• See 21-22 COVID Dashboard (spreadsheet on one tab, chart on 2nd)
• See 20-21 COVID Dashboard (spreadsheet on one tab, chart on 2nd)

Core Mitigation Measures to Support School Openings (CDC)

1. Staying Up to Date on Vaccinations: We encourage vaccination of all school community members and have held school-based clinics.  The School Board has required staff to be vaccinated.
2. Staying Home When Sick: We encourage families to follow the rule of thumb, “If in doubt, sit it out.” See guidelines on this page for when students can return to school after displaying COVID symptoms. To encourage staff members to stay home when sick, we augment our staff sick leave with 7 days of COVID leave.
3. Ventilation: The City is following ASHRAE recommendations to use the highest MERV-rated filters possible for all equipment, coupled with increasing ventilation.  All systems are set for maximum outdoor air at normal occupancy levels.  Any space that cannot use a MERV 13 or 14 filter will be equipped with a portable air cleaner. As weather permits, we will keep windows open. Going above and beyond standard mitigation for K-12 and universities, the City engaged an engineer from Tri-Dim to consult on the best course of action for each building/space and installed UV-C lights and/or bipolar ionization equipment  according to recommendations.
4. Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette:  Schools have hand sanitizer available at key locations.  Schools will teach and reinforce good hygiene practices such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.  
5. Cleaning and disinfection: All CCS cleaning products are on the EPA list of disinfectants for COVID-19. Custodians have been equipped and trained with foggers and electrostatic sprayers to support more rapid and effective disinfection of surfaces and entire spaces. Classrooms are equipped with spray bottles with the all-purpose disinfectant cleaner and microfiber cloths to readily address high-touch services such as desktops and door knobs.  

​​​​​​​Other CDC-Recommended Strategies for When Community Transmission Rates are High

1. Masks and Face Coverings: As of March 1, 2022, a new state law requires masks to be optional for students in our schools. We recommend that students wear masks when community transmission rates are medium or high. Staff and visitors will still be required to wear masks.   Masks for children and adults are available in our schools.
2. Testing: We are participating in a state program for regular COVID testing throughout this school year as an additional strategy to promote safety.  As part of the same state program, we offer rapid diagnostic testing for individuals as needed. To sign up or learn more information, click here.
3. Management of Cases and Exposures: We will follow all guidelines about managing cases, particularly when there is evidence of an outbreak or school spread. Note that quarantine is no longer recommended in school settings.
4. Responding to Outbreaks: We will work closely with the Blue Ridge Health District if we have a suspected outbreak (three or more connected cases).
5. Considerations for High-Risk Activities: We will follow state and VHSL guidance for participation in high-risck activities such as contact sports or choirs. Return to these activities following a COVID diagnosis will require the full 10 days of isolation (the day symptoms start is day 0).

Other Strategies:

• Training:  Staff and students will need to be trained on appropriate procedures and mitigation strategies. We will use training videos prior to returning to in-person instruction. Custodial staff received special training. Additional training was also required for nursing staff as well as SPED staff who work with students to assist with medical or personal care.
• Protocols:  We have assembled policies and protocols to guide our return to in-person instruction. All protocols are subject to change based on public health expertise and emerging best practices.
• Meals: While students will need to go to the cafeteria to pick up meals, students will continue to eat outside or in classrooms to the greatest degree possible.
• Outdoor Spaces: We hope to use our outdoor spaces as much as possible, particularly for classes such as gym or choir.  Classes may also go outside for lunch or suitable instruction/class meetings.

Daily Health Screening Questr for Students

• If your students have any COVID symptoms, they should stay home. In order to return to school,  your child will need one of the following: (a) a note from the healthcare provider, (b) a negative PCR test,  or (c) 2 negative rapid tests taken at least 24 hours apart. We recommend that people should mask until symptoms resolve.
• After a COVID diagnosis, students can return to school on Day 6 if symptoms have resolved and if they agree to mask days 6-10. (The day symptoms started is Day 0.)
• If in doubt, sit it out!
• For activities such as choir or close-contact sports, the Virginia Department of Health recommends that individuals refrain from participating in these activities until 10 days have passed.
• Questions? Refer to our COVID situations guide or call your school.

• Click here to access CCS COVID-19 Protocols document

Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities:

Clubs and athletic activities are continuing.

