January 9, 2022
Dear Independence Local Schools’ Families,
This email is to review Covid-19 protocols and to further explain the seemingly ever-changing quarantine/isolation procedures we are following, which are updated from the Ohio Department of Health and Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
Masking
At last week’s Board of Education meeting, we reviewed local and state data regarding community spread and our staffing challenges (staff members home sick). Because of the elevated numbers in our schools and these staff challenges, we will continue with our universal mask mandate for 2 more weeks. Our intention is to return to our policy we opened the year with - recommending masks but allowing choice - however with the reality of shutting down schools has us being more restrictive than intended for hopefully only a short time. This will be reviewed again at our next Board meeting on January 18.
Quarantine Protocols
If a student or staff member is exposed to someone with Covid-19 and considered a close contact, they must quarantine (stay home, avoid others, monitor for symptoms) for 5 days. They may return to school on the 6th day if symptom-free, continue to monitor for symptoms, and wear a mask for 5 more days.
If the exposure was in a school setting, we are following Ohio’s Mask to Stay protocols, allowing the student or staff member to attend school and participate in school events, while masking and monitoring for symptoms for 10 days (no quarantine if symptom-free).
If the individual meets any of the three conditions below and verifies this with the school office and/or Board of Health, they may also avoid quarantine and continue to attend school while masking and monitoring for symptoms for 10 days:
- Received a COVID-19 booster dose
- Completed a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 primary vaccine series less than 6 months ago or a Johnson & Johnson vaccine series less than 2 months ago
- Tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered.
In the above scenarios of Covid-19 exposure, it is recommended that the individual tests on day 5 or later and if they test positive or develop any symptoms, isolate, and immediately contact your healthcare provider.
If your student is exposed, has symptoms, or tests positive, contact your school office for help with next steps.
We will continue to provide take-home tests for any student who is exposed or develops symptoms, based on test availability.
We will continue to update our district’s Covid-19 information weekly through our dashboard, which is available on our district website. We will also remain committed to providing as many great experiences and opportunities for our kids.
Sincerely,
Ben Hegedish
Superintendent
