- Parkway Schools
- Ready to Return - Student Exclusion Day 6-10
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Effective February 19, we have changed our policy for students returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19 consistent with updated CDC guidelines. Individuals infected with COVID-19 will not be permitted to attend school based on board policy and Missouri law.
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Step 1: After testing positive, a student should stay home and isolate for a minimum of five days. Students may return sooner than five days if they subsequently receive a negative test from a testing facility.
If the student has symptoms, day zero is the day their symptoms began (regardless of when they tested positive). Day one is the day after their symptoms began.
If the student has no symptoms, day zero is the day they were tested (not the day of the test result), and day one is the day after the test. If a student never develops symptoms, they should isolate for five days.
Positive at-home tests will be accepted to verify that a student is a positive case. A negative at-home test will not be accepted for a student to return to school prior to day six after testing positive.
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Step 2: On day six (or thereafter), the student may return to school if their symptoms have resolved or are substantially reduced:
- They have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medication. If they have a fever, they must continue to stay home until the fever resolves.
- They have no more than a minimal, non-productive cough (i.e., not disruptive to school, doesn't stop them from wearing a mask continuously, and are not coughing up phlegm).
As testing remains a key mitigation strategy, we encourage (but do not require) students to receive a negative antigen (rapid test) prior to returning to school.
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Step 3: Parents should complete the Ready to Return form and then follow up with their school nurse.
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Step 4: When the student returns to school, you can expect the following through day 10:
- Student will wear a well-fitting mask at school through day 10, regardless of when they end their 5-day isolation period, per CDC guidelines.
- Through day 10, there may be implications for a student when eating at school per the CDC. Your child’s school will communicate the expectations for eating based on the resources, staffing and facilities available.
- Parents and students should self-monitor for symptoms and seek re-evaluation from a healthcare provider if the student’s symptoms recur or worsen. If symptoms recur or worsen, the student should stay home and seek medical care.
- Student will wear a well-fitting mask at school through day 10, regardless of when they end their 5-day isolation period, per CDC guidelines.
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Here’s what you need to know if your child has symptoms of COVID-19 and has not tested positive.
Similar to other contagious illnesses such as chickenpox or the flu, individuals who are sick at school or have symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent home with instructions to see a physician for medical evaluation.
Prior to returning to school, students will need to produce:-
a negative COVID test; or
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a physician’s diagnosis other than COVID-19; or
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if the individual has not obtained a test or physician’s diagnosis, the individual will be excluded from school for a minimum of five calendar days after the onset of symptoms.
Parents should remain in communication with the school nurse and receive authorization from the school nurse prior to returning to school.
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