Q: How is a COVID-19 positive case determined?

A: This requires either a medical diagnosis from a physician or a positive proctored rapid COVID-19 test, or a PCR, or antigen test from a lab. Positive cases must be reported to your building nurse.

Q: Is there a state law that gives health departments legal authority to quarantine students and staff?

A: Ohio Revised Code 3707.11 gives health departments authority to quarantine or isolate. COVID-19 is defined as a Class A, reportable disease for quarantine/isolation. You can read ORC 3707.11 by going here. ORC 3707.16 gives health departments the authority to isolate/quarantine individuals from gatherings, such as school. You can read ORC 3707.16 by going here.

Q: What is the incentive to wear a mask in school?

A: Students who wear a mask to school are less likely to be quarantined if they come in contact with a COVID-19 positive case in a classroom setting. If an unvaccinated student is a close contact of a COVID-19 positive individual in school, and the contact student is wearing a mask and has no symptoms of COVID-19, that student can remain in-person, participate in extracurricular and sport activities.

Q: Will there be enhanced cleaning in buildings and classrooms?

A: Yes, the district will continue enhanced cleaning and disinfection particularly in spaces exposed to COVID-19.

Q: Will the district be able to social distance students?

A: The CDC recommends 3 feet of distance between students and the Jackson Local School District believes 3 feet of distance between students and staff can be achieved most of the time. There will be times when that space is greater than 3 feet and times when it is less than 3 feet.

Q: When should I keep my child(ren) home from school and when can my child(ren) return to school?

A: Any child exhibiting symptoms of illness should remain home until symptom-free for 24 hours.

Q: What if my child exhibits signs of illness at school?

A: Any child exhibiting signs of illness will be sent to the clinic and a trusted and approved adult may be required to pick up the child. The Jackson Local School District will continue to operate Purple (regular illness) and Gold (sick/viral-related illnesses) clinics.

Q: My vaccinated child was exposed to COVID-19 in school, does s/he have to quarantine.

A: According to the Ohio Department of Health, fully vaccinated students do not have to be quarantined as long as they do not have symptoms.

Q: My unvaccinated child not wearing a face mask was identified as a close contact of a positive case in a classroom. How long does s/he have to quarantine?

A: The quarantine time for close contacts of positive cases who are unvaccinated and not wearing a mask depends on whether a COVID-19 test is administered. For those who do not have a COVID-19 test, the quarantine time is 10 days from the date of exposure to the positive case, according to the Stark County Health Department. If a COVID-19 test is administered, and it is negative, the close contact can return to school seven days after a proctored rapid, PCR, or antigen test. If the COVID-19 test comes back positive, the close contact is now a positive case and the Stark County Health Department will isolate for 10 days from the positive test. It is important to note, these protocols are ONLY for a classroom setting.

Q: Are COVID-19 protocols the same in a lunchroom as in a classroom?

No. The COVID-19 quarantine flowchart is for a classroom setting where 3 feet of social distancing is maintained and a mask is being properly worn. In a lunchroom setting, where masks are not worn while food is consumed, ODH guidelines call for 6 feet of social distancing. Our students are instructed to wear their face mask in lunch AFTER finishing their lunch.

Q: My child received a positive COVID-19 test, after isolating does s/he have any immunity to COVID-19 upon returning to school?

A: Yes. Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 will have a three-month immunity if they are exposed to a positive case during those three months, so long as s/he remains asymptomatic.

Q: What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?

A: An individual who is a confirmed case of COVID-19 must go into isolation. An individual who is a close contact of a COVID-19 case goes into a 10-day quarantine.

Q: Where can I get more information about the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Department of Education COVID-19 Health and Prevention Guidance for the 2021-2022 school year?

A: That information can be found here.

Q: What are my learning options for the 2021-2022 school year?

A: The Jackson Local School District is offering one model of learning:  traditional in-person instruction. This is our best learning model. It puts our students in a position to have the greatest opportunity for academic success and narrow the learning gap created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q: Is hybrid or blended learning an option?

A: No. House Bill 110 signed into law this summer provides several more requirements to the hybrid learning model previously not required, including the provision that learning will require a combination of time primarily in a supervised physical location away from home and online delivery.

Q: What is POLARIS?

A: POLARIS is the Jackson Local School District’s Learning Management System.

Q: If my child is absent from school, how do I get make-up work?

A: Your child’s teacher will provide make-up work and explain how to access it.

Q: Does Jackson Local School District have a Digital Academy?

A: No. Our learning model for the 2021-2022 school year is in-person instruction.

Q: How does this affect my child on an IEP or 504 Plan?

A: At this point, home instruction can be considered through the team process for students serviced by an IEP or 504 Plan. Families must secure a physician’s note that states the student is unable to attend in-person school for medical reasons.

Q: Why are face masks required for unvaccinated students at Jackson Local Schools?

A: Students who wear a face mask and remain asymptomatic will not be quarantined as close contacts. The Ohio Department of Health determined quarantine pathways and by wearing a face mask it gives students the best opportunity to remain in-person and work toward closing the COVID-19 learning gap. 

Q: Why are face masks required on school buses?

A: The Centers for Disease Control has ordered face masks to be worn on public transportation, including school buses, and regardless of vaccination status. You can read the CDC order here in the paragraph that begins with “During school transportation …”

Q: My child cannot wear a face-covering because of a medical condition. Is there a facial-covering waiver process? 

A: Yes. Medical/ADA facial-covering waivers can be obtained by bringing a medical exception signed by a physician to Central Office, located at 7602 Fulton Drive NW.

Q: Are meals (breakfast/lunch) free during the 2021-2022 school year?

A: Yes, meals continue to be free for the 2021-2022 school year as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Q: If meals are free do I need to fill out a free and reduced lunch application?

A: Yes. If you think you could qualify for free and reduced lunch status it is IMPORTANT that you fill out the application. In addition to free and reduced meals, your child(ren) may qualify for additional cost waivers for college entrance exams and other fees.

Q: Are student ID badges required this year?

A: Yes. Students in K-12 will be required to wear ID badges issued by the Jackson Local School District. Students must have their ID badges to receive breakfast and lunch, as well as ride JLSD transportation.

*Subject to change based on information from public health experts.

Revised 09/02/2021 TP