COVID-19 Exposure Guidelines
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Illness at School and When to Keep Your Child At Home
School nurses play a critical role in maintaining the health and safety of schools. West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) collaborates with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Polk County Public Health Department (PCHD), and local health care professionals to provide guidelines that identify when it is safe for children to attend school.
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When to Stay or Go Home
Stay or go home if you have one or more of these symptoms:
- fever over 100.4
- headache
- new cough
- muscle aches/body aches
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- new loss of taste or smell
- fatigue
- sore throat
- runny nose
- vomiting
- diarrhea
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COVID-19 Guidelines
All individuals, including students, staff, and visitors, are encouraged to follow CDC guidance regarding face masks.
If your student/family has a confirmed COVID-19 case or possible COVID-19 exposure:
- Contact your school nurse for guidance.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 have two options:
- Individuals may isolate for 10 days; OR
- Individuals may return after 5 days, if:
- they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications;
- their symptoms improving; and
- they wear a mask for days 6-10 when around other people.
- Contact your school nurse for guidance.
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General Illness Guidelines
If your student is ill, contact your school nurse prior to returning to school. Further guidance or clearance from a health care provider may be necessary before they can return to the classroom.
Students with a diagnosed illness other than COVID-19 may return to school:
- After 24 hours without fever with no fever-reducing medications AND
- Other symptoms are improving.
Students with the following symptoms must remain home or be sent home from school:
- Fever, vomiting, or diarrhea in the last 24 hours.
- Persistent nasal congestion, reddened eyes, sore throat, persistent cough, or headaches.
- Unexplained and/or undiagnosed skin rashes.
- Any other health condition that may impact the health and well-being of the student and others, as determined by the school nurse.
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Communicating About Illness
To minimize the spread of illness, report contagious diseases to the school nurse.
- Contagious diseases: COVID-19, influenza, measles, whooping cough, hepatitis A, tuberculosis, chickenpox, etc.
The school nurse or another school representative will contact you if your child becomes ill or seriously injured at school.
- It is very important to provide an emergency contact and keep it updated throughout the year. If a parent/guardian cannot be reached, other individuals listed on the emergency form will be contacted.
- Students must be picked up within one hour after being contacted unless arrangements have been made with the school nurse or administrator.
- Contagious diseases: COVID-19, influenza, measles, whooping cough, hepatitis A, tuberculosis, chickenpox, etc.
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School Nurses
- Clive Learning Academy — Jennifer Rubino, 633-5806
- Crestview School of Inquiry — Jennifer Anderson, 633-5704
- Crossroads Park Elementary — Heather Strang, 633-5615
- Fairmeadows Elementary — Stacie Walther, 633-6505
- Hillside Elementary — Allison Line, 633-6241; Emily Boettcher, 633-6241
- Jordan Creek Elementary — Shelby Benge, 633-5223
- Learning Resource Center (PK) — Jenn Raymond, 633-6404
- Western Hills Elementary — Patty Bohlender, 633-5907; Tammy Wihlm, 633-5907
- Westridge Elementary — Anna Shull, 633-5423; Julie Galloway
- Indian Hills Junior High — Mary MacAlpine, 633-4714
- Stilwell Junior High — Liz Horn, 633-6013
- Valley Southwoods Freshman High School — Jackie Dewater, 633-4521
- Valley High School — Bridget Jacobson, 633-4007; Roberta Malloy
- Walnut Creek Campus — Jenn Raymond, 633-6404
Laura Mears, Manager of Blank Nurses at WDMCSCOVID-19 Response Line: 515-633-5990
- For Parents: Include your name, student's name, school, and phone number
- For Staff: Include your name, building, role, and phone number