FAQs: General
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Can my student resume sports upon returning on day 6 from isolation?
Per the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Individuals who exit isolation after 5 days post-symptom onset or positive test should wear a face mask for all activity around other individuals for a total of 10 days from onset of symptoms or positive COVID-19 test, including for all physical activity. If a face mask cannot be worn during their sport (ie, swimming/diving), these individuals may participate in other physical activity as part of their progression until their 10 days has been completed and then can return to their sport without a mask.
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How do I load my child's COVID-19 vaccination information form to Power School?
Please follow the instructions below. If you have an issue you can email a picture of the card to your school nurse.
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My child(ren) is experiencing symptoms. When should I keep them home and have them tested?
If your child is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, you need to keep your child home and have them tested as soon as possible.
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What if someone becomes ill during the school day?
- Teacher or staff excuses student(s) from classroom, cohort or area within the school. Alert the School Nurse. If masking is not required at the school, provide student with mask as soon as possible.
- School Nurse takes individual(s) to isolation room/area and ensures individual(s) is/are properly supervised and masked. The parent, guardian, or caregiver is called. Arrangements are made for student(s) to either go home and seek medical attention. Note: If multiple ill individual(s) must be placed in the same isolation room/area, ensure mask use and stay at least 6 feet apart while supervised.
- Parent, guardian, or caregiver picks up student(s). Parent, guardian, or caregiver contacts healthcare provider for evaluation and possible COVID-19 test. Note: School can perform Flex Flow Rapid testing and follow steps noted during the training process/PADOH guidelines for response to results. Parental consent is required and can be found in Power School under forms for you to complete. This test is OPTIONAL. It is only for symptomatic students/staff
- Clean and disinfect areas that the ill individuals(s) occupied. Ventilate the area(s), wait as long as possible before cleaning to let virus particles settle (at least several hours), and use personal protective equipment (including any protection needed for the cleaning and disinfection products) to reduce risk of infection. The later is done after school hours by the cleaning staff.
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How are teachers aware if I want my child to remain masked?
Power school will have an icon for mask requested by parent/guardian which will appear on teacher attendance sheets. Please notify Deb Sweeney, dsweeney@wssd.org or your child's school nurse of this request so we can add the icon in PowerSchool for your child.
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Does WSSD have portable HEPA air filtration units in the classroom and/or keep windows open when possible?
WSSD maintains the ventilation systems in accordance with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and AirConditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards. American Industrial Hygiene Association publication “Reducing the Risk of COVID-19 using Engineering Controls” indicates a relative risk reduction (in the transmission of the SARSCoV-2 virus) of 95% is achieved by establishing 6 air changes per hour (ACH). WSSD building HVAC Systems had the filtration upgraded and were tested before students returned to in person learning to ensure the systems meet or exceed the recommended air changes per hour. Our Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems continue to run as engineered, and the district continually ensures systems operate properly. WSSD currently only uses portable HEPA filters in smaller work areas which do not have adequate ventilation. Increased circulation of outdoor air by opening windows and doors is also permitted.
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Is WSSD monitoring C02 production in each classroom and in congregate settings (cafeteria etc)?
WSSD is working with our Environmental Risk Engineers to monitor CO2 levels as we transition to mask-optional situations to ensure our building ventilation systems are working as designed in all areas of our schools.
FAQs: Mask Recommended
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Will contact tracing continue?
Contact tracing has been in place since we returned to school with our hybrid model in September, 2020. The district plans to continue with the contact tracing process though the end of the school year.
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Does the contact tracing process change when we are mask recommended?
The definition of a close contact remains the same. Defined through Proximity and Duration of Exposure: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person (confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three separate 5-minute exposures equaling a total of 15 minutes.
An infected person can spread SARS-CoV-2 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date), until they have meet the criteria for discontinuing home isolation.
The K-12 exception will no longer apply.
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How will mask-recommended affect Zoom?
Zoom protocols will remain in place. If you are unable to attend school in-person due to quarantine or isolation, attending via Zoom will be done synchronously and will not be considered an absence. Zooming is only permissible if your absence is related to COVID-19. Building principals are the liaison regarding Zoom and online education.
Your child will be able to Zoom if teachers receive notification by 5 p.m. as follows:
Monday = Wednesday start on Zoom
Tuesday = Thursday start on Zoom
Wednesday = Friday start on Zoom
Thursday = Monday start on Zoom
Friday = Tuesday start on Zoom
Saturday/Sunday = Wednesday start on Zoom
FAQs: Test to Stay
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Overview and Requirements for Test to Stay
Test to Stay is a voluntary program for asymptomatic vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff who are named as close contacts both in and out of school. Delaware County is working with Project ACE-IT testing program but WSSD falls under the Delaware County Intermediate Unit for the testing program. Districts have the option of expanding the close contacts to outside of school.
Testing Schedule:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
SHHS students - 6:45 a.m. - 7:10 a.m.
