SC schools head back to class Monday: Here’s what parents, students need to know

SOUTH CAROLINA — Several South Carolina school districts headed back into the classroom on Monday, and with COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, many parents want to know what safety protocols are in place to keep their children safe.

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South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order in May that allowed parents to opt their children out of wearing masks in public schools.

Below are the latest COVID-19 protocols for South Carolina districts across our area for the 2021-2022 school year:

Chester County School District

Face coverings:

• Parents can opt their children out of wearing masks inside school buildings by signing consent form
• Students and staff are required to wear masks while riding the bus as mandated by federal law
• The district recommends the use of face coverings for students and staff
• The district will provide face coverings to all staff and will provide face coverings for any student who wants to wear a mask but cannot provide their own

Social distancing and cleaning:

• Schools will have signage and floor markings to remind students of social-distancing practices
• There may be some changes to foot-traffic flow through buildings and furniture placement in the classrooms to help with social distancing
• Students with disabilities and employees who work with them are expected to practice social distancing when possible
• Parents with additional concerns may request that their child be seated at a desk with a Plexiglass shield
• Additional handwashing breaks will be incorporated into the school day
• Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout school buildings along with hand sanitizer in each classroom
• All high-touch surfaces in common areas and in all classrooms and athletic areas will be disinfected frequently
• Total cleaning and disinfecting of all areas and surfaces will be completed by the custodial team daily before students are allowed to use the facility the next day

Quarantine:

• Chester County Schools will follow SCDHEC and CDC recommendations for contact tracing to determine isolation and quarantine criteria for students and staff
• For additional information, please visit the SCDHEC website here and the CDC website here

Vaccine:

• Chester County Schools provided vaccine opportunities for staff starting in March 2021 and continued these efforts through July 2021. Students and staff were vaccinated through partnerships with the City of Rock Hill, and MUSC Chester
• Chester County Schools will work with SCDHEC and community partners to offer vaccines clinics to students age 12 and older and staff not current vaccinated starting late summer/early fall 2021

Virtual Learning:

• Chester County Schools will continue to provide in-person and virtual education for its students.
• In depth information regarding the virtual program is available here
• For students or teachers who may be diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or are quarantined during the school year, classrooms are equipped to support continuous learning through the use of technology (laptops, OWL cameras, microphones) and the student’s learning management system (Schoology and Microsoft Teams)

Meals:

• The district will continue to provide free meals for all students

Chesterfield County School District

Face coverings:

• Parents can opt their children out of wearing masks inside school buildings by signing consent form
• Students and staff are required to wear masks while riding the bus as mandated by federal law
• The district recommends the use of face coverings for students and staff
• The district will provide face coverings to all staff and will provide face coverings for any student who wants to wear a mask but cannot provide their own

Social distancing and cleaning:

• Schools will have signage and floor markings to remind students of social-distancing practices
• There may be some changes to foot-traffic flow through buildings and furniture placement in the classrooms to help with social distancing
• Students with disabilities and employees who work with them are expected to practice social distancing when possible
• Parents with additional concerns may request that their child be seated at a desk with a Plexiglass shield
• Additional handwashing breaks will be incorporated into the school day
• Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout school buildings along with hand sanitizer in each classroom
• All high-touch surfaces in common areas and in all classrooms and athletic areas will be disinfected frequently
• Total cleaning and disinfecting of all areas and surfaces will be completed by the custodial team daily before students are allowed to use the facility the next day

Quarantine:

• Chesterfield County Schools will follow SCDHEC and CDC recommendations for contact tracing to determine isolation and quarantine criteria for students and staff
• For additional information, please visit the SCDHEC website here and the CDC website here

Vaccine:

• Chesterfield County Schools provided vaccine opportunities for staff starting in March 2021 and continued these efforts through July 2021. Staff were vaccinated through partnerships with the CareSouth Carolina, Carolina Pines Hospital and Sandhill Medical

Virtual Learning:

• Chesterfield County Schools will continue to provide in-person and virtual education for its students.
• In depth information regarding the virtual program is available here
• For students or teachers who may be diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or are quarantined during the school year, classrooms are equipped to support continuous learning through the use of technology (laptops, OWL cameras, microphones) and the student’s learning management system (Canvas/Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams/Zoom/Meet)

Meals:

• The district will continue to provide free meals for all students

Clover School District

Clover School District will use a three-tiered system to adapt to changing landscapes and provide the flexibility to move individual classrooms, grade levels, or schools. The primary goal is to maximize face to face instruction in the safest manner possible.

The tiered system is as follows:

• Level 1 - In-Person Learning with strategic health and safety protocols due to low spread of Covid-19.
• Level 2 - Modified In-Person Learning with enhanced health and safety protocols if spread of Covid-19 increases.
• Level 3 - Intermittent Remote Learning for a class, grade, or school when spread of Covid-19 has been confirmed.

