COVID-19 Information

In-Person

Elementary students will attend school five days a week following the typical school day schedule. Students will be expected to follow safety recommendations explained within the plan.

In-person

Middle school students will attend school five days a week following the typical school day schedule. Students will be expected to follow safety recommendations explained within the plan.

In-person

High school students will attend school five days a week following the typical school day schedule. Students will be expected to follow safety recommendations explained within the plan.

At this time, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) does not recommend quarantine or contact tracing efforts in K-12 schools.  Instead, parents, caregivers, or guardians are encouraged to monitor their children for symptoms of infectious illness every day before they leave for school through home-based symptom screening.  Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should report the illness to the school attendance line and continue to isolate for 5 days from the start of symptoms or positive test (whichever came first), with a masking recommendation upon returning to school on days 6-10.  All other individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are able to attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic of illness.

Screening

COVD-19 questions should be directed to a family physician or the Indiana Department of Health COVID-19 call center at (877) 826-0011.

• Students who are sick or displaying symptoms must stay home. All student attendance incentives K-12 are discontinued for the 2021-2022 school year. 
• Students/parents are to report a COVID exposure to a family physician. 

Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizer

Students will have frequent opportunities for hand washing and hand sanitizer stations will be located in several locations such as, the cafeteria, recess, etc.

Facility Cleaning

• The district continues to utilize products confirmed by the manufacturer and EPA to kill human Coronavirus and other viruses. CCS will continue to clean and disinfect school facilities and equipment in alignment with guidance from the CDC.
• Custodial staff at all schools are focusing extra attention on sanitizing high traffic areas and commonly used surfaces including counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, light switches, keyboards, and tablets.
• Custodial staff will be constantly checking to make sure hand washing and hand sanitizer supplies are checked, restocked and refilled.   
• Custodians will work to help prevent the spread of germs by disinfecting classrooms.

Ventilation

• Ventilation systems have been evaluated to ensure proper central filtration.
• CCS has updated current ventilation systems to MERV 13 pre-filters as recommended.
• MERV 13 filters are recommended by ASHRAE guidelines for response to COVID.
• Portable equipment in classrooms is not being implemented at this time.

At this time, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) does not recommend quarantine or contact tracing efforts in K-12 schools.  Instead, parents, caregivers, or guardians are encouraged to monitor their children for symptoms of infectious illness every day before they leave for school through home-based symptom screening.  Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should report the illness to the school attendance line and follow the guidance of their health care provider. 

Procedure in Case of Positive COVID-19 Test or Known Exposure

• The individual should let the head coach of their sport know immediately.
• Any individual with COVID-19 symptoms should remain home, contact your family physician and report absences as usual. All positive cases should be reported to the Indiana State Department of Health.
• Parents are asked to closely monitor children for possible symptoms and contact your family physician if needed.

COVID-19 Special Education Considerations

Students receiving special education services will adhere to the safety protocols deemed necessary in their building of attendance. Additional safety precautions may be considered by the case conference committee contingent on the individual programming needs of the student. Such additional considerations would be identified and documented in the student’s individualized education plan.

Case Conference Committee Meetings

Case conference committee meetings may continue to be held via Zoom or other virtual meeting capabilities.

If a case conference is held in a Carmel Clay school, visitor protocols must be followed.

Procedures

• Symptomatic students and staff will be provided with a surgical-grade mask.
• Each clinic will maintain two separate areas:
  • Regular care and operations space.
  • Separate space for students and staff who show signs or symptoms of illness.
• Nebulizer treatments will not be given in the school environment. Students with asthma should contact their physician to obtain an inhaler, spacer, and mask (if necessary) as needed for use in the school clinic. 
• If a student exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, parents will be contacted to pick up the student. 

Tips to Protect You and Others from Illness

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. 
• Throw used tissues away in the trash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay away from people who are sick or not feeling well and avoid close contact with others through hugging, kissing, or shaking hands.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects such as toys and doorknobs.
• Seek assistance from your doctor or a health professional if you see or experience symptoms that cause concern.
• 12 Tips to Keep Kids Germ-Free at School

• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed at the front of each serving line. Students will be expected to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer prior to entering the lunch line.
• Parents are encouraged to pre-pay student lunch accounts online using the EZSchoolPay system to reduce the handing of money/checks. (You will need your student’s ID number found in your Powerschool account.)
• Cash will only be accepted in one serving line per cafeteria. 

• Regular attendance policies will be in place with the exception of COVID related absences that will be reviewed by building administration on a case-by-case basis.
• Students/parents should report absences due to quarantine or exposure to their attendance line.

• Updates will be communicated using the district’s standard channels of communication, including phone calls, emails, text messages and the CCS website.
• To ensure notifications are received, parents and guardians should verify that their phone numbers and email addresses are correct in the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
• For phone numbers registered within PowerSchool, CCS families can sign up to receive text alerts by texting YES to 67587.

• As students head back to school, many may express feelings of anticipation and excitement related to reuniting with teachers and peers; however, it is expected that they may experience feelings of worry, nervousness, and fatigue. The following actions can assist with supporting your child as they transition back to school:
• Prior to the start of the school year, establish and practice a healthy sleep and hygiene routine in order to support your child in preparation for their return to school.
• Review safety protocols with your child in order to familiarize them with expectations. Reassure your child that these protocols are in place for their safety as well as the safety and health of others.
• Continue to monitor your child’s exposure to social media and news sources that may provoke anxiety and fear.
• Engage your child to engage in open conversations where they have the opportunity to ask questions and gain clarification about what to expect during the next school year. This will help in reducing worry and provide them the opportunity to process their feelings in a healthy and supportive manner.
• Remember that sharing your feelings about COVID-19 can increase or decrease your child's fear.  If your child expresses concern for their safety/health, remind your child that the school is doing everything within our power to keep students safe and well.
• During conversations, carefully listen or have them draw or write out their thoughts and feelings and respond with truth and reassurance.
• Recognize warning signs and symptoms of more pervasive mental health concerns, such as a change in habits, a decline in mood, withdrawal, decreased social and academic functioning, erratic or changed behavior, and increased physical complaints as well as  warning signs of suicidal ideation.
• Encourage your student to develop and practice coping and calming strategies that may include:
  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Physical exercise
  • Deep breathing
  • Gradual Relaxation
  • Journaling
• Should you have any concerns related to your child’s mental health or if you would like to request additional resources, please feel free to contact your child’s Social Worker or Counselor located at your child’s school building.

Resources

How to Talk to Your Child About COVID-19 -- A Resource For Parents
Talking With Children Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease OutbreaksPDF download
Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Social & Emotional Learning

Our Administrators and Staff recognize that social-emotional learning will be imperative as we transition into the next school year. Because of the restrictions implemented in 2020 to maintain health via social distancing, we understand that students will be coming to school with a need to connect with their peers and adults in their school building. Therefore, it is our priority to ensure that we are fostering opportunities for students to develop this crucial skill set. In order to facilitate social-emotional wellness as we plan to implement the following:

• There will be a districtwide emphasis on building and establishing connections by spending increased time acclimating to routines and rituals as well as providing frequent social-emotional check-ins with students.
• Social Workers, Psychologists and Counselors will be focused on provided targeted groups for students experiencing difficulties transitioning back to school. 

Any information related to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations is available at the Indiana Department of Health website. 

IDOH WEBSITE