SHMS students - 7:10 a.m. - 7:35 a.m.
Elementary school students - 7:35 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.If you have students in multiple buildings, please bring them all together. Otherwise please adhere to your time. If you have any issues, please contact dsweeney@wssd.org.
And named a close contact, they can participate in Test to Stay per the CDC guidelines.
Two forms are required to participate: a parental/staff consent form as well as a QR code form. Parents must print and complete the consent form (see the consent form here).
Directions for a creation of a QR code that you will need at testing:
1. Go to https://register.pennrapidtest.org.
2. Enter your student's personal data manually.
3. Print two copies of the QR Code and add your name and phone number to the bottom of the paper.
4. Keep one copy for yourself and bring the other copy to the Test to Stay drive by testing site.Parents will need to print these forms and bring them to the testing site.
Test to Stay testing will be a drive-by process held at the Spencer House, adjacent to King Field at SHMS, for all students and staff. Signage will direct traffic from the entrance to the middle school at Providence Road. For testing, the nurse will come to your vehicle, give the student or parent the swab for testing so that it can be administered. Nurse assistance will be provided if needed.
If your child refuses or is uncooperative, even with nursing assistance, AND is a household contact, you will be asked to follow the traditional quarantine guidelines of 5-day. Zoom will be permissible for these students.
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Do I need to wait for results and what if my child tests positive?
You will not need to wait for results. Your contact information is at the bottom of the QR code, if your child tests positive you will hear from one of the nurses within 15-20 minutes.
Extreme temperatures may effect the time development of test results. Please be aware that you may need to wait up to 30 minutes prior to sending your child to school. Late passes will be provided.
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What if I have questions surrounding participation in the program?
Please contact our Lead Covid Nurse, Deb Sweeney, at dsweeney@wssd.org.
FAQs: Testing
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How do I participate in Test to Stay?
See the FAQs: Test to Stay section on this page for the Test to Stay program information.
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If my child is sick at school will testing be done there?
A completed consent form located in the Forms section of PowerSchool is required to test your child.
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Instructions for Submitting the COVID-19 In-School Testing Consent Form
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Where can I get a COVID-19 test?
We encourage people to use Personic Health at the Springfield Mall parking lot (1250 Baltimore Pk. in Springfield). They do both a rapid antigen test and a PCR at the same time. Please mention you want the PCR. The turn around time on a PCR is approximately 48 hours. Their signs say that they take both sign ups and "walk-ins". If you are un-insured it is not a problem as Personic Health will test the uninsured.
LabCorp is now offering asymptomatic return to school testing.
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Will the Covid-19 testing kits like Binax performed at home by the parent be acceptable proof of negative for return to school or participation in school event?
Binax Home Kits are acceptable only for a positive result. Any home testing kit that is negative requires either a PCR for clearance or five days of isolation - whichever you are able to achieve first.
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What happens if a person has a positive test result?
Student(s)/ Staff found to have COVID-19 will begin home isolation.
LEAD COVID Nurse in conjunction with the building school nurse starts a list of close contacts of the ill individual(s)and informs staff, parents, guardians, or caregivers of close contacts of possible exposure.
LEAD COVID Nurse alongside the school nurse works with local health officials to assess spread and support follow up with staff, parents, guardians, or caregivers of student(s) that had contact with the ill student(s).
The ill individual(s) can return to school and end isolation once the following are met:
5 days out from the start of the symptoms, AND
Symptoms are resolving or you are symptoms free
Fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication, AND
Continue to Mask for an additional 5 days****the five day count begins day of symptoms onset or day of test positivity in asymptomatic individuals****
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What happens if a person has a negative test result?
IF the Student/Staff is symptomatic in school they will be provided with CUE testing. If they are home, they will be sent for confirmatory PCR testing.
If the Student/Staff is asymptomatic they can return to the normal academic day with CUE testing in school. If home, please contact dsweeney@wssd.org if known exposure has occurred for proper testing window. (See definition of Close Contact on FAQs.)
FAQs: Close Contacts
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How does contact tracing work?
What is it?
- A process that prevents further transmission of disease by separating people who have (or may have) an infectious disease from people who do not.
Who performs it in the School?
- Community Health Nurses: Public health staff, like the committed School nurses, are the backbone of contact tracing. All additional resources put in place are to help bolster and strengthen the long-term infrastructure of COVID-19 contact tracing efforts.
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Who is considered a close contact?
Close Contact through Proximity and Duration of Exposure: Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person (confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three separate 5-minute exposures equaling a total of 15 minutes). An infected person can spread SARS-CoV-2 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date), until they have meet the criteria for discontinuing home isolation.
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How will close contact masking requirements be monitored for returning COVID Positive students?
PowerSchool will have an icon for mask required which will appear on teacher attendance sheets with an auto-delete time frame provided by Deb Sweeney. -
If you are deemed a close contact what is the protocol? For vaccinated? For unvaccinated?
