THIS POLICY IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED.  PLEASE SEE POLICY 5.3261.

Policy 5.326 Student Protocols due to COVID-19

1. Purpose.

To facilitate the continuous operations of the District and protect the health, safety, and welfare of students by adhering to COVID-19 District safety protocols.

2. Parent/Guardian Notification.

The District recognizes that parents and guardians are essential allies in its efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 on school property including school buses. The District will disseminate information about this Policy, including student and family responsibilities, to students and families via email, social media, and on its website.

Upon returning to school buildings, school staff will implement a variety of strategies to inform students about their duty to comply with the District’s safety protocols. This may include additional markings on hallway floors, posters and other signage, designation of hand sanitizing stations, etc.

3. District Safety Guidelines.
   1. All students must:
      1. not come to school if ill including, but not limited to: symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, headache, body ache, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite and sense of smell, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms, or if someone in their household has tested positive for COVID-19.
4. 1. 2. self-screen at home prior to reporting to school. Parents and guardians are recommended to take their child’s temperature prior to reporting to school and the student shall not report to school if they have a temperature of 100.4 or higher. Students shall not report to school while using fever-reducing medications.
          
5. 1. 3. comply with all directives related to health and safety, including, but not limited to: usage and passage through common areas and shared spaces.
      4. abide by social distancing guidelines, keeping a minimum of 3 feet apart where possible.
6. 1. 5. follow revised school procedures that may include, but not limited to: staggered arrivals and dismissal times, after school care or before school care, limited classroom changes, limited movement throughout the campus, enhanced sanitization, wearing of facial coverings, changes to school cafeteria procedures, increased handwashing, riding the school bus, any school activity outside the regular school day, and other changes that may be needed for health and safety.
          
7. 1. 6. avoid congregating when moving throughout the campus.
          
8. 1. 7. not share any school supplies, such as pens, pencils, devices, textbooks, etc.
          
      8. wear face coverings at all times. The District will provide up to 5 washable facial coverings per student. Facial coverings should cover your nose and your mouth and comply with the state, local, or federal health department recommendations. All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must be made with at least two (2) but preferably three (3) layers of breathable material; fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face and be secured with ties or ear loops allowing the students to remain hands-free. At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas, and mesh material, valves or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings. Please note facial coverings are in addition to, and not a substitute for, the required social distancing. Exemptions or accommodations (including a plastic shield) to facial coverings must be verified by a treating licensed medical physician as required by the ADA, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and agreed to by a compliant 504 Team. Nothing within this policy is intended to supersede School Board Policy 5.182 or any individual school’s dress code.

1. 1. 1. 1. Facial coverings will not need to be worn when outside, after seated when eating or drinking as outlined in District protocols that will be posted to the District website and approved by the school principal or designee. Students must continue to maintain social distancing.

1. 1. 9. assist with keeping their desks or workstations clean and clutter-free.

1. 1. 10. abide by separate guidelines for athletics and intramurals as established for COVID-19 by District administration.
           
      11. During times of elevated communicable disease community spread, the Superintendent shall issue periodic guidance and directives aligned with the recommendations of public health officials or applicable government guidance and orders. During an outbreak of a communicable disease that can be transmitted by casual contact or in a respiratory or airborne manner, the Superintendent’s directives may include mandatory protocols, including but not limited to, physical distancing, facial coverings, and/or other protective measures.

4. Responsibilities of Students and Families:
   1. Student or student’s parent/guardian must self-report a positive COVID-19 test, for any member of the household to a school administrator no later than the following school day. The school administrator will alert their supervisor and District administration to make a determination on any necessary cleaning of affected areas.

5. Protocols for Symptomatic or COVID-19 Positive Students. Students experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or who have received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 should not attend school, school-sponsored activities, or be on school property until: (a)The student receives a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test and is asymptomatic: or (b)Ten days have passed since the onset of symptoms or positive test result; the student has had no fever for 24 hours and the student's other symptoms are improving: or (c)The student receives written permission to return to school from a medical doctor licensed under chapter 458, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 459, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under chapter 464.

6. Protocols for Students with Exposure to COVID-19. Students who are known to have been in direct contact with an individual who received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 should not attend school, school-sponsored activities, or be on school property until: (a) The student is asymptomatic and receives a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test after four days from the date of last exposure to the COVID-19 positive individual: or (b) The student is asymptomatic and seven days have passed since the date of last exposure to the COVID-19 positive individual. (c) If a student becomes symptomatic following exposure to an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19, the student should follow the procedures set forth in subsection (5), above.

7. Protocols for Students with Prior COVID-19 Infection. A student who has received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the previous 90 days and who is known to have been in direct contact with an individual who has received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 is not subject to the protocols set forth in subsection (6), so long as the student remains asymptomatic. If a student with a previous COVID-19 infection becomes symptomatic, the student should follow the procedures set forth in subsection (5), above. This subsection applies equally to students that are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

1. 1. Any student who tests positive for COVID-19 must immediately provide administration with a list of everyone with whom they have been in close contact outside of regular classroom contact, including while riding the school bus and extracurricular activities (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes). Staff will assist younger students with their contact list.
       
2. 2. Student’s name shall not be revealed when notifying other students' parents or guardians and members of the school’s staff of a positive test.

1. 3. If a student exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, as set forth in paragraph 3 (a) above, during the school day, he/she will be sent to the school clinic. The school nurse will assess the wellness of the student to make the recommendation if the student should be tested for COVID-19. School nurses may not test minor students for COVID 19 without informed written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

8. Responsibilities Of Principals If A Student Tests Positive For Covid-19:
   1. Immediately notify school supervisor to activate COVID 19 Protocols.
       
   2. Request from the student a list of every student and staff member (outside the classroom or school transportation) with whom they have been in close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes). The list must be securely maintained.
9. 3. After the Department of Health has finished the contact tracing investigation, the Department of Health will notify parents, guardians of students or staff identified as exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the school. The Department of Health will provide the principal with the list of the exposed students and school staff with the returning day to school. The names of exposed students must not be revealed as prohibited by FERPA (as confidential information).

9. Non-Discrimination. Students whose parents or legal guardians have an approved exemption under the ADA or Section 504 exempting them or modifying the face mask requirement shall not be subject to any harassment or discriminatory treatment, including but not limited to:

1. Relegation to certain physical locations:
2. Isolation during school activities: or
3. Exclusion from any school-sponsored events or activities.

10. ESE Students.

For students with an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), upon the student’s return to school, a parent may request an IEP meeting to discuss the impact of compliance with this policy.

11. Duration.

This emergency modification of this policy shall remain in effect for a period of no more than ninety (90) days from the date of the adoption. The Superintendent may suspend/revoke/rescind portions of this policy based on the updates/available information from the CDC, State, or local authorities regarding COVID-19 cases.