The following enhanced procedures and protocols are in place at every campus to promote the health and wellbeing of our students and staff.

• Student Awareness: Age-appropriate education on good hygiene practices to students will be provided via video and signage displayed throughout the school sites.
• Staff Awareness: Training of school and district staff about infection control strategies and preventative measures.
• Staff Health Screening: Staff will be required to screen themselves for symptoms and contacts on a daily basis and monitor their responses.

In partnership with parents and guardians to keep our students healthy, please complete this COVID-19 Health Assessment on a daily basis 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.

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 100.4º) 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 10 minutes) with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has symptoms compatible with COVID-19 in the last two days? Is your student awaiting results of a COVID test?

*These recommendations are current as of 08/30/2021. Recommendations are subject to change as the situation evolves. For more information, please visit Maricopa County Coronavirus (Covid-19). 

Testing Resources for COVID-19: Testing Resources (pdf)

Banner Health | Next Care | CVS | Walgreens | FastMed Urgent Care | Sonora Quest | 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.

COVID-19 Protocols for Positive Cases or Exposure Scenarios

We are following the recommendations of the Maricopa Department of Health regarding criteria for what constitutes exposure and what is recommended for the isolation of positive and exposed students and staff. We will notify parents of any exposure their child has from a positive staff member or classmate. At the time of the notification, there will be directives depending on the type of exposure.

Currently, the directive from the Maricopa Department of Health is not to send home an entire class due to one positive student or teacher as this is now a community-wide illness. We will continue to work closely with the Department of Health regarding these guidelines as well as reporting and positive cases at each campus.

Positive COVID-19 Notifications:

• Classroom letter to class and staff and any student who may have had a general exposure to a Covid + student or staff.

Quarantining:

• Mandated by law to quarantine students who have been verified as being in “close contact” with a Covid positive student or staff member. Close contact as defined by the CDC is being within 6 feet for 15 minutes in a 24 hour period, OR physical contact with the positive person. Per CDC/MCDPH, students or staff who have been vaccinated do not need to quarantine. Also, anyone who has had COVID in the past 3 months does not need to quarantine. We will need verification of either.

Text and Email Notifications:

• We continue to find ways to ensure we can communicate with our parents in a timely and efficient manner, in an effort to keep our parents as informed as possible. Please note, this school year, student close-contact notifications will continue to be sent out via email, and we will be adding text messages to alert you to the fact that you have received an email. You will only receive a text with regard to a student close contact notification that specifically involves your student. Should you wish to keep your student home and/or have them tested we will support your student any way we can.

Management of ill students within the school health office:

• Our district continues to work closely with State and County Agencies for additional resources for parents and staff.
  Health Offices will isolate ill students from well students and staff and protocols and procedures will be in place to reduce the frequency of non-health related visits to the health office.

Management of students returning to school after illness:

• Students are expected to follow the exclusion and return to school guidelines set forth by the State and County Health Departments.
  Parents will receive information from their schools Health Personnel regarding when their child can return to school when they go home with particular symptoms. They can always call while their child is home if they have additional questions or new symptoms arise.

Management of Staff returning to work after illness:

• Employees are expected to follow the exclusion and return to school guidelines set forth by the State and County Health Departments. Isolation Guidance MCDPH

Personal Protective Equipment: 

• Wearing a face covering is optional for students and staff (effective May 29, 2021).

Hand Washing (following 20-second protocol or use of hand sanitizer):

• Upon arrival at school, use sanitizer if there is no sink available 
• After physical activity 
• Before and after meals 
• After sneezing, coughing, and blowing nose 

Campus Modifications: 

