Important information regarding Maricopa County Phase B information for K–12 school staff and childcare workers.

As of 12/7/2020 Maricopa County Department of Health has updated the Quarantine Guidelines to reflect the changes that have been made within the CDC.

Currently, the options to quarantine are as follows:

1. 10 full days from date of exposure

2. Acquire a PCR or Antigen (rapid) test on the full 5th day from exposure, if this test is NEGATIVE you may leave quarantine after 7 full days.

These new guidelines will apply to staff and students. Please see your Campus Nurse or Health Assistant if you have any questions regarding counting the days for testing or ending quarantine. Before going for a test we suggest you call your school Health Office to verify the dates.

In partnership with parents and guardians to keep our students healthy, we need you to complete this health assessment on a daily basis before you send them to school.  No need to submit anything, just run through the questions on the assessment to determine whether or not to send your child to school.

If your child has any of these symptoms,  keep them home from school and notify your campus of their absence and symptoms.

Health Assessment for Students (pdf)

If the answer to all of the following questions is “no,” then we feel confident that your child will be more likely to have a successful day at school!

1. Does your child currently have a fever (temperature above 100.4) or had a fever in the last 24 hours?

2. Does your child have:

• A new cough or shortness of breath
• Headache
• Body Aches
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Congestion or runny nose

3. Is anyone in your home currently being isolated for COVID-19 due to a positive test or COVID-19 symptoms?

4. Have you been in close contact (closer than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?

STUDENTS NEED TO STAY HOME IF THEY HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Fever of 100.4º or higher
• New onset cough or shortness of breath
• Muscle Aches/ chillsLoss of sense of taste or smell
• Sore Throat
• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Congestion or runny nose
• OR Someone at home who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 OR student is waiting for test results for COVID-19
• OR Been within 6 feet of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more in a 24 hour time period, OR had physical contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

COVID SCENARIOS & WHEN STUDENTS MAY RETURN TO SCHOOL:

1. POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST*: May return after 10 days since positive test AND no fever for 24 hours (without the use of medication) AND other symptoms have improved.

2. NO COVID-19 TEST*: May return after 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND no fever for 24 hours (without the use of medication) AND other symptoms have improved OR doctor’s note indicates an alternative diagnosis.

3. NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST*: No fever for 24 hours without medication AND all other symptoms have improved.

4. EXPOSURE TO COVID-19*: May return after 10 days** if there are no symptoms. If symptoms develop will need to follow positive* Covid-19 protocol starting the day symptoms develop. **An option to shorten quarantine may be available please see your campus Health Office Staff.

*These recommendations are current as of 12/08/2020. Recommendations are subject to change as the situation evolves. For more information, please visit Maricopa County Coronavirus (Covid-19). 

Maricopa County Department of Public Health - Quarantine Guidance for Household and Close Contacts of a Person with COVID-19 (www.maricopa.gov/covidquarantine)

WHAT IF A STUDENT OR TEACHER IN MY CHILD'S CLASS TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?

If we receive notice that a student or teacher has a positive test result the whole classroom will be notified and we will notify the Maricopa Department of Health (MCDPH).  We will then conduct an immediate investigation to identify any students and staff who may have been exposed. Exposure is classified as contact with an infectious person for 10 minutes or more, less than 6 feet away. Our teachers and staff are aware of the “close contact rule” and will be doing everything they can to maintain physical distancing and to minimize close contact.  MCDPH has not at this time stated that one positive person in a classroom would indicate the need to quarantine a whole classroom - due to the “close contact rule”, however, each instance will be investigated and a determination will be made from there.  Those determined to have been in "close contact" will be notified by the Dept of Health as well as GPS.  Please be assured that any notification you receive will provide clear information, and instructions if follow up actions are required.  Also, your school nurse or health assistant will be available to provide additional direction, resources, and support as needed.

TESTING RESOURCES FOR COVID-19: Testing Resources (pdf)

Banner Health | Next Care | CVS | Walgreens | FastMed Urgent Care | Sonora Quest | Everlywell- Home Test | Maricopa County Testing Resources | ASU Saliva Test

Note: Private practitioners have limited access to COVID-19 tests. It is recommended that you call your provider but acknowledge that you may need to seek testing from a retail facility or community event.

ADHS Emergency Measure Executive Ordee (English, pdf) - updated 11/20/20

GPS Face Covering Policy (English, pdf) - updated 11/20/20

GPS Face Covering Student Exemption Protocol (English, pdf)

View our library of Health Services video resources on handwashing and other health topics curated for our GPS community to stay informed and healthy (English/Spanish versions).

Immunizations - Healthy Children Learn Better

Arizona State law ARS 15-803 states that all children must have up to date immunization records on file at school to be able to attend.

Guide To Arizona Immunizations Required For School Entry Grades K-12

Verification for all immunizations must include the child’s name, birth date, type of vaccine, date of vaccine, and name of doctor/agency administering the vaccine. Records must be signed or stamped by the agency providing the immunizations. A previous school record is also acceptable (does not include preschools). The record must be provided before school starts or at the time of enrollment. Immunizations must be up-to-date in order to begin school.

Preschool Immunization Requirements

Kindergarten Immunization Requirements

Many immunization clinics are available in the area that may be free of charge. Please remember to take all of your child's immunization records for the clinic staff to review.

