• COVID-19 Student and Family FAQ 

     

    Health and Safety FAQ

    1. Will students and teachers be required to wear masks all day?

      District-wide, employees and students are required to adhere to strict use of a well-fitting mask (ideally, an N95 or KN95) within District buildings when Allegheny County is categorized as “High” by the CDC Community Level.  When Allegheny County is categorized as “Medium”, PPS recommends that employees and students wear a mask while inside District buildings (i.e. masking is no longer mandated when Allegheny County is categorized as “Medium”).  When Allegheny County is categorized as “Low,” masks remain optional for all students and employees inside District buildings.

       
    2. If a teacher or student tests positive, does the whole class quarantine?
      As part of the District’s contact tracing process, anyone (students and staff) that may have been in close contact with a positive case will be personally notified and provided next steps.  Close contacts are individuals who have been within 6 feet for longer than 15 consecutive minutes or longer. Per the CDC, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student where the consistent and correct use of masks, physical distancing, and other K-12 prevention strategies are in place.        Close contacts must wear a well-fitting mask for a full 10 days with day 0 being the last day of exposure.  The exposed individual should test with a rapid antigen test or PCR test on day 6.  

    3. Will schools have more nurses available at all times?
      As part of its efforts to bolster support for schools, the District increased nursing support by adding a nurse to every campus.  

    4. What is the plan should there be a positive COVID case in a school location?
      Families of any students identified as close contacts to the positive case will be personally notified by school staff and provided next steps, informed by the COVID-19 Decision Tree. 
                       
    5. How much input/suggestions are you getting from medical professionals such as the Allegheny County Health Department or UPMC/Allegheny Health Network?
      We consult with the Allegheny County Health Dept. for guidance and information.  We also consult with the School District Physician.

    6. Will someone be doing temperature screenings at the door?
      The District has developed the COVID-19 Self Screening Tool to assist families and employees for daily assessment for COVID-19, prior to arriving at school.  Families and staff should notify their school principal or supervisor if they have been tested or are considered presumed positive for COVID-19. 

    7. What are the protocols when a family member tests positive for COVID-19?                                                                                                                        Siblings/household contacts of a person who receives a positive result that cannot isolate themselves from a positive COVID-19 case should wear a well-fitted mask, preferably a KN95 or N95 mask, when attending school during a 20-day period starting from the infected person’s day 0. (10 days for the infected person's isolation plus an additional 10 days). The household contact should test with a rapid antigen or PCR test on day 6 and on day 16, if possible.