• Physical distancing, where possible.
• Classroom and lunchroom seating will be socially distanced as much as possible.
• Signage displayed campus-wide promoting best practice behaviors.
• Signage reminding students and employees to complete daily health assessments.
• If a visitor does not have an appointment, the department or employee who can best assist will be contacted to determine whether someone is available to help. If no-one is available at that time, the visitor may be asked to schedule an appointment or connect via phone or other means.
• Hand soap will be available in all restrooms.
• Posters on how to wash hands properly will be posted in all restrooms and at classroom sinks.
• A hand sanitizer bottle or dispenser will be in every classroom and placed at the entrance to buildings.  
• A bottle of cleaning supplies with a cloth and instructions will be provided in every classroom.  Cloths are changed out daily by custodial staff.
• Desks and any touchable surfaces should be wiped down daily at the end of use. 
• Capacity at athletic events will be determined by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.
• Tables and surfaces will be wiped down with sanitizing products at the start and end of each meeting.
• Sharing supplies, such as pens, pencils, notepads, etc., and congregating in work and supply areas is discouraged. 
• While shared equipment will be treated nightly, individuals are responsible for sanitizing shared equipment, such as copy machines, before and after use. Wipes and cleansers will be provided.

Breakfast and Lunch Modifications:

• Use of hand sanitizers/washing of hands and ongoing cleaning of tables and chairs will occur throughout the lunch periods.  
• At elementary level, three to four students per table facing in the same direction when possible.  
• At secondary level students will be provided spaces outside, in libraries, and other areas throughout the building to eat their lunch spreading out students.   
• Additional garbage cans will be provided for disposal of completed meal packaging and leftovers. After each lunch period, tables and seats will be wiped down for the next group of students.

Cleaning and Disinfecting:

• Enhanced training for all custodians and non-custodial staff on the use of the disinfectant application.
• Increased daily cleaning and disinfecting high traffic areas, doors, counters, sinks, and other horizontal surfaces.
• Restroom and Health Office touchpoint areas will be disinfected twice daily.
• Guidelines and supplies for cleaning desks and table provided to each classroom teacher. 
• Signage for safe hygiene and handwashing posted by all classroom sinks and restrooms. 
• The use of laundered and sanitized color-coded microfiber cloths for specific surface areas to avoid cross-contamination.
• Utilization of electrostatic sprayers for wide-area disinfecting.
• A minimum of 20%-30% outside air damper control will be maintained.
• Operation of Outside Air Units (OAUs) and HVAC unit fans will  be maintained to ensure  constant air changes.
• MERV 8 pleated filters will be used in both the HVAC units and the OAU.

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.

A Health Flyer for Parents (English pdf)

A Health Flyer for Parents (Spanish pdf)

School is no place for a sick child. Please do not send your child to school if he/she has diarrhea, vomiting, a fever, rash, deep cough, or a communicable disease such as chickenpox, strep throat, pink eye or lice. You will be notified if your child becomes ill enough to be sent home from school, sustains more than a minor injury, or has an emergency. It is the parent’s responsibility to make arrangements to pick up an ill or injured child as promptly as possible. We suggest that you have someone listed on your emergency card in case you are not available or can not leave work. Any student having any of the following will need to be sent home: vomiting, having two bouts of diarrhea, evidence of possible pink eye, a rash, or with a temperature of 101.0 degrees. A parent or guardian must pick these students up promptly.

Children are not permitted to walk home when ill or injured per District policy. If a child is sent home with fever, diarrhea or vomiting they are not to come to school the following day. Twenty-four hours of being “symptom-free” would not be possible by the following day. Children must be fever free (without medication) for 24 hours prior to returning to school also.

Health offices are staffed by Registered Nurses and/or health assistants. The health office staff is available to assist students with illness and accidents that occur at school. Parents are requested to notify the Health Office if a student has a health problem.

Fever: Any child with a fever of 101 degrees of greater will be sent home and may return to school when fever free for 24 hours without the aid of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (for example).

Diarrhea: A child that experiences one loose stool at school and feels better, will be returned to class. More than 2 loose stools, they will be sent home and may return to school after being diarrhea free for 24 hours without the aid of an anti-diarrheal agent.

Vomiting: One incident of vomiting without other symptoms such as fever, stomach pain, paleness/dizziness may not indicate illness.  For this scenario, parent/guardian will be contacted and child will be monitored - it is not necessary for the child to be sent home. The child will be sent home when there are two incidences of vomiting with or without other symptoms. The child may return to school when free from vomiting for 24 hours without the aid of medications.

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.