ECSD Protocol for Positive Cases COVID-19
The following plan has been created in collaboration with Palo Alto Community Health
If ECSD is notified that a student or staff member has received a positive test for COVID-19 and was at school while positive, ECSD will notify parents at the impacted level immediately following confirmation of the positive case at school. The following would be implemented for the next school day.
If the case was a the Middle School/High School
Contact Tracing will be Conducted
Masks will be required at MS/HS
Protocol
In collaboration with Palo Alto Community Health, contract tracing would be conducted. All students and staff who had been determined to be in Close Contact (within 6 feet for 15 continuous minutes) Would be required to quarantine at home for 14 days.
The remaining students would continue with in-person learning. However, masks or face coverings would be required for students. Many students already have masks/face coverings and have been wearing them in school. We have purchased a cloth mask for every student in grades 3-12 and would have them available for students. In addition, we have purchased an E-Hawk face mask for every student in grades 3-12. This would provide two masks for each student. We have also ordered a number of student sized face shields for those students who struggle with a mask but could wear a face shield.
Students with medical conditions that make it unsafe to wear a mask or face coverings would be exempt from the requirement. We will require a note from their medical provider to receive an exemption. If your student has such a condition, please get us that note as soon as possible. This will make sure we are all on the same page should we need to implement the student mask requirement.
If the case was at West Elementary Grades 3-4
Contact Tracing will be Conducted
Masks will be required at Grades 3-4
Protocol
In collaboration with Palo Alto Community Health, contract tracing would be conducted. All students and staff who had been determined to be in Close Contact (within 6 feet for 15 continuous minutes) Would be required to quarantine at home for 14 days.
The remaining students would continue with in-person learning. However, masks or face coverings would be required for students. Many students already have masks/face coverings and have been wearing them in school. We have purchased a cloth mask for every student in grades 3-12 and would have them available for students. In addition, we have purchased an E-Hawk face mask for every student in grades 3-12. This would provide two masks for each student. We have also ordered a number of student sized face shields for those students who struggle with a mask but could wear a face shield.
Students with medical conditions that make it unsafe to wear a mask or face coverings would be exempt from the requirement. We will require a note from their medical provider to receive an exemption. If your student has such a condition, please get us that note as soon as possible. This will make sure we are all on the same page should we need to implement the student mask requirement.
If the case was at West Elementary Grades PK-2
Contact Tracing will be Conducted
Protocol
Students in the same classroom as the positive case would begin remote learning for a period of 14 days.
Students in the remaining grades PK-2 would continue to learn in person.
We will use this approach to attempt to stop the transmission of the virus. we do not feel we can effectively implement a mask requirement with this age of younger students.
If you have any questions, please contact your Building Administrator or the Superintendent.
Respectfully,
Darren D. Hanna
Superintendent of Schools
Emmetsburg Community School District