Since we returned to face-to-face learning at the start of the 2020-2021 school year, Lexington County School District Three has worked diligently to follow all guidance pertaining to quarantining students who are considered to be close contacts of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. Without question, this stringent quarantining process has put strain on our students, staff, parents, families and the educational system as a whole, not just in Lexington Three, but across the country as well.
That’s why Lexington Three is revising its quarantine/isolation procedures. Starting on January 5th, 2022 when students return from Winter Break, a student will only be required to quarantine/isolate if he/she falls into one of the following categories:
The student tests positive for COVID-19.
The student has a fever and/or other symptoms of COVID-19 regardless of close contact with a positive COVID-19 individual.
The student, who is unvaccinated, lives in the same household as an individual who tests positive for COVID-19. (Symptom-free vaccinated students will not be required to quarantine.)
School nurses, contact tracers, and school administrators will continue to contact trace and will notify parents when their child has been in close contact with an individual at school or on the school bus who has tested positive for COVID-19. Those parents will be asked to begin monitoring their child for COVID-19 symptoms. However, the student will not have to quarantine as previously required. Instead, a student will only be required to quarantine/isolate if he/she falls into one of the three categories listed above.
Please also note that in the event of a significant COVID-19 spike, or an outbreak in a school, a grade level, or an individual classroom, additional quarantines may be required for a short period of time.
It is our hope that these new quarantine/isolation guidelines will alleviate some of the burdens felt by our learning community, to include our Panther parents, guardians and families. We appreciate your continued support as we strive forward in our mission of preparing all students for the future...now.