Page County Public Schools is committed to providing information to our community regarding our Return to Learn reopening plans. Please use this page as a resource for answers to various topics and questions. More FAQs will continue to be added regularly and updated as needed.
Please email: questions@pagecounty.k12.va.us with additional inquiries.
Will PCPS screen students or staff for COVID-19 symptoms
Each family in PCPS has received a health attestation form and is aware of the symptoms of Covid-19. Families are asked to abide by the attestation form and NOT send their children to PCPS when the child has any of the symptoms listed on the attestation form.
Should parents screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms?
CDC does not currently recommend universal symptom screenings (screening all students grades K-12) be conducted by schools.
Parents or caregivers are strongly encouraged to monitor their children for signs of infectious illness every day. Students who are sick should not attend school in person.
Are masks required in order to attend PCPS?
Yes. The state health commissioner has created a public health order mandating masks in k-12 schools for any child 2 years of age and older.
I am not fully vaccinated. When should I wear a mask?
Please wear masks and practice physical distancing in all indoor PCPS public settings and in crowded outdoor settings based on CDC recommendations. All PCPS students and staff must wear masks inside PCPS settings unless given direct instruction that it is OK to unmask (nap time, while eating, indoor recess, etc.) Mask breaks will be given periodically throughout the day.
Students must wear a mask when using public transportation (school buses), per federal order.
A mask is NOT a substitute for physical distancing. Masks should still be worn in addition to staying at least 3 feet apart, especially when indoors around people who don’t live in your household.
I am fully vaccinated. When should I wear a mask?
Please wear masks and practice physical distancing in all indoor PCPS public settings and in crowded outdoor settings based on CDC recommendations. All PCPS students and staff must wear masks inside PCPS settings unless given direct instruction that it is OK to unmask (nap time, while eating, indoor recess, etc.) Mask breaks will be given periodically throughout the day.
Students must wear a mask when using public transportation (school buses), per federal order.
A mask is NOT a substitute for physical distancing. Masks should still be worn in addition to staying at least 3 feet apart, especially when indoors around people who don’t live in your household.
Can I wear a face shield instead of a mask?
In most instances, no. A face shield should not be used as a substitute for a mask. Face shields are primarily used to protect the eyes of the person wearing them and may be used in addition to wearing a mask. Please see the superintendent’s letter to the community for further explanation.
Are there mask exceptions/accommodations for students that cannot wear a mask?
For guidance on masks exceptions/accommodations, please read the superintendent’s letter to the community
Are masks required on all PCPS school buses?
Yes. According to the CDC Order under section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) and 42 code of federal regulations, all passengers on public transportation are required to wear a mask.
Are masks required in outdoor settings?
The VDH and CDC recommend that people who are not fully vaccinated wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people. Spectators should continue to follow applicable mask guidance from the CDC in outdoor settings.
Does my child need to wear a mask during PE class?
Yes and no. Students are expected to wear their masks until the exercise activity starts. During the activity, students may remove their masks. Following the activity students will be required to re-mask.
What recommendations does VDH have regarding mask fit?
A mask should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of your face and cover your nose and mouth. It should be secured with ties or ear loops and be able to be washed and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
How can I help my child get accustomed to wearing a mask/ cloth face covering during school?
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers advice about helping children get accustomed to masks. The A.A.P.’s suggestions include putting a mask on a child’s favorite stuffed animal, decorating masks so they’re more personalized, and drawing a mask on your child’s favorite book character.
Do students need to wear masks at an after-school event?
Yes, it applies to all individuals age 2 or older indoors, on public or private school grounds during instruction, extracurriculars, and other events that take place outside of normal instructional hours. Exceptions are made while exercising and during certain musical circumstances. Masks may also be excused in certain after-school outdoor events.
How often should I wash masks?
Wash them after every use. Dirty masks are less effective in blocking out respiratory droplets than clean masks are.
What can PCPS do to minimize the spread of COVID-19?
Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccinating teachers, school staff, and students when eligible for vaccination is a critical layer of prevention and protection for all. Achieving high levels of vaccination among eligible students, teachers, and staff is one of the most critical strategies to help schools safely operate. Additionally, encourage students and staff to take everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
What mitigation strategies does PCPS use to keep my child safe?
Physical distancing- 3ft minimum for students, 6ft minimum for staff as recommended by the VDH
Masks- need to be worn at all times indoor settings with the exceptions of:
When engaging in physical activity or exercise or using exercise equipment
Naptime
Eating & drinking (be careful with your spacing here)
Music class for wind players or brass players (must be more than 6 ft apart)
Mask breaks (Must be staggered within the room)
Any person seeking to communicate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing and for which the mouth needs to be visible
When necessary to participate in a religious ritual (Needs a religious accommodation approval)
Persons with health conditions or disabilities that prohibit wearing a mask (needs an accommodation approval)
Handwashing stations with expectations to use the stations before and after recess, breakfast, and lunch and when sharing common materials.
Attestation forms- Parents understanding the symptoms of Covid-19 and required students to stay home if they have those symptoms.
Cleaning & disinfection
Contact tracing, quarantine, isolation
Signage throughout the school to help educate students and staff on safe Covid-19 protocols.
Is sharing materials permitted?
Sharing materials in the classroom is discouraged, but if there is a need to do so, the object being shared should be disinfected prior to being passed to the next individual.
Can the students use the equipment, toys, puzzles, etc. the teacher has in their room?
Yes, but the equipment should be disinfected prior to each student using the item.
What safety precautions are being taken when meals are prepared?
The Nutrition Services staff are well trained in food safety measures and will follow current guidance related to safety and sanitation.
