COVID 19 Q&A for School District Families,  presented by the EUFSD Medical Director and School Nurses

Q1: My child is sent home from school due to an illness.  What are the steps to have them return to school in person?

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Q2: My child is absent from school due to illness.  What are the steps to have them return to school in person?

A: Your child first should be feeling better: fever free for 24 hours, resolution of acute symptoms like vomiting, etc. Once recovered, there are 2 options for returning to school: Option 1) See a healthcare provider and obtain a medical note which explains the illness and an ALTERNATE DIAGNOSIS.  An alternate diagnosis is an acute illness other than COVID-19 which was made by a healthcare provider (i.e. ear infection, strep throat, influenza).  IF the alternate diagnosis has a relevant test (rapid strep test, influenza test), these tests need to be done at the healthcare provider’s office.  An alternate diagnosis is NOT a symptom or complaint (for example, sore throat is a symptom, strep throat is a diagnosis; abdominal pain is a symptom, constipation is a diagnosis). Option 2).  If your child has a PCR/molecular COVID test done and the result is negative.  COVID-19 tests can be done at your healthcare provider’s office or without a healthcare provider at several drive through facilities around Westchester.

Q3: What are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19?

A: Signs and symptoms your child may experience include: a temperature of 100.0 degrees F or more, feverish or chills, cough, loss of taste or smell, fatigue/feeling of tiredness, sore throat, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain or body aches, headaches, nasal congestion or runny nose.

Q4: A household member has been quarantined by the Department of Health.  Can my non-quarantined child attend school in person?

A:  Yes if your child is not sick (i.e. asymptomatic), they may come to school while a family member is quarantined.

Q4: A household member is sick and getting tested for COVID-19.  Can my healthy child attend school in person?

A: No. Once the negative confirmatory COVID test results are received for the sick household member, your child can return to school in person, as long as they remain healthy.

Q5: A household member is in isolation for COVID-19. Can my healthy child attend school in person?

A: No. The Department of Health will most likely quarantine other individuals in the household.  After your child has completed a 14 day quarantine, they can attend school in person.  They can attend school remotely during their quarantine period.

Q6: I have multiple children in the district in my household and one of them is sick and being tested for COVID-19, can the other healthy children attend school in person?

A: No, Once the negative confirmatory COVID-19 test results are received, all household members can return to school as long as they are healthy. Until then, all household members must remain at home and can attend school remotely.

Q7: My healthcare provider is recommending a COVID-19 test for my child, but I do not want my child to be tested or be seen by a healthcare provider.  What are the next steps?

A: Your child must remain in isolation and the District is required to discuss the case with the Department of Health to determine the next steps.

Q8: What does the “doctor’s note” need to say once I take my child to see their healthcare provider?

A: The note must provide an alternate diagnosis (see Q2) and/or a negative PCR/molecular COVID-19 test.

Q9:  There are different types of COVID-19 tests, which type of test is accepted by the District?

A: There are 2 types of COVID-19 tests, antigen tests and PCR/molecular tests. Due to a much lower accuracy of the antigen tests, the District will only accept PCR/molecular tests.  PCR tests can be rapid (results in 15 min-1 hour) or traditional swab tests (results in 1-5 days depending on the lab where they are processed).  If your child has tested negative for COVID-19 using one of the rapid tests and continues to have symptoms of COVID-19, they should not come to school, and the school nurse may request a traditional swab PCR test. Make sure you speak with your child’s healthcare provider to determine which test your child is receiving.  

*Please note:  The Abbot ID Now Rapid POC/PCR test will NOT be accepted for a negative result (New information from the WCDOH).

Q10:  Someone in our household traveled to a state on the New York State Travel Advisory Restricted States list or to a Level 2 or 3 country. Can my child attend school in person?

A: Yes. As long as the traveler is quarantining at home and your child remains healthy/asymptomatic, your child may come to school in person.

Q11: My child has allergy symptoms, do they still need a health care provider note?

A: Yes. If your child is experiencing allergy symptoms, your healthcare provider will need to provide a note indicating that the current symptoms are being caused by this preexisting condition (meaning they have had allergy symptoms in the past, this is not the first occurrence of allergy symptoms).

Q12: Can I assume my child’s minor seasonal allergy symptoms are not COVID-19 related?

A:  No, Many minor seasonal allergy symptoms are also symptoms of COVID-19. Due to the ongoing pandemic conditions, only a healthcare provider can determine the diagnosis or cause. Sometimes, a COVID-19 test may be necessary to make this determination. 

Q13:  If my child is quarantined by the school district, do they need to be tested before returning?

No. The District does not require a negative COVID-19 test to return to school after your child’s quarantine period, as long as your child does not become ill or develop any symptoms of COVID-19.

Q14: If I think my child has a new illness, allergy or lactose intolerance, that a sibling/family member already has, do they need to see a healthcare provider?

A: Yes. New symptoms need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider.  Student records will then need to be updated to reflect new diagnosis.