The City of Salem School Division has been monitoring the potential spread of COVID-19 for the past few weeks, and like you, we have been processing a great deal of information. The safety of our school children, teachers and parents is always our number one priority.  Our Central Office staff and Emergency Management team members from the City of Salem are in on-going contact with the Virginia Department of Health, the Roanoke-Alleghany Health Department and area health professionals. We encourage you to monitor this site for official school division information. This site will be updated whenever there are new details and facts for you.  We encourage you to consult with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for specific information about the COVID-19 virus. 

 

COVID 19 Information from Salem City Schools

 
ATTENTION FAMILIES:
 
Health Screenings:
Salem City Schools is currently completing health screenings – including vision, hearing, height, and weight for grades K, 3, 5, 7, 10 and all new students. If your child is a virtual student only, please make sure that you are aware of your virtual screening day. Additional make-up days will be scheduled as needed.
 
Sick Student Protocol:
If your student is demonstrating 1 COVID-19 like symptom, your child will be asked to stay home until 72 hours symptom free without medication. If the symptom persists or more symptoms develop, please follow up with your primary care provider for alternate diagnosis AND return to school documentation.
 
If your student is demonstrating 2 COVID-19 like symptoms, your student may return to school after follow up with your primary care provider for alternate diagnosis AND return to school documentation. Without follow up with your primary care provider, the student will be asked to remain out of school for 10 days.
 
COVID-Testing:
A rapid negative COVID-19 test result will require follow up with your primary care provider for alternate diagnosis AND return to school documentation.
 
If your student has been exposed to COVID-19, a negative COVID-19 test result does not exempt your student from the required 14 day quarantine.
 
Should you have any questions, please contact Randy Jennings, Director of Student Services at (540) 389-0130 or Anna Haymaker, School Nurse Coordinator at (540) 387-2513 ext. 2814.

The local health department (Roanoke-Alleghany Health District) is the lead agency in our community and leaders in the Salem City School Division work closely with health care professionals in our region. In short, educators make educational decisions and health care professionals make medical decisions.

2020 School Opening Screencast – This video presentation provides information about the Division’s plan to reopen schools on August 31, the guidance and local conditions that informed the plan, the current anticipated opening, and an overview of the processes, procedures, and protocols that the division will use to ensure that we provide a safe environment for our students, staff, and community.

Prevention

Right now, we encourage everyone to be vigilant and faithfully practice proven efforts to prevent the spread of any illness outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

  1. Wear face coverings in public spaces and anytime physical distancing of at least 6 feet is difficult to maintain.
  2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  4. Stay home when you are sick
  5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
  6. Clean your hands!  Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
  7. Practice other good health habits – disinfect surfaces, get sleep, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

When Talking with your student

  • Be calm
  • Limit exposure to the news
  • Listen to your kids’ fears and concerns
  • Talk about concerns in an age-appropriate manner
  • Remind them that you and the adults at their school are there to keep them safe and healthy
  • Tell them you love them and give them plenty of assurance and affection
  • Keep to a regular schedule as much as possible
  • Review basic hygiene

Additional Resources to Better Your Understanding

(last updated 10/6/20)