Below is updated guidance to clarify the COVID-19 guidelines sent out on Thursday, December 30. Public health policies have evolved throughout the pandemic, and the current guidance may be updated again in the coming weeks as we learn more about effective approaches to control the spread of the omicron variant. Any new guidance from Franklin County Public Health regarding COVID-19 policies will be communicated as quickly as possible.
Masking requirements and recommendations
Masking is still required for everyone in all Bexley City School District buildings and events. Regardless of vaccination status, this requirement must be followed by all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Properly fitted masks are critical to reducing the transmission of COVID-19 within classrooms and during extracurricular activities.
COVID-19 scenarios
Your student’s vaccination or booster status does not impact any of the following scenarios.
Your student has tested positive for COVID-19:
If your student tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate. Please complete our online reporting form. The reporting form can also be found at the top of our website. The isolation period is now five days. If the infected person has recovered and is no longer showing symptoms of COVID-19, they may return to school after 5 days. The date of the start of symptoms is Day 0. If the student is asymptomatic, the test date is Day 0. For example, if your asymptomatic student tests positive on a Wednesday (Day 0), they may return to school on Tuesday (Day 6), assuming they continue not to experience symptoms.
Your student is identified as close contact to a person with COVID-19:
- If asymptomatic, the student may attend school while wearing a mask. Taking a COVID-19 test 5 days after the last exposure to the COVID-19 case is recommended.
- If symptomatic, the student should be tested for COVID-19. If the student tests positive, refer to the information above. If negative, the student may attend school while wearing a mask, if they feel well enough to do so.
Your student is displaying COVID-19 symptoms but has no known close contact:
First and foremost, keep your child at home. Identify the date symptoms began and complete our online reporting form. Have your student tested for COVID-19. If the student tests positive, refer to the information above. If negative, the student may attend school while wearing a mask, if they feel well enough to do so.
COVID-19 symptoms
- Fever (100.4 F) or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Our test kit supply is limited!
We are only issuing test kits to BCS employees and students who are symptomatic or have a positive case in the family. We cannot issue to other family members at this time. Seek out other test providers for members in your home who do not work for or attend Bexley City Schools. Please contact your school nurse if you would like to request a test kit.
Please see Franklin County Public Health guidance, linked here, for questions related to quarantine and isolation outside of attending school and school activities.