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General Information:

• These guidelines have been developed in accordance with updated recommendations and with the goal of having consistency for our students, staff and families in the application of these guidelines.

• A parent/guardian of a student or any staff members, who is identified as a close contact in the school setting of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, will continue to be notified by a school nurse and/or school administrator.

• The decision to self-quarantine is the responsibility of each family.  However, schools have a legal responsibility to exclude any student or staff member issued a quarantine order by the Fairfield County Department of Health.  If FDH determines that the student or staff member must quarantine, we will be forced to exclude the student or staff member from all school functions for the duration of the quarantine order.  Please note, only health departments have the authority to issue isolation and quarantine orders under Ohio law (school districts only have the authority to exclude students from school based on the quarantine orders of the health department).

Guidelines for a Positive COVID Test:

• Any student/staff member who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms or vaccination status, will be excluded from school for 5 days from the onset of symptoms or from the date of the positive test in asymptomatic cases.

  • Please note:  The tests referenced above are SARS-CoV-2 viral (PCR or Antigen) tests.  All tests, including over-the-counter at home test kits, must be medically proctored/observed and lab confirmed by a licensed medical professional.

• After the 5-day exclusion period, any student/staff member must meet the following conditions to return to school:

  • Must be fever free for 24 hours prior to return.

  • All other symptoms must be absent or improving.

  • Should wear a facial covering for 5 additional days as much as possible upon return.

Guidelines for Exposure to a COVID Positive Person:

• Any student/staff member exposed to a COVID positive person, regardless of vaccination or masking status, may attend school daily if they do the following:

  • The student/staff member should wear a facial covering indoors, as much as possible, for 10 days after their last date of exposure; AND

  • The student/staff member shall continue to conduct daily symptom checks for 10 days following the exposure.  Any student/staff member who becomes symptomatic will continue to be subject to exclusion from school unless an alternate diagnosis is provided by a medical professional; AND

  • The student/staff member shall immediately isolate and contact a medical professional if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

Extra-curricular & Co-curricular Activities:

• Students participating in school activities who are close contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 may continue participation in activities under the following guidelines:

  • The close contact should be symptom-free; AND

  • The close contact should wear a mask for 10 days, when possible (locker room, bus, on the bench, when not performing).
    

We want to strongly emphasize to everyone that symptom checks should be occurring on a daily basis.  If you or a member of your family have any signs or symptoms of COVID, please do not come to school.

Please contact a school nurse with any questions.