FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions![]()
Frequently Asked Questions
PLEASE NOTE: This information is current as of January 31, 2022 and is subject to change based on revisions by state and county regulatory agencies.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
On Jan. 12, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued changes to current schools guidance. The Yolo County Health Officer (YCHO) notified school staff in Yolo County that local requirements for quarantine and tracing have also been amended.
Due to the high transmissibility of the current variant of COVID-19 and current case rate in the community, both CDPH and the Yolo County Department of Public Health have determined that contact tracing is not effective at mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Boosters are no longer required for students up to age 17 to be considered “up to date” with vaccinations.
What does “up to date with vaccinations” mean?
“Up to date with vaccinations” is defined as “those fully vaccinated with boosters AND those who are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster." In other words up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when they are eligible.
"Fully vaccinated" means a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
What is the quarantine period for someone who tests positive for COVID-19?
The quarantine guidance for someone who has tested positive is a 10-day quarantine regardless of vaccination status.
Students and staff who are ill, and who have had no known exposure to a person with COVID-19, must stay home until:
- At least 24 hours without a fever; and
- Other symptoms have improved; and
- Meet one of the following criteria:
- Tests negative for COVID 19; or
- A health care provider has confirmed an alternative diagnosis; or
- A healthcare provider has provided documentation that symptoms are typical of their underlying condition; or
- At least 10 days have passed since the day that symptoms first appeared.
It can be shortened after day 5 IF:
- The person tests negative with a rapid antigen test on day 5 or later
- AND symptoms have improved
- AND they have been fever-free for 24-hours
Are face masks still required?
Yes. In accordance with state, county and District guidelines, face masks are still required to be worn indoors and outdoors at our schools and facilities.
Although the California Department of Public Health has considered outdoor masking optional for K-12 schools, the WJUSD Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Aug. 17, 2021 to adopt a universal masking policy. This included mandatory masking for all indoors and outdoors at all WJUSD sites and was implemented by the District in the Spring of 2021.
Yolo County Health Officer, Dr. Aimee Sisson, has made additional recommendations for all Yolo County residents to “upgrade their face masks." For those that use a 2-layer cloth mask, Dr. Sisson recommends using a surgical mask under the cloth mask.
The District has purchased N95 masks for adults and KN95 masks for children and have been delivered to schools. California Department of Public Health (CDPH) identifies these masks as most effective against COVID. These masks are available for staff and students for voluntary use. Although masks are still required on school campuses, N95 and KN95 masks are not required.
If you would like an N95 or KN95 mask, please contact your school site to request one.
What if someone in the student’s household tests positive for COVID?
If someone in the household tests positive for COVID the student will need to follow the Decision Tree for non-school and non Health care settings. It states that an individual who is vaccinated and/or boosted may remain on campus when living with a COVID-positive person as long as the individual remains symptom-free and tests weekly. If the student is unvaccinated then they must quarantine. The quarantine guidelines state that the student will need to remain in quarantine five days after the affected person's quarantine ends. They need to test negative for COVID and be symptom free to return to campus.
Are Grab and Go meals available for students during quarantine or independent study programs?
Yes. Grab and Go meals are available from 10:15 - 10:45 a.m. at the below locations. Students need not be present for pick up.
- Pioneer High School
- Woodland High School
- Cache Creek High School
- Douglas Middle School
- Lee Middle School
- Tafoya Elementary School
- Gibson Elementary School
- Prairie Elementary School
ILLNESS AT SCHOOL QUESTIONS
What happens if my child becomes ill at school?
If your child becomes ill with symptoms of COVID at school you will be notified immediately and they will be sent to an isolation area to be cared for and supervised by school staff.
One of the following procedures will be followed:
A) Rapid Testing for Students with COVID Symptoms
Health staff will have the ability to administer a rapid test, with parent permission, in order to determine if the student has COVID
.
- If the rapid test results are positive, the student will be sent home, and quarantine instructions will be provided.
- If the rapid test results are negative, the health staff will communicate with the parent/guardian to determine if the student should remain at school or go home.
B) Students with COVID Symptoms Without Rapid Testing
Should the parent/guardian decline rapid testing and the student is ill with symptoms of COVID-19, the student will be sent home, and quarantine instructions will be provided based on the current Yolo County School Decision Tree.
ATHLETICS QUESTIONS
My student plays sports. What does the new guidance say about sports?
The quarantine guidance for a person who has tested positive is a 5-day quarantine, regardless of vaccination status, IF:
- The person tests negative with a rapid antigen test on day 5 or later
- AND symptoms have improved
- AND they have been fever-free for 24-hours
If your student is exposed to a positive team member, they can remain at school and participate in the sport or activity as long as they are symptom-free.
Students who participate in an indoor sport are not required to wear a face mask while participating in the sports activity unless they are returning from a 5-day quarantine. If they are returning from a 5-day quarantine, they must wear a mask while participating in the sports activity for an additional 5 days. Please refer to the most recent Yolo County School Decision Tree.
Continuing requirements:
Students participating in indoor sports must continue to participate in COVID testing weekly.
Face masks must continue to be worn by students that are not participating in the sports activity AND face masks must continue to be worn by spectators.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Can students still enroll in the Flex Academy (virtual instruction)?
Applications for the Flex Academy are available on our website. Please note that enrollment is based on space availability and students may be placed on a waiting list. If a student is placed on the waiting list for the Flex Academy, that student must still attend their school in person until a spot is available.
Students who enter the Flex Academy are intended to remain in the program for the remainder of the school year. Flex Academy is an alternative education program and is not meant to be used as a short-term placement. For more information click here.
How will the District communicate new or updated information to families?
The District will continue to send general COVID-related updates and messages as needed via ParentSquare, website announcements, and social media.
When following the group tracing guidelines provided by the Yolo County Department of Health, we will notify our families that ALL students are considered exposed, therefore, ONLY SYMPTOMATIC STUDENTS ARE SENT HOME. The recommendation is for all staff and students to test weekly.
Our dashboard is updated daily to report our current COVID cases. That dashboard can be viewed on our website.