What are the cleaning procedures?
Per CDC guidelines, custodial staff will conduct enhanced daily cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, handles, fixtures, etc.) with approved products in school buildings. Bus drivers will disinfect school buses after each run. Staff will be provided with supplemental hand sanitizer, disinfectant, and wipes. All other cleaning supplies are provided by PCPS.
How often will the bathrooms be sanitized?
Bathrooms, in addition to other frequently used areas in the school, will be sanitized several times throughout the day. We will also be stressing the importance of frequent hand washing to students and staff and will ensure ample soap and paper towels are available.
Will visitors be allowed in the schools this year?
PCPS will not permit visitors into the schools for the 1st quarter. We will reassess the situation near the end of the 1st quarter. This includes guardians wanting to visit classrooms.
Are field trips permitted this year?
PCPS will not permit field trips for the 1st quarter. We will reassess the situation near the end of the 1st quarter.
Are students able to use water fountains this year?
Currently, PCPS is allowing the use of water fountains to fill water bottles and cups. Students are not permitted to drink from the water fountains directly with their mouths.
Will students be permitted to use lockers this year?
Unknown
What is the status of high school sports for the upcoming school year?
Currently, the VHSL is permitting the full slate of high school sports.
Will students be able to participate in clubs?
Yes, with adequate mitigation strategies in place.
Will there be a homecoming?
Homecoming celebrations are being planned.
Will students use common areas such as the cafeteria, gym, etc.?
Yes, with mitigation strategies in place.
If there is Covid in my child’s school, how will I know if my child has to quarantine?
Per the PCPS health plan, we post letters publicly to inform the community if there has been a positive Covid case in one of our facilities. Each facility will conduct contact tracing to determine who needs to quarantine and who is safe to return to the facility. The administration of each facility will then call each individual/guardian of the student that will need to quarantine. If you are not notified by the facility’s administrator, your child will not need to quarantine.
What do I do if my child is exposed to a COVID-19 positive person?
In indoor K-12 settings, a student who is within 3-6 feet of an infected student is not considered a close contact as long as both students are wearing masks and the school has other prevention strategies in place. If the child is within 3 feet and is unvaccinated, they will need to stay home and be quarantined for 10 days from the date of last exposure and monitor their health status closely. If vaccinated…………………………………….
What if my child starts experiencing Covid-like symptoms while at school?
If a student or employee Experiences Symptoms of COVID-19 While at School, the school nurse will send the child to the quarantine room and the guardian will be called. Students experiencing these symptoms will be required to quarantine for 10 days (unless they test positive for Covid-19). Students may ONLY return earlier from the quarantine if they have a doctor’s note stating the symptoms are not from Covid-19, and they are fever-free for 24 hours.
If there is a confirmed case of COVID 19 in school, the local health department will work closely with school administrators to determine a course of action for their schools. PCPS will follow CDC Operational Strategy for k-12 Schools and CDC Guidance for Cleaning and disinfection. The VDH will work closely with the school to make environmental cleaning recommendations, conduct contact tracing, and investigate any potential exposures.
If a person tests negative for COVID-19 but is diagnosed with COVID-19 by their doctor based on symptoms, when can they return to school?
An individual diagnosed with COVID-19 should not return to work or school until they meet all criteria to end isolation:
● At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and
● At least 24 hours have passed with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication, and
● Other symptoms have improved.
Can information about a student’s test result be shared with other staff and students who may have had exposure to that individual?
While generic messaging may be shared with the school community regarding a positive test in the school, neither the student’s name nor any other information that could potentially identify the ill person can be shared. The local health department will work with the student and their family to determine which individuals meet the close contact definition.
How does attendance works when quarantining?
Students are expected to complete work while they are quarantine. Students completing work during this time will be counted as present. Students not completing work during this time will be marked as absent. If a student is quarantine for Covid-19 and is too sick to work, please contact the school for an extension to complete the work under extenuating circumstances. Only students with Covid will be granted extra time to complete assignments.
Will the PCPS be setting a threshold of current COVID cases in the county that will trigger a move to all virtual learning?
That decision will be made in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health.
What happens if schools have to temporarily shut down?
The division will be utilizing Schoology as the platform wherein students, families, and teachers can interact. Schoology will allow our students and teachers to stay connected and interact in a digital format even by phone with an app. It will also support paper/pencil formats. This platform will allow teachers to incorporate multiple apps, programs, and resources for students to access (ie. Google Classroom, Virtual Virginia, Discovery Education, IXL, etc.). Schoology will be used division-wide by all teachers for all students regardless of the learning option selected. Students in Prek-2 will utilize a combination of Class Dojo and paper packets during this temporary time.
Where can we learn more about Schoology?
Schoology has a variety of demo videos available online. There is also a self-help video on the Covid-19 links page.
Is there an alternative to in-person learning in PCPS?
Students benefit socially, emotionally, and educationally from being in school. PCPS has implemented the mitigation strategies recommended by the CDC and VDH in order to keep students and staff as safe as possible during the pandemic. Students wishing to participate in remote learning will be expected to enroll in Edgenuity and complete the curriculum provided. More information on how to complete this process is available through your child’s school. Other options may include homeschooling your child. Please contact the school board office for more information.
Will there be SOLs this year? How will verified credits be impacted for high school students?
Yes, there will be SOLs this year. (I’m not sure about the verified credit q).
Can my child receive the COVID vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine is currently approved for use in those over 12 years of age. Information for parents is available on the VDH Back to School Website. If your child is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please discuss this vaccine with your healthcare provider.
