When to Stay Home and Return to School Protocols 2021-22

September 8, 2021

Dear KLSD Community,

We look forward to welcoming all our students back to school tomorrow. The purpose of this letter is to help you know what to do if there is an exposure outside school to a COVID positive case, or if a student or staff member develops COVID symptoms.

For the health and safety of all in our community, and for KLSD to have the greatest chance of keeping all students and staff in school consistently, it is important that these guidelines be followed.

Following the Development of COVID Symptoms

All students and staff with new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home, regardless of vaccination status. Here is the CDC’s current list of symptoms:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

In general, Individuals must stay home for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms and until symptoms are improving and they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of a fever reducing medication.

An individual may only return to school in fewer than 10 days if they have a note from their healthcare provider indicating a negative COVID test and/or a non-COVID diagnosis, or a copy of the negative test result (tests must be of the PCR or NAAT variety). Additionally, symptoms must be improving, and the individual must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without use of a fever reducing medication.  

Following Close Contact with a COVID Positive Individual OUTSIDE of School

Close contact is defined as being with 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period. For example, three separate 5 minute contacts within 6 feet of an infected person during a 24-hour period is considered a close contact.  

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine at home for 10 days if they are a close contact, regardless of the presence of symptoms. Testing is not required to end quarantine if no symptoms develop during the quarantine period. However, a test should be sought immediately if any symptoms develop during the 14 days after exposure.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic do not need to quarantine after close contact. They may return to school. These individuals should, however, be tested 3-5 days after exposure and must wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.

If you have questions about any of the above, please contact your school’s nurse or your local health care provider.

Thank you,

Andrew Selesnick, Superintendent of Schools