School & Parent Resources

school bus and kids
School bus
students getting off bus wearing mask
wearing mask on bus
classroom with students
Students in class with mask
Jackson Public School front
wearing mask in class
classroom
public school bus
 
 
 

For information on COVID-19 vaccines for school age children see COVID Vaccine page



School COVID-19 Resources

Updated 3/07/2022


K-12 Recommendations:

When reviewing information on CDC or MDHHS webpages, it is important to look at the “updated” date near the top of the page. When new information is obtained and analyzed, the CDC updates relevant webpages; sometimes, information on one page may be updated before that same information is added to other webpages.


Laws, Orders, Rules, and other Requirements:

  • Exclude children ill with communicable illness (such as COVID-19) from school as specified under Michigan Administrative Code (R 325.175(2))
  • Managing Communicable Diseases in Schools from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Department of Education
  • Reporting suspected and confirmed COVID-19 (and all other reportable diseases, outbreaks, and unusual occurrences) to the health department (R 325.173(9))
  • Assist local health department with contact tracing as specified under Michigan Administrative Code (R 325.174(2))
  • Keep employees sick with or exposed to (if unvaccinated) COVID-19 out of the work environment (Public Act 339)
  • CDC Face Mask Order while on public transportation (excluding school buses)

Jackson County Health Department Resources

COVID-19 Case and Positivity Rate Data:

  • CDC COVID-19 Integrated County View
    1. Provides information on the level of Community Transmission
    2. Used to determine Low, Moderate, Substantial, or High community spread of COVID-19
  • MI Safe Start Map:
    1. Information on Michigan COVID-19 Risk level, daily cases, deaths, and positivity rates

Vaccine Information:

COVID-19 Testing:

What is Legally Required and What is Recommended to Keep Your Schools Healthy

Requirements

Public Health Recommendations*

Report suspected and confirmed COVID-19 (and all other reportable diseases, outbreaks, unusual occurrences) to the health department as specified under Michigan Administrative Code R. 325.173(9)

Consider your own risks, check your COVID-19 by County community level and ask your family physician if you should wear a mask. Masking is still encouraged for all K-12 students, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

Keep employees sick with or exposed to (if unvaccinated) to COVID-19 home as required by Public Act 339

Staying home when feeling ill or any signs of infectious illness is extremely important in preventing the spread of illness among staff and students.  CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools

Exclude children ill with communicable illness (such as COVID-19) from school as specified under Michigan Administrative Code R 325.175 (2):

Ensure proper ventilation

Assist LHD with contact tracing as specified under Michigan Administrative Code R. 325.174(2)

Encourage proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette

 

Regular cleaning and disinfection

Exclude non-employee close contacts from all school grounds and activities during quarantine (employees required to be excluded per PA 339)

*Recommendations per the CDC, MDHHS, and local health departments (DHD10, CMDHD, MMDHD)

*JCHD may make additional mandates and recommendations to help control the spread of COVID-19 in schools and the community


Requirement Details and Explanations

Requirements

Details

Report suspected and confirmed COVID-19 (and all other reportable diseases, outbreaks, unusual occurrences) to the health department as specified under Michigan Administrative Code R. 325.173(9).

  • The school must notify the Health Department if they learn of a school related case; the Health Department must notify the school if they learn of one.
  • This is done to ensure schools/health departments can work together to identify positive cases and conduct contact tracing (more on contact tracing below.

Keep employees sick with or exposed to (if unvaccinated) COVID-19 home as required by Public Act 339

  • If an employee is sick with COVID-19 (tests positive or is a probable positive), they will need to isolate for 10 days.
    1. This includes individuals without symptoms who test positive, or vaccinated individuals who test positive.
    2. A probable case most commonly occurs when an individual becomes symptomatic after a known exposure, but has not sought testing or refuses to consent to testing.
  • If an employee close contact to an individual with COVID-19, they will need to quarantine (if the employee is unvaccinated).

Exclude children ill with communicable illness (such as COVID-19) from school as specified under Michigan Administrative Code R 325.175 (2):

  • Children who are positive or are a probable positive case must be excluded from schools for their full isolation period.

Assist LHD with contact tracing as specified under Michigan Administrative Code R. 325.174(2)

  • The school and health department need to collaborate in order to conduct thoroughcontact tracing and provide notification to exposed students, staff, and community members.
  • Employees must quarantine if exposed and unvaccinated. It is recommended that students quarantine.
  • Ultimately, notification to exposed individuals is the responsibility of the health department.  Schools and JCHD need to work together to determine the best way to notify close contacts.  JCHD may utilize state volunteers to reach out to students/families if there is high case rates and spread in the community.

*Includes Recommendations per the CDC, MDHHS, and local health departments (DHD10, CMDHD, MMDHD) with edits by the JCHD

*JCHD may make additional mandates and recommendations to help control the spread of COVID-19 in schools and the community