*The district will open school in the Fall at Level 1*

Face coverings:

• Parents can opt their children out of wearing masks inside school buildings by signing consent form
• Students and staff are required to wear masks while riding the bus as mandated by federal law
• The district recommends the use of face coverings for students and staff
• The district will provide face coverings to all staff and will provide face coverings for any student who wants to wear a mask but cannot provide their own

Social distancing and cleaning:

• Desks will be spaced out at least three feet apart where possible
• Students will go to special areas on a weekly rotation
• During arrival and dismissal time, students will report to designated holding areas in spaces where spreading out is possible
• Large elective classes such as band and chorus will be taught in larger venues or split where possible during cold and flu season or in times of heightened spread
• Cafeteria usage will resume using every other seat
• Parents with additional concerns may request that their child be seated at a desk with a Plexiglass shield
• Additional handwashing breaks will be incorporated into the school day
• Common and high touch areas will be cleaned 2-3 times per day by custodial team
• Teachers will wipe-down classes mid-day and custodians at the end of the day
• District will continue disinfecting protocols after hours for those rooms/spaces where there has been COVID-19 spread.

Quarantine and Isolation:

ISOLATION:

Category 1: COVID-19 Symptoms

- 10 days since my symptoms first started, I have been fever -free for 24 hours without the use of fever- reducing medications and my overall symptoms are improving.

- Medical evaluation determines my symptoms were due to another cause. A medical provider’s note with date must be provided and I have been fever -free for 24 hours without the use of fever- reducing medications.

- Tested negative for COVID-19. A copy of the negative test with the date must be provided and I have been fever -free for 24 hours without the use of fever- reducing medications.

Category 2: COVID-19 Symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19

- 10 days since onset of symptoms

- I have been fever -free for 24 hours without the use of fever- reducing medications

- My overall symptoms are improving

Category 3: Tested positive for COVID-19 but without symptoms

- 10 days since my test was performed

- I have been symptom-free for the entire 10 days

QUARATINE:

Category 4: Tested positive for COVID-19 and have a weak immune system due to a health condition or due to medication taking

- My healthcare provider gives written permission.

Category 5: Close Contact in the school/bus who has tested positive for COVID-19 outside the home (within 6 ft. for more than 15 minutes in a day within the past 2 days)

- Sick classmate will remain home for 10 days from onset of symptoms (see category 2 or 3 for return)

- School will implement contact tracing and notify families of those students who have been within 6 ft. for more than 15 minutes in a day within the past 2 days with the positive case.

- Stay home and monitor symptoms for 14 days (quarantine)

- Per DHEC schools can shorten quarantine after 5 days if all 3 of the following are met: No symptoms in the past 7 days, Has tested negative for COVID-19 no sooner than day 5 or Parent must accompany student upon return with documentation of negative test that includes name, date of test, and test results to school nurse or designee.

Category 6: Close Contact of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 outside the home (within 6 ft. for more than 15 minutes in a day within the past 2 days)

- Stay home and monitor symptoms for 14 days after exposure (quarantine).

- Per DHEC schools can shorten quarantine after 7 days if all 3 of the following are met: No symptoms in the past 7 days, Has tested negative for COVID-19 no sooner than day 5 or Parent must accompany student upon return with documentation of negative test that includes name, date of test, and test results to school nurse or designee.

Category 7: Close Contact of a person who has tested positive within your Household (within 6 ft. for more than 15 minutes in a day within the past 2 days)

- A household close contact must stay home and monitor symptoms (quarantine) during the 10 day isolation period of the positive person plus an additional 14 days after their isolation ends

- Per DHEC, you can shorten quarantine after 17 days if all 3 of the following are met: 1. No symptoms in the past 17 days, Has tested negative for COVID-19 no sooner than day 15, Parent must accompany student upon return with documentation of negative test that includes name, date of test, and test results to school nurse or designee.

Quarantine guidance:

A full 14 day quarantine after exposure to a COVID-19 case remains the most effective strategy for preventing additional transmission of coronavirus from asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic cases.

A full 14 day quarantine will be required for sports.

If you are seated within 3 feet of a positive case, are behind a plexiglass shield, and are wearing a mask, you do not have to quarantine.

Those students and staff who choose to shorten quarantine early must continue to monitor symptoms all 14 days of quarantine, practice physical distancing, continue frequent hand hygiene, and consider wearing a mask for the full 14 days.

If choosing a shortened quarantine, out of respect for others, please wear a mask while you complete the remainder of your quarantine at school.

Please call the school nurse if you develop symptoms during your quarantine for further guidance.

