Last Updated 09/07/2021

What are the current COVID-19 symptoms I should look for?

sore throat
congestion
runny nose
fever
chills
cough
shortness of breath
fatigue
muscle or body aches
headache
loss of taste or smell
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea

My child has only 1 of the above symptoms. Can he/she go to school with 1 symptom?

No. Please follow the COVID-19 Symptomatic Decision Tree for guidance on returning to school.

Does my child have to wear a mask to school?

While wearing a mask is encouraged, it is optional for students and staff.

Does my child have to wear a mask on a school bus?

Beginning September 1, 2021, all students and staff are required to wear a mask when riding PCSD transportation.

What do I do if my child tests positive for COVID-19 from a medical professional/facility?

Please contact your child’s school to report the positive result, and you will be given further instructions. Once the local Department of Health (DOH) receives your child’s positive test result from the facility where he/she was tested, they will inform the school and request information on possible close contacts for contact tracing purposes. The DOH will provide you and the school with the dates of your child’s isolation period. See isolation protocols below:

ISOLATION PERIOD PROTOCOLS (positive) – Per FL DOH 8/6/2021
Students who have received a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 should not attend school until 1 of the following 3 options has occurred:
1.     Ten days have passed since the onset of symptoms or positive test result, the student has had no fever for 24 hours, and the student’s other symptoms are improving.
2.     The student receives a negative diagnostic COVID-19 test and has no symptoms. Please note: at-home tests are not recognized by the DOH (exception: the Ellume at-home test).
3.     The student receives written permission to return to school from a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, or advance registered nurse practitioner.
If your student remains symptom-free and does NOT have a PENDING test result, he/she may return to school on day 8 and will not need a clearance letter from the local Department of Health or the PCSD Health Services Coordinator.

If a negative COVID-19 test result is obtained on day 5 or later from exposure to the positive individual, your child can return immediately if he/she remains symptom free. Your child must present a copy of the negative test result to the school upon return. Please note: at-home tests are not recognized by the DOH (exception: the Ellume at-home test).

What do I do if my child tests positive for COVID-19 from an at-home test?

Please consult your child’s physician for guidance and testing options. A confirmatory diagnostic test is recommended by the Florida Department of health.

I received a letter from the Florida Department of Health stating my child was a “close contact”. What does that mean, and what do I do next?

You are a “close contact” of a COVID-19 positive individual if, from 48 hours before their symptoms began, the person with COVID-19:

Lived in your home or stayed overnight with you
Took care of you or you took care of them
Stayed within 6 feet of you for cumulative 15 minutes or longer in a 24-hour period
Exposed you to their body fluids or secretions (e.g., coughed or sneezed on you)

Please follow the COVID-19 Symptomatic Decision Tree and letter for return to school guidance.

QUARANTINE PERIOD PROTOCOLS (close contact) – Per FL DOH 8/6/2021
The quarantine period is 7 days from date of last exposure to the positive individual. Your student may return to school on day 8, if no symptoms have developed. If signs or symptoms develop at any point, you should contact the local Department of Health and have your student isolate from other family members in the household.
If a negative COVID-19 test result is obtained on day 5 or later from exposure to the positive individual, your child can return immediately if he/she remains symptom free. Your child must present a copy of the negative test result upon return. Please note: at-home tests are not recognized by the DOH (exception: the Ellume at-home test).

If my child is a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, am I required to get him/her tested for COVID-19?

No. Assuming your child remains symptom-free, he/she does not need a negative test to return to school on Day 8. If symptoms develop, you should contact your child’s physician for guidance and testing recommendations.

If my child is considered a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, do I (the parent) need to get tested?

No, you are not required to get tested. If symptoms develop during the next 7 days, you should contact your physician for guidance and testing recommendations.

If my child is considered a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, does anyone else in my household need to quarantine at this time?

No, as long as your child does not develop symptoms, no one else in the household is required to quarantine. Members of the household would be considered “contacts of a contact” and there are no CDC recommendations, as you are twice removed from the positive individual.

I received a letter from the Putnam County School District stating my child MAY have been a contact. What do I do next?

Students should follow the COVID-19 Symptomatic Decision Tree and letter for return to school guidance.

What if my student has been identified as a close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, but already had COVID-19 within the last 90 days? Does my child still need to quarantine?

If your child has been asked to quarantine due to an exposure, please notify Kena Foster, PCSD Health Services Coordinator, at 386-329-0690 or kfoster@my.putnamschools.org, for verification and clearance to return to school.

What if my child is considered a close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, but he/she has been fully vaccinated (2 or more weeks have passed since the second dose in a two-dose vaccine, or the first dose in a one-dose vaccine series)? Does he/she still need to quarantine?

No, he/she is not required to quarantine. Vaccination status will be verified in the state registry by the Health Services Coordinator and your child will not need to leave school, or if at home, may return to school immediately. Please contact Kena Foster, PCSD Health Services Coordinator, at 386-329-0690 or kfoster@my.putnamschools.org, for verification and clearance to return to school.

My child has been told to stay home due to being a close contact. How can he/she complete school work and get instructional support at home?

All classwork is available for students in grades K-12 using the PCSD Canvas Learning Management System. Please contact your child’s school if your child needs instructional support with the lessons shared through Canvas.

My child does not have access to a computer at home to complete his/her school work. What should I do?

Each school will check out a computer to any student who must stay home. Please contact your school for procedures to get a computer for your child.

I do not have access to the internet at home for my child to do his/her school work. What should I do?

Please contact your child’s school for further guidance for what to do if you do not have internet access for your child to complete work at home.

COVID-19; Framing a Safe School Year

PCSD COVID-19 Dashboard

PCSD COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Students & Families

PCSD COVID-19 Documents

COVID-19 Resources