When a school is notified that a student or staff member have tested positive for COVID-19, these procedures are followed by the contact tracing team. All school nurses and administrators have been trained in contact tracing. Anyone determined to be a close contact* with the COVID-positive staff member or student is called and instructed to self-isolate and contact their physician. We also notify them that we have shared their contact information with the St. Charles County Department of Public Health and that they will be hearing from County Health with further instructions (typically between 24-48 hours). Parents of students in the class, on the bus, and on the team or in the club/activity (if applicable) who are not close contacts receive an email notification that there was a positive case in their child's class (or on their child's bus/team) and they should watch for symptoms.

• Classrooms will be cleaned daily.
• Classroom materials, supplies, and shared learning devices will be cleaned regularly.
• Nurses will clean and sanitize student cots between sick student visits.
• Clinics will be deep cleaned and sanitized nightly.
• All staff will be trained to properly clean and sanitize surfaces.
• Employees will be responsible for regularly disinfecting their work area.
• Buildings will be disinfected/fogged on a regularly scheduled basis.
• Sanitization procedures will take place between routes on all buses.
• Buses will be disinfected/fogged on a regular basis.

• Classrooms will be set up to allow for as much socially distancing as possible (all grade levels).
• Students will remain with their homeroom class as much as possible (K-6).
• Students will have assigned seats (all grade levels).
• Students will move around their homeroom as usual without social distancing however, when students enter other classrooms and workspaces outside of their homeroom, social distancing will be in place.
• Due to the lack of social distancing in the hallways, masks are required for students 3rd grade or up when social distancing is not feasible.
• Sixth-12 grade students will continue to move from classroom to classroom to receive core instruction and to travel to elective classes. 
• Regular restroom breaks will be scheduled to minimize the number of students in the hallway (Pre-K thru 6).
• School-wide assemblies and building-wide presentations will not occur; smaller gatherings limited to grade levels or smaller may occur when necessary. Appropriate distancing will be encouraged.

Three spaces will be utilized for nursing services:

• Mobile well-clinic on a cart with a screen (meds, glucose checks, etc.);
• Sick clinic in standard nurse’s office;
• A separate nebulizer room (with proper ventilation).

Nebulizer treatments will only be provided in the case of an emergency. Routine nebulizer treatments will not be possible and alternate methods of care should be discussed with your pediatrician prior to the start of the school year.

Students who enter the sick clinic with symptoms are required to wear a mask. Students who meet the criteria to be sent home ill will remain in the clinic until someone arrives to pick them up.  Please plan ahead so that sick students can be picked up from school within one hour, if possible. Students will remain home from school until they are symptom free for at least 72 hours after last receiving medication. Upon return to school, we ask that students check in with the nurse prior to returning to class.  

• We will schedule hand washing breaks and we will encourage hand washing throughout the day.
• Hand sanitizer will be in every classroom.
• Students and staff members must wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after meals and recess.
• Teachers will guide students on proper hand washing.
• Handwashing and hygene signes will be placed in student restrooms.

• Students in Pre-K through 2 are permitted (not required) to wear a face covering. (This will change to required beginning October 19, 2020 when the District moves to LEVEL 1: In-person Learning.
• Students in grades 3-12 are required to wear a face covering when social distancing is not feasible.
• Teachers and staff will be required to wear face coverings when social distancing is not feasible.
• Each District building will be provided with at least six digital, non-contact thermometers.
• Nurses and health room staff will wear face coverings and other protective gear as necessary.  They will follow the National Association of School Nurses Guidance for Healthcare Personnel on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE in Schools During COVID-19).
• All front offices will have plexiglass partitions.

Our clinic and school staff request an open line of communication between home and school regarding any possible COVID-19 exposure or symptoms.  Please contact the nurse directly and as soon as possible if your child or family has been exposed.

Screening for Symptoms:
Students and staff are asked to self-screen at home prior to coming to school each day. Students and staff exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend school. Symptoms of COVID-19 as currently defined by the CDC include:

• Fever 
• Cough
• Rash
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Lack of appetite
• Loss of taste or smell

All members of our WSD family will follow these guidelines to screen for symptoms of COVID-19, and must stay home if ill. 

In the event of a positive COVID-19 case, the District will collaborate with and follow the guidance of St. Charles County Department of Public Health.

If students or staff members feel healthy but have recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, they need to contact the St. Charles County Department of Public Health and follow their guidance. Families should notify their child's principal, and staff should notify their supervisors of the exposure.

If a parent is reporting an absence with symptoms, notes will be taken by the main office.

If you select the WSD Academy for your child, attendance will be taken.  If you have any questions about attendance, please contact your child’s school so we can work with you.