How should parents or staff complete screening at home for possible symptoms of COVID-19?

If a student or staff member experiences any of the following symptoms, they should not come to school. They must remain home and obtain medical guidance:

• Temperature 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Sore throat
• New cough that causes difficulty breathing 
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• Severe headache, especially with a fever

Staff will be required to complete a daily online or paper COVID Daily Health Screening Survey. Parents will be required to confirm that they complete daily screening at home, and that they will not send their child to school if they present with any possible symptoms.

How will the school screen students when attending in person for possible symptoms of COVID-19?

Students who ride the bus will have their temperature taken by district personnel before boarding the bus.  Students with a temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher will not be allowed to board the bus.  All other students will have their temperatures taken upon arrival at school.  If a student’s temperature is more than 100 degrees, he/she will be referred to the school nurse for further screening and evaluation.

Will each student and staff member have their temperature taken at school?

All students will have their temperature taken before they board the bus and at the school upon arrival. Students with a temperature of 100.0 degrees or higher will not be allowed to attend school.

Staff will be required to complete a daily online or paper COVID Daily Health Screening Survey, which requires each staff member to verify that their temperature is not 100.0 degrees or higher. If so, the staff member is instructed not to report to work. 

What should parents do if their child has a temperature or other possible symptoms of COVID-19?

Parents must keep sick children home from school. The parent should call their healthcare provider and notify them of your child’s symptoms. The healthcare provider will give the parent further instructions. In the event they do not have a healthcare provider, they can call the COVID Hotline at 1-866-604-6789. The parent also needs to notify the school of the child’s absence due to illness.

What should staff members do if they have a temperature or other possible symptoms of COVID-19?

Staff must stay home and call their healthcare provider for further instructions. They must also notify their immediate supervisor of their absence.  

What will happen if a student or staff member at school is found to have a temperature or other possible COVID-19 symptoms?

Any student or staff member who becomes ill while at school will be isolated from others and evaluated by the school nurse. Parents will be notified of their child’s illness and must pick the child up from school and follow instructions given by the school nurse.  Staff will be sent home or to their healthcare provider for further evaluation.  

What will happen if a student or staff member is found to test positive for COVID-19?

If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they will be contacted by the local health department and will be required to stay home from school according to NYS Department of Health Guidelines and will not be allowed to return to school/work until they meet the criteria for return.  

Please also see our JPS Fact Sheet: Response to an Infected Person.