Dear Burnham School District 154.5 Families:
We would like to send out a reminder as we continue back to school with in person learning for the 2021-2022 school year. Each day, prior to arriving at school or boarding the bus, parents of students should complete a short assessment by cross-checking their personal health against the CDC’s list of COVID-19 symptoms.
- Fever or Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
The list does not include all possible symptoms. If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, please stay home and do not report to school or try to get on the bus. Those who are exhibiting symptoms will not be authorized to come to school and should take the following steps:
- Report your child’s condition using the student COVID-19 symptom report form linked below
- https://tinyurl.com/3jwcaceb
- Report your condition to the school office - Mrs. Gonzalez (708) 862-8636
- Stay home - Students will be required to stay home between 10-14 calendar days from onset of symptoms.
- Contact your medical provider immediately for further guidance on care and possible COVID-19 testing.
Any student who experiences COVID-like symptom(s):
- Will be sent home immediately with any siblings.
- All students sent home with COVID-like symptoms should be diagnostically tested. Students should remain home from school until they receive the test results. Students who are confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 must complete 10 calendar days of isolation from the date of first symptom onset and be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications. Other symptoms must have also improved before returning to school. Individuals who have been cleared by the local health department for
release from isolation may return to school even if other household members are in isolation or quarantine in the home.
- Students returning to school after experiencing COVID-like symptoms but being diagnosed with a non-COVID illness must meet the criteria for returning to school for the illness with which they have been diagnosed. At a minimum, the individual must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and have had no diarrhea or vomiting in the previous 24 hours. Other diseases have specific criteria for when a student or staff member can return to school; follow school health policies and communicable disease guidance for those illnesses. A healthcare provider’s note documenting the alternative diagnosis or a negative COVID-19 test result should accompany a student returning to school with an alternative diagnosis after experiencing COVID-like symptoms. Burnham’s School Nurse will assist families in locating free or reduced-cost medical clinics for assistance where needed.
- Students with COVID-like symptoms who do not get tested for COVID-19 and who do not provide a healthcare provider’s note documenting an alternative diagnosis must complete 10 calendar days of isolation from the date of first symptom onset and be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms must have improved before returning to school.
- Medical evaluation and COVID-19 diagnostic testing are strongly recommended for all persons with COVID-like symptoms.
Any student who returns to school without completing the necessary quarantine or fails to provide the proper documentation of release will be placed in the COVID isolation room and sent home.
Please remember to send your child to school with a face covering. The District has a limited stock of disposable masks for accidental purposes.
Thank you for your continued support and patience as we work hard to provide a safe and high quality learning environment.
Sincerely,
Burnham School District 154.5