COVID-19 FAQ

If a student tests positive for COVID-19 at home with either a home test or test form a testing center:

• The parent will notify the school Point of Contact (POC). If you do not know who ​your school's POC is, please contact your school principal.
• POC will report the case on the COVID Intake Form.
• The POC will email the Positive Student Parent Letter located on last page of the intake form to the parent. This letter has information about when the student can return to school.
  • At least 5 days has passed since the positive COVID-19 test. They may return on the 6^th day if:
  • Symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of    fever reducing medication.
  • They must continue to wear a mask for an additional 5 days at school and in public places.
  • Students who cannot wear masks upon returning, may return when at least 10 days has passed since the positive test date. They can return on the 11^th day if:
  • Symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
• The district will share the information about the reported positive case with the Salt Lake County Health Department so the case can be added to the school count and parents can receive information from the health department.

• The parent will notify the school Point of Contact (POC). If you do not know who ​your school's POC is, please contact your school principal.
• POC will report the case on the COVID Intake Form.
• The POC will email the Positive Student Parent Letter located on last page of the intake form to the parent. This letter has information about when the student can return to school.
  • At least 5 days has passed since the positive COVID-19 test. They may return on the 6^th day if:
  • Symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of    fever reducing medication.
  • They must continue to wear a mask for an additional 5 days at school and in public places.
  • Students who cannot wear masks upon returning, may return when at least 10 days has passed since the positive test date. They can return on the 11^th day if:
    • Symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
• The district will share the information about the reported positive case with the Salt Lake County Health Department so the case can be added to the school count and parents can receive information from the health department.

Students who have symptoms at home or at school may return to school when:  

• At least 5 days has passed since symptoms occurred, symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication OR 

• Students have a note from a healthcare professional containing another diagnosis OR 

• Students may return if they have a negative COVID-19 test, symptoms have improved, AND there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.  

• Students who have been fully vaccinated and are experiencing symptoms should follow the guidelines above. 

• Home test results are accepted in school. 

• Students should not attend school while awaiting test results. 

If a student tests positive for COVID-19:  

• The parent will notify the school. 

• The school will report the information on the district COVID Intake Form. 

• The district will share the information about the reported positive case with the Salt Lake County Health Department so the case can be added to the school count and parents can receive information from the health department.

The student will stay home from school until:  

• At least 5 days has passed since the positive COVID-19 test. They may return on the 6th day if: 

  • Symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. 

  • They must continue to wear a mask for an additional 5 days at school and in public places. 

• Students who cannot wear masks upon returning, may return when at least 10 days has passed since the positive test date. They can return on the 11th day if: 

  •  Symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.  

• Athletes who test positive COVID-19 and do not have symptoms may  participate in sporting events on the 6^th day ONLY:

  • If they wear a mask for 5 additional days at all times during sporting events.

  • If they are unable to wear a mask, they may return to play on the 11^th day without a mask if, symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

COVID-19 Symptoms are: 

• Fever (100.4 or above) or chills 
• Cough unrelated to asthma or different than normal 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• New loss of taste or smell 
• Sore throat 
• New congestion or runny nose 
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Diarrhea 

Students with no known COVID-19 exposure and exhibiting symptoms should be tested. 

Students who have been fully vaccinated and are experiencing symptoms should be tested.  

 Students may return if: 

• They have a negative COVID-19 test, symptoms have improved, 
• There has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, AND 
• After symptoms resolve. 

While awaiting test results, students will isolate at home. 

If a student is asymptomatic, and tests positive for COVID-19, the student will stay home until 5 days have passed since the positive test. 

All students required to test for COVID-19 must present a copy of their testing results upon returning to school. 

Exposure 

• Exposure to COVID-19 occurs when a person is closer than 6 feet to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer within a 24-hour period. 

Guidelines for exposures: 

• Students of staff who are exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID -19 may continue to attend school. It is recommended that they wear a mask at school and other public places for 10 days.

• It is recommended that students or staff members who are unable to wear a mask after an exposure: 

  • Quarantine at home and monitor for symptoms for 10 days after exposure OR 

  • Be tested 7 days after exposure and return if the test is negative. 

• All individuals should watch for symptoms. If symptoms occur, they should stay home and be tested. 

Exposure 

• Exposure to COVID-19 occurs when a person is closer than 6 feet to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer within a 24-hour period. 

Guidelines for exposures: 

• Athletes and coaches who are exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID -19 may continue to attend school. It is recommended that they wear a mask at school and other public places for 10 days. 

• It is recommended that students who are unable to wear a mask after an exposure: 

  • Quarantine at home and monitor for symptoms for 10 days after exposure OR 

  • Be tested 7 days after exposure and return if the test is negative. 

• Athletes who test positive COVID-19 and do not have symptoms may participate in sporting events on the 6^th day ONLY:
  • If they wear a mask for 5 additional days at all times during sporting events.
• If they are unable to wear a mask, they may return to play on the 11^th day without a mask if, symptoms have improved, and there has been no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication

• All individuals should watch for symptoms. If symptoms occur, they should stay home and be tested. 

Masks are optional.

As of January 3, 2022, the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) is changing its school contact tracing protocols. When there is a confirmed case of COVID in a school: 

• Contact tracing will occur at the classroom level in all schools. Parents will be notified if there are multiple cases in the classroom.

Any time there is a confirmed case of COVID in a class, we encourage students and staff in the class to be tested 5–7 days after the exposure or if they become ill. In addition, in some circumstances, SLCoHD’s outreach to exposed students will be via an online notification and survey rather than a phone call. If you receive a text or email with a survey link, it is extremely important that you answer the survey questions so you and the school know when your child may return to school.

Salt Lake City School District is using the Salt Lake County Health Department Dashboard to monitor our COVID-19 cases. A link to the Salt Lake County Health Department COVID-19 Dashboard is below. 

Salt Lake County Health Department COVID-19 Dashboard 

Yes. Please visit our School COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Clinics webpage for more information. 

No. A parent or guardian must be physically present for a child to be vaccinated.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes, with approval from your school principal.

All students are given basic school supplies. When it is necessary to share supplies and other materials, students are encouraged to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before and after use. Shared supplies and materials are sanitized between uses as frequently as possible.

We follow the “Offer” federal meal program. Each participating student selects from multiple menu options daily, including self-serve salad bars in our elementary schools.

Students in COVID-19 isolation or quarantine will be provided with time to make-up missing work, assignments, tests, and participation points.  

• Students will be provided at 2 days to make up missing work for every day they are absent due to COVID isolation or quarantine (example: 10 days absent = 20 days to make up assignments). 
• It is the responsibility of the student and/or parent to obtain make-up work from their teachers. 
• Teachers will maintain reasonable access and availability for students to obtain their make-up assignments. 

Families selecting to enroll their child(ren) in Salt Lake Virtual Elementary will only have to commit to attend one quarter at a time and NOT the entire academic year.

All HVAC systems are adjusted to ensure that 100% fresh air is cycled through schools each day. The air filters in every school and district building were replaced during the spring and summer months and will be checked weekly and replaced quarterly.