School Health

Is universal masking required in Manassas Park City Schools?

The Virginia Department of Health issued a public health order on August 12, 2021, requiring masks for all staff and students inside school buildings. At this time, students do not need to wear masks while eating or participating in outdoor recess or athletics.

Through masking, our schools will be:

• Maintaining a layer of mitigation for staff and students when physical distancing is not possible;
• Significantly reducing potential disruption to the educational environment caused by student quarantines;
• Providing time for vaccines to become available at all ages and for more students to receive vaccinations; and
• Reducing potential impacts to staffing due to employee illness or quarantine.

If a student comes to school without a mask, MPCS will provide one for them. More information about COVID-19 can be accessed on the MPCS COVID Information sheet.

Does MPCS require daily health screening questionnaires for students?

We ask that families monitor how their child is feeling every morning before sending him/her to school. If your child is not feeling well, please do notsend him/her to school that day. COVID-19 SELF-SCREENING QUESTIONS

What are Symptoms of COVID-19 and Variants?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Visit the CDC website for complete list of symptoms.

How do I request an exemption for my student from the requirement to wear a face mask due to a disability or medical condition?

Students may be exempt from the requirement to wear a mask due to a medical condition or disability which prevents them from safely wearing a mask when proper medical documentation from a health care professional is provided to the school. Students receiving or eligible for special education services or a 504 Plan may also be exempted from these requirements due to special behavioral or individualized needs, as determined by the school principal or designee, in consultation with the Executive Director of Student Services.

How will students receive instruction when quarantined?

1. When a student is required to quarantine, the student and parent will be notified that all assignments and lesson materials can be accessed asynchronously through Canvas. A designated staff member will be responsible for coordinating the communication of how the student should access their instructional materials and assignments during their quarantine.
2. Teachers will receive notification that one of their students is in quarantine. This notification serves as a reminder for teachers to ensure that the Canvas page has remained updated and instructional information is clearly labeled for students to access. Students in quarantine accessing learning are marked QP or Quarantine Present in PowerSchool.
3. Teachers are required to check in with quarantined students. Students should reach out to teachers via email if they have any questions regarding the instructional materials and assignments that are posted on Canvas.

More information about contact tracing can be found on the MPCS Information about Contact Tracing Sheet.

The Virginia Department of Health has added more than 170 Community Testing Events (CTE) in September throughout the Commonwealth. Additional CTEs will be added based on community need and to reduce increasing stress on healthcare providers. For a list of all testing locations, visit the VDH website.

VDH recommends that the following people be tested for COVID-19

• People with symptoms or signs of COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.
• Most people who have had close contact with someone known or suspected to have COVID-19

Fully vaccinated people should be tested 3-5 days following a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, even if they do not have symptoms.

People who are not fully vaccinated should be tested immediately after an exposure and again at 5-7 days following exposure if the first test is negative

People who tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered, do not need to get tested after exposure as long as they do not have symptoms.

• People who participate in activities that are higher risk for COVID-19 exposure (e.g., travel, attending large events where social distancing is not possible, or being in crowded indoor settings)
• People who have been referred for COVID-19 testing by their healthcare provider or the state/local health department.
• People who plan to travel or who have recently returned from travel with some exceptions for fully vaccinated people
• People who are not fully vaccinated and who plan to visit people at high risk of developing severe COVID-19

While vaccination is the most effective strategy to protect individuals, their family and their community, testing remains an important tool to help identify individuals with illness and monitor trends in COVID-19 infection.

For more information about COVID-19 testing call (877) 829-4682, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

For Information about travel, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus/travel-to-areas-with-widespread-ongoing-community-spread/#unvaccinated

Can my child change to a virtual school option.

Those with documented health conditions can apply for homebound services.

Additional Resources:

VDH Guidance for Parents/Guardians
VDH Healthy Back to School
VDH COVID-19 Vaccination Response
VDH Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in VA PreK-12 Schools
VDH Algorithm for Evaluating a Child with COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure

The MPCS Continuity of Learning Plan can be accessed here.

The 2007 General Assembly passed legislation that requires the Virginia Department of Health to provide parents/guardians of rising sixth-grade girls with information on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that girls 11-12 years old receive the vaccine. In 2011, the CDC provided additional recommendation that boys 11-12 years old also receive the HPV Vaccine.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) – Effective October 1, 2008, a complete series of 3 doses of HPV vaccine is required for females. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters the 6th grade. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent’s or guardian’s sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
> Virginia Department of Health School Requirements