COBB COUNTY: What students and parents need to know about back to school policies

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County schools has released it updated guidance for students and staff returning to school this fall. The district’s first day of school is Aug. 2.

“CCSD’s 2021-2022 Public Health Protocols are based on the same priorities which successfully navigated us throughout last year and provide guidance for face coverings, social distancing, cleaning, isolation, quarantines, communication, and school clinics,” the district said in a release to parents.

[SPECIAL SECTION: Channel 2′s complete guide for back to school 2021 in north Georgia]

Here are the latest protocols for Cobb County’s 2021-2022 school year:

Face Coverings

• Optional for students and staff in school buildings, on school buses, and at extracurricular activities

Social Distance

• Social distancing in classrooms and school buildings when appropriate and feasible

Cleaning and Sanitizing

• Hand sanitizer provided in all classrooms, common areas, and school buses
• Daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces in school buildings
• School buses will be disinfected after each morning and afternoon route Isolation
• Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate in accordance with the CDC & DPH guidelines

Quarantine

• Any student or staff member who is identified as a close contact will be required to quarantine in accordance with CDC & DPH guidelines Communication
• A member of your school’s contact tracing team will contact the parent/guardian by phone and email if their student is identified as a close contact
• The parent or guardian will receive email notification if a positive COVID-19 case is identified in their student’s classroom, school bus, or athletic team
• The Cobb COVID-19 website will be updated each Friday with positive, active COVID-19 cases

School Clinics

• If a student exhibits COVID-19 related symptoms while in the school clinic, the nurse has the discretion to request the student to wear a mask and/or to be isolated while in the clinic being assessed by the nurse or waiting for parent pick-up

BACK 2 SCHOOL HEADLINES

• Back to School 2021: Here’s how to check your county’s vaccination rate
• When does my district return to the classroom?
• How to reduce your child’s COVID-19 risk if they’re too young to be vaccinated

Parents worry about schools dropping mask requirements as Delta variant takes hold The American Academy of Pediatrics said it made its recommendation due to the low vaccination rates among children.

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