The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mostly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another. COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

Here is how you can prevent infection:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people outside your home.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a covered trash can.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home.
• Monitor your health and be alert for symptoms.

For the safety of all students and staff, parents/guardians are expected to screen their students for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to putting their child on a school bus or sending their child to school. This includes checking their child’s temperature each day. Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms including:

• Temperature of 100.4°F or higher (when taken by mouth) or 100°F or higher (when taken using a digital forehead thermometer)
• Sore throat
• New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (or for students with a chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever
• New loss of taste or smell
• Significant muscle pain or ache
• Chills or exaggerated shivering

Yes, parents whose child has tested positive for COVID-19 should call the campus or email the campus principal as soon as possible. District communication will be provided to parents of students who had close contact with the COVID-19 positive student or staff member. A staff member who tests positive should follow District protocols. Note: *Close contact is defined as being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or  within 6 feet for a prolonged period.

If you suspect that your child may have symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your health care provider immediately.

If you have had, or suspect you have had close contact with someone who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, call your health care provider immediately and describe the contact you have had. Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 should call or email the campus as soon as possible.

Parents should call or email the campus principal as soon as possible if their child tests positive for COVID-19. Staff members should contact their supervisor and follow District protocol.

• When a student displays symptoms of COVID-19 at school, the school nurse will conduct a clinical assessment to determine if the student needs to be sent home. 
• If a nurse determines a student must go home due to COVID-19 symptoms or illness, the student will be isolated in a designated campus location. The student must be picked up within 30 minutes and no later than one hour from the time the campus contacted the parent.
• If a student becomes ill in a classroom with suspected COVID-19 symptoms, it may be necessary for other students to be removed from the classroom and taken to an alternate location on campus (e.g. go on a walk outside, move to a different room, etc.) so that the classroom can be disinfected. 
• Parents will be informed if their student is determined to have come into contact with a student or staff member who has a lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 test.
• Staff members displaying COVID-19 symptoms will follow district protocols including isolation from students and other staff members. 
• Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to meet established “return to school/work” criteria, which may include a statement from a physician. See Return to School Criteria at the end of this section.
• Students or staff who come into close contact* with a COVID-19 positive individual will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and may not return to campus during that time. Note: *Close contact is defined as being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or within 6 feet for a prolonged period.
• The District will notify the local health authority if a person who has been in a school building is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19.
• The District will notify all teachers, staff, and families of all students in a school if a lab-confirmed COVID-19 case is identified among students, teachers, or staff who participate in any on-campus activity.

At this time, the District has not been provided with specific guidance regarding the criteria or number of positive cases that would lead to a school closure. These policies will be guided by health guidelines provided by state and local agencies.

Students or staff who come into close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed positive for COVID-19 will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and may not return to campus during that time. Depending on circumstances related to the spread of COVID-19 globally, within the United States or state of Texas, federal, state and local governments may impose additional restrictions related to travel. If implemented, these would apply to returning to the classroom as well. Note: *Close contact is defined as being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or  within 6 feet for a prolonged period.