COVID Information Center for Families

e-Guide for Families
Since, the San Bernardino City Unified School District has opened schools and everyone returned to work, uncertainty about how to handle specific COVID situations has prompted the need for a reference document with step-by-step instructions to guide appropriate responses. This resource will be updated weekly and represents the most current information.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of COVID 19?



Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
  • Congestion
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Fever (100.4 F or higher)
  • Headache
  • Loss of taste or sense of smell
  • Muscle and body aches
  • Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
  • Runny Nose
  • Sore Throat
  • Shortness of Breath

If you child has any of these symptoms and they are not part of a known ongoing condition (such as asthma) keep your child home, notify your child's school, and consider having your child tested for COVID-19.

CLICK HERE to download a daily COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire

My child just has a cold. Can I send them to school?

No. Please keep your child home, notify your child’s school and consider having your child tested for COVID-19. Many symptoms of COVID-19 look like the common cold or flu.

My child has symptoms but they are not new. Can I send them to school?

If your child has a known health condition and your child's symptoms are written on their health record at school they may come to school.

I think my child might have COVID-19. What do I do?



Please keep your child home and notify your child’s school. Our COVID-19 liaison will reach out to you to provide information about where you may obtain a COVID-19 test and how long your child should isolate or quarantine.


EXPOSURE

How does SBCUSD manage COVID-19 exposures in schools?



SBCUSD uses two types of tracing methods to identify exposed students and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools: Individual Contact Tracing and Group Tracing.
  1. Individual Contact Tracing is the process of identifying which students were close to a COVID-19 positive individual and testing, monitoring, or quarantining only these students.
  2. Group Tracing is the process of notifying parents of their students' exposure using an exposure notification letter. Testing is offered to every student who was in the same room or group as someone identified as having COVID-19.

The specific tracing method used depends on the specific situation in which the COVID-19 positive individual was identified.

What is considered exposure at school?



The Centers for Disease Control and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) define exposure as either having been in close contact or having shared indoor airspace with someone positive for COVID-19.

Close contact means a student has been within 6 feet of a known COVID-19 positive person for more than 15 minutes over the course of 24 hours. Individual Contact Tracing considers seating charts and reports from students or teachers to determine close contacts who may have been exposed regardless of where the exposure occurred.

Sharing indoor airspace is also a possible determinant of exposure. Group Tracing protocols will consider everyone in a relatively small indoor space such as a classroom with a COVID-19 positive person as having been exposed.

The management of the exposure depends on the Tracing method applied to the situation.

What if my child is identified as having been in close contact with someone with COVID-19?

If your child has been identified through Individual Contact Tracing as having been in close contact while at school with someone who is positive for COVID-19, our COVID-19 liaison will be in touch with you to provide testing options.

Many students will be able to remain at school as long as your child has no symptoms. If your child continues to wear a mask and has no symptoms they may remain in school. The COVID-19 liaison will be in touch with you to provide testing options.

It is important to remember that exposure does not automatically mean your child will become infected with COVID 19.

What if my child is in the same room as someone with COVID-19?



If your child has been in the same room as someone who was known to be positive for COVID-19, they may have been exposed and you may want to have your child tested.

Our COVID-19 liaison will determine if your child’s circumstances warrant an Individual Contact Tracing response or if Group Tracing will be applied in our school. Either way, the COVID-19 liaison will provide information to you about any impact on your child and what you should consider doing as a result.

My child was exposed to COVID-19 away from school. Can I send my child to school?



If you know your child was exposed to COVID-19 outside of school, please discuss the exposure with our COVID-19 liaison before sending your child to school. Exposure does not mean infection and your child may be permitted to return depending upon the nature of the exposure.

Someone in my house has COVID-19. Can I send my child to school?



If someone in the house where your child lives is positive for COVID-19, please discuss the exposure with our COVID-19 liaison before sending your child to school. Exposure does not mean infection, but sharing a home presents a higher level of concern.


VACCINATION

Will my child have to be vaccinated against COVID-19?



COVID-19 Vaccines for children are not currently required for children.

SBCUSD will provide as much flexibility to families for this decision as legally allowed. The Governor of California has declared that vaccinations for school children will be required once full FDA approval has been granted for them. This requirement will not go into effect immediately after approval but begin at the start of the next term following approval. Exemptions currently exist to permit flexibility for families on this issue.

SBCUSD continues to advocate at the state level for the rights of parents/guardians to make this decision for their children who attend our schools.

SBCUSD also believes vaccines are safe and effective and encourages vaccination.

I want to vaccinate my child. Where can I find a vaccine?



Vaccines are available free of charge in a variety of locations throughout our community. You may find information about where to get vaccinated and schedule an appointment to reduce wait time at myturn.ca.gov or you may call the California information line at 833-422-4255 for help in 250 languages.


TESTING

What type of COVID-19 testing will be given to my child at school?



SBCUSD schools use both Rapid Antigen and PCR tests in schools. Both tests use a self-administered nasal swab to gather samples under the supervision of a COVID-19 liaison. Rapid Antigen tests return a result in approximately 15 minutes.  PCR tests are sent to a lab for a more accurate result that comes back in a couple of days.

