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Health & Safety Updates

Posted on: January 4, 2022

On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, the following message was sent to Lebanon families: 

Greetings Lebanon School Families,

I wanted to share an important health and safety update as we adapt to recently updated guidance. Our goal remains the same as it was in August: to keep our schools open in the safest way possible for our students and community. 

FACEMASKS - Mask guidance has not changed. Masks are optional, but strongly encouraged, for all students and staff in all Lebanon City School buildings. Please note: the Federal requirement has been extended through March 18, 2022 and facemasks are required to be worn by all students and all staff on school buses. Please provide your student with a mask if they are riding a school bus. Our transportation department distributed more than 2,000 masks district-wide just in the month of December. 

UPDATED QUARANTINE GUIDELINES - Over winter break the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their quarantine guidelines. These new updates apply only if a student has been exposed to COVID outside of the school setting. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS EXPOSED TO A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL: If a student is exposed to a positive COVID-19 case OUTSIDE of the school setting or school related activities, the following new quarantine guidelines apply: 

  • If the student’s vaccines are up to date then they must wear a mask to school for 10 days after their last exposure, it is recommended (but not required) that they test on day 5, and if they develop symptoms or test positive, they must stay home. 

  • If the student is not vaccinated or their vaccines are not up to date then they must quarantine at home for five days and wear a mask for 5 days once they return to school. It is recommended that they test on day 5, and if they develop symptoms or test positive, stay home.

  • Click here to download a one-page graphic that provides guidance on what to do if your child is sick, has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS EXPOSED TO A POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE AT SCHOOL: if a student is exposed to a positive COVID-19 case AT SCHOOL they can stay in school and Mask to Stay/Test to Play.

  • The Mask to Stay/Test to Play option does not apply to household exposures or exposures that occurred outside of the school setting or school-related activities. With this option, students stay in school and wear a mask for 10 days following exposure. Additionally, to continue to participate in extracurricular activities, the student can test the day they are notified of the exposure and test again on day 5 after exposure. 

  • Click here to download a one-page graphic that provides guidance on what to do if your child is sick, has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR STUDENT IS SICK OR IF THEY TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19: 

  • If your child isn’t feeling well, keep them at home. 

  • If they are showing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, keep them home from school. 

  • Report the absence to your child’s school.

  • Regardless of vaccination status, if your student tests positive for COVID-19,  they must stay home from school for five days and stay away from other people as much as possible.  

  • NEW GUIDANCE: If they are fever-free and their symptoms are improving, on day 6, the student may return to school. A mask must be worn for 5 days once they return to school. A negative test result is not required to return to school on day 6.

  • If they have a fever or other symptoms on day 6, they must stay home until their fever is gone and other symptoms are better, and a mask must be worn for 5 days once they return to school. A negative test result is not required to return to school.

  • Click here to download a one-page graphic that provides guidance on what to do if your child is sick, has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case.

  •  If you have any questions, email Contact Tracer Jamie Buchert (buchert.jamie@lebanonschools.org) or COVID nurse Katja Pursell (pursell.katja@lebanonschools.org) or call (513) 934-5889. 

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19: 

The omicron variant symptoms are often confused with allergies or cold-like symptoms.  If your student is showing any of these symptoms, please keep them home from school:

  • Fever or chills

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle or body aches

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea 

IMPORTANT! If your student is showing symptoms of COVID-19, keep them at home. If they are awaiting test results, keep them at home. If your child is sick, keep them at home.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation this year as we all learn to adapt to new guidelines and circumstances. 

Sincerely,
Isaac W. Seevers, Superintendent