Rooted School Indianapolis at Eastern Star Church
Health & Safety COVID Protocols
2021-22 School Year
Rooted will continue to revisit all guidance as Marion County Health Department announces weekly updates to COVID safety protocols.
Face Mask
- Mask/face coverings are worn indoors regardless of vaccination status for all students, teachers, staff members, and visitors except while eating and drinking.
- Mask/face coverings are federally mandated to be worn on any school-sponsored transportation.
9/2/2021 updated:
- Indoor in classroom setting, on transportation to and from school when everyone is masked- when contact traced no quarantine required for close contacts. Just monitor for symptoms, and avoid high risk people.
- This does not apply to-unmasked individuals whether it’s a covid case or close contact.
- This does not apply “to outside of classroom settings (extracurricular activities)”.
3/01/2022
- IDOH has advised that masks for students, teachers, staff members, and visitors may be optional.
- Students, teachers, staff members, and visitors may decide for themselves to wear masks while on school grounds.
Social Distancing
- Social distancing of at least 3 feet within classrooms. Individuals who are exposed to confirmed cases of COVID-19 and less than 3 feet for 15 minutes will be considered a close contact and will need to quarantine regardless of mask use.
- Cafeteria seating will be limited to no more than 8 students per table requiring “3 feet between seating”.
- Masks are required unless eating or drinking.
- Seating charts are maintained for classrooms and bus transportation.
- The CDC updated guidance on K-12 indoor classroom setting- close contact excludes students who were within 3-6 feet of an infected student if both the infected student and exposed student consistently wore a well-fitting mask the entire time. This exception isn’t applicable to teachers, staff, or adults in the classroom setting.
3/01/2022
- Social distancing is no longer required by the IDOH.
Contact Tracing / Quarantine
- Isolation occurs when a person tests positive for COVID-19. The individual must isolate for a minimum of 10 days following the onset of symptoms or from the date of specimen collection if the individual is asymptomatic.
- Quarantine as mandated by Indiana State law, occurs when an individual is identified as a close contact to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case. This individual must quarantine for a minimum of 10 days from the date of last exposure, but continue to monitor through day 14.
Updated 9/2/2021
- Asymptomatic “individuals” may return on day 11 with enhanced precautions on days
“11-14”.
- Asymptomatic “individuals” may return on day 8 with a negative PCR or antigen test that was obtained on days 5, 6, or 7 at a facility or if your school uses BinaxNow and with continued precautions on days “8-14”.
- Asymptomatic “individuals” may return on a 15 without any enhanced “precautions”.
- Fully vaccinated individuals do not “have to” quarantine, “they” should monitor “their” symptoms and are recommended to test 3-5 days after exposure.
- No need to contact trace for school day activities outside.
- Extracurricular activities (choir/band) contact trace and “quarantine”.
- Staff and students who are identified as close contact should be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days after the last day of exposure to the confirmed case.
- Any staff or student who meets the exemption should NOT be excluded from school or work.
- 14-day quarantine is the most protective method.
- Close contacts can return to work/school without limitations if they remain asymptomatic during their quarantine.
- Close contact can return to work/school after 10 days if:
- If remained asymptomatic for 10 full days following exposure;
- Wear a mask and social distance for days 11-14; and
- Agree to leave work/school if symptoms occur during days 11-14 after exposure.
Marion County Public Health Department does not support the 7-day quarantine option.
- Quarantine while waiting test results.
Update 03/01/2022
- Isolation occurs when a person tests positive for COVID-19. The individual must isolate for a minimum of 5 full days following the onset of symptoms.
- Staff/ Students may return if the following : Symptoms have improved , with no fever for 24 hours without usage of medication.
- Rooted will continue to monitor confirmed positive cases.
COVID- 19 Symptoms Checklist
The following are the COVID-19 symptoms parents and staff should check each morning before attending school or work. Those who have these symptoms should stay home.
- Fever/Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle/Body Aches
- Headache
- New Loss of Taste/Smell
- Sore Throat
- Sinus Congestion or Runny Nose
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Cleaning / Sanitizing / Hygiene & PPE
- Rooted will maintain an enhanced cleaning plan. Making sure all high touch surface areas are sanitized frequently in school and on the bus. Cleaning during classroom prep time for all teachers.
- Hand sanitizers with a 60% or higher alcohol content nda are available for all students, teachers, and staff.
Respiratory Etiquette
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Use tissues and throw them away.
- Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer every time you touch your mouth or nose.
COVID Testing
- COVID-19 testing locations in Marion County can be found by visiting https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2524.htm