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. In evaluating whether a student member has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consider whether your child has begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal for them:

• Feeling feverish or measured temperature of 100°F or higher
• Loss of taste or smell
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Shaking or exaggerated shivering
• Significant muscle pain or ache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting

According to the Texas Education Agency, when evaluating whether a person has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, he or she should consider whether or not they have recently begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is NOT NORMAL for them. A student or staff member should consider his/her usual pattern of health/wellness in evaluating symptoms.

• Feeling feverish or measured temperature of 100°F or higher
• Loss of taste or smell
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Shaking or exaggerated shivering
• Significant muscle pain or ache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting

Yes, parents whose child has tested positive for COVID-19 should call the campus or email the campus principal and/or school nurse 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.  

Note: *Close contact is defined by the CDC as being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on) or being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes during the infectious period.

“Infectious period” is defined as two days prior to the onset of symptoms to 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For an asymptomatic person with a lab-confirmed positive test, the infectious period is defined as two days prior to the lab test through 10 days after the lab test.

If you suspect that your child may have symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your health care provider immediately for further guidance. If your child's doctor gives your child an alternative diagnosis, your child may return to school when he or she is well.

If your doctor refers your child for COVID-19 testing and he/she receives a negative PCR test, he/she may return to school when well or as directed by the doctor.

If he/she receives a positive COVID-19 test, or if he or she is not evaluated by a doctor, your child should self-isolate for 10 days and may return to school after the 10 day period, when symptoms improve and when they have been without fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

In any case and for the safety of others, please communicate to your child's principal or school nurse the alternative diagnosis, negative test, or positive test.

If your child has had close contact during the infectious period with someone who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, call your health care provider immediately and describe the contact. Your child should quarantine for 14 days from date of last exposure, monitor temperature and other symptoms, and follow doctor's instructions.

Note: *Close contact is defined by the CDC as being directly exposed to secretions (e.g., being coughed on) or being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes during the infectious period.

“Infectious period” is defined as two days prior to the onset of symptoms to 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For an asymptomatic person with a lab-confirmed positive test, the infectious period is defined as two days prior to the lab test through 10 days after the lab test.

Parents should call or email the campus principal and/or school nurse as soon as possible if their child tests positive for COVID-19.

If another member of the household tests positive, the members of the household (including the child) should quarantine for 14 days from date of last exposure, monitor for temperature and other symptoms, and contact primary care physician if symptoms develop.

• 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 close 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.
• 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 by the CDC as being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on) or being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes during the infectious period.
• “Infectious period” is defined as two days prior to the onset of symptoms to 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For an asymptomatic person with a lab-confirmed positive test, the infectious period is defined as two days prior to the lab test through 10 days after the lab test.
• 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.

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 by the CDC as being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on) or being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes during the infectious period.

“Infectious period” is defined as two days prior to the onset of symptoms to 10 days after the onset of symptoms. For an asymptomatic person with a lab-confirmed positive test, the infectious period is defined as two days prior to the lab test through 10 days after the lab test.