Some of the clinics will not give immunizations without a school referral form, or a complete record of previous immunizations. Parental history without documentation is not acceptable.

Free Immunization Clinics

Free Immunization Clinics - Maricopa County, AZ

REMEMBER: When visiting an Immunization Clinic, please bring ALL shot records or a letter from school stating which vaccines are needed.

It is imperative that you notify the school nurse if your child has a medical condition such as diabetes, seizure disorder, asthma, heart disease, allergies (food and environmental), or any other type of physical/emotional/mental disability. Parents/Guardians will receive emergency health forms electronically via the Parent Portal. Please complete thoroughly. This information will help Health Services and the school’s staff to better meet the needs of your child as well as provide emergency contact information in case of illness or injury.  Please remember to advise the Attendance/Front Office of any changes in the home, employment or emergency numbers.

When it is necessary for a student to take medication during school hours, the following requirements must be met:

1. Prescription medication must be in the ORIGINAL container with a non-expired prescription label that matches the written physician’s order.
2. Over-the-counter medications must be in the ORIGINAL container with original package directions.
3. Age appropriate dosage as stated on the label will only be dispensed.
4. In order for the Health Office to administer medications to be a student, a Medication Permission Consent Form MUST be signed by the parent/guardian and physician.  Dosage, time, routes and dates to be given and the name of the medication must be clearly stated.
5. All medication must be dropped off and picked up at school by an ADULT only.
6. It is recommended that when you get a prescription filled at the pharmacy that has to be given at school please ask the pharmacist to create a “School Bottle”.  This is especially important with liquid medications (such as antibiotics) that have to be refrigerated.
7. All inhalers, self carry or not, must have a pharmacy placed label on it or have the inhaler inside of th box with the pharmacy label.  Inhalers not properly labeled are not allowed per district policy. Parents must complete the Consent to Carry Inhaler form and return it to the Health Office prior to the student carrying an inhaler on campus.
8. Medications prescribed to be given three times per day, WILL NOT be given at school unless the prescribing physician states in writing that the medication, such as ADHD medication must be administered during school hours.  Please make arrangements to give medications before or after school. Contact your school nurse for more information.
9. Narcotic pain medication will not be given at school, even with a physician’s order, per board policy.
10. Essential oils will not be applied or used at school.  Essential oil diffusion is not permitted in the classrooms or on buses.
11. Supplements and vitamins will not be given at school unless we are provided with a physician’s order.
12. No forms of cannabis will be administered to students for medicinal purposes, even with a physician’s order, per board policy.
13. Medications brought to school and not meeting the necessary requirements will not be dispensed.  The medication will be locked in the office until a parent/guardian verifies the medication, signs the proper forms or takes it home.
14. Please contact your campus nurse regarding further information on the inhaler and epi-pen order for any student.

The school principal, in consultation with District Health Services, determines when and to whom communicable disease notification letters are sent. Generally, if there is a physician confirmed case of a communicable illness within a classroom, a letter is sent to all parents/guardians of the children in that classroom. If 10% of the campus population has been physician confirmed, to have a certain communicable disease, a notification letter is sent to parents/guardians of the entire student body as advised by the Maricopa County Health Department. Information may also be relayed via school communication channels to alert parents about specific communicable diseases in the school.

A child returning to school following a visit with a medical provider, with sutures (stitches - staples), an ace bandage wrap, sling, crutches, cane, walker, knee walker/scooter, or wheelchair - must have a licensed medical provider's written permission to attend school that includes any recommendations and/or restrictions related to physical activity, mobility and safety. All equipment must be provided by the parent/guardian.

A note from the physician is required for the child to be excused from PE or other strenuous activity after 3 consecutive days of a parent note. Please contact your child's health office staff for more clarification if needed.

Parents/Guardians must contact their child's health office regarding the short term use of crutches, canes, walkers, wheelchairs or other assistive walking devices. A physician's note is required after a 72-hour "grace" period. This additional information from the physician helps us to make emergency plans in the event of potential problems with ambulating or in the participation of activities such as recess or PE.

Lice infestation has nothing to do with socioeconomic status or hygiene standards.  Anyone can get head lice. Lice and nits are commonly transmitted in children when they share combs, brushes, hats, and coats.  Lice checks are performed on students when a parent or teacher suspects their child/student has lice or if classmates and/or siblings have lice.  If a student is found to have live head lice, their parent/guardian will be notified to take their child home. The child must be treated and have most of the nits removed from the hair shafts before returning to school.  Students may not return to school until all live lice have been removed. The Health Office staff must recheck the student’s hair prior to returning to school. Elementary school Health Office staff will send home a general letter when lice have been detected in the classroom of your student.

Hearing: Hearing screenings are provided to pre-school, kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th-grade students every year per mandate under the guidelines of the Arizona Department of Health and Hearing Conservation Program. All special education students are screened annually. The screening provided is not a hearing test. If a student does not pass a second screening, their parent/guardian will be notified.

Vision: Vision screenings are conducted each year with selected groups of students per Arizona guidelines. Usually, this includes pre-school, kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th-graders. Parents and guardians will be notified if the screening indicates further medical advice might be advisable.

Scoliosis: Students in grades 6 and 7 are screened. Parents and guardians will be notified if the screening indicates further medical advice might be advisable.

Other screenings: Optional blood pressure screening may be conducted in grade 5.