COVID Protocols, Updated August 29, 2024
Masks
Henry County Public Schools will remain mask optional for students, staff, and guests on buses and in school facilities. Masking will NOT be required on school grounds, in individual classrooms, or on school buses in Henry County.
Testing
On-site COVID testing that was available through Test-to-Stay is no longer available. Previously, Test-to-Stay was funded by the state and that funding expired on June 30, 2022. However, we can send test kits home with symptomatic students, while our supplies last.
Quarantine
There is no longer a mandate to quarantine for any given amount of time. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will self-isolate from school or work until fever-free with symptoms resolving for 24 hours without the use of medication. We recommend those individuals wear a mask for an additional five days upon their return.
Contact Tracing
We stopped conducting contact tracing in our schools and no longer require quarantines for those exposed to COVID-19. However, we do recommend that individuals with a direct home exposure attempt to isolate away from the COVID-positive individual in the home and monitor themselves for symptoms. Should symptoms develop following an exposure, a COVID test is recommended.
Athletes who test positive for COVID should notify their coach and follow the infectious disease guidelines for a return to practice or play (fever-free and symptoms resolving for 24 hours without the use of medication).
COVID and Absences
Student absences will no longer be exempt due to COVID. If an individual tests positive with a home test or with a healthcare provider, that student who tests positive will receive doctor’s excuses for the school days affected, up to five days. Staff or students who test positive for COVID-19 will self-isolate from school or work until fever-free with resolving symptoms without medication for 24 hours. If still not feeling well after five days following a positive home test, the student or staff member should see a doctor for additional care and excuses.
Parent Notes
Parent notes for a maximum of five absence events* per year will be accepted to allow for days when students cannot attend due to minor illness not requiring a doctor’s visit or other reasons. (*An event is three or fewer consecutive days out of school.) Use these absence event notes carefully since they must last all year for such absence reasons. A doctor can assign the student to home hospital with five or more consecutive days out of school (Home Hospital). Parents can also request a Physician Form for a Requested Extension of Parent Notes to Excuse Absences to allow a physician recommendation of additional parent notes for a long term medical condition requiring sporadic absent days (Parent Note Extension Request).
Need Assistance?
School nurses and or health services assistants are available at each school to address specific questions and offer assistance as needed.
Please Note: All policies are subject to change.