Click the link below for the updated return to school guidance for the 2021-2022 school year.

• OCHD Back to School Guidance

Key Points:

• Fully vaccinated (2 weeks after second dose Pfizer / Moderna, 2 weeks after J & J)
  • Do not have to quarantine if FULLY VACCINATED (2 weeks past 2nd vaccine) AND do not exhibit symptoms post exposure 
  • If fully vaccinated, should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, and 
  • Wear a mask in public for 14 days
  • Monitor for symptoms for 14 days. 
  • Must isolate if symptomatic
    • Obtain test
• Do not have to quarantine if within 90 days of previous COVID infection (with diagnostic / test proof 
• MUST quarantine if symptomatic. ANY time symptoms present, person must adhere to quarantine guidelines, regardless of vaccination or exposure status / history
• Classroom exposure scenarios (contact / exposed person UNVACCINATED)
  • Less than 3 feet apart unmasked =quarantine
  • 3-6 feet apart with one or both unmasked = quarantine
  • 3-6 feet apart with both wearing proper masks = no quarantine
• Classroom exposure scenarios (contact / exposed person VACCINATED)
• No quarantine required unless symptomatic
• Current quarantine recommendations are 10 days, may return to work / school after 10 days as long as monitoring for symptoms up through day 14 (potential infectious period).
• May “test out” of quarantine by obtaining a test between day 5-7 of the quarantine time line. May return to school / work on day 8 if negative test results and no symptoms. 
  • This option is only available to classroom exposures, and not applicable to community / family exposures
• 10 day Quarantine starts from the last day of exposure to COVID person. If a family member is not able to separate from a positive COVID person, then the quarantine period begins from the last day of exposure. 
  • A child that can not separate from parent (or parent that can not separate from child), then the quarantine time line starts and the end of the isolation period (10 days). If a positive COVID family member can not completely isolate from the family, then the exposed family must “ride out” the isolation period with that positive family member, then begin the quarantine period once the isolation period is complete

• Preschool / early childhood students have slightly different recommendations and guidelines. Because of their inability to properly and consistently mask, combined with the challenge of the ability to social distance from others, as well as their ineligibility to obtain vaccination, their quarantine time period remains at 14 days (not abbreviated 10 day quarantine time period). Those that are recommended to quarantine for 10 days (abbreviated) are those that are able to socially distance themselves from others, wear a properly fitted mask, and monitor for symptoms up through day 14.

Click the links below for quarantine /isolation guidance/vaccinated vs unvaccinated.

• OCHD - School Quarantine Guidance
• OCHD - School Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
• CDC - Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
• MDHHS - FAQ Document
• CDC - Recommendations for Vaccinated Individuals
• CDC - Quarantine vs. Isolation
• MDHHS Isolation Information

Key Point:

• If exhibiting symptoms without know exposure
  • Can return to school after 24 hours of resolution of fever and improvement in symptoms with note from healthcare provider with clear diagnosis (e.g. positive strep throat, ear infection)* This means that a definitive differential diagnosis must be provided to return to school AND NOT “Not Covid”. A diagnosis of “viral infection” without a negative PCR test result is not sufficient to return to school.
• Exposure, symptoms, or other concerns are typically a driving force behind a person obtaining a test. While pending a test result, for any reason, a person should abstain from work or school.

• A definitive test for diagnosis is needed, the “one stand alone” (Top Tier) or “two lesser” (Lower Tier) symptoms (unrelated to a previously diagnosed unrelated condition) are key guidance towards determining symptomatology and drive to be evaluated and tested. 

• Top Tier Symptoms- need to only experience ONE of these symptoms for suspect COVID:
  • New cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty breathing
  • New loss of taste or smell
• Lower Tier Symptoms - need to experience 2 or more of these symptoms (or in combination with a Top Tier for suspect COVID:
  • Fever (100.4 or higher)
  • Chills
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea x 2 in 24 hours
  • Nausea or vomiting x 2 in 24 hours
  • Congestion or runny nose

Click the link below for a COVID symptom algorithm.

• OCHD - COVID-19 in Schools Symptom Chart

Click the link below for information related to school reporting of COVID-19

• OCHD - COVID-19 Reporting in Schools Chart

Key Point:

A PCR is the “gold standard” of testing. A PCR test is the acceptable method of test. A rapid or a binax test does not replace the PCR test, and can not be substituted for a PCR for test out. 

• A positive home test should be treated as a true positive for school purposes (e.g. keep them home and quarantine close contacts). 
• May want to get retested by a provider because home test alone can’t be used for exemption from quarantine in the future (meaning if obtaining exemption from quarantine within 90 days if exposed within that time period) A provider issued test will be needed on record to excuse a quarantine if exposed within the following 90 days
• Recommend PCR if students are going to “test out” of quarantine to return on Day 8.
• May “test out” of quarantine by obtaining a test between day 5-7 of the quarantine time line. May return to school / work on day 8 if negative test results and no symptoms. 
  • This option is only available to classroom exposures, and not applicable to community / family exposures

Click the link below for information related to testing.

• OCHD - Testing Methods Resource

Key Points:

A definitive test for diagnosis is needed, the “one stand alone” (Top Tier) or “two lesser” (Lower Tier) symptoms (unrelated to a previously diagnosed unrelated condition) are key guidance towards determining symptomatology and drive to be evaluated and tested. 

• Top Tier Symptoms- need to only experience ONE of these symptoms for suspect COVID:
  • New cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty breathing
  • New loss of taste or smell
• Lower Tier Symptoms - need to experience 2 or more of these symptoms (or in combination with a Top Tier for suspect COVID:
  • Fever (100.4 or higher)
  • Chills
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea x 2 in 24 hours
  • Nausea or vomiting x 2 in 24 hours
  • Congestion or runny nose

Click the link below for isolation room guidelines.

• OCHD COVID-19 Isolation Guideline Resource

Click the link below for our COVID-19 Mitigation Guidelines for 2021-22.

• WBSD Visitor/Volunteer Guidelines

• CDC - Recommendations for Travelers
• CDC - Domestic Travel Guidelines
• CDC - International Travel Guidelines

When a student is quarantined, school personnel will begin coordinating support for the student and communicating those plans to the family.  Please be patient; this will typically take 1-2 school days.  

Your child’s teacher will help determine the method of support that best meets your child’s needs.  The teacher will then communicate the learning plan during quarantine.

If your child is not feeling well during their quarantine, please work with your child’s teacher to resume or begin instructional support once your child is feeling better.  Children who are absent from school for reasons other than quarantine are not eligible for this instructional support.

While we understand that having a child quarantined can be difficult, please know that our goal is to put the best possible plan in place to ensure instructional support for your child(ren) with the resources that we have.