Other School Operating Plan & Material - Documents & Links

BiNax NOW - Testing Consent Form - Ages 15 & Up - BiNaxNOW Testing Consent Form -Ages 5-14 - For students to be tested at school sites in the event that they feel ill or may have been exposed to someone that has shown symptoms of Covid-19.

The bottom permission box (third box down) on the consent form is for voluntary, at-home screening testing to be conducted through the University of Oregon.

At-Home Student COVID Testing Program through the University of Oregon - Information Flyer

Programa de pruebas COVID para estudiantes en el hogar a través de la Universidad de Oregon - Folleto informativo

At-Home Student COVID Testing Program - Registration Portal Link Here!

Programa de pruebas COVID para estudiantes en el hogar - ¡Enlace al portal de registro aquí! La traducción al español se encuentra en la esquina superior derecha de la página web.

Comprehensive Disease Management Plan

Distance & Virtual Learning Option - For students with medical complications that may require a virtual option, Siuslaw has a partnership with MEWA to provide virtual learning services for this school year.

COVID-19 - Daily Symptom Screener - Before coming to a school building or sending a student to school, students must be symptom-free of COVID-19.  If you or your child can say 'yes' to any of the symptoms on this list, please do not come to school and call your health care provider.

Detector diario de síntomas COVID-19 - Antes de venir a un edificio escolar o enviar a un estudiante a la escuela, los estudiantes deben estar libres de síntomas de COVID-19. Si usted o su hijo pueden decir 'sí' a cualquiera de los síntomas de esta lista, no vengan a la escuela y llamen a su proveedor de atención médica.

Daily Symptom Screener - to determine is a student or staff member should attend school that day for a variety of illnesses and conditions

Detector diario de síntomas - para determinar si un estudiante o miembro del personal debe asistir a la escuela ese día por una variedad de enfermedades y condiciones

COVID-19 - Screening training videos from Lane County Public Health

COVID-19 - videos de capacitación sobre detección de la salud pública del condado de Lane

School Operation Plans

Health & Safety Requirements - ODE & OHA

Covid Isolation Calculator - from the Centers for Disease Control

Reasonable Steps Health Log - The Reasonable Steps Health Log is an accommodation to demonstrate increased safety and concern for both students and staff to address limited guest visitations on campus; such as parents having lunch with their children, students being walked to class by a parent or guardian, and community events like an assembly. As clarified by the Oregon Department of Education's School Reopening Liaison on April 18, 2023, for the Lane County Superintendent's Council, the state vaccine mandate is intended to apply to regular district staff and other learning environment visitors that are on campus for a significant duration of time and working with students. Please see the chart below, When to Stay Home, if you have questions about your current health status before coming to campus.

General Illness & Symptoms - When to Stay Home - A simple chart for all illnesses and communicable diseases. This follows the standard health and wellness policies of the school district that have been in place for years. Please see Communicable Disease section below, and work to keep everyone as healthy as possible this upcoming winter.

School-Level COVID-19 Management Plan - Oregon Department of Education requirement for school operations for the 2022-2023 school year.

COVID-19 Exposure Recommendations: The Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control, as of August 11, 2022, are recommending that instead of quarantining if someone were exposed to COVID-19 that they should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5. Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.

  • Individuals should also isolate if they are sick and suspect that they have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.

    • If your results are positive, follow CDC’s full isolation recommendations.

    • If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.

Full details - CDC recommendations for when to isolate and other precautions

District Policies – Communicable Disease

These policies list the ‘restrictable diseases’ for which a student or staff person may be excluded from school, as per OAR 333-019-0010

School administrators are required to exclude staff and students from school whom they have reason to suspect have been exposed to certain communicable diseases.

 Primary & Non-primary Symptoms of COVID-19

  • Primary symptoms of COVID-19

    • Cough

    • Temperature of 100.4°F or higher or chills

    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

    • New loss of taste or smell

  • Non-primary symptoms – Fatigue, muscle or body aches, Headache, Sore throat, Nasal congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea

Symptom-Based Exclusion Guidelines: Students and staff must be excluded from the school setting if they are in the communicable stages of a school-restrictable disease. Symptoms which commonly indicate a communicable disease are listed below.

Students and staff should be excluded from the school setting if they exhibit:

*PRIMARY SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19: fever, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell.

  • If 2+ primary symptoms, MAY RETURN AFTER

    • Following applicable symptom-based guidance, if COVID-19 test is negative

    • Following applicable symptom-based guidance AND minimum 5-day isolation, if COVID-19 test is positive OR if not tested

Other symptomatic exclusion criteria for non COVID-19 illnesses:

*FEVER: a measured temperature equal to or greater than 100.4°F orally

  • MAY RETURN AFTER fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever- reducing medicine.

