Important COVID Update: New ODH Quarantine Guidelines & Mask Protocols

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

After careful consideration, the following changes to our COVID protocols will go into effect on Friday, November 19:

• Masks will be optional for all PreK-12 students and staff, regardless of vaccination status;
• Masks will still be required on school buses per the federal order; and
• We will follow K-12 Schools Quarantine 10-25-21 (1).pdf

As we have done since the start of the pandemic, in addition to reviewing the guidance from ODH, we consulted with local medical experts before making this decision. Dayton & Montgomery County Public Health Department endorse these new protocols.

Consistent with the Warren County pilot, Miamisburg has also seen a very low rate of quarantined close contacts actually contracting COVID (just 2.7%). Please understand that we will continue to watch our positive numbers closely. If we see a spike in positive cases, we may choose to reinstate the mask requirement at any time.

Per the Ohio Department of Health, those identified as a close contact in a K-12 school setting may now stay in school by following these “Mask to Stay” protocols, regardless of vaccination status:

• Wear a mask consistently and properly for 14 days after the last date of exposure;
• Self-monitor or parent-monitor, for symptoms of COVID-19; and
• Isolate and get tested if they start to experience symptoms associated with COVID-19 (regardless of the level of severity).

If a close contact submits a negative COVID test result from day 5-7 after exposure to the school, the “Mask to Stay” protocols may end on day eight (8).

If a close contact refuses to wear a mask, they must stay home for 10 days from the last date of contact. They may return to school on day eight (8) if they submit a negative COVID test result from day 5-7. Mask waivers do not apply under these circumstances.

Quarantine rules for Preschool are determined by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). According to those rules, preschool students who are exposed to a positive case will be required to quarantine outside of school regardless of mask status.

In order to continue participating in extracurricular activities, close contacts in a school setting must follow these “Test to Play” protocols, regardless of vaccination status:

• Remain asymptomatic;
• Wear a mask as much as possible;
• Test negative for COVID within 24 hours of being identified as a close contact and submit the results to school;
• Test again between days 5-7. If negative, they may choose to stop wearing a mask on day 8.

In order to qualify, negative test results must be a PCR or antigen test that was observed by a medical professional.

School Quarantine Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals

Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County recommends that K-12 schools’ quarantine procedures allow that those students, faculty and staff that may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 in a classroom setting or on school provided buses, do not need to self-quarantine, provided that all parties were properly wearing face masks and social distancing was maintained as appropriate, which includes at least 3’ to 6’ of distance in the classroom. With 6’ being preferred.

The above exception does not apply to sports or extracurricular activities.

All other exposure should follow the standard quarantine procedures. Those exposed, but not quarantined, should continue to monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days and initiate a self-isolation if any symptoms develop. If unable to complete a 14-day quarantine. Quarantine may also be 10 days without testing or after7 days and a negative test result after day 5 or later.

Vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)

• Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure

Persons who do not meet all 2 of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

After quarantine you should watch for symptoms for 14 days after exposure, immediately isolate if you develop symptoms, and continue to wear a mask, stay 6’ from others, avoid crowds and wash your hands.

While we understand that parents have very strong feelings on both sides of the mask issue, it has always been our priority to keep kids in school. As such, under the previous quarantine requirements, Miaimisburg’s mask requirement has kept numerous students out of quarantine since the start of the mask requirement. These new quarantine guidelines from the State give us an option to not only keep healthy close contacts learning in the classroom with the added precaution of a mask for the safety of others, but also give families the option to choose whether their child will wear a mask.

Please understand that, although we will not require masks in school buildings or at school sponsored events beginning tomorrow, we still require masks on school transportation since this is a federal mandate.

Please review this Quarantine Flowchart for more specific details.

Sincerely,

Dr. Laura Blessing

Miamisburg High School Class of 1990 alumna Erin Manley was presented with a Quilt of Valor at St. Christopher Church in Vandalia. The Mission of the Quilts of Valor is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. The Quilt says unequivocally "Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation."

Erin served twelve tours of duty before her retirement. She was a U.S. Air Force, Master Sargent who was the first female flyer and loadmaster mentor sent to train Afghan military members. A loadmaster is an aircrew member on civilian aircraft or military transport aircraft tasked with the safe loading, transport and unloading of aerial cargoes.

One of Erin's most memorable moments of service was when the Pentagon lifted the 18-year ban on press coverage of fallen soldiers being returned to Dover AFB (provided the family approved the media presence). She was the attentive loadmaster on the second trip that brought home the flag-covered casket of a fallen soldier who was killed by an IED near Baghdad in April of 2009.

The Miamisburg City School District is proud of Erin and would like to thank her for her service!

The following information was provided by Dayton's Children Hospital regarding COVID-19 Vaccine for children ages 5-11.

https://www.childrensdayton.org/vaccinechat

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs Ages 5-11

How the Immune System Works

COVID-19 Vaccination Information for Ages 5-11