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How many days will a close contact have to miss?
- If vaccinated and asymptomatic: None, please refer to previous question.
- If unvaccinated and asymptomatic: quarantine for 5 days - see previous question.
Household close contact – vaccinated:
Per our Health and Safety Plan, close contacts will receive the following guidance:
- Get tested at least 5 days after your first exposure. A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting 2 days before they develop symptoms, or 2 days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms.
- Get tested again at least 5 days after the end of isolation for the person with COVID-19.
- Wear a well-fitting maskwhen you are around the person with COVID-19, and do this throughout their isolation period.
- Wear a well-fitting maskaround others for 10 days after the infected person’s isolation period ends.
Available to all vaccinated close contacts
TEST TO STAY (Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Spencer house 6:45-8:15a on Middle school grounds)
Please see: Overview and Requirements for Test to Stay
FAQs: Isolation
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Individuals should isolate if positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.
A positive individual should stay at home for 5 days and continue to wear a mask for 5 additional days. The 5-day count for isolation begins the day after symptom onset or the day after test positivity in asymptomatic individuals. Upon returning to school, for 5 days, staff and students will be placed in an alternative lunch setting.
FAQs: Quarantine
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What is the current quarantine guidance?
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19, PLEASE EMAIL DEB SWEENEY at dsweeney@wssd.org.
Only if unvaccinated with known exposure:
Asymptomatic staff and students to continue attending school in person under a 7-day “modified quarantine” during periods of high community transmission (otherwise known as “mask to stay”). Individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 from others outside of their household may attend school and will be required to wear a mask at all times during this 7-day period.
Household close contact with unvaccinated student or staff:- Paticipation in Test to Stay program
- Test three times over the course of a week
- Mask while participating in the 7 day program
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What activities can a student or staff member participate in while in quarantine?
A student or staff member should participate in only online or virtual school activities during their quarantine period. They may complete work or assignments from home during this time, depending on how well they feel. They can engage with other students, teachers, or staff through phone conversations, online meetings, or fully virtual engagement.
It is important for a student or staff member in quarantine to remain at home, separated from other people as much as possible, during the entire quarantine period. They should not attend other extra-curricular or social activities while they are in quarantine. They should not participate in activities like sporting events, play dates, parties, social and family gatherings, music or theater performances, and other events where they may come into contact with other people. To prevent other people from possibly getting COVID-19, make every effort to limit the person’s contact with other people, including members of their household, while they are in quarantine, even if the person is wearing a mask.
FAQs: School Attendance and Zoom
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Will any type of Zoom opportunity be available?
If you are unable to attend school in-person due to quarantine or isolation, attending via Zoom will be done synchronously and will not be considered an absence. Zooming is only permissible if your absence is related to COVID-19. Building principals are the liaison regarding Zoom and online education.
Your child will be able to Zoom if teachers receive notification by 5 p.m. as follows:
Monday = Wednesday start on Zoom
Tuesday = Thursday start on Zoom
Wednesday = Friday start on Zoom
Thursday = Monday start on Zoom
Friday = Tuesday start on Zoom
Saturday/Sunday = Wednesday start on Zoom -
If my child is symptomatic at home, can they Zoom?
Your child may Zoom after submitting test results of a negative rapid or appointment time for PCR (required to return to in person instruction) to Lead COVID Nurse, Deb Sweeney, dsweeney@wssd.org. -
Can a student who has a positive COVID-19 test or been placed in quarantine for COVID-19 exposure attend class via Zoom?
Secondary Students
A student who has a positive COVID-19 test or has been placed in quarantine for COVID-19 exposure is permitted to begin attending all classes via Zoom within 24 hours of teacher notification. Students may remain in “Zoom attendance status” for the duration of the quarantine/isolation.Elementary Students
A student who has a positive COVID-19 test or has been placed in quarantine for COVID-19 exposure is permitted to begin attending core courses (Math & Reading, Morning Meeting, and any services they receive) via Zoom within 24 hours of teacher notification. Students may remain in “Zoom attendance status” for the duration of the quarantine/isolation. Note: Devices will be made available to students within the 24 hour time period for elementary students. Secondary students should have devices with them at all times. -
If I keep my child home because my child is showing symptoms of COVID-19 can they Zoom?
You will need to submit proof of testing to Debbie Sweeney, dsweeney@wssd.org, so that she can give permission to Zoom while your student awaits the results.
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Can a student who has a non-COVID-19 illness or other reason to be absent attend class via Zoom?
Students who are ill, for reasons outside of COVID-19, are not permitted to attend classes via Zoom. Learning and subsequent make-up work will be handled in the manner in which it took place prior to the pandemic.
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How will work be submitted for students who attend via Zoom as permitted by the Class Attendance Guidelines?
Students will use the Learning Management System for his/her/their school level (SeeSaw K-2, Google Classroom 3-12) for the submission of assignments and other teacher/class correspondence.