What happens if a student comes to school ill?

(Rev 7/21/20) A child who is ill and exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 will be supervised in a separate area until parents arrive to pick them up.

Will they be required to be tested for COVID-19?

(Rev 7/24/20) Per public health department, a student or staff member with symptoms will be required to get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible or provide a medical note before returning.

Will parents, students and staff be made aware if someone on campus tests positive for COVID-19?

(Rev 8/20/21) California Department of Public Health guidance states that schools should document/track incidents of possible exposure and notify local health officials. While maintaining confidentiality as required under FERPA and state and federal law related to privacy of educational and employee records, if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, close contacts at school will be identified and notified with public health department instructions for testing and quarantine. A public health department "general advisory" letter may be given. Close contact is defined by California Department of Public Health as within 6 feet for 15 or more minutes within a 24 hour period.

What happens if a staff member or student tests positive?

(Rev 8/20/21) If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, close contacts at school will be identified and notified with public health department instructions for testing and quarantine. A public health department "general advisory" letter may be given. Close contact is defined by California Department of Public Health as within 6 feet for 15 or more minutes within a 24 hour period. 

How do you decide to close a classroom or school?

(Rev 8/20/21) We will follow the SCCPHD guidelines for closures. Each scenario has different circumstances. Depending on the situation, a class will be isolated until cleared to return to school. The teacher will continue to provide lessons via distance learning. The SCCPHD will assist school districts in the process.

What happens in the case that a family member of a student or staff member tests positive?

(Rev 8/20/21) If it is confirmed that a student or staff member has been in close contact with a positive case, they will follow the public health department guidelines including any quarantine requirements. A student who is self-isolating will work with their teacher to complete coursework from home.

What criteria will be used to close and open schools and districts?

(Rev 8/20/21) Individual school closure is recommended based on the number of cases, the percentage of the teacher/students/staff that are positive for COVID-19, and following consultation with the Local Health Officer.  The following are the general parameters of when a school closure may occur.

• Individual school closure may be indicated when an outbreak occurs in 25% or more of a classroom  within a 14 day period or when at least 3 outbreaks (3 positive cases are defined as 1 outbreak) have occurred in the school AND more than 5% of the school population is infected
• The Local Health Officer may also determine school closure is warranted for other reasons, including results from public health investigation or other local epidemiological data.

However, after each instance of a positive COVID-19 test, local county public health is contacted and they will advise on school closure on a case-by-case basis.
Schools may typically reopen after 14 days and the following have occurred:

• Cleaning and disinfection
• Public health investigation
• Consultation with the local public health department

A superintendent may close a school district if 25% or more of schools in a district have closed due to COVID-19 within 14 days, and in consultation with the local public health department.

Districts may typically reopen after 14 days, in consultation with the local public health department.

What happens to teaching and learning if an entire classroom or school needs to close?

(Rev 7/21/20) The teachers and students would transition into an online distance learning model until they can return to the classroom. 

How do I report my positive results or close contact exposure?

(Rev 11/20/20) You will report directly to your site administrator via email or phone call. Our reporting protocols follow all HIPAA guidelines and we will release information to public health officials as required.

I heard there was a positive case at my school but I have not received a notice, what do I do?

(Rev 11/20/20) If there is a confirmed positive case at your school, the case and all close contacts will be notified. If you did not receive a letter, you were not determined to be a close contact.

I received a case or close contact letter but the number on the dashboard has not been updated. Why?

(Rev 11/20/20) SCUSD does not wait to notify close contacts upon the initial report of a positive case. However, we do wait for official confirmation from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department before listing the case on this dashboard. This could result in a delay of cases appearing on this dashboard or a discrepancy between the number of notifications received and the actual number of confirmed cases (when the case is not confirmed positive by public health). 

Where can I find up-to-date information about confirmed cases at SCUSD?

(Rev 11/20/20) All confirmed COVID-19 incidents related to Santa Clara Unified school sites and offices will be posted to our COVID-19 Tracking Dashboard webpage.

Can you identify specific schools that have had staff and/or students with positive COVID-19 tests?

(Rev 8/16/21) We do not identify specific schools so that we can maintain a certain level of confidentiality for our families and staff. We follow all California Department of Public Health and Santa Clara County Public Health Department guidelines for contact tracing and notifications. At the time a case is listed on our tracking dashboard, all appropriate notifications have been issued. If you have not received a notification, your child was not in the affected classroom or considered a close contact.

Will students sent home due to COVID-19 exposure move to the independent study program temporarily until it is safe for them to return?

(Rev 8/20/21) No. These students will not be enrolled into the independent study program. A student who is self-isolating will work with their teacher to complete coursework from home.

What assurances do I have that every precaution will be taken to ensure my child's safety?

(Rev 8/20/21) SCUSD will follow the CDPH and SCCPHD guidelines and orders to the greatest extent possible to ensure safety for our students and staff.