PreK-12 Schools

The Health Department continues to work with the Agency of Education and other partners to support the health and wellness of children and their families. Below are resources to help you understand what is happening and guide you in responding to COVID-19.

If you learn of a positive case at your school, contact the Health Department's Infectious Disease Epidemiology team. Call 802-863-7240 (Mon - Fri 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m).

Find a quick guide and checklist with next steps to take when you learn of a positive case in your PreK-12 school.

COVID-19 Cases in School While Infectious (updated on Tuesdays and Fridays)

Guidance

NEW: Preparing a Count of Vaccine-Eligible School Staff
Superintendents and independent school heads are requested to generate a count of staff eligible for vaccination in their district or school and provide that count to the Agency of Education.

REVISED: A Strong and Healthy Start: Safety and Health Guidance for Music Education
This guidance updates the provisions of prior guidance related to music instruction, rehearsal and performance in Vermont Schools.

NEW: Winter Sports Programs for the 2020-2021 School Year
Provides direction on winter school sports programs for students K-12, including guidance for outdoor and indoor sports. From the Agency of Education and Agency of Natural Resources.

Holiday and Winter Break Messaging Toolkit for Schools (Word version) Holiday and Winter Break Messaging Toolkit for Schools (pdf version)
This toolkit was revised to include the Governor's Executive Order from Nov. 13, 2020. The toolkit contains social media posts plus images, sample newsletter drop-in text and information to help schools share the message with staff and parents.

Guidance on Mask Exemptions in Children and Adolescents
Provides guidance for the rare conditions that allow children or adolescents to qualify for a mask exemption. From the Health Department, University of Vermont Children's Hospital, Vermont Child Health Improvement Program and Vermont Chapter American Association of Pediatrics.

Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Supports
Addresses guiding principles, recommended practice and special considerations to support social, emotional and mental health of staff and students. Also provides recommendations surrounding equity, anti-racism and related topics. From the Agency of Education.

COVID-19 Guidance for Vermont Schools
Index to many guidance documents on special education, school closure, child nutrition programs, continuity of learning, finance and more. From the Agency of Education.

Guidance for Schools and Childcare Programs
Includes links to guidance on preparing and operating schools, face coverings, screening students, cleaning and protecting staff. From the CDC.

Safety and Health Guidance for Reopening Schools, Fall 2020
Provides guidance for school administrators and school personnel to create and implement a plan to safely reopen schools. From the Agency of Education.

Health and Safety Guidance on Reopening Schools
Slides from August 13 presentation on school reopening. From the Health Department.

State Drinking Water Guidance and Recommendations when Reopening Buildings
Information on how to interact with the Drinking Water Program during this period. Includes guidance on disinfection, water quality, sanitary survey process and water conservation. From the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation
Guidance for schools to manage risk from mold, Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease. From the CDC.

Preparing for a positive case

How PreK-12 Schools Can Prepare for COVID-19 Cases in their School
A comprehensive guide to help schools to be prepared if a person tests positive while in school. From the Health Department.

PreK-12 School COVID-19 Case Actions Checklist
General list of what to expect and actions to take if there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. From the Health Department.

COVID-19 at School: Quick guide for when someone was infectious at school
A short guide with actions to take if someone who tested positive was at your school. From the Health Department.

COVID-19 Desktop Scenario – School Outbreak
Health Department training video that simulates an outbreak of COVID-19 at a fictional school. School administrators, teachers and nurses are encouraged to complete the training, which may take up to 1.5 hours (45 minutes to view the recording, plus time to consider questions and complete an exercise). To participate in the training:

Watch the desktop scenario video
Make sure you have the line list for schools available for the exercise
After watching the video, download the slides for links to key resources and to access the presenter's notes (top left corner of the slide)

A Q&A session was held to answer questions about the desktop scenario. View the slides here.

What to do if an employee tests positive for COVID-19
Guidance for employers including information to gather, supporting employees, return to work, close contacts. From the Health Department.

What to do when your co-worker has COVID-19
Actions people can take to stay safe if a co-worker has tested positive, and details about quarantine. From the Health Department.

Resources and Posters

Reopening Status of Vermont Public Schools
Agency of Education map showing initial plans for remote/in-person instruction with links to individual school plans.
Translated posters and fact sheets
What Parents Can Expect Fall 2020 Pre-K to 12th Grade School
In Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | French | Karen | Kirundi | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
Face Coverings for Children also in: Arabic | Burmese | Chinese | French | Karen | Kirundi | Lingala | Nepali | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Vietnamese
Coronavirus Resources (Let's Grow Kids)
Social Distancing (smaller version)
Social Distancing (larger version)
Keep Germs from Spreading
Proper Handwashing
COVID-19 "Stop the Spread of Germs" Poster (CDC)
What happens at the Health Department when someone tests positive for COVID-19