Vaccine:

• Clover School District worked with the Rock Hill Clinic to provide a vaccination opportunity for staff members in March and April. A high percentage of staff members were able to receive both doses of the vaccine.
• Additionally, members of the Clover School District received vaccines through CaraMont Health Care in North Carolina.
• Clover School District also with York School District 1 and Prisma Health offered high school students and their parents an opportunity to receive the vaccine at Clover High School in May.

Virtual Learning:

• Virtual learning will be available for students in 3rd-12th grade
• Students will continue using Canvas Learning Management System, email, WebEx live streaming and breakout rooms and mobile hotspots (provided to those students who need one)
• Social workers will continue to provide home visits when necessary or when students are not responding to electronic means of completing academic work or accessing supplemental services

Fort Mill School District

Face coverings:

• Mask use will be optional for students and staff in school buildings, facilities and buses without the need for an opt-out form.

Social distancing and cleaning:

• Signage and markers throughout the school buildings will remain in place to demonstrate proper distancing between individuals
• Lunch areas have been expanded to include portions of the school beyond cafeteria spaces to allow for social distancing during lunch periods
• Additional tables have been installed in outdoor areas for use
• Safety shields will remain in public contact areas such as front office spaces but will be removed from desks at all grade levels
• There will be signage in school buildings reminding of the importance of proper handwashing
• Schools will reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and increase monitoring to ensure adherence among students, teachers, and staff
• Schools will encourage students and staff to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and immediately wash their hands after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Schools will support healthy hygiene behaviors by providing adequate supplies, including soap, a way to dry hands, tissues and no-touch/foot-pedal trash cans
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations that contains at least 60% alcohol (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer) will be provided
• Schools will use no-touch bottled water refilling stations in place of traditional drinking fountains
• Routine cleaning and disinfecting will occur during the school day of all objects to include but not limited to desks, chairs, door knobs, sink handles, counter tops and light switches that are frequently touched
• Disinfectant wipes that are EPA approved will be provided for use on tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls and other high touch surfaces
• At night after initial cleaning and disinfecting has been completed, a team of Disinfectant Technicians will spray each school with a spray mister machine containing a disinfectant on the N-List from the EPA for COVID19
• Each bus shall be cleaned and disinfected using a spray mister machine with an EPA approved disinfectant twice per day following the completion of morning and afternoon routes
• Frequent wipe downs with a disinfectant cleaner on the N-List from the EPA for COVID-19 will be performed on bus high touch surfaces including but not limited to the entrance handrails, areas touched by the driver, seats and seat backs

Quarantine:

• The Fort Mill School District will continue to identify positive COVID-19 cases in schools through the online reporting system for students and staff and perform contact tracing to identify individuals that will need to enter into quarantine protocols.
• The district’s COVID-19 Coordinator will continue to manage this process and coordinate with school nurses and administrations to identify and notify any individuals impacted by a positive case.
• All students and staff are encouraged to remain home if they are ill and schools will maintain an isolation room for anyone who presents symptoms during the school day prior to their exclusion from school.
• Isolation and quarantine procedures/durations will follow DHEC guidelines and students or staff will not be able to return to school or other school related activities until the process is completed.
• For additional information, please visit the SCDHEC website here

Vaccine:

• The district has previously partnered with providers to offer vaccinations to our eligible students and staff, and will continue working with local health providers to offer a vaccination event or events during the school year
• Information about vaccination events will be shared once details are finalized

Virtual Learning:

• Students in grades 3-12 were given the option to apply to the Virtual Academy

Meals:

• The district will continue to provide free meals for all students

Lancaster County School District

Face coverings:

• Mask use will be optional for students and staff in school buildings, facilities and buses without the need for an opt-out form.

Social distancing and cleaning:

• Assigned seats will be designated when possible to reduce exposure and assist with contact tracing
• Bipolar ionization units are being installed across the district. The units help purify the air of airborne contaminants such as viruses, mold and bacteria
• Retrofit bottle fillers are also being installed to the water fountains across the district. Students will be able to fill the water bottle they bring from home without drinking from the fountain
• Desk shields have been removed from classrooms

Quarantine:

• The district is still required to perform contact tracing for any positive cases reported among students and staff
• Isolation and quarantine protocols determined by SCDHEC will be implemented for any positive cases or identified close contacts
• For additional information, please visit the SCDHEC website here

Vaccine:

• The district has partnered with the local hospital to provide a specific vaccination clinic targeted at employees
• Along with the district-sponsored employee vaccination clinic, information on community availability of testing and vaccinations has been provided to employees and students on an ongoing basis.

