08/21/2026
COVID-19 & SCHOOL GUIDELINES
A practical guide for parents and caregivers
OUR GOAL
Keep students learning in person while reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. These guidelines use the same symptom-based approach for COVID-19, flu, and RSV.
When Your Child Should Stay Home
• Fever or feeling feverish, especially with a new rash.
• Respiratory symptoms that are worsening or not improving, such as cough, sore throat, congestion, unusual fatigue, body aches, or trouble managing symptoms at school.
• Vomiting more than twice in the previous 24 hours, significant diarrhea, or inability to keep down food or liquids.
• The child is not well enough to participate, or their care would interfere with staff members' ability to teach and care for other students.
Returning to School After COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Illness
RETURN RULE
A student may return when, for at least 24 hours, BOTH are true: (1) symptoms are getting better overall, and (2) the student has had no fever without using fever-reducing medicine. The student must also be well enough to participate in the school day.
For the next 5 days after returning, families should consider added precautions:
• Wear a well-fitting mask when indoors and around others, if the student can do so safely.
• Improve airflow, practice careful hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes, create distance when practical, and consider testing before close contact with people at higher risk.
• If fever returns or symptoms worsen, keep the student home again. Restart the return rule once symptoms improve and the student has again been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medicine.
If Your Child Tests Positive but Has No Symptoms
Your child may still be contagious. For the next 5 days, use added precautions such as masking, cleaner air, good hygiene, distancing, and/or testing when the child will be around others indoors. Watch closely for symptoms; if symptoms begin, follow the stay-home and return guidance above.
School Response and Important Notes
• A student who becomes ill at school will be supervised in an appropriate area while a parent/guardian is contacted for prompt pickup.
• The district may adjust procedures during an outbreak, a period of high absenteeism, or when required by public health authorities.
• Individual health plans, disability accommodations, and medical instructions will be handled confidentially and in coordination with families and appropriate staff.
Questions? Contact Buffalo Valley Public Schools at 918-942-9225 or visit www.bvpsd.org.
