Students/Staff affected are participating in Distance Learning remotely. Teachers will keep students and parents informed of Distance Learning details. However, students and staff under quarantine cannot attend school or school events throughout the duration of the quarantine.

State law empowers the state Health Department with the exclusive authority to issue an isolation or quarantine order. Health officials will determine the length of an isolation or quarantine period. School districts are obligated by law to respect and cooperate with the orders of health officials. When we have a positive case in our school, our trained staff will complete a contact tracing investigation and will report the investigative data to the Kay County Department of Health. If a student or staff member is in close contact with a positive case, all close contacts will be quarantined, without exception, for 14 days. Close contacts are identified as those who were less than 6’ apart for more than 15 minutes from a positive case or who were in physical contact with the positive case. Per CDC Guidelines, students who live in the same household as a positive case and cannot isolate from the positive, the 14 day quarantine will begin after the 10 day infections period of the positive case, for a total of 24 days. Quarantine prevents the spread of the disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. Face coverings greatly reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, which further reduces the spread. However, the face coverings are not an exemption from quarantine as directed by updated CDC Guidelines.

If students or personnel are quarantined, they will not be able to come to school, enter buildings, attend school events, or participate in school activities for the full 14 days, no exceptions. We want our students to be in school and to participate in activities, but it will take ALL of us to stop the spread. We want to avoid a temporary total school closure, with all students learning virtually. PLEASE DO NOT SEND STUDENTS TO SCHOOL IF SOMEONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A POSITIVE CASE OF COVID-19.

Remain vigilant to stopping the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.

• Practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.

• Wear a cloth mask or face covering when social distancing is not possible.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, you are encouraged to contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Important Reminder: Make sure your phone numbers are accurate in the Parent Portal. During this time of frequent contact, it is imperative numbers are updated so we can communicate with you quickly.