Covid Related Announcements

Dear TL Families:

Our district staff and administrative team is collaborating closely with local agencies in order to return to school safely on Jan. 4. Please check back to the home page of our website for the updated information. We will continue to eat lunch in two different groups in order to physical distance while eating. We will discuss the plan for Band and playing instruments with our music teachers on Monday, Jan. 3. Currently the physical distancing requirement is three feet for playing wind instruments with masks and bell covers. We will consider not playing instruments during the first week we return to school, Jan. 4-7.

Sunday, Jan. 2 at 12:00 p.m.

The California Department of Public Health is providing school districts with rapid at-home tests for student use in the first weeks of January. Each at-home testing kit contains two tests. SCSD will be distributing them to interested families at the following drive through locations on Monday, January 3, 2022:

Arroyo Upper Elementary School 1710 Arroyo Ave, San Carlos 9:30am-11:30pm and 12:30pm–3:00pm
Heather Elementary School 2757 Melendy Drive, San Carlos 9:30am-11:30pm and 12:30pm–3:00pm
Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula 2031 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto 9:30am-11:30am and 12:30pm–3:00pm

Is back-to-school testing required by the State?
No! There is NO state-wide testing requirement for returning to school. While schools may have local testing policies for students, the state does not require a documented negative test to return to the classroom.

These efforts aim to remove barriers and increase access to tests for K-12 public school students, not to enforce a state-wide requirement or mandate. We will not be requiring a negative test for students to return to school on Jan. 4.

Is there any cost for students associated with these tests?
No! These tests have been purchased by California Department of Public Health with funds provided by Federal Government to support testing in schools.

What type of test is being offered?
Several brands of at-home/over-the-counter tests will be provided. All are approved by the FDA under Emergency Use Authorization as rapid antigen tests with results in under 30 minutes.

Who performs the tests?
The tests are completed at home by students (or by legal guardians on the students). This is in addition to at-school testing programs and should not be used to meet existing testing requirements.
The box contains two tests.

Should both tests in the kit be done on the same day?
No. The tests should be 1-3 days apart as per the manufacturer’s instructions for use. If someone develops symptoms of COVID-19, they can also use the tests at a different time. Please see below for more guidance.

When should students test?

If students have at-home tests in hand prior to school reopening:

At minimum, students should test the day before or the morning of returning to school. Ideally, they should test 3 days prior to returning to school AND the day before or the morning of returning to school.

If students receive tests during the first weeks of school:

Students should test immediately and then again in 1-3 days per the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

Students should test if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to COVID-19 (see below). If a student has symptom, they should stay home until symptom free (no fever for 24 hours and no fever reducing medications).

For students who are well and have no COVID-19 exposures:

Student tests negative for COVID-19?

A student who feels well and has no COVID-19 symptoms can return to school!

Student tests positive for COVID-19?

Stay home from school and contact your doctor and your school right away. Send an email to [email protected] or call the school office, 650-508-7370.

Student’s parent is not sure about the test results?

Retest at a school-based or community testing site.

What if a student has COVID-19 symptoms any time during the break or when school reopens after break? The student can use their at-home test.

If they test positive: They should inform their doctor to make a plan for care. They should isolate at home for 10 days from symptom onset. The school should be informed about the positive test and will send out further guidance about quarantine requirements.
If they test negative: They should arrange for a second test (such as at a school or community testing site). They should isolate until the second test result is negative and contact the school before attending school.

What if a student is NOT fully vaccinated and was exposed to someone with COVID-19?

They should contact their doctor and the school, [email protected], so the Covid response team can advise about quarantine and testing recommendations. This will vary on a case by case basis.

What if a student is fully vaccinated and was exposed to someone with COVID-19?

Quarantine is not necessary, but they should be tested as soon as possible after they know about the exposure and 5-7 days after the exposure. If COVID-19 symptoms develop, they should be tested as soon as possible and stay home until symptom free.

Are there specific guidelines for those returning from international travel?

Follow national guidance from the CDC. A negative COVID test is required no more than one day prior to return to the US from international travel as of Dec 6, 2021. CDC also recommends all international travelers get tested 3-5 days after their return to the US.

Can a positive at-home test be used as evidence of infection (for excuse from testing for 90 days)?

Unless specified by your local health department, if a positive test is properly logged and photographed in Primary.Health, it can be used for that purpose.