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12/31/2021
Dear Silverbrook Families,
I hope you are doing well and enjoying the winter break with your family & friends. Mr. Thomason and I have enjoyed spending time with our families as well and are ready to welcome the year 2022. As you may have noticed, COVID cases have increased since we were last in school on December 17, 2021.
At Silverbrook, we will continue to engage in practices to lessen the effects and transmission of the Covid virus when staff and students return on Monday, January 3. As stated in communication sent from FCPS to families, “The US Secretary of Education recently provided schools with key strategies to stay open. Here in Fairfax County Public Schools, we have already implemented and will continue with these strategies including vaccinations, testing, and universal masking. We have also been accepted as part of the state test-to-stay pilot program starting in January.”
Below are some questions you may have regarding COVID protocols, responses and our return to school:
When and where can I get my child tested for COVID?
FCPS is offering free COVID testing for students and staff who may be showing symptoms on Friday, December 31,2021, Saturday January 1, 2022, and Sunday, January 2, 2022 at the Gatehouse administrative building in Falls Church. Here is a link to its location: Gatehouse Administration Center Testing will occur from 12noon to 4:00pm for students in the parking garage. No appointment is needed, however, lines were reported extremely long. In order to have your child tested, you will need to register here. You will need to have your child’s student ID number. This is the same 7-digit number that they use as their log-in on their computer.
What if my child is not feeling well when school starts on Monday, January 3, 2022?
Please keep your child home if they are not feeling well. This includes having a fever, cough, runny nose and/or vomiting. Please report your child’s absence on the attendance line. If the symptoms go away on their own, your child can return to school as soon as they are fever or symptom free without medication for at least 24 hours. No medical note or test will be required if you keep student home on your own.
What happens if I send my child to school with a runny nose, cough, or other COVID-like symptoms?
Your child will be sent to our Care Room, and we will call you to come pick your child up. In order to return to school, your child will need documentation of either a negative COVID test or clearance from your healthcare provider.
As identified on the FCPS website, students demonstrating any of the following symptoms will be sent home from school: Fever (100.4 or greater) - Chills – Cough – Shortness of breath – Loss of taste/smell – Sore throat – Fatigue – Muscle aches – Runny Nose/Congestion – Stomachache – Diarrhea – Nausea/Vomiting – Headaches. The parent/guardian will be notified and a FCPS Guidance for Student Sent Home From the Care Room with COVID-like Illness Form will be sent home.
What if my child recently tested positive for COVID? When can they return to school?
The following information was sent to families from FCPS and gives further information regarding quarantine guidance.
Updates to Quarantine Guidance
We are aware of the recent CDC announcement that changes the recommended quarantine and isolation period from 10 days to five days. We are working with the Fairfax County Health Department to determine how this impacts schools. For the time being, we are continuing to follow our existing guidelines regarding returning to school or work following an exposure.
My child does NOT have COVID. But they were close to someone who tested positive. What should I do? When can they come to school?
First, email or call the school to share that your child is a close contact. Please include administrators if you are sending an email. Click on this link to the FCPS websites for updated information on students who have been identified as a close contact with someone exposed to COVID-19 OUTSIDE of FCPS section.
As for their return, it depends. If your child is fully vaccinated, you will work with the health department to verify that your child is vaccinated. Once that is done, the health department notifies us, and if your child is not showing symptoms, they can come to school.
If your child is not fully vaccinated, they will need to stay at home for seven days (from the date you reported to us that your child has been identified as a close contact). If your child remains
symptom-free AND you provide a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid Antigen or PCR) taken on day five of quarantine or later, your child may return to school on Day 8.
I still have questions. Where can I get answers?
The first place I go for answers is our FCPS website, in particular this page: https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/health-and-safety-guidance-document
There is a lot of information to digest, and our staff at Silverbrook is here to help you. Don’t hesitate to reach out. You can always email Mr. Thomason and I and we will work to find an answer for you.
As we move through January, we may face challenges and we thank you in advance for your continued support. Our staff is excited to continue engaging students in 2022. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.
Dr. Pamela Simpkins, Principal
Mr. Travis Thomason, Assistant Principal
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