• Health and Safety – Frequently Asked Questions

    Face Coverings

    Q: Are students and staff required to wear a face covering in school?

    A: In general, students and staff are not required to wear a face covering in school. However, face coverings continue to be required for students and staff returning early from isolation and/or quarantine. Face coverings will be available at all schools for any student or staff member who needs one.  

     

    Q: Can my student return to school after they had COVID19 if they cannot wear a mask?

    A: DHEC requires that all individuals returning to school after a positive or probable case of COVID19 wear a mask for Day 6-10 of their isolation period. Masks must be worn properly and consistently throughout the school day and during all school-related activities and extra-curriculars.  Students who will not wear a mask at school will be sent home and required to complete remaining isolation time from home. Students who are unable to wear a mask due to their age, developmental needs, or personal/parental choice are ineligible for reduced isolation and therefore may not return to school until Day 11 unless they test out of mask wearing (see below).

     

    Q: How can my student test out of mask wearing upon return from isolation?

    A: DHEC requires that all individuals returning to school after a positive or probable case of COVID19 wear a mask for Day 6-10 of their isolation period. If you would like your student to be able to remove their mask earlier, DHEC allows for a test-out option. Students who are diagnoses with COVID19 may return to school without a mask on Day 8 if they test negative on both Day 6 and Day 8. Proof of negative tests on both days must be submitted to the School Nurse. A repeat positive test on Day 6 will make a student ineligible to test out of mask wearing, but will not prolong their isolation and they may still return to school with a mask Day 6-10. Students using the test-out option must still wear a mask Day 6-8 until two negative tests are confirmed and submitted.

     

    Mitigation Strategies

    Q: Will students return to the cafeteria with regular seating for meals?

    A: Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria.

     

    Q: How often will be my child’s classroom be cleaned?

    A: All classrooms and other instructional spaces are cleaned daily by Custodial Services. In addition, teachers and students have been provided with food-grade Sanitizer that can be used on desks, high-touch surfaces, and any shared materials.

     

    Q: Will I still be allowed to visit my child’s school?

    A: Visitors will still be allowed at all schools. Please contact your child’s school to discuss visitor information.

     

    COVID19 Testing and Reporting

    Q: My student was sent home from school on COVID19 exclusion due to illness – when can they return to school?

    A: Students on COVID19 exclusion due to symptoms can return to school with a current, negative COVID19 test result (PCR, rapid, or home test with attestation form). They can also return with a note from a healthcare provider clearing them to return or they can complete an isolation period and return to school on Day 6 from when their symptoms began with a mask through Day 10.

     

    Q: I do not want to get my excluded student tested or I am unable to do so – when can they return to school?

    A: Students excluded with COVID19-like symptom are able to return to school with a note from a healthcare provider clearing them to return or they can complete an isolation period and return to school on Day 6 from when their symptoms began with a mask through Day 10.

     

    Q: My student has been tested – can they attend school while we are waiting on results?

    A: Any individual who is awaiting test results due to symptoms may not attend school or District activities in-person until proof of negative test results is received by the District. Students testing during their Day 5-7 window under the Test to Stay program may attend while results are pending.

     

    Q: Will students be COVID19 tested at school?

    A: At this time, no COVID19 testing will take place at school or by school staff.

     

    Q: If my student or someone in our household tests positive for COVID-19, who should I report that to?

    A: Reporting of all COVID19 situations should be done as soon as possible using the District COVID19 Reporting Form. Students who are sick with symptoms of COVID-19 may not report to school and should wait to hear from the District for next steps.

     

    Q: If my student is tested using a home test, will that be accepted?

    A: Reporting of all COVID19 results via home test must be submitted to the District using the DHEC Home Test Attestation Form. This form is on the District website and must be submitted to your School Nurse.  

     

    Contact Tracing & Quarantine

    Q: Are close contacts required to quarantine after an exposure?

    A: At this time, due to low COVID19 case numbers in our schools, no quarantine is required for asymptomatic close contacts. DHEC has allowed schools with no or low COVID19 activity to stop contact tracing and quarantine of close contacts.

     

     

    Q: If a student or staff member in my child’s class tests positive, will my child need to quarantine?

    A: At this time, because contact tracing and quarantine have been suspended, no quarantine of close contacts is required.

     

    Q: What happens if my student develops symptoms after an exposure?

    A: Students who develop symptoms after an exposure, even if initially cleared to return to school, will be required to isolate. Isolation will be calculated based on symptom onset.  

     

     

    Please note: This information is based on requirements at this time in accordance with guidelines from DHEC and the CDC. We will continue to monitor these recommendations and the level of disease activity to determine appropriate requirements for students as we move forward and hopefully, as conditions improve. For specific operational questions about your child’s school, please contact your School Principal.