COVID-19

List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• What happens if a student tests positive for COVID-19?

  Please complete the Positive Test Reporting form to let Mike Murphy know if your student has tested positive for COVID-19, then complete and follow the protocols outlined below. The more information we have about test positivity in our community, the better equipped we are to make decisions that affect all of us.

  
  

  We ask that families follow the recommendations set forth by CDPH:

  • Students should isolate at home for five days if positive. Isolation begins one day following the onset of symptoms or the date of the positive test result. 
  • Students may return to school after five days at home (on Day 6) as long as the student is asymptomatic and is fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
  • A negative test is not required to return to school.
  • Masks are required indoors through Day 10 following the positive test.

  
  As was the case pre-pandemic, students with symptoms of any illness (whether COVID-19 or other illness) should stay home until symptoms have improved and the student is fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

• What happens if a staff member tests positive for COVID-19?

  The COVID-19 protocols for staff members are governed by Cal/OSHA:

  • Employees must remain in isolation until after Day 5 following the positive test.
  • Employees may only return to work if asymptomatic, if they are fever-free, and have a negative test.
  • Masks must be worn around others indoors through Day 10 following the positive test.

• What if someone else in my household tests positive?

  If someone in your child's household tests positive for COVID-19:

  • Your child may continue to come to school if your child:
    • Is asymptomatic
    • Does not have sustained contact with the positive case (positive case is isolated in the home)
    • Tests five days following the initial exposure, at home
    • Wears a mask indoors for 10 days following initial exposure
    • Monitors for symptoms for 14 days and tests immediately if any symptoms arise
  • Notify Mike Murphy at msmurphy@sevenhillsschool.org.

• Will parents/guardians be notified when there is a positive case of COVID-19 at school?

  We will no longer be sending group exposure notices when there is a singular positive case in a classroom. The CDC has stated that students no longer need to quarantine following exposure. We will, however, advise parents in a particular classroom if there have been three or more confirmed cases (a sign of community transmission) which is the protocol outlined by Contra Costa County Health. Seven Hills will maintain a COVID-19 Dashboard by grade level which will identify all active positive cases of which we are aware were on campus within 48 hours of the positive test.

• Do fully vaccinated students need to quarantine following a close contact?

  Asymptomatic fully vaccinated students do not need to quarantine following a close contact exposure but should self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days after last exposure and get tested if any COVID-19 symptoms develop.
  
  

  The CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people should be tested 3 - 5 days following known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 10 days or until they receive a negative test result.

• Will Seven Hills be conducting regular COVID-19 testing?

  Seven Hills will follow the CDPH and CDC recommendations regarding who and when to test, guided by the Contra Costa case rates. Any symptomatic student or staff member, regardless of vaccination status, will require COVID testing through the California K-12 School Rapid Testing Program. Testing is available on-campus for employees and for students preparing to return to campus after illness, but we encourage at-home testing to return and contacting Mike Murphy with results.

  
  At times, Seven Hills may require additional testing such as participating in a higher-risk activity, field trips, or overnight events, or at-home testing before returning to school after a long break. There may also be instances requiring response testing for certain grade levels in case of a classroom outbreak or a student who shows up symptomatic and tests positive during the school day.

  
  Resource: Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning

• Are students required to be vaccinated?

  All students, including those under age 5, are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. Although vaccines are not required, Seven Hills highly encourages ALL staff and eligible students to speak with their family pediatrician and be vaccinated and boosted (if eligible). Every individual choosing to be vaccinated will make a difference in the safety and security of our school campuses and community.

  
  Resources: Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines (CDC); MyTurn vaccine appointments

• What percentage of students are vaccinated? What percentage of staff?

  Seven Hills has a very high student vaccination rate. We look forward to our vaccine and booster rates increasing over the coming months.
  

  • 95% of students in Middle School
  • 80% of students in Lower School
  • 100% of our 2022-23 employee community

• Are masks mandatory for the 2022-23 school year?

  CDPH continues to “strongly recommend” that students, staff, and campus visitors wear face masks when indoors on campus, but they will continue to be optional, not required. Limited supplies of KN95 and 3-ply surgical masks will be available at the front desk and Health Center, and provided to any student, staff member, or visitor when requested.

  
  We still request that all students and employees mask indoors in specific cases:

  • When required by an outside organization or the location of a specific event, trip, or activity.
  • When required on school vehicles (e.g. buses and vans) or on public transportation.
  • After a known exposure in a class or at home, mask around others for 10 days.
  • After a COVID diagnosis, mask for 10 days after the positive test or onset of symptoms, even if cleared for earlier return with a negative test.

  In keeping with COVID-19 guidance, we encourage anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask, indoors or outdoors, to do so, no questions asked.
  
  

  Resources: Use and Care of Masks (CDC); Get the Most Out of Masking (CDPH)

• Will daily health screening be required upon school entry?

  We will rely on each family to screen their student(s) for symptoms each day. No student, employee, or guardian should enter school with any symptoms, even minor ones. Any child or adult exhibiting any symptoms of illness (e.g., fever or chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, loss of taste or smell, appearing or behaving sick, etc.) must stay home or will be sent home.

• How does Seven Hills think about indoor and outdoor spaces?

  We will continue to take advantage of our outdoor lunch and break areas, outdoor meeting spaces, and outdoor classrooms for fresh air. Our indoor spaces have been upgraded with new windows for better airflow and HVAC with optimized filters and fresh air intake. HVAC will be used in combination with opened windows and doors to increase flow. Additionally, all indoor spaces have air purifiers running during school hours.

• What are the current hand hygiene recommendations?

  To help prevent the spread of infectious disease, faculty and staff will teach and reinforce healthy hygiene practices in school, such as handwashing, coughing/sneezing etiquette, and avoiding face-touching. Indoor and outdoor handwashing and hand sanitizing stations have been installed across campus for every grade. Students and adults will adhere to a handwashing schedule before and after recess, meals and snacks, and throughout the day. Hand sanitizer will be restocked as needed in every classroom and office space.
  
  Resource: When and How to Wash Your Hands (CDC)

• Will the front office and campus be open to parents and the public?

  Students and family members are welcome to enter the administration building to speak with the front desk or other office staff. If desired, parents are welcome to park in the Equestrian Center and walk their student(s) to their classroom in the morning. While you are welcome to drop off your student at the classroom threshold, to start the year, we ask that you please do not enter the classroom.

• Will the school bus be running this year?

  Yes, morning bus service returned on January 5, 2022. Visit the Bus Resource Board on the JagZone for up-to-date information on stops, schedules, and rates.

• Are Extended Day (XD) and enrichment classes available?

  Yes, Extended Day will re-open to students in ECE-8th grade for both morning and afternoon care. The current hours for Extended Day are 7:00-8:30am for morning XD and 1:30-6:00pm for afternoon XD. Visit the Extended Day and Enrichment Board on the JagZone for more information.

• What can we do to keep our schools safe?

  • Get vaccinated
  • Wear a mask
  • Stay home when sick
  • Wash your hands
  • Get COVID tested if you have symptoms, have been exposed, or are unvaccinated
  • Notify Seven Hills if your student tests positive
  • Resource: How to Protect Yourself & Others (CDC)