How do I give consent for my child to participate in COVID-19 testing at school?

A COVID-19 Testing Consent and an Opt-Out form is required to give or to decline consent for your child to participate in COVID-19 testing at school. You may CLICK HERE to download a form. You may also CLICK HERE to fill out the form electronically via ParentSquare.

How do I opt my child out of COVID-19 testing at school?



A COVID-19 Testing Consent / Opt-Out form is required to give or to decline consent for your child to participate in COVID-19 testing at school. You may CLICK HERE to download a form. You may also CLICK HERE to fill out the form electronically via ParentSquare.

How do I change my previous consent or opt-out for my child to be tested at school?



A COVID-19 Testing Consent / Opt-Out form is required to change a previously submitted decision about consent for your child to participate in COVID-19 testing at school. You may CLICK HERE to download a form. You may also CLICK HERE to fill out the form electronically via ParentSquare.

How might obtain a home test for COVID-19 to test my child?



SBCUSD schools distributed home test kits to families in January. No additional kits are available through our schools unless provided by a COVID-19 liaison as part of a tracing response. You may be able to obtain a limited number of home tests by mail through the US Government at covidtests.gov. Additionally, home test kits are often available for purchase in pharmacies.

You may also find information about local testing sites where you can make an appointment or walk-in for a test through the County of San Bernardino at sbcovid19.com. SBCUSD also posts information about local testing locations in our Monday morning ParentSquare Bulletin Board and on social media.


NOTIFICATIONS

Will I be notified if someone in my child’s classroom is positive for COVID-19?

When the school deems it beneficial to use a Group Tracing protocol, you will be notified that a COVID-19 positive person has been identified in your child’s classroom. If you receive this notification, we recommend testing for your child 3-5 days after the last day of exposure.

When someone is positive for COVID-19 at school, will you tell us who is sick?



SBCUSD schools must protect the privacy of individual medical conditions. Other than for your own child, we are not permitted to share the name of anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 at school. We will however continue to keep you informed when positive cases are identified.

What is included in the District COVID-19 dashboard?



SBCUSD maintains a commitment to transparency which includes providing the public with updates about COVID-19 cases identified in our schools through our COVID-19 Dashboard.  This dashboard includes numbers of students and staff who have been identified as having been physically present at school while positive for COVID-19.  The dashboard shows: 

  • The total number of positive active cases identified at school who are now isolating due to infection.
  • New cases are identified each day both Districtwide and by school site (note: for accuracy, two school days are required to verify the data before posting).
  • The total number of cases identified since the beginning of the school year both Districtwide and by school site.


SAFETY MEASURES

What safety measures are in place at my child’s school to prevent the spread of COVID-19?



SBCUSD continues to use a layered approach to safety in our schools. Currently, SBCUSD schools rely on the following safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools:
  • Daily home health assessments for students and staff.
  • Frequent handwashing and accessible hand-sanitizing stations
  • Regular sanitization of schools and administrative offices
  • HEPA air filter units in every classroom
  • Upgraded MERV 11 filters installed in HVAC systems
  • Free and convenient on-campus testing for students and staff.
  • COVID-19 liaisons for quick evaluation and tracing.
  • Multiple tracing protocols to improve situational response.

As new safety guidance emerges, we have and will also continue to modify our approach to provide the least restrictive environment possible while maintaining high safety standards.

How will I be notified if someone at my child’s school is positive for COVID-19?



Schools will post a notification letter in ParentSquare each time someone is identified as positive for COVID-19 at school. If your child is specifically affected, you will receive a letter in writing from a COVID-19 liaison explaining the situation and what you will need to do.

How can we help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools?



Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in schools and in our communities is everyone's shared responsibility. SBCUSD asks that you:

  • Consider getting vaccinated and boosted and vaccinating your child. Vaccinations are safe and effective.
  • Keep your child home when they are sick even if you don't believe they have to COVID-19.
  • Report possible exposures, positive tests and symptoms to your child's school to allow COVID-19 liaisons to engage tracing protocols as appropriate.
  • Consider getting tested and having your child tested when you know you have been exposed or have symptoms. Follow guidelines about when to test as infection can take up to 5 days after exposure to register on a test.
  • Avoid events and activities with large crowds, especially when they are indoors.

Does my child have to wear a mask all day at school?

Beginning March 12, 2022, wearing masks in SBCUSD schools will be optional. While the statewide school masking mandate goes away, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and SBCUSD continue to recommend face coverings as a personal choice to protect against COVID-19 exposure. SBCUSD will continue to provide masks for anyone who would like to wear them on school campuses and in District buildings.

Where can I obtain a mask for my child?



SBCUSD has an ample supply of face coverings and masks for students and staff. If your child has not received any reusable face coverings, forgets to bring one to school, or needs additional masks, please contact the school office and they will be provided.


QUESTIONS

What if I have questions not answered here?



We recognize that not every question you may have has been anticipated in this guide. If you cannot find the information you need about COVID-19 management in SBCUSD here, please visit sbcusd.com/questions to submit your specific question and someone will reach out to you.

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