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2022 COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols

 

The Marion County Public Health Department guidelines state individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 can only come back to school or work once they have done the following:

After looking at the instances of outbreaks in Indiana schools (where close contacts become positive cases after coming in close contact with a positive individual in school) the research led state epidemiologists to conclude that instances of student to student spread is low enough in schools with mask mandates to make quarantine optional in cases were all impacted students were masked (close contacts and the positive individual).  In cases where there were outbreaks of masked individuals, it was an unmasked individual and/or the teacher who was the cause of the outbreak.  Our own data parallel the findings from the ISDH and MCPHD.  

In line with the data and new guidance, we are taking a cautious approach to minimize the number of students who have to quarantine while still ensuring we are minimizing risk to our staff and students.  You can find the updated quarantine guidance for adults and staff, as well as those for positive cases here.  Please note that there is different guidance for traditional aged K-12 students from our staff and DORS students. 

We want to remind you to please keep your child home if they, or anyone else in your home, are not feeling well and have the following symptoms:

cough, shortness of breath, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, vomiting or diarrhea, and new loss of taste or smell.

Please do not send your child to school, or any other event, if anyone in your home is waiting on COVID test results. It’s very important that you know for certain they have a negative test before students attend any programs.

Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy school community, and we look forward to seeing you Wednesday!

If it becomes necessary for you to enter the school building, we ask that you help us in continuing to follow general social distancing guidelines, as well as the following specific safety measures we are putting in place to allow us to remain open and able to meet your needs:

  • We ask each family to maintain at least a 6-foot distance between themselves and other guests, as well as our staff members, whenever possible. To accomplish this, we are allowing only two family members to enter our schools together at any given time. Also, only one family will be permitted to be in the office area working with our staff. A waiting area will be available in the vestibules at the building entrance. If the waiting area is occupied by awaiting family or guests, visitors waiting to enter the building should remain properly distanced outside or in their vehicles until those areas are unoccupied.
  • We are requiring all of our staff members and visitors to the school to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while they are in the building with other people. If you do not have a mask, we will provide you with one upon entering the building.
  • All visitors entering the school should make use of our hand sanitizing stations upon entering the building.
  • Guests should continue following CDC guidelines and general practices to help prevent the spread of germs:
        • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands.
        • Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.
        • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
        • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

We have also added the additional precautions and protocols to ensure the safety of our students and entire school community:

              •  Make diagnostic and screening testing resources readily available to every eligible student and staff member.
              • Make an effort to provide vaccinations to those within our school communities for every eligible student and staff member.
              • Conduct contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the state, local, territorial, or tribal health departments.

As an added precaution, our Christel House Team will clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, including sanitizing writing instruments before they are used by the next visitor. We appreciate your help and support as we continue to make our schools a safe place to visit. If you should have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to Summer Stone via email at sstone@chschools.org. 

Sincerely,

The Christel House Schools Administration Team

 

 

Christel House Indianapolis Quarantine,  Isolation, & Masking Policy {4/2022}

 

As with other illnesses, symptomatic individuals should not attend school unless they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving.  If an individual tests positive, see isolation guidance below regarding positive cases.

 

As of January 31, 2022, the ISDH is utilizing the following definitions used throughout this policy:

 


 

Policy for overnight school trips and events: 

All students may attend overnight trips.

 

 

Close Contacts

No quarantine required regardless of vaccination status.  If exposed either outside of school or during the school day, students and staff must monitor for symptoms for 10-14 days.  As with other illnesses, symptomatic individuals should not return to school unless they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving.  

 

Day 1 is the day after the exposure.   


 

Positive Cases

Isolation Calculator

Must isolate for a minimum of 5 days from symptom onset (or day tested if asymptomatic) AND be symptom-free for 24 hours. If unable or unwilling to mask properly at all times through day 10, the individual must remain isolated at home for full 10 days.  A face shield is not a face mask.  

 

Day 1 is the day after becoming symptomatic.  Individuals may return to school and school activities on day 6 if no symptoms persist and they remain fully masked at all times.  


 

Mask Policy

Masks are optional indoors and outdoors for those who haven’t tested positive within the last 10 days (see policy above).  This policy is subject to change for individual classrooms or schools with higher positivity rates.