VMS aligns with the Alameda County Public Health Department.
For complete, up-to-date Covid-19 Guidance, see the Alameda County 2022-2023 School Guidance document.
Contact the VMS Covid Team at covidteam@valleymontessorischool.com with Covid-related questions or if your child has symptoms or has been exposed to Covid.
Masks:
Currently, the ACPHD and CDPH still strongly recommend masks in all public indoor spaces, including schools. In addition, VMS requires masks in the following situations:
- Parents, caregivers and visitors are required to wear masks indoors at VMS if in the building for extended periods of time including Meet & Greets, Classroom Observations, etc.
- Students and staff are required to wear masks for 10 day following an exposure to someone with Covid. This includes classroom exposures as well as exposures outside of school.
- Student and staff are required to wear masks for 10 days post travel.
Covid-19 Exposure & Positive Case Protocols: See the Covid-19 Flowchart for Parents
- PCR Test: Negative test result and the student may return to school.
- Antigen Tests (including at-home tests): Since antigen tests may not detect infection in the early stages, a negative antigen test must be followed by a second antigen test 24-48 hours after the first test. The student must stay home until after 2nd negative test.
- Note regarding allergies:
With allergy season upon us, we understand some have had concerns about allergy symptoms being mistaken as Covid symptoms. When students exhibit a new symptom(s), we align with the ACPHD and require the above testing procedure to determine it is not due to Covid. If the student tests negative and the symptoms continue, a doctor’s note indicating the symptoms are due to allergies would suffice. No additional testing would be required. - Note regarding siblings:
If not exhibiting symptoms, siblings of a symptomatic individual do not need to stay home while awaiting test results.
- Test immediately and have a negative test result.
- Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days from most recent exposure.
- Test on day 5. If negative, the individual should still wear a well-fitting mask through day 10.
Non-Household Exposures: What if I am expose to someone with Covid?
- PCR test on day 5 or after. If negative, the student may return to school.
- Antigen Test on day 5 or after. If negative, the student may return to school.
Antigen test results are recommended to exit isolation for a Covid positive individual. Get tested on or after day 5 to return to school before day 11. When negative, the student may return to the classroom.
- wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days post travel
- test on day 5 post travel
VMS participates in the Test and Stay in School program, whereby students exposed at school may stay in school if they:
- Test before returning to school the day after exposure.
- Test on day five after exposure. (The day of exposure is Day 0.)
- Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after exposure.
Final Note:
Note: Staff Guidance per CalOSHA can be found on Staff Page.