We hope that this email finds you and your family well.  We would like to offer the following updates:

• There has been an update to CDC quarantine requirements after vaccination:

  Individuals who have been fully vaccinated – that is, 2 weeks or more have passed since the second dose in a 2-dose vaccine or the first dose in a 1-dose vaccine series – will not be required to quarantine following exposure, provided he/she does not develop new symptoms of COVID-19. 

  The Department of Health (DOH) has requested that we follow the current contact tracing protocol, regardless of vaccination status.  They will contact the exposed individual to ensure no symptoms have developed, research their vaccination status in the state system, and provide further COVID education.  The DOH will determine if the individual is exempt from quarantine.  The Health Services Department, as well as the school nurses, will work diligently to assist staff and students in this process.

• Dress Code:   It is important that students are reminded that school is a professional environment and appropriate dress is expected.  Link to the Student Code of Conduct (Dress Code begins on page 13):  https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schoolservices/conduct/
• Masks:  It is important that we remain vigilant in our efforts to keep all in our school community safe.  Please help us by reminding your students that masks/face coverings are to be worn properly (covering nose and mouth) as prescribed.
• Entering School Campus:  Some students are using Gate and the Church to avoid morning traffic or for pick up and drop off.  In addition, I have been informed by our local law enforcement that students are traveling at high rates of speed on Davis Park Road.  Saving a few minutes in the mornings or afternoons is not worth the potential for something bad to happen.   Please help us avoid any unpleasantness and remind your students of proper driving etiquette.  NOTE:  the speed limit on Davis Park Road is 25mph.  There is a traffic order associated with this effort.  It would be unfortunate if anyone received a citation for making poor driving decisions.
• Fortify Florida:  Fortify Florida is meant to be used to warn us of impending danger to our school community.  Recently, we have received some inappropriate communications.  As we take time to investigate all tips, it is important that this resource be used for the purpose it was designed.
• Seniors 2021:  Please visit our Senior Information page for up-to-date announcements and dates.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.  Thank you.

Stay Strong….Stay Well…Go Sharks

REMINDERS:

• The district has created weekly virtual conferences to support School-Based Distance Learners in a variety of courses.  

• Student Health Screening:  Please assess your child daily for the following symptoms and answer the contact questions.

  • Fever of 100.4 or higher
  • Uncontrolled cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste
  • Muscle aches
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Is your child awaiting a COVID-19 test result? If yes, please keep your child home and notify the school nurse when test results are received.  Further instructions will be discussed at that time.
  • Does your child live in the same household with someone positive for COVD-19?  If yes, your child must quarantine for 10 days from the last date of contact with the positive individual.  The quarantine period may be shortened to as few as 7 days if a negative PCR test result is obtained on day 6 or later from exposure to the positive case.  The Department of Health will assist in clearing your child to return to school once they have received the negative test result.
• The CDC has established new guidelines with respect to students who are required to quarantine as a result of close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.  These guidelines have been accepted by our local DOH as of 12-08-2020.  In short:
  • The Quarantine period is still recommended to be 14 days, however, if a student is asymptomatic for 10 days, they are able to end the quarantine.
  • If a student is asymptomatic and after 6 days has a polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) which is negative, the student can end quarantine.  The PCR is the only accepted test to end the quarantine period.