*COUGH: persistent cough that is not yet diagnosed and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider OR any acute (non-chronic) cough illness that is frequent or severe enough to interfere with participation in usual school activities.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms improving for 24 hours (no cough or cough well-controlled.)

*DIFFICULTY BREATHING OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH not explained by situation such as exercise: feeling unable to catch their breath, gasping for air, breathing too fast or too shallowly, breathing with extra effort such as using muscles of the stomach, chest, or neck.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms improving for 24 hours.

  • This symptom is likely to require immediate medical attention.

*NEW LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL

  • MAY RETURN per guidance for 2+ primary COVID-19 symptoms.

HEADACHE WITH STIFF NECK AND FEVER.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicine AND symptoms resolve.

  • This combination of symptoms may indicate a serious condition. Advise student’s guardian to seek medical attention.

DIARRHEA: three or more watery or loose stools in 24 hours OR sudden onset of loose stools OR student unable to control bowel function when previously able.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER 24 hours after diarrhea resolves OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider or LPHA for specific diarrheal diagnoses.

VOMITING: at least 1 episode that is unexplained.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.

SKIN RASH OR SORES: new rash# not previously diagnosed by a health care provider OR rash increasing in size OR new unexplained sores or wounds OR draining rash, sores, or wounds which cannot be completely covered with a bandage and clothing.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER rash is resolved OR until draining rash, sores or wounds are dry or can be completely covered OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.

  • #Some children have chronic non-infectious skin conditions—e.g., eczema; they need not be excluded for apparent exacerbations of these conditions.

EYE REDNESS AND DRAINAGE: unexplained redness of one or both eyes AND colored drainage from the eyes OR eye irritation accompanied by vision changes OR symptoms such as eye irritation, pain, redness, swelling or excessive tear production that prevent active participation in usual school activities.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms resolve OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.

  • Eye redness alone, without colored drainage, may be considered for attendance per CDC guidelines and school nurse assessment.

JAUNDICE: yellowing of the eyes or skin that is new or uncharacteristic.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.

BEHAVIOR CHANGE: may include uncharacteristic lethargy, decreased alertness, confusion, or a behavior change that prevents active participation in usual school activities.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER symptoms resolve; return to normal behavior OR after seen and cleared by a licensed healthcare provider.

  • These symptoms may indicate a serious condition. Advise student’s guardian to seek medical attention.

 MAJOR HEALTH EVENT or STUDENT REQUIRING MORE CARE THAN SCHOOL STAFF CAN SAFELY PROVIDE. May include an illness lasting more than two weeks, emergency room treatment or hospital stay, a surgical procedure with potential to affect active participation in school activities, loss of a caregiver or family member, or a new or changed health condition for which school staff is not adequately informed, trained, or licensed to provide care.

  • MAY RETURN AFTER health and safety are addressed.

  • Written instructions from a licensed healthcare provider are likely to be required.

  • Schools must comply with state and federal regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act ensuring free and appropriate public education (FAPE). School staff should follow appropriate process to address reasonable accommodations and school health service provision in accordance with applicable laws.

For students and staff, diagnostic testing is available on campus in each school office through the school nurse, health room aide or health-designee in each building

Summary of Testing Programs available through the Oregon Health Authority for students & staff Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Response – information on opt-in testing programs

The BiNaxNOW Diagnostic Testing Program is available at each school site currently and will continue at least through the remainder of the school year:

If students or staff show signs of COVID-19 while on campus, they may request a BiNaxNOW test at the office if they have a consent form on file in the school office and:

  • Diagnostic BiNaxNOW testing is voluntary and is intended to test symptomatic and exposed students and staff  (RSSL page 16)

  • While awaiting the results of a BiNax Now test, staff or students will wear a mask in the Health Room for the 15 minutes of test processing

  • When test results are negative, the person may remove their mask and depending upon how they feel, proceed back to class or to the office lobby to wait to go home after contact with parents or guardians

  • When test results are positive for COVID-19, the person will proceed to the isolation room of that school until picked up by a parent or guardian to begin their 5 day period of isolation.

 Information on the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses, including deeper analyses of studies that have since retracted or their finding discounted due to serious methodological flaws.

 As per the COVID-19 Testing in Oregon’s K-12 Schools manual, Siuslaw School District staff will wear a mask and the appropriate personal protective equipment for the situation when:

  • Assisting a student or staff member in the administration of a diagnostic test (mask plus PPE, as per the diagnostic testing manual)

  • Entering a health room area where a person is awaiting the results of a diagnostic test (mask minimum)

  • Entering an isolation room with a student or adult that has received a positive diagnostic test result while awaiting transportation off campus (mask minimum)

  • Any Siuslaw School District staff person entering am occupied school isolation room with persons that are awaiting transportation off campus because they are ill with COVID-19 or a presumed positive case of COVID-19 will wear a mask while in the isolation space

During other times of the work day, when not assisting with diagnostic testing or interacting with those persons that are presumed to be positive for COVID-19, health room aides and health designees are not required to be in a mask and/or personal protective equipment while performing other regular duties.