Meals:

• The district will continue to provide free meals for all students

Rock Hill Schools

Face coverings:

• Parents can opt their children out of wearing masks inside school buildings by signing consent form
• The district recommends the use of face coverings for students and staff in school and on buses
• The district will provide face coverings to all staff and will provide face coverings for any student who wants to wear a mask but cannot provide their own

Social distancing and cleaning:

• Schools will have signage and floor markings to remind students of social-distancing practices
• Classroom cohorts should not mix
• When students from separate cohorts must be in the same space (ex. GT, Resource, Speech), all efforts will be made to socially distance 3 feet between students
• There may be some changes to foot-traffic flow through buildings and furniture placement in the classrooms to help with social distancing
• Students with disabilities and employees who work with them are expected to practice social distancing when possible
• Schools will incorporate additional handwashing breaks into the school day and reinforce handwashing during key times throughout the school day
• Schools will keep plexiglass installed in front office and reception areas
• Along with their daily cleaning requirements, the custodial team will increase the frequency of disinfecting surfaces, such as high-touch surfaces in common areas and in all classrooms and athletic areas
• Total cleaning and disinfecting of all areas and surfaces will be completed by the custodial team daily before students are allowed to use the facility the next day

Quarantine:

• Rock Hill Schools will follow SCDHEC and CDC recommendations for contact tracing to determine isolation and quarantine criteria for students and staff.
• For additional information, please visit the SCDHEC website here and the CDC website here

Vaccine:

• Rock Hill Schools provided vaccine opportunities for staff starting in February 2021 and continued these efforts through May 2021
• 1600 staff were vaccinated through partnership with the City of Rock Hill, Piedmont Medical Center and Good Pharmacy
• Rock Hill Schools will work with SCDHEC and community partners to offer vaccine clinics to students age 12 and older starting Fall 2021

Virtual Learning:

• Rock Hill will offer instruction through in-person at the school level and the Rock Hill Virtual Academy
• Parents of returning students to the school district had to choose Virtual Academy by June 30, 2021, and students new to Rock Hill Schools have the option to select either face-to-face or Virtual Academy for the upcoming year at the time of registration
• Although parents are asked to commit to their choice of learning program for the entire year, opportunities to request changes will be offered at designated points during the school year pending space is available in either program

Meals:

• The district will continue to provide free meals for all students

York District 1

Face coverings:

• Parents can opt their children out of wearing masks inside school buildings
• The district recommends the use of face coverings for students and staff
• The district will provide face coverings to all staff and will provide face coverings for any student who wants to wear a mask but cannot provide their own

Social distancing and cleaning:

• There will be an emphasis on handwashing and respiratory etiquette. Students will receive instruction at the beginning of the year and reminders throughout the year regarding proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette
• Hand sanitizer will continue to be made available in each classroom, office, and school bus
• Common and high touch areas will be cleaned throughout the day by custodial teams
• Teachers will be responsible for cleaning before/after lunch and placing a trash receptacle outside in hallway
• Cleaner/spray bottles will be placed in all classrooms for teachers to use (kept out of reach of children when not in use). Cleaners/spray bottles will be placed on school buses
• Water fountains/dispensers will be cleaned throughout the day by custodial teams. Students and staff are encouraged to bring their own water bottles
• At the end of the school day, custodial staff will ensure that a disinfecting fogger is used in all areas and complete a sign off/completion sheet daily
• Main office staff will wipe down workspaces and sanitize countertops throughout the day
• All restrooms shall be sanitized routinely throughout the day by the custodial staff

Quarantine:

• YSD1 will continue to follow DHEC guidelines related to quarantine and isolation, including the outlined quarantine periods for students and staff members who are considered close contacts (possible exposures) to a person diagnosed with COVID-19.
• For additional information, please visit the SCDHEC website here and the CDC website here
• To facilitate contact tracing, the district will continue to maintain seating charts on all buses, classrooms, and common spaces.
• Multiple confirmed cases within the same classroom may result in a classroom closure
• In addition, each school will have a dedicated space for symptomatic individuals that will not be used for other purposes
• Students who present COVID-19 symptoms will immediately be isolated in the designated space and will wear a mask while waiting to leave the facility

Vaccine:

• YSD1 collaborated with the Rock Hill Vaccination Clinic and provided YSD1 certified staff as volunteers at the clinic during the early months of 2021
• YSD1 will offer a vaccination clinic to eligible students, family members, and staff in the Fall of 2021.

Virtual Learning:

• Educators will continue to use learning management systems and virtual meeting platforms to provide instruction to students who are quarantined
• The district will continue to commit to ensuring equal access to all students by providing internet hot spots, technological devices, and digital learning tools

Meals:

• The district plans to continue providing free meals for all students

(WATCH: CDC recommends masks be worn in schools regardless of vaccination status)

CDC recommends masks be worn in schools regardless of vaccination status (NCD)

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