Madison Schools Update Parents Regarding Masking and Quarantine Procedures

Mask Worn No Quarantine As Long As Protocol Followed

Based on the information from Governor Holcomb’s office yesterday and the signing of Executive Order 21-24, we wanted to share our updated COVID-19 Masking and Close Contact Policy. Per Executive Order 21-24, schools that have mask requirements that are consistently followed throughout the day do not have to quarantine students, teachers, and staff who are close contacts who are NOT showing symptoms of COVID-19. Schools still must contact trace by notifying their local health department, as well as, parents, teachers, and staff who were in close contact. The changes apply to classroom and school bus situations only. Classroom exceptions where mask use may be intermittent for instruction purposes include instances such as band, choir, and PE classes with vigorous activity. Changes do NOT include athletic or extracurricular activities. Since the return of face-to-face instruction following the pandemic shut down, Madison Consolidated Schools has enforced a mask mandate when in buildings and on campuses. “Our mask requirement has remained in place since returning to school”, shared Superintendent Dr. Jeff Studebaker. “We have a responsibility to do all I can to provide safe learning spaces for the students, teachers, and staff within our district, as well as, students and families visiting us from other places. While nothing is proven to be 100% effective, we have seen that masks slow the spread of this virus. Our custodians, building administrators, students, and staff are collaborating to do their part to keep the high-touch surfaces sanitized and safe as possible as they go about their daily routines.” Updated control measures released by the Indiana Department of Health, in conjunction with Executive Order 21-24, allow some flexibility with CCQ situations when schools are enforcing their mask mandates. “While this change in protocol will allow more students to stay in class, it also increases the priority for self-monitoring symptoms by families,” Studebaker continued. “We have recently seen evidence of student-to-student spread in some isolated areas, which is concerning. We are able to pinpoint this by identifying a positive case, monitoring the students identified in the CCQ circle, and watch for additional positive case confirmations. While the majority of our students who get put in CCQ remain healthy, this situation has proven that it is very effective. We understand it is an inconvenience and not an ideal learning environment but we have worked tirelessly to do the best we can for everyone’s safety.” “We must work together to prioritize our efforts to self-monitor, err on the side of caution when necessary, and be hyper-diligent when not in school,” shared Lauren Campbell, RN and Nursing Coordinator for the district. “We can monitor and follow internal processes during the school day but we all need to continue to be diligent when we are out on family activities and away from school. We must continue social distancing whenever possible, wash our hands, and mask when we are in close proximity to people who are not immediate family members.” In addition to the mask requirements, MCS is partnering with Jefferson County Health Department to host a vaccination clinic for eligible students ages 12+ and their family members, teachers, and staff who wish to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Information has been shared with families of students who are age-eligible about the upcoming clinics. As a reminder, if a student can provide proof of full vaccination and is not exhibiting symptoms, they will not be required to quarantine. “Our nursing staff has done an incredible job of managing both the health side and administrative tracking aspects of this situation”, Studebaker commended. “However, the work just got a bit harder and we need your help as parents. Please, place a priority on self-monitoring for symptoms at home, and DO NOT send your child to school if they have any COVID-19 related symptoms. We must all work together in order for us to ensure that our students are safe, growing, and happy during this challenging school year.” Thank you for choosing Madison Consolidated Schools for your child, Dr. Jeff Studebaker, Superintendent

Masking and Close Contact Quarantine Procedure September 2, 2021 Face Masks- Staff and Volunteers: ○Masks are mandatory for volunteers within the building at all times. ○ Masks are required to be worn indoors for all faculty and staff. ● Additional accommodations may need to be made for staff based on their individual health plan. ● If individuals are outside, and can maintain 6 feet of physical distance from anyone not in their immediate household, masks would not be necessary. ● Nurses, special education staff, and transportation staff may additionally need face shield/goggles in addition to masks based on individual health plans. Face Masks- Students: ● Masks will be required to be worn for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students. ● If individuals are outside, and can maintain 6 feet of physical distance from anyone not in their immediate household, masks would not be necessary. ● Masks are mandatory during bus transportation. ● If conditions warrant a change, that will be communicated to families. Classroom/Bus Setting Quarantine Protocol ● Close contact definition per IDOH if desk/seat arrangement is forward facing: is any individual within 3 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more. ● Close contact definition per IDOH if desks are facing one another: is any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more. ● Close contacts in classrooms where mask wearing may be intermittent for instructional purposes will be required to quarantine. (i.e. choir, band, or PE classes with vigorous activity) ● Individuals correctly and consistently wearing a well fitting mask do not have to quarantine if identified as a close contact in the classroom setting per Executive Order 21-24, unless symptomatic. ● Vaccinated individuals identified as close contacts do not need to quarantine unless they become symptomatic. ● Contact tracing will still be performed for all positive cases. Parents of students identified as close contacts will be notified and asked to monitor for symptoms. ● If a close contact becomes symptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, they will be removed promptly from the school environment and their quarantine period begins with onset of symptoms, this resets the quarantine period to day 1. Non-classroom quarantine protocol ● Non-classroom is defined as: breakfast/lunch, indoor recess, athletics, extracurricular activities, classes where students are not masked, or off school grounds. ● Asymptomatic, non-vaccinated close contacts may return on day 8, from the day of exposure, with a negative PCR or antigen (rapid) test obtained on day 5 or later by a testing facility. Day of exposure is day 1. Proof of a negative test is required to return to school and must be provided to the school nurse. Negative at home tests will not be accepted. ● Symptomatic close contacts, regardless of vaccinated status, have to complete their 10 day isolation from onset of symptoms. If symptoms resolve they may return on day 11. ● Continue enhanced precautions on days 8-14.