COVID-19 Protocols & Policies

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Mid-Pen is dedicated to maintaining in-person learning and avoiding the disruption of our students' education.

We’re excited to welcome our Dragons back to campus for the 2022-2023 school year. We have modified our COVID-19 mitigation protocols given the changing nature of the pandemic.

Updated August 8, 2022.

Return to Campus Testing & COVID-19 Mitigation Protocols

What is the Return to Campus Antigen Test Protocol?

Students and staffulty are required to take one at-home antigen test with a negative result before returning to campus on August 18. Also, before each school break or extended weekend, the school will provide a testing schedule for families to follow. Should the results indicate high cases of COVID-19 amongst students and staffulty, we will ask our community to conduct additional testing at home.

If students or staffulty test positive or have any cold/flu symptoms, they should stay at home.

Will Mid-Pen supply students and staffulty with COVID-19 antigen tests?

CDPH has provided Mid-Pen with a limited supply of tests for student and staffulty use after we return to campus. Because we may not have a consistent supply from the state, we ask that families purchase antigen tests for home use.

Mid-Pen will provide one test kit (two tests per kit) for use upon return from school breaks/extended weekends and when students feel symptomatic at school.

Free at-home tests are also still available via the United States Postal Service. Click here to order your tests.

Health insurance providers are also required to provide monthly reimbursement for antigen tests. Click here for details.

My child just has a cold or runny nose. Can they come to school?

Per CDPH, if students or staffulty feel ill or experience any symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19 or another infectious illness, such as the flu, they should not come to campus until they have met the following criteria:

At least 24 hours have passed since the resolution of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
Other symptoms have improved; and
They have two consecutive negative COVID-19 antigen tests (taken 24 hours apart), OR a healthcare provider has provided documentation that the symptoms are typical of their underlying chronic condition (e.g., allergies or asthma), OR a healthcare provider has confirmed an alternative named diagnosis (e.g., Streptococcal pharyngitis, Coxsackie virus), OR at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset.

Symptoms include and are not limited to:

Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell (i.e., new olfactory or taste disorder)
Painful purple or red lesions on the feet or swelling of the toes (“COVID Toes”)
Pneumonia (on clinical exam or imaging)
Fever
Cough (new or change in baseline)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (new or change in baseline)
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills (rigors)
Chest pain with deep breathing
Hoarseness
Runny nose or congestion
Muscle pain (myalgias)
Malaise or fatigue
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Altered mental status (e.g., confusion)
Conjunctivitis or “pink eye”
Rash

What is Mid-Pen's mask policy?

At this time, masks are optional indoors and outdoors at Mid-Pen, though strongly encouraged indoors. Please note that we reserve the right to change our mask policy if we have active community spread on campus.

Students who opt to wear masks should continue using:

KN95, KF94, or FFP2 masks on campus, or;
a multilayer, surgical mask.

What is Mid-Pen's travel policy?

Isolation and Testing Protocols for Positives and Close Contacts

Isolation & Testing Protocols for Positive Cases

Protocols & Testing for Close Contacts

How does Mid-Pen determine who is a Close Contact at School?

How will Mid-Pen let me know if my child tests positive or is a Close Contact?

Given the rate of transmission, we all should assume we are in close contact with COVID-positive individuals each day. Moving forward, we will only send school-wide notifications at times of high transmission rates per CDPH guidelines, and group notifications with 3 or more related cases. We will share school data weekly via a COVID-19 dashboard.

If your child is a known close contact, they can continue to come to campus. They should:

Take a COVID-19 at-home antigen test on Days 3 AND 5 after their last exposure to the COVID-19 positive student, AND
Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of exposure, especially at home and indoors on campus. (Please see mask guidelines below for more details.)

What happens if my child is exposed to COVID-19 at home? (Household Close Contact)

What happens if my child is exposed to COVID-19 at home?

