- 2021-2022 SDOC GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19
- Isolation & Quarantine Flow Chart
- COVID-19 Instruction & Expectations Guidance
- Requirement of Masks on Buses
- What does fully vaccinated mean?
- What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
- SDOC Students & Staff Testing Option
- Where can I get a COVID-19 test in the community?
- Safe Return to In Person Instruction Plan
- SDOC ESSER Plan
2021-2022 SDOC GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19
Printable Version of Guidelines
2021-2022 SDOC Guidelines for COVID-19
These guidelines are subject to change at any point in response to changes in the COVID-19 pandemic or legislative action.
Date Updated: 3/1/2022
Masks
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Masks are not required in any school building or on buses
Employees & Students who are symptomatic
Any employee or student who has symptoms of COVID-19 MUST remain at home and not go into any SDOC buildings until one of the following is accomplished:
- A five-day quarantine with symptoms resolved
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A negative COVID-19 test result
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A statement on letterhead or prescription pad stating the student/employee has a diagnosis other than COVID-19 and my return to school.
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A positive antibody test within 14 days
*Note: The administration team will be made aware of any employee not complying with this guideline.
ISOLATION
- For anyone testing POSITIVE for COVID-19, the isolation period has been reduced from 10 days to 5 days, if there are no symptoms or symptoms have improved. DHEC recommends masks to be worn during days 6 through 10 when they return to school and normal activities.
Example Calculation of Isolation Days
Onset of symptoms: 12/31/2021
May return to school: 01/06/2022 (with no symptoms or improved symptoms)
Mask worn at school or school activities: 01/06/2022 through 01/10/2022 (per DHEC and SC Department of Education)
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A parent note confirming that symptoms have improved and there has been no fever in the past 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication must be provided by the student.
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If you still have symptoms after isolating for five days, stay home until you feel better. Make sure you notify your school nurse.
Contact Tracing
School nurses will notify their principal once a class or cohort has 5 POSITIVE cases within 5 days with those cases having been in the building or around their cohort during the infectious period. The principal/school nurse will then contact Sherry McLaughlin and a decision will be made as to whether the cohort is quarantined (or not), at that time. Quarantine decisions for medically fragile classes will be made on a case-by-case basis.
QUARANTINE
In order to exempt quarantine, you must provide one of the following:
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Proof of a positive COVID-19 result within 90-days of being exposed.
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Proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination series (as recommended by DHEC).
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Proof of positive antibodies collected within the prior 14 days of being exposed.
“Fully Vaccinated” DHEC (as of 1/3/2022) - individual who has completed their primary series, and ideally have had a booster shot if eligible
If an individual is unable or chooses not to provide one of the above exemptions:
Quarantine can end after Day 5 if a viral test is negative AND if no symptoms were reported during daily symptom monitoring.
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The viral test must be collected no sooner than Day 4, and quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than completion of Day 5.
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A mask should be worn through day 10 per DHEC & SC Department of Education.
SDOC EMPLOYEES
There are contingency options specifically for workers in essential fields when there are staffing shortages. Exposed workers who have not received the vaccine, including a booster when eligible may wear a mask for 10 days if quarantine is not feasible.
Household Contacts
If a student is a household contact to a positive COVID-19 case, and cannot separate from the positive case, the student must quarantine for 10 days. However, the student can test at day 10 and return to school with a negative test result.
If a student can separate from the COVID-19 case, the student can test at day 5 and return with a negative test result.
At-Home Testing
SDOC will not accept any testing result from an At-Home testing kit. We will accept rapid and PCR tests from a professional business/facility where those giving the test and interpreting the test results have been trained by professional staff.
International Travel
Travel should be delayed until you are fully vaccinated. You are not fully vaccinated until the following criteria has been met:
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2 weeks after your second dose in a 2-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
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2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
KNOW YOUR TRAVEL RISK
If you have a condition or are taking medication that weakens your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated. Talk to your primary provider as you may need to continue taking all precautions.
During Travel:
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Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports, and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (such as open decks of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).
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Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet from anyone who is not traveling with you.
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Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
After travel:
It is BEST PRACTICE to get COVID-19 tested 3-5 days after travel and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel. Travel regulations state you must have a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to the United States. The School District of Oconee County will allow you to return to school with this negative COVID-19 test result.
