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Good evening, Lane families, and Happy New Year!
We hope you are doing well and enjoying the last of Winter Break, which just got extended with an extra Snow Day! In case you haven't heard yet, all schools will be closed tomorrow due to the winter storm moving in overnight. Depending on the size of the storm, additional days this week may be impacted, so please make sure you are familiar with our Inclement Weather Policy and stay tuned to the FCPS website, social media, and local news outlets for updates on any further schedule changes.
As we return to school this week, high numbers of COVID cases in our community mean we must continue and reinforce our safety measures to mitigate transmission. Below are some answers to questions you might have about the current situation.
What mitigation strategies is Lane using?
At Lane we have already implemented and will continue with several key strategies, including vaccinations, testing, and universal masking. Please take time to review appropriate mask procedures with your students. FCPS has also been accepted as part of the state test-to-stay pilot program starting in January.
We have hand sanitizer readily available in classrooms and common spaces and encourage students to wash their hands regularly during the school day. We will continue to use outdoor spaces as much as possible for eating, learning, and/or other extracurricular activities.
Please provide multiple masks for your child. They often break or come off during school, so it is important that students have at least one extra one in their backpacks.
What if my child has symptoms and is awaiting test results?
If your child is symptomatic and awaiting test results, please keep them at home until you get those results. We are aware that test results are taking longer than expected due to the holiday.
What if my child is not feeling well when school opens?
As you have done all school year, please keep your child home if they are not feeling well. This includes having a fever, cough, runny nose, and/or vomiting. If the symptoms go away on their own the next day, your child can return to school. No medical note or test is needed.
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 up your child. In order to return to school, your child will need documentation of either a negative COVID test or clearance from your healthcare provider.
What if my child recently tested positive for COVID? When can they return to school?
Although the CDC recently established some adjusted timeframes for quarantine, FCPS continues to follow guidelines established earlier in the school year:
- A student who has tested positive for COVID-19 must stay out of school for 10 days beginning at the start of their symptoms or when they tested positive. For example, if someone starts showing COVID symptoms on January 1st, and tests positive, they can return on January 11th. At this time, this return-to-school policy is still the same even if the student is fully vaccinated.
- Students must have a note from either the Fairfax County Health Department OR their healthcare provider that clears their return to school.
If your child tested positive over Winter Break, you should have received a timeline from the health department or your doctor. Please call the school to let us know how long your student will be out.
You can find more information on the on the FCPS website should your child test positive. If FCPS changes its policies, we will communicate that change.
My child does NOT have COVID, but they were close to someone who tested positive. What should I do? When can they go to school?
*** PLEASE NOTE: The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will now contact close contacts through email only. This change in process has been implemented due to the high volume of cases to ensure contacts are provided guidance in a timely manner. Via email, close contacts will be provided information regarding quarantine, testing, and the vaccination survey. ***
If your child has been in contact with someone who has tested positive but is asymptomatic, please follow these guidelines:
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If your child is asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, you will work with the health department to verify that your child is vaccinated. Once that is done, the health department will notify us, and if your child is not showing symptoms, they can return to school.
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Students who have NOT been vaccinated will need to quarantine for at least 7 days and will need a negative test result or letter from a healthcare provider to return.
More information about close contact timelines and procedures is available on the FCPS website.
Vaccinations continue to be available for students starting at age 5. If you have not gotten your child vaccinated, we encourage you to consider doing so, as it has proven to be effective and will lessen your child’s quarantine period.
Can I choose to keep my child home if I am not comfortable sending them to school at this time?
Parents can keep their child home if they choose to do so, though at this point in time we are not able to offer asynchronous learning to students that are not under a COVID protocol, namely tested positive for COVID or under quarantine due to exposure to someone that is positive.
As we move through January, it is likely that teachers may be out because of their own illness or a family member’s illness. We will work to make sure instruction continues at high levels.
All of us at Lane continue to be grateful for your ongoing support and flexibility as we navigate this unusual school year together!
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