HEBER CITY, Utah-In light of information released by the Wasatch School District following remarks from Utah Republican Gov. Spencer J. Cox Tuesday, these are the standards for the upcoming school year:
Sanitation and Hygiene: Schools will continue to implement best practices with cleaning, physical distancing and other actions designed to minimize the spread of covid-19.
covid-19 Vaccination: Vaccination is not a requirement to enroll in school or join an extracurricular team. Please note that most health officials highly recommend the vaccine to reduce the spread of covid-19. However, parents are advised to talk to their health care provider when making decisions concerning the vaccination of eligible students.
Face Masks: Because of HB 1007, face masks are not mandatory in school. This includes buses. The law outlines a local school board or school “may not require an individual to wear a face-covering to attend or participate in in-person instruction, district or school-sponsored athletics, extracurricular activity or in any other place on the campus of a school or school facility. Families will need to make individual decisions about when and where to have students wear face masks. Please know that most health officials encourage wearing face masks to help prevent the spread of covid-19.
covid-19 testing: Testing will not be required in most circumstances, including for extracurricular activities. Utah state law declares testing will only be required if a school has more than 30 positive covid-19 cases. If this happens, students must be tested to remain at the school for their learning and extracurricular activities. If there is an outbreak on a team/group, participants may be required to provide a negative test in order to play or participate in an event.
Feel sick, stay home: Students who have covid-like symptoms should stay home from school. Having symptomatic individuals stay home will significantly reduce the possibility of having to implement “test-to-stay.” Additionally, anyone who tests positive for covid-19 will not be permitted at school or any school activities during their isolation period.
Quarantine: Quarantine decisions will be made by the health department in consultation with school officials and parents. Parents/guardians will be notified if their student was potentially exposed to someone who has tested positive for covid-19. The notice will recommend that these exposed students remain at home for up to 10 days or 7 days with a negative covid-19 test unless
They are fully immunized or have had a confirmed case of covid-19 in the past 90 days or if they choose to wear a face mask at school for 10 days after the exposure.
Remote Learning: Students who are exposed to covid-19 and choose to remain at home during their quarantine period will be moved to “remote learning” under the direction of their regular classroom teachers for up to 10 days. Students who test positive for covid-19 will also be moved to remote learning.
covid-19 Case Counts: Wasatch County Health will be posting covid-19 case count numbers on their website as they have Wednesday and every day for months. If you are interested, you may see them there https://coronavirus.wasatch.utah.gov/Current-Situation. Because the state of emergency has ceased in Utah as of May 4, we do not post the daily statistics for Wasatch County on hebervalleyradio.com.
Be Smart
Stay home when sick or waiting for covid-19 test results
Masks are a personal choice, but may prevent sickness and quarantine
Advocate for distancing when possible
Remember good hygiene and sanitation
Talk to your health care provider about vaccinating eligible students
The Wasatch School District will continue to work with local health officials to monitor covid-19 case counts in the Wasatch County School District and will keep you informed of any adjustments to these guidelines.