For those that have tested positive for COVID-19, resources for safe isolation can found through the following:

Screening Testing for Unvaccinated Individuals

Confidential, voluntary screening testing programs are available for both unvaccinated K-12 students and staff that are without symptoms of COVID-19 and may be exposed to COVID-19 in the school environment.

The Siuslaw School District is registered to participate if individuals desire to opt-in to the screening testing programs. Other questions about screening testing programs for unvaccinated students or staff should be directed to COVIDscreening.Schools@dhsoha.state.or.us for more information.

Screening Testing Registration Links

Screening Testing and Educator Vaccinations – OAR 333-019-1030 – Effective October 18, 2021, teachers, school staff and volunteers may not teach, work, learn, study, assist, observe, or volunteer at a school unless they are fully vaccinated or have provided documentation of a medical or religious exception. And, a school may not employ, contract with, or accept the volunteer services of teachers, school staff or volunteers who are teaching, working, learning, studying, assisting, observing, or volunteering at a school unless the teachers or school staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a documented medical or religious exception. This is also true for school-based program staff and volunteers.

Schools that grant an exception to the vaccination requirement must take reasonable steps to ensure that unvaccinated teachers, school staff and volunteers are protected from contracting and spreading COVID-19 (RSSL page 4 & 8).  With the change in the indoor mask requirement becoming a local control issue on March 12, 2022, unvaccinated Siuslaw school employees with an exception on file will either:

  • Provide proof of enrollment in an OHA Screening Testing for Unvaccinated Individuals program and report any positive test results to their immediate supervisor

    • This option would be a continuation of current practices, consistent with the vaccine mandate agreements with both employee associations

  • Complete the Reasonable Steps Health Log for Vaccination Exceptions each workday before coming into contact with other persons on school grounds

    • This option would be an alternative to the current practices in place as part of the vaccine mandate agreements with both employee associations

Documentation of policy or protocol differences for people who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 versus those who are not fully vaccinated is required.

 Designated COVID-19 Point of Contact: Designated staff will be responsible to responding to specific COVID-19 concerns within each school building, as appropriate this will be the principal:

  • Siuslaw Elementary School – Amy Flora

  • Siuslaw Middle School – Andrew Marohl

  • Siuslaw High School – Michael Harklerode

Vaccination Information and Clinics – As requested by Lane County Public Health, the Oregon Health Authority, FEMA, or other community health partners in the promotion of public health, the Siuslaw School District will continue to provide information regarding vaccine clinics to protect against COVID-19.

Contact tracing will no longer be required because Omicron spreads so quickly, by the time a Covid exposure is identified and contact tracing is performed, transmission has already occurred.

The district will notify families if a Covid exposure occurs in their child’s classroom or other specific, unique group; this will allow families to take additional precautions according to their particular health needs. The “unique group” for a student may be defined by:

  • Homeroom class, Elective class, Period or subject class

  • Academic enrichment or support class

  • Lunch table group or “lunch bunch”

  • On-campus club or activity group

Other Notes & Reminders

The requirements for indoor mask wearing drops on March 12th and everyone returns to school on Monday, March 14th – this would be the first day at school after the rules have changed across Oregon!

  •  Face coverings remain an effective tool against COVID-19

  • Students & Staff that have serious health conditions or live with persons that have serious health conditions should consider maintaining a face mask or face covering in the near future

  •  Some people will choose to continue to wear a mask after March 12th for many reasons:

    • They may have an Underlying Health Condition

    • They are living with someone that has an Underlying Health Condition

    • They are Unvaccinated

    • They are living with people that are at high risk

    • They are Returning from Isolation after illness

    • The mask provides them a sense of Comfort

  • Masks are strongly advised in certain circumstances:

    • For the 5 days after the isolation period

      • Days 6 through 10 after being ill

      • Days 6 through 10 after a positive test result

The decision to wear a face covering or mask at school is a family decision and/or a personal choice:

  • Please have the discussion with your child about whether or not they should be or need to be wearing a face mask or face covering at when at school

    • If a student has specific or unique medical concerns, those are most likely already documented as part of a 504 plan, feel free to reach out their principal or school counselor

    • School staff will not be able to monitor mask wearing by students at school in accordance with your family discussion and decision at home

  • Because the reason a person continues to wear a face covering may be deeply personal, please respect that decision and do not ask people about their decision

  • If a student does need a fresh or clean face mask while at school, the district will have masks available