Back-to-School Covid-19 Toolkit
With the school year starting, many employees already know how their schools or daycares will be operating this fall and into the near future. While it is impossible to know exactly what will, or won’t happen at your individual school or daycare, it IS possible to plan ahead for scenarios that may occur if Covid-19 impacts you. Start planning now. Here's how:
1. Plan Some Scenarios in Advance
Write down scenarios that may play out this year such as: school cancels midday and kids are released home, your child’s in-school sessions are now all abruptly virtual with no warning, your child is exposed or symptomatic, your daycare closes due to exposure and deep cleaning…..there are many possibilities. Play a few scenarios out and write down your options. Walk through scenarios with family and your support system. Determine who will watch the kids if Scenario A happens.
2. Make a Checklist
Make yourself a checklist of who to contact first if school plans change. Get the phone numbers for your manager, Employee Health, Human Resources and others loaded in your cell phone or written down in an easy to access location.
3. Talk with Your Manager and Team
Talk with your manager now. Let them know what you are planning and how to get a hold of them in the event of last minute changes. Talk with your coworkers and see how you can support one another in the event of unexpected absences. Plan ahead.
3. Read the FAQs
Read the FAQ questions below and understand when to STAY HOME, when to come to work and when to call Employee Health.
4. Talk with Your Kids NOW
Walk through with your kids how important it is to practice good hand hygiene, wear a mask and make sure that they know if they are not feeling well, they should let you know immediately. We have created a Back-to-School Toolkit of handouts and links to help you have these conversations with your kids.
Frequently Asked "Back-to-School" Questions
If only we had a crystal ball that would tell us what next week will look
like. Until that day, we talked with NCHC Employee Health to anticipate
a few of the common scenarios you may encounter with kids at school. Here
are just a few FAQ's that may be asked. This is not an inclusive list,
just a start. We recommend calling Employee Health at 715.848.4396 to
discuss your unique situation.
Download or print all these FAQs below.
Q: My child is in a classroom with another child who tested positive, however was not in close contact. Can I come into work?
A: Yes.The school told you your child was not in close contact with the child that tested COVID positive. Since they all are wearing masks and they were not in close contact of less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes you can come to work. Contact Employee Health to discuss at 715.848.4396.
Q: My child has a positive case in their cohort at school, do I need to stay home from work?
A: No.The school did not tell you your child was exposed to the COVID positive child. Since they all are wearing masks, were not in close contact of less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes, you can come to work. Contact Employee Health to discuss at 715.848.4396.
Q: My child is sick and sent home from school, do I need to stay home if I am unsure if it is Covid-19 or not?
A: Contact the schoolto see why your child was sent home and continue to monitor their symptoms. If they have been in close contact with a confirmed positive COVID person and they have become symptomatic, stay home. If they have not been in contact with a confirmed positive COVID person, continue to monitor symptoms and you are allowed to come to work. Contact Employee Health to discuss at 715.848.4396.
Q: If my child is sick and being tested for Covid-19, can I come to work?
A: No. If they are being tested for COVID-19, you will both need to quarantine, monitor symptoms, and you cannot come to work until they have received negative test results.
Q: I was notified by public health or my school that my child had close contact and was exposed to a Covid-19 positive student (on bus, in classroom, on playground, etc).
Scenario 1: My child is asymptomatic, can I come to work?
A: Stay home. If your child was within 6 feet, not wearing a mask, for longer than 15 minutes to someone positive for COVID, your child and you will need to quarantine and monitor for symptoms for 14 days. Contact Employee Health to discuss at 715.848.4396.
Scenario 2: My child is symptomatic, can I come to work?
A: No. If your child was within 6 feet, not wearing a mask, for longer than 15 minutes to someone positive for COVID, and now is symptomatic, you should notify your primary care provider for possible testing of your child. Contact Employee Health to discuss at 715.848.4396.
We anticipate many scenarios that will occur this school year. Each scenario will be unique to you, your child, your family and your work situation. Contact Employee Health to discuss your situation. We are here to support and help you succeed.
Resources to Help You Plan Ahead and Talk with Your Kids
Click on the images below to view each .pdf larger. You can download or print to help you plan ahead. These tools are here to help you communicate with your kids of varying ages.
Back to School Decision Making Tool: This 3-page tool will help address your views about how your school is preparing for school year 2020-2021. If you answer “unsure” to any items regarding your school’s plan, consider reaching out to your school administrator for more information.
Planning for In-Person Classes: This 5-page tool will help you plan ahead for in-person instruction at school. There is a lot to consider and some really great insight on things we typically overlook.
Posters for Older Children: These 1-page posters can be printed and hung by the door on the way out to remind our older kids about hand hygiene, reporting illness and decision-making.
Posters for Our Littles: Our youngest kids sometimes like fun, colorful and cute drawings to capture their attention. Make these fun. Hang them up. Cut them up as puzzles or hang them by your back packs or at the breakfast table.
Suggestions? Tips? Tricks?
We want to hear them! Share your suggestions or tips at our Suggestion Box or post to our NCHC Employee Facebook Pages. We can all work together to provide the best experience for our kids and for our parents.
NCHC Employee Communication Group