COVID Notification
Dear VCS Families,
With the increase in travel and exposure over the Winter Break and the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant, we are seeing an unprecedented amount of positive COVID cases in Sonoma County schools.
VCS will continue to provide information about protocol changes and exposures in the most timely manner possible. I can also assure you that our teachers and students are continuing to practice masking and social distancing, though I would like your support with encouraging your child(ren) to wear a mask while outdoors , especially if not socially distanced. I know this feels like a step backwards, but at the moment, it seems like a best practice. If you feel your child has had an exposure (if you’re unsure, I would prefer you assume “yes”) please follow the current CDPH K-12 quarantining guidelines for covid exposures:
Fully Vaccinated* Students who are asymptomatic (without symptoms) may continue attending school and extracurricular activities (Extended Care, Festivals, other events, etc.). Students are recommended to test on Day 5 after exposure and provide VCS with the negative results.
Unvaccinated Students who are not showing any symptoms and were wearing a mask upon exposure may continue attending school but may not participate in extracurricular activities (Extended Care, Festivals, other events, etc.) for 8 days after exposure. In addition, students must get a Covid test on or after Day 5 of exposure. Students must submit test results to VCS via email or in person.
Unvaccinated Students who are not showing any symptoms but were NOT wearing a mask must quarantine at home for 7 days. They may not return to school nor attend school activities for a full 7 days after exposure. Students must get a PCR or Rapid Antigen test on Day 5 and may return to school on Day 8.
If your child is showing any type of cold-like symptoms, please keep your child home and get them tested.
*Important update regarding vaccination status— You are only considered vaccinated if you are fully vaccinated AND boosted (if booster eligible).
Thank you for your assistance and partnership going forward.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions. I may not have the answer but I will do my best! 🙂
Rebecca Ivanoff
COVID Symptoms & Quarantine
What are the Symptoms for my child to stay home?
- 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
Parents Must:
- Keep their child home
- Notify the School’s Health office
- Monitor their child for symptoms ( English flyer, Spanish flyer)
Parents Should:
- Seek Doctor Consultation
Parents May:
- Get a COVID-19 Test from:
Updated Covid Guidelines
You can find this information in more detail at ↪ CDPH K-12 Schools guidance
Because our students wear masks indoors and outdoors except when eating, the majority of our in-school exposures are mask-on-mask. Therefore, most students who have been exposed at school and are asymptomatic qualify for modified quarantine (see below). The following information explains what to do if your student is exposed at school.
- Vaccinated Students OR those previously infected within last 90 days:
Quarantine is NOT recommended. Students without symptoms may remain in school and participate in all school activities. If symptoms develop, they should test and stay home .
- Unvaccinated/Never Infected when both parties were wearing a mask, as required in K-12 indoor settings
:
Modified quarantine as follows. They may continue to attend school for in-person instruction if they:
i. Are asymptomatic;
ii. Continue to appropriately mask, as required;
iii. Undergo at least twice weekly testing during quarantine; and
iv. Continue to quarantine for all extracurricular activities at school, including sports, and activities within the community setting.
- Unvaccinated/Never Infected No Masks
(students who were not wearing masks or for whom the infected individual was not wearing a mask during the exposure):
Standard quarantine (i.e., Quarantine can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present and a diagnostic specimen collected on day 5 or later tests negative. If unable to test or choosing not to test, and symptoms are not present, quarantine can end after day 10.
If you test positive for COVID-19, everyone, regardless of vaccination status must follow the ↪ CDPH Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine for the General Public.
Stay home for 5 days **If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house**Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
COVID-19 Test Kits
The USPS is now providing free rapid covid tests mailed directly to your home. The website to order your tests can be found at: https://special.usps.com/testkits“
Free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are available for order and shipment through the United States Postal Service®️. Each order will contain 4 tests. There is a limit of 1 order per residential address. Additional tests cannot be ordered regardless of the size of the household.”
Another Testing Resource: ↪ https://socoemergency.org/events/category/pop-up-testing/
NEGATIVE TEST?
• If you feel well and have no COVID-19 symptoms
, RETURN TO SCHOOL!
• If you have SYMPTOMS or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, please call your school before you return – even if the test is negative. More testing may be needed.
POSITIVE TEST?
Stay home from school and contact your doctor and your school right away. See attached slides for isolation/quarantine protocol or check the CDPH K-12 Guidelines
UNCLEAR TEST RESULTS?
Retest with another home test or at a local testing site.
ANY SYMPTOMS? KNOWN EXPOSURE?
If you HAVE ANY
COVID-19 symptoms and/or you know you were exposed, CALL YOUR SCHOOL before you return.