• CHS will follow Virginia High School League (VHSL) and VDOE guidelines for sports and activities. For further updates, visit gocville.org.
• For activities such as choir or close-contact sports, the Virginia Department of Health recommends that individuals refrain from participating in these activities until 10 days have passed. (The day symptoms start is Day 0.)
• All other clubs and extracurricular activities will need to follow CCS guidelines and gain building-level approval to be sure that activities are in compliance.

• Please check with your healthcare provider about the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters. Click here for area walk-in clinics and other information.
• And to learn more about the state’s new (non-COVID) vaccination requirements for students in kindergarten, grade 7, and grade 12, click here. Be sure to submit documentation to your school as soon as possible.
• Questions about your child’s vaccines? Please check with your healthcare provider or call the school.

Will schools inform families of a positive case in the classroom or school?

• We will no longer do daily school-wide notifications about a routine diagnosis. In the elementary schools, we will send classroom-level messages about diagnoses. Families and staff can check the 22-23 CCS data dashboard to see any daily diagnoses at their school. If there is a significant outbreak or other information that the school community needs to know, the principal will make a school-wide announcement.

What is the policy? When do students/staff need to wear them?

• Masks are optional for students in most situations, although we recommend wearing them when our community transmission rates are at medium or high (as they’ve been this summer.) Staff and visitors will still be required to wear masks when indoors.

Are masks available free for staff and students? 

• Yes! Masks in sizes for children and adults are available each week in our schools.

What if a staff member can’t wear a mask?

• For individuals with a documented health condition or disabilities, CCS will identify solutions on a case-by-case basis.

How will you do daily health screening?

• Everyone entering a building, including students and staff, must engage in a daily health screen before leaving home for school to make sure they are not displaying COVID symptoms.

Will There be COVID-19 Testing for Staff or Students?

• We are  participating in a state program for optional free, weekly COVID testing throughout this school year as an additional strategy to promote safety.  As part of the same state program, we offer rapid diagnostic testing for individuals as needed.  And we offer free, proctored rapid tests for people who wish to follow Test to Stay protocols after exposure. To sign up or learn more information, click here.

Click here to go to Google doc “What to do in common COVID situations,” a guide for families and staff

What if a student develops COVID-19 symptoms at home?

• Keep the symptomatic child home, report the absence, and seek testing or consult with your primary care physician. Any asymptomatic people can continue to attend school (masking is recommended). If the symptoms are typical for your child, be sure to tell your health care provider. Keep in mind, not everyone who displays COVID-19 symptoms has or will contract the virus.

What if a student develops symptoms at school?

• Students who develop symptoms at school will be immediately directed to a designated isolation space in the school until they can safely leave or be picked up to go home. Prompt pick-up of a sick child (within an hour) is part of the safety agreement that parents/guardians agree to follow to support COVID safety.
• Depending on the situation, the individual’s primary care provider may recommend testing for COVID-19 or give other guidance. Individuals who test positive will remain in isolation; any asymptomatic siblings can continue to go to school.  Keep your school updated.

Will students have to show a negative COVID test to return to school?

• Not if they are seen by their healthcare provider. There are many reasons that someone may show symptoms and/or an elevated temperature above 100.0F. But if a student displays COVID-19 symptoms, they should tested and/or check with their healthcare provider or the school nurse for guidance (and a note). If a rapid COVID test is used, the child needs 2 done at least 24 hours apart. Masking is recommended until symptoms resolve.

What if a student is diagnosed with COVID-19?

• Any student required to isolate at home due to illness from COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 10 days (if not masked) or for 5 days if symptoms have resolved and if the child will wear a mask for days 6-10.

What if a student  is exposed to COVID-19 (including at home)?

• The CDC no longer recommends quarantine, but we offer free, proctored rapid tests if people wish to follow test-to-stay protocols. The current recommendation is to test 3-5 days after exposure.

What will we be told if a student or staff member becomes sick?

• We will no longer do daily school-wide notifications about a routine diagnosis. In the elementary schools, we will send classroom-level messages about diagnoses. Families and staff can check the 22-23 CCS data dashboard to see any daily diagnoses at their school. If there is a significant outbreak or other information that the school community needs to know, the principal will make a school-wide announcement.

Is there a chance that a class or school would need to revert to online-only instruction?

• We will continue to work closely with the local health department. As diagnosed cases arise, we will cooperate with the health department on contact tracing or other recommendations. Public health experts are very clear that each case is unique and that they will respond accordingly.