Flu & Covid-19 Information

The single best way to prevent COVID-19 and the flu is to use good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often which can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses. Remember to:

Avoid close contact with people who are ill, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting ill too.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or forearm at the elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Washing your hands often and cleaning your work station or desk often will help protect you from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because germs often spread this way.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

INFLUENZA (FLU)

In accordance with the Kansas Department of Health & Environment regulations, each person with a case of influenza shall remain in home isolation (except to seek medical care) for 5 (five) days following onset of illness or until fever free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours, whichever is longer. All students with a case of influenza shall be excluded from school for at least 5 (five) days. Please contact the district nurse at 554-2200 with any questions.

If you would like more information about seasonal influenza, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment by clicking HERE!

COVID-19

CONFIRMED CASE

The individual must isolate at home for a minimum of 5 days from when systems started or from the date of their test (if no symptoms are present). The individual must be free of fever (100.4°F or greater) for 24 hours.

Upon returning on day 6, a mask must be worn through day 10. If no mask can be worn, the person will be isolated at home for the full 10 days.

EXPERIENCING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

If the individual is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, the district does offer testing for students and staff but it is no longer required. If you would like your student to be tested or you are a staff member who wants to be tested, please click HERE.

FAQ's

Q. What type of “testing” will be administered and how long will it be before results are known?

A. We administer two types of tests: Rapid Antigen and PCR Tests. With both tests, you receive a nasal swab that goes one inch into the nose. Neither of these tests will be administered without parental consent and notification. Even if we have a consent form on file for your child, we will still notify a parent first. You can find the consent form HERE. You will know the results the same day. Typically, we can call you with the results within an hour, but that depends on the amount of tests being done at that time.

Q. Will parents be notified before ANY testing is completed on their child with enough time to determine if they will quarantine at home or continue at school?

A. We would not test your child without parental consent. You can find the form here. To that point, even if we have a consent form on file, we will still notify you.

Q. When will the health staff recommend a COVID test for my student?

A. A COVID test is recommended when your student presents with ONE of the following symptoms: fever (>100.4 degrees), cough or shortness of breath (new onset and is not resolved with inhaler or allergy meds), or new loss of taste and/or smell. Additionally, a test is recommended if your student presents with TWO of the following symptoms: sore throat, nasal congestion/drainage, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Q. If my student has the symptoms listed above and their test is negative, what happens next?

A. If students have a fever and negative COVID test, they will be sent home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. Coughs that are persistent and disruptive will need to significantly improve before returning. If your student presents with vomiting or diarrhea, they will be sent home until free of symptoms for 24 hours. Otherwise, if they are tested at school and are negative, they will be able to return to school.

Q. If my student has the symptoms listed above and their test is positive, what happens next?

A. Your student will need to isolate at home for 5 days following the onset of symptoms. If they are fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have significantly improved on day 6, they can return to school on days 6-10 while wearing a mask. If they cannot wear a mask, they will need to stay home and return on day 11.

Q. Is my student required to test if they have symptoms?

A. Testing is no longer required for students with symptoms. Students may return when they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. Coughs that are persistent and disruptive will need to significantly improve before returning. If your student has vomiting or diarrhea, they will need to be free of symptoms for 24 hours before returning.

If you would like more information about COVID-19, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment by clicking HERE!