January 13, 2022
Dear Parents,
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an updated set of procedures regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine periods regarding K - 12 schools. Earlier this week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) professed their support of these updated procedures as well.
The leadership of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School has consistently followed the guidelines and mandates established by the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD), as county mandates take precedence over CDC as well as MDHHS mandates.
Today, we have learned that OCHD has also updated their procedures to align with the CDC and MDHHS for K - 8 students and staff members, while leaving in place their guidance for daycare and preschools.
Listed below are the guidelines and their effect on our students and staff:
1. The isolation period for asymptomatic, COVID-positive K - 8 students and staff is now 5 days, provided the individual remains symptom-free. (“Day Zero” is the day the test was taken for those without symptoms.)
2. The isolation period for symptomatic K - 8 students and staff is 5 days. If after 5 days the individual is symptom-free or symptoms are improving, the individual may return to school. If symptoms are not improving, please continue to stay home until that criteria is met. (“Day Zero” is the date of symptom onset.)
3. The quarantine period for a K - 8 student or staff who has had close contact with a COVID positive person may be 5 days. For details, see OCHD’s School Quarantine and Isolation Guide.
4. According to OCHD, for Preschool and day care, the isolation period for a COVID positive student or staff and quarantine period for a student or staff who has had close contact with a COVID positive person remains 10 days.
5. PLEASE NOTE: For parents who are positive and cannot isolate themselves from their children, the 5 day quarantine period does not begin for children until the parent’s 5th day of isolation is complete. The parent’s 5th day is considered the child’s “Day Zero”. The child needs to quarantine 5 days afterwards and can return to school at that time if the student is symptom-free. The same protocol applies to Preschool and day care students, only using 10 day periods of quarantine instead of 5.
If you have a child who is currently in isolation or quarantine, please reach out to Mrs. Yeskie so that we can recalculate your return date.
As a reminder to families, if your child is sick, has been exposed to a confirmed or probable case of COVID, or anyone in your family is awaiting test results, please do not allow them to attend school activities, programs, or athletics and contact the school office immediately. If your child is fully vaccinated, please contact the school office for guidance.
In this extremely fluid and changing COVID world, we rejoice that our God is constant and in control.
In His Love,
Mrs. Palka
COVID-19 Return to School Timeline Adjustments
