When To Stay Home Guidelines
If a student is exhibiting any of these symptoms: cough, fever of 100.4 or higher, chills, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headache, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of smell/taste: the student MUST isolate at home and test for Covid-19.
If student is negative for Covid-19 they may return to school if:
- No fever within the past 24 hours (without medication)
AND - Symptoms have significantly improved
If symptoms persist. Retest every 24-48 hours through at least five days after symptoms started.
In the case of a known exposure to COVID-19:
- If a co-op student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, we will report to Public Health and North Seattle College.
- All affected classes will be notified if someone in attendance at school tests positive for COVID-19. In all cases the confidentiality of the family will be respected. Information shared with the school at large will be: class where exposure may have happened, last day that exposure occurred, and nature of exposure (student/working caregiver/teacher).
- Teachers, students, and working caregivers with a known Covid-19 exposure may continue to come to class if they test negative for Covid-19 and do not develop symptoms within 10 days. They should wear a well fitting mask (preferably kn94, n95 type) while at school for 10 days and retest every 24-48 hours for the first 5 days after exposure.
In the case of a Covid-19 positive student, staff or working caregiver:
- The Co-Chairs should be notified as soon as possible. Info will also be shared with health and safety manager and plan will be set for follow up with family.
- Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 should remain home and isolate for 5 days.
- If after 5 days they are testing negative on a home rapid antigen test AND their symptoms have greatly improved they may return to school but should wear a well fitting (kn94, n95v type) mask for day 6-10. If they continue to test positive they should remain home until day 10 and then may return to school. Testing status will need to be communicated to Co-chairs before returning.
Daily Health Screening for students, staff and working parents
Before coming to school families should be self screening for Covid-19 symptoms. Do you or your child have any of the following symptoms that are not attributable to another condition now or in the past 24 hours?
- A cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- A fever of 100.4°F or higher or a sense of having a fever
- A sore throat
- Chills
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle or body aches
- Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
- Congestion/running nose – in conjunction with other symptoms and not related to seasonal allergies or cold weather
- Unusual fatigue
- Has your child had any medication to reduce a fever before coming to care?
If the answer to all of the above questions is “no” then you and your child are clear to come to school.
Masking
- VMCP is mask optional
- Anyone with a know Covid-19 exposure will be required to wear a well fitting (kn94, n95 type) mask for 10 days following exposure
- Anyone who is returning to school after day 5 of a known Covid-19 infection will be required to wear a well fitting (preferably kn94, n95 type) mask for day 6-10.
Cleaning and disinfection
- If dirty, clean surfaces using soap and water, then use disinfectant
- Shared toys should be cleaned during circle time or more immediately if you see a child mouthing the toy
- High-touch surfaces made of plastic or metal, such as grab bars and railings, should be cleaned routinely.
- Cleaning and disinfection of wooden surfaces (play structures, benches, tables) or groundcovers (mulch, sand) is not recommended.
Handwashing
Proper handwashing is important, please teach students to do this well!
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If hands are not visibly dirty, alcohol based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be used if soap and water are not readily available.
- Supervise children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent ingestion.
- Per child care rules, alcohol-based hand gels are not allowed for children under age 2.
- Assist children with handwashing. After assisting children with handwashing, staff should also wash their hands.
All children, staff, and volunteers should wash hands at the following times:
- Arrival to the facility
- Before and after preparing food or drinks
- Before and after eating or handling food, or feeding children
- Before and after administering medication or medical ointment
- Before and after diapering
- After using the toilet or helping a child use the bathroom
- After coming in contact with bodily fluid or after playing outdoors
- After handling garbage
Vaccination
- All adults in attendance of school must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a medical or religious exemption filed.
- Vaccines for Students 6 months and older are encouraged but not required at this time.