The current Omicron variants are highly transmissible, especially within households. If a household close contact tests positive, families should contact Charlene Prince Birkeland and Jorge Rodriguez to determine next steps, which include an antigen testing timeline and possible quarantine depending on the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mid-Pen require Proof of Vaccination?

Yes.

Because vaccination status impacts our protocols for masking, testing, contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation, the school must verify student and staffulty vaccination status.

Parents/Guardians are asked to provide their child’s proof of vaccination and updated booster verification. A photo or scan should be sent to stacie@mid-pen.org.

Students who do not share their vaccination status will be treated as unvaccinated and must follow all school protocols for unvaccinated individuals, which may include but is not limited to how they participate in extracurricular activities and school events, their protocols for travel, testing/quarantine requirements, and masking,

All staffulty are required to provide verification of their vaccination status.

What is Mid-Pen's visitor policy?

Does Mid-Pen share the names of students who test positive for COVID-19 or who are Close Contacts?

As required by CDPH, Mid-Pen reports its instruction status on a bi-weekly basis.

By law, however, we do notify its local health officer of any known cases of COVID-19 among any student or employee who was present on campus within the 10 days of a positive test for COVID-19. As required by the CDPH, Mid-Pen will report the following information:

The full name, address, telephone number, and date of birth of the individual who tested positive;
The date the individual tested positive, the school(s) at which the individual was present on-site within the 10 days preceding the positive test, and the date the individual was last on-site at any relevant school(s); and
The full name, address, and telephone number of the person making the report.

This information is reported to the local health officer by telephone within 24 hours from the time an individual within the campus is first made aware of a new case.

Mid-Pen will maintain confidentiality, as required under FERPA and state law, related to the privacy of educational records.

Information reported to the local health officer pursuant to this directive shall not be disclosed except to (1) the California Department of Public Health; (2) to the extent deemed necessary by the local health officer for an investigation to determine the source of infection and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including with health officers in other jurisdictions as necessary to monitor, investigate, prevent, and/or control the spread of COVID-19; (3) if required by state or federal law; or (4) with the written consent of the individual to whom the information pertains or the legal representative of the individual.

Does Mid-Pen's building have adequate ventilation?

Yes. Mid-Pen upgraded its ventilation system in 2020 with the installation of MERV-13 filters on all building vents. HEPA air purifiers are installed in every room on campus. Two large air handlers were installed earlier in the year and function to better circulate air around the building. These air handlers increase airflow by 35 percent and surpass the CDC-recommended four air changes per hour. The school will check and replace air filters and filtration systems periodically to ensure optimal air quality.

Each classroom in the building also has at least one air purifier.

Mid-Pen has installed a PurpleAir air quality sensor on the outside of the school building. Community members can monitor air quality in the area using the school’s address on PurpleAir. When outdoor air quality or weather is poor (e.g., rain, extreme cold), the school will use indoor spaces for lunch and increase airflow by opening windows as appropriate.

How does Mid-Pen clean and disinfect the campus?

Mid-Pen has established cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These protocols follow guidance from federal, state, and local governments and public health authorities.

Regular cleaning of all classrooms, indoor and outdoor meeting areas, and high-touch surfaces will occur daily. Frequently touched surfaces in the school that will be cleaned daily include, but are not limited to: door handles, light switches, sink handles, bathroom surfaces, tables, student desks, and chairs.

Cleaning and disinfectant wipes are available in all classrooms, offices, and building entrances and exits. Tissues/paper towels and no-touch disposal receptacles are located throughout the school where employees and students can easily access them.

All water fountains are turned off. Students and staff can refill water bottles using our touchless water dispensers.

If an individual with COVID-19 has been on campus within 24 hours, spaces occupied by that person will be cleaned and disinfected.

COVID-19 Resources

For Employees: COVID-19 Prevention Plan

Report a Concern

Questions?

Contact both:
Charlene Prince Birkeland, Director of Communications and COVID-19 Task Force member

Jorge Rodriguez, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Equity/COVID-19 Task Force member