Health and Safety - Top Priorities as PSD Educates Children
District and school leaders continue to work with and follow guidance from public health officials to meet evolving health and safety requirements. Throughout the year, procedures will be monitored continuously to ensure schools and district buildings are safe environments for everyone. All students, staff, and families are expected to follow all health and safety protocols this school year to keep everyone as safe as possible.
PSD Guidelines: What do I do when I'm sick?
Feeling Sick? Possible symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- 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
If a student or staff member is feeling sick with COVID-19 symptoms, they should remain home while sick. We recommend they test for COVID-19. Free at-home tests are available at each school’s health office for families and staff to pick-up.
PSD follows Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s How Sick Is Too Sick guidelines/¿Qué tan enfermo es demasiado enfermo? on when students and staff should stay home and when they may return to school following illness.
If a student or staff member tests positive, they should follow the CDPHE isolation guidelines on when to remain at home and how long to mask after isolation.
To prevent outbreaks and reduce COVID-19 transmission in school settings we recommend that parents/guardians report when their child has tested positive for COVID-19 either to their school directly or by using the illness reporting portal.
If you choose to report a positive COVID-19 test through the online reporting form, it will automatically calculate return to school dates and masking dates for your student. These dates will be sent to your student's school for absence reporting information. Staff members are also available to assist you with determining when your student may return to school activities after testing positive for COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a student has symptoms while in class?
Students who don't feel well during school will go to the Health Office to be evaluated by a staff member. If it is determined that their symptoms meet guidance for going home, the parent or guardian will be contacted to pick up the child from school. Health Office staff will consult with the parent to determine when a student can return.
What should we do when we're exposed to COVID-19?
Follow CDC recommended precautions:
- Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 full days*
- Monitor yourself for symptoms. Isolate and seek testing if symptoms develop.
- Test on Day 6 after exposure, if possible.
*Day 0 is considered the last date of exposure to COVID-19.
Masks are not recommended for children ages 2 years and younger.
Who does symptom monitoring?
Student and staff are expected to self-monitor for symptoms and remain at home if they are ill or are experiencing COVID symptoms.
What if my child has COVID-19 symptoms, but tests negative for COVID?
PSD follows CDPHE How Sick Is Too Sick guidelines on when students and staff should stay home and when they may return to school following illness.
This guide covers flu-like symptoms, vomiting/throwing up, specific diagnoses like flu, strep throat, RSV, chickenpox, and other common communicable diseases.
The CDC has recommended that the COVID immunization be added to the 2023 childhood immunization schedule. Will this be required to attend school in PSD?
The Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended adding information for approved COVID-19 vaccines to the 2023 childhood immunization schedule. However, the CDC only makes vaccine recommendations, and it is up to state or local jurisdictions to decide which vaccines are required for children in schools.
The current school entry vaccine requirements for Colorado can be found at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment “School-required vaccines” webpage.
Confidentiality Information
Larimer County Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE), PSD and Confidentiality
- Sharing student information with LCDHE for case investigation: PSD may need to share some student information requested by LCDHE staff during case investigations that includes, but isn't limited to, parent/guardian name, parent/guardian phone number(s), student name, student grade, student school of attendance, and student date of birth. PSD will never share parent/guardian or student social security numbers. All disclosures are made in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
- PSD protects the release of student information under The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. However, PSD can release certain student information to LCDHE or other public health agencies without parental consent if the disclosure is in connection with a health or safety emergency and the public health agency's knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals, according to FERPA.
Communications and Data Transparency
- On a case-by-case basis, PSD works with LCDHE to communicate important information to targeted staff and/or parents and guardians. Case communications will not be sent to the entire school community each time; instead, we will work to communicate directly with impacted groups.
- PSD and LCDHE staff keep the identity of students and staff who test positive for or are believed to be exposed to COVID-19 confidential.