You MUST complete the following:
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Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days.
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Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days.
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Isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
Isolation & Quarantine Flow Chart
COVID-19 Instruction & Expectations Guidance
COVID-19 Instruction & ExpectationS GUIDance
Students in quarantine due to contact tracing or in isolation due to a positive result, unless sickness prevents it, are expected to participate in virtual instruction (distance learning) during their time away from school. The following information is to help students, families, and teachers navigate instruction and learning expectations during this time.
Students should make every effort to stay current with assignments and learning experiences during their quarantine situation. For those students with extenuating circumstances, such as being too sick to complete work or no internet access, work must be completed within 10 days of their return.
- Attendance Information
- PIP & 4K Students
- K-5 -12th grade Students
- What if I have questions about my student's learning?
- Help with Chromebooks, Google Classroom, Canvas, etc.
Attendance Information
The South Carolina Department of Education recommends that districts make appropriate accommodations for students who may be required to quarantine or self-isolate in accordance with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s K-12 Interim Guidance for Management of COVID-19 Cases. Students will be marked with one of the following codes during their isolation/quarantine period:
SC-VTP - If a student is able to participate in virtual instructional activities during the isolation/quarantine period, they will be marked "virtually present." Students must submit assignments or participate in assigned learning experience(s) by the deadline established by the classroom teacher to be considered virtually present. Otherwise they will be marked absent.
SC-COVD - If a student tests positive for COVID-19 and is unable to receive instruction during their isolation period due to sickness, they will be marked SC-COVD. Students will be responsible for completing assignments upon return to school.
SC-UNEX - If a student fails to participate in assigned learning experiences or fails to submit assignments by the deadline established by the classroom teacher, the student's days will be considered unexcused absences unless a parent or guardian provides documentation as to why the student was unable to participate or submit assignments.
COVID-19 Attendance Scenarios
Scenario |
Attendance Coding |
A student is in quarantine because the student is impacted by COVID and is assigned to virtual instruction or received an educational packet. The student submits assignments and/or participates in learning activities. |
SC-VTP |
A student is out sick because of COVID and is unable to attend virtual instruction or complete an educational packet. |
SC-COVD |
The entire classroom is in quarantine because of COVID, and the classroom instruction is moved to virtual. The student submits assignments as required. |
SC-VTP |
The entire classroom is in quarantine because of COVID, and the classroom instruction is moved to virtual. The student fails to submit assignments as required. |
SC-UNEX |
The school is closed due to COVID and instruction is moved to virtual instruction. The student submits assignments as required. |
SC-VTP |
The school is closed due to COVID and instruction is moved to virtual instruction. The student fails to submit assignments as required. |
SC-UNEX |
PIP & 4K Students
Instruction for students in PIP and 4K classes will be through learning packets. The contents of the learning packets will address the standards & skills that are being taught in the face-to-face classroom while the student is quarantined. Due dates for assignments will be established by the classroom teacher and will be communicated to parents and students.
If you have questions concerning your PIP or 4K student's instruction, please reach out to the classroom teacher through your normal mode of communication.
K-5 -12th grade Students
Instruction in Kindergarten through 12th grade will be through one of the following options:
Synchronous - Synchronous learning is learning that happens in real time. Learning and interaction between students and the teacher will most likely happen through a Google Meet at a specific time. Students may participate in multiple google meets throughout the day to receive instruction in all subjects or classes. Google meets may include both video and audio or audio only.
Asynchronous - Asynchronous instruction is learning that occurs at the student's pace, time, and location in which learning occurs. Typically, this is work the students can complete independent of the teacher. Students may view recorded lessons, interactive presentations, or other versions of instructional materials.
Offline Mode - In situations where students may have limited or no internet access, instruction may occur in "offline mode." To provide offline instruction, assignments and tasks will be based within Google Applications and downloadable material. If material is downloaded to the Chromebook with offline accessibility, students will be able to complete without internet access. The student would need to return to a location with internet access to submit the assignments through Canvas or Google Classroom.
Enabling Offline Mode within Google Drive Video
What if I have questions about my student's learning?
If you have questions about your student's learning during their quarantine/isolation time, please contact your student's teacher(s) through their normal method of communication such as email, Class Dojo, Google Classroom, or Canvas. Keeping the lines of communication open will help your student be successful during their time away from school.
