and Educational Posters to be Posted View Printable Resources from the CDC

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Additional Information and Educational Posters to be Posted

(page 2)

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Additional Information and Educational Posters to be Posted (page 3)