Skip To Main Content

COVID-19 Guidance

STUDENTS WITH COVID-19

Students with a COVID-19 infection need to adhere to these instructions regardless of their vaccination status, history of previous infection, or lack of symptoms. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to notify their child's school regarding a COVID-19 infection so that we can take additional steps to help keep our school community safe. See the Instructions for COVID-19 Cases and Close Contacts from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) for the full guidance. Additional information can be found on the COVID-19 Community Guidelines page. 

To count the days:

●  For students with symptoms, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms.
●  For students with a positive COVID test who never develop symptoms, Day 0 is the day the first positive test was collected. If symptoms later develop, the new Day 0 is the first day of symptoms.

Instructions for Students with COVID-19
Isolate (Stay Home)

Students experiencing symptoms, with or without a fever, must stay home away from others. Isolation can end and the student may return to school when their parent/guardian informs their child's school that both of the following criteria are met:

  • The student has not had a fever for 24 hours without taking medication that reduces fevers  AND
  • Other symptoms are not present or are mild and improving.

Additionally:

  • If the student continues to have symptoms that are not improving, they must continue to isolate until their symptoms are mild and improving or until after Day 10. 
  • It is strongly recommended that students test for COVID-19 prior to ending isolation and extend isolation until through their Day 10 if they continue to test positive. Remaining in isolation can reduce the chance of unintentionally infecting another person with COVID-19.

Students who do not experience symptoms are not required to isolate only if they wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask in all settings when around others, for 10 days after first testing positive.

If symptoms develop later on, please notify our school and begin to follow the above instructions for students experiencing symptoms. Their new Day 0 would be the first day of symptoms.                               

Wear a mask

Regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms, all students with COVID-19 must wear a well-fitting, high-quality respiratory mask through their Day 10, unless they are actively eating or drinking, while at school around others.

  • Students may remove their mask sooner than their Day 10 if they receive two negative COVID-19 tests in a row that were taken at least a day apart. Parents/guardians must notify their child's school office of the student’s negative tests prior to the student removing their mask while at school.
    • For example, if the student tests negative the morning before returning to school and again the morning that they return to school, they may return without wearing a mask provided their school office has been informed of the negative test results by the parent/guardian.                                                                                                                                                      
Tell close contacts

Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to inform anyone that has been near their child around two days before and while they have felt sick, or were potentially infectious, that they have been exposed. They should follow the instructions for people exposed to COVID-19 located on the LACDPH COVID-19 Community Guidelines webpage.                                                                                                                         

 

STUDENTS EXPOSED TO COVID-19

Students who have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine and are able to attend school, provided they are not experiencing any symptoms and follow the Instructions for COVID-19 Cases and Close Contacts from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Additional information can be found on the COVID-19 Community Guidelines page. To continue attending school after an exposure to COVID-19, students are strongly recommended to adhere to the following guidance. 

Instructions for Students Exposed to COVID-19
Wear a mask

Students who are close contacts to an infected person should wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask in all settings when around others, for 10 days after the last day of exposure. This is especially important when near those at higher risk for severe COVID-19 disease. 

Children under 2 years should not wear a mask.                                                                                                                

Test for COVID-19

Testing within 3-5 days after the last known exposure to COVID-19 is recommended for all close
contacts. Close contacts with symptoms should test as soon as possible after exposure. Testing after a
known exposure is particularly important for persons who live with or who are at higher risk for severe illness.

Early knowledge of infection status enables (a) earlier access to treatment options, if indicated (for those who may be at risk for severe illness), and (b) notification of close contacts who may also benefit by knowing if they are infected. If testing negative before Day 3, retest during the 3–5-day window following exposure, with at least 24 hours between the first and second test.

Note: Students who were previously infected with COVID-19 in the last 90 days or less should follow the most current testing recommendations

If the test result is positive, students should stay home away from others and follow the instructions above for Students with COVID-19.                                                                                                                                            

Monitor for symptoms

Exposed students should be monitored for symptoms for 10 days after their last exposure. If symptoms develop, students should stay home away from others and test for COVID-19 immediately.   

 

Please see COVID-19 Testing for available testing resources and Parent/Student Resources for additional resources in the area. Reach out to your student's school office for any questions or concerns. 

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Documents