Cody School District Alters COVID-19 Quarantine Protocol

Park County School District #6 eases its COVID-19 protocol, changing how families can choose to quarantine for the benefit of Cody students, staff, and teachers.

COVID-19 continues to be a daily struggle for many places in Cody, especially for Park County School District #6. The ongoing spread of the Delta variant has students being stuck at home while teachers struggle to ensure everyone gets the education they need.

On Nov. 16, Interim Superintendent Tim Foley sent an email to the district’s parents and guardians announcing a new district-wide protocol.

“The District has been monitoring our COVID numbers since the beginning of the school year,” writes Foley. “We have seen a significant number of students who have been required to quarantine when they have come in close contact with a COVID positive individual. This has resulted in a considerable strain on our teaching staff, nurses, students, and parents.”

The district’s new quarantine protocol is already in effect, designed “to support personal choice and keep students in school.”

The main difference in the protocols is how students and parents can handle quarantine. Initially, students spent all or part of their quarantine at home.

Now, students have the option to quarantine at school – provided they wear a mask, show no symptoms, and test negative for COVID-19.

Cody’s school district adopted a COVID-19 protocol soon after the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. Back then, everyone in the district was encouraged to wear masks, but there has not been a mask mandate in effect in the district since May 2021.

The new COVID-19 protocol for Park County School District #6 is below.

Close Contact Quarantine Options:

COVID Positive Students:

• A COVID-positive student should stay home, and the parent should contact the school nurse to discuss when the child may return to school.

In-School w/Mask

If a student has close contact exposure with a COVID-positive individual at school, they may remain at school wearing a face covering that covers the nose and mouth provided they remain symptom-free during the ten-day quarantine period.

• The student will check in with the school nurse upon entrance into the school and will be screened. If needed, a mask will be provided; neck gaiters will not be allowed for use as a face covering.
• Students who display COVID symptoms will be sent home for the remainder of the quarantine period or after a negative PCR or CUE test result is provided to the school nurse. The PCR or CUE test may be administered on day five or later of quarantine.
• If the student cannot wear a mask, they will be required to quarantine at home for the ten-day period or until a negative PCR test result is provided to the school nurse. The PCR or CUE test may be administered on day 5 or later of quarantine.
• The parent may administer a Vault (PCR) test on day five or later of quarantine; if the test comes back negative, the child may discontinue use of the mask on day 8 of the quarantine period.”

Out of School Quarantine

• Parents will still have the option to quarantine their child at home for ten days. The school will provide a Vault test that the parent may administer on day five or later of quarantine; if the test comes back negative, the child may return to school on day 8. Teachers will provide remote learning to students during the quarantine period.
• The parent may administer a Vault (PCR) test on day five or later of quarantine; if the test comes back negative, the child may discontinue using the mask on day 8 of the quarantine period.

Vaccinated/Antibody

• Symptom-free students who have been fully or partially vaccinated may remain in school but will be required to wear a face-covering for the ten-day quarantine period.
• Students who have proof of having COVID within the last 90 days may remain at school but must wear a face-covering for the ten-day quarantine period.
• Students who have proof of an antibody test within the last 90 days may remain at school but must wear a face-covering for the ten-day quarantine period.
• Parents should consult with the school nurse about appropriate proof of the antibody test or being COVID positive.

Close Contact Outside of School

• If close contact occurs outside of school, the parent/guardian should contact the school nurse to discuss the quarantine protocol for their child.

If a student is currently in quarantine, they may return to school following the quarantine procedure referenced above. If you have questions regarding quarantine, please get in touch with the school nurse.