COVID-19 Policy Updates and Reminders

Headwaters School
We wanted to take a moment to thank each family for their consideration and empathy around COVID-19, and especially thank you for the patience you’re extending when it comes to symptoms and staying home. This is not easy for families, but we are so thankful for everyone's consideration for the people and community around them when they stay home if they are sick. Headwaters has updated and added some policies in regards to COVID-19. We ask that families read this email closely to understand any updates.
Friday, November 13, 2020
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 In this email, we will review a few updates that have emerged as we move further into the school year. Those include:

What’s Required to Return to School after Showing any COVID-19 Symptom(s)

If your child develops any symptoms of COVID-19, please do not send your child to school. Here is a chart from the CDC that shows some of the symptoms for COVID-19 compared to other common illnesses like a cold, the flu, strep throat, asthma, and seasonal allergies. Please follow these steps if your child develops symptoms:
1. 
Contact your doctor/healthcare provider for guidance, including isolation and testing. 
2.
Ask your doctor to provide a return to school note with details on when your child is able to return.
  • If your doctor prescribes testing, a negative RT-PCR test result will allow a student to come back sooner from isolation. A negative rapid test must be followed up with a PCR test for your child to return.

Travel Reminders

Travel During the Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays
Headwaters does not have a policy requiring people who have traveled to quarantine for 14 days, nor do families need to confirm plans with the school. However, as you make plans, please consider your method of travel, your destination, and other risks associated with travel and gatherings. Here is a resource from the CDC about holiday gatherings and risk assessment. 
 
As we send this communication, there are currently no travel restrictions or mandatory quarantine requirements for travelers entering Texas. As a reminder, per the CDC, “Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.” The CDC advises that after travel, all travelers should take these actions to protect others from getting sick: 
  • Stay at least 6 feet from anyone who is not from your household. It’s important to do this everywhere — both indoors and outdoors.
  • Wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth when you are outside of your home.
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer.
  • Watch your health: Look for symptoms of COVID-19 and take your temperature if you feel sick. 
  • See CDC’s After Travel webpage to learn if you should take additional precautions. 
  • Follow any state, territorial, tribal, and local recommendations or requirements. 
  • Visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Information for Travelers web site for links to more information on travel considerations, notices, and advisories. 

Policy Updates and Clarification

*NEW* Testing
Based on recommendations from our Health Advisory Group, APH, and the CDC, Headwaters will only accept a negative molecular test, like the RT-PCR test, and NOT a negative antigen test, like the rapid test. A negative rapid test must be followed up with a PCR test for your child to return. According to a CDC publication, “Antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 are generally less sensitive than viral tests that detect nucleic acid using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).” People who want to seek a free COVID-19 PCR test through Austin Public Health can complete an Enrollment Form here. Testing is not required.
 
*NEW* Doctor’s Note
There is not an official format for notes pertaining to COVID-19, but the Texas Medical Association has developed a COVID-19 Physician Return to School Letter for Students (linked here) as a resource for physicians. This note format is not a requirement, but it has been shared with doctor’s offices to help report back to schools in a clear and concise way.
 
*NEW* Close Contact
Last week the CDC adjusted the definition of a close contact with more specificity. A Close Contact is now the following: “Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.” For more detail on it, see the CDC’s site at this link. 
 
Siblings
If one child is not at school due to any symptoms of COVID-19, but their sibling is feeling fine, the sibling may attend school as normal.  We confirmed this detail with APH.
  • However, if your child who is experiencing symptoms tests positive for COVID-19, then any siblings, household members, or others who fit the description of a close contact must quarantine for the 14-day period. 
Alternative Diagnosis from Doctor
If your doctor gives an alternative diagnosis, your child may return to school as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving (this is our standard policy).
 
14-Day Quarantine Period 
Those in quarantine may return to campus after the 14-day quarantine period has ended. No test will allow someone to come back sooner from quarantine. This CDC infographic on the difference between quarantine and isolation is very helpful --COVID-19: Quarantine and Isolation.
We appreciate your help in keeping our community safe. You can read more about our school policies here in the updated COVID 19 Addendum in the Student & Family Handbook.
 
Thank you!
 
Headwaters School Admin Team
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As a 501(c)3 non-profit school, Headwaters School does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other classes protected by federal, state, or local law in its admissions, financial aid, hiring, or board membership processes.