Help with Chromebooks, Google Classroom, Canvas, etc.
Requirement of Masks on Buses
School Buses fall under the January 2021 CDC order requiring masks on all forms of public transportation. On August 26, 2021, The SC Department of Education announced that they would begin enforcing the CDC order in response to a significant increase in cases and high community spread rates. A revised memo released on August 27, 2021 included the following information:
"To facilitate adherence to the CDC Order, the SCDE will equip all state-owned school buses with an adequate supply of face coverings that meet CDC Order requirements. If a student boards a bus without a face covering, bus drivers should offer the student a face covering. School districts shall implement disciplinary measures designed to enforce this requirement, including, but not limited to suspending a student from riding a bus. However, no student should be placed in an unsafe situation as a result of attempting to board a bus without a face covering."
SC Department of Education Face Covering on Buses Memo
As a district, we will begin assigning disciplinary consequences for students who choose to not wear a mask beginning Tuesday, September 7, 2021. The consequences for not wearing a mask will be:
1st time: Students will receive a warning
2nd time: A phone call will be made to the parent to explain the
situation and consequences of further refusal
3rd time: Student will be suspended from the bus for one day.
Each additional refusal will result in an increase in the number of days the student is suspended from the bus. It is possible with repeated refusal to wear a mask may result in suspension from the bus for the remainder of the school year.
What does fully vaccinated mean?
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
SDOC Students & Staff Testing Option
SDOC Students & Staff Drive-thru Testing
Monday - Friday 8:00am to 2:00pm
BOuntyland Education Campus
100 Vocational Drive, Seneca
IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS:
Employees/students/parents/guardians should enter the Bountyland Education campus from South Cove Road (Do not enter from Keowee School Road). Take the first left into Bountyland Education Campus (old Hamilton Career Center). Testing will occur in front of the first breezeway. Cars will exit onto Keowee School Road.This will facilitate a one-way line for testing and help avoid traffic issues.
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Testing is for SDOC staff and students only (substitutes & volunteer coaches are eligible).
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The PCR test specimen will be collected through a nasal swab.
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Results should be received within 24 hours; some results may take longer.
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There is NO COST to the student or staff member.
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Students and Staff may choose to be tested as frequently as they desire.
Where can I get a COVID-19 test in the community?
There are many places within the community to get tested for COVID-19. Many medical practices as well as pharmacies have testing options. The following provide free testing to the community:
DHEC-Tour Health - Oconee County Health Department
Open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
609 N Townville St Seneca, SC 29678
Please pre-register using the link: https://www.tourhealth.com
Pre-Registration Strongly Recommended but Not Required. Wait times at all sites vary and patients are seen in the order that they arrive. Pre-registration will help to reduce your wait time at the site.
Appointment Needed: No
Referral Needed: No
Pediatric Testing Available: Yes - All ages
Clemson Community COVID-19 Testing
Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Nettles Park, 102 Nettles Park Road, Pendleton, SC 29670
Prior to arriving at the community-testing site, you must register and obtain a COVID-19 testing QR code. To do this, visit this link: Clemson Community COVID Testing
When you arrive at the testing site, you will be required to present the QR Code you obtained from registration. Please have your QR Code ready on your phone or printed for scanning prior to arriving to the test site.
Note: The QR code you obtain from your initial COVID-19 testing registration may be used as many times in the future as needed without re-registering.
- Make sure you have had nothing to eat or drink 30 minutes prior to testing.
- This COVID-19 test type is Saliva PCR (not rapid antigen). You should receive your test results via text and email within 24 to 30 hours of your test.
Safe Return to In Person Instruction Plan
This plan describes how the Local Education Agency (LEA) or district will provide the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services for all schools, including those that have already returned to in-person instruction. This report template complies with all reporting requirements of the ARP Act (Public Law 117-2), the ESSER III grant terms, conditions, and assurances (CFDA Number 84.425U), and the interim final rule established by the U.S. Department of Education, 86 FR 21195.
SDOC ESSER Plan
This plan describes how the SDOC will use funds that it is awarded under the ARP ESSER program. This report template complies with all reporting requirements of the ARP Act (Public Law 117-2), the ARP ESSER grant terms, conditions, and assurances (CFDA Number 84.425U), and the interim final rule established by the U.S. Department of Education, 86 FR 21195.