South San Antonio Independent School District

The health and safety of all students, faculty, and administration are of the utmost importance to the South San Antonio Independent School District. We are providing the South San ISD community with information about how we can stay healthy while the threat of the Covid19 virus continues.

The city of San Antonio has declared a public health emergency and is urging all citizens to practice good hygiene such as frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds to keep exposure at bay. Other preventative measures are also included on our district website.

Information on the most frequently asked questions about the coronavirus, along with links to the Center for Disease Control, the San Antonio Health Department and the Texas Education Agency is available here.

The district website will remain active as long as the Covid19 virus threat exists. Updates with the latest information will be placed on this website as needed with the mission of assisting the South San ISD community stay healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Coronavirus/COVID 19?

COVID-19 is a virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. 

There are many viruses in the coronavirus family that can cause illness in both humans and animals. Many are among people all of the time, and cause mild to moderate illnesses, such as the common cold.

Risk is based on exposure. When a new disease is circulating, it is natural for people to ask what they can do to protect themselves and their families.

What are the symptoms?

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever or Chills

- Cough

- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

- Fatigue

- Muscle or Body aches

- Headache

- New loss of taste or smell

- Sore throat

- Congestion or running nose

- Nausea or vomiting

- Diarrhea

How is it spread?

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

-Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
-Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
-Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
-Rarely, fecal contamination.

What can you do?

-Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
-Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
-If you’ve not already received one, a flu shot is encouraged.

-If you've not already received one, a COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged.

How are we screening for Coronavirus?

The nursing staff is being vigilant in monitoring for flu/viral-like symptoms to include:
-Fever

-Respiratory distress

-If present, a comprehensive assessment will be completed and the individual will be sent home to be followed up by a medical provider.

The nursing staff is also teaching and or reinforcing preventative steps:
-Hand washing

-Coughing & sneezing techniques

-Mask adherence

How is the district monitoring the spread of illnesses?

Our school nurses are monitoring any cases of upper respiratory symptoms experienced by students or staff and will take the appropriate steps to stop the spread of illness.

When should I keep my child home from school?

If your child has a fever greater than 100.

Should my child wear a mask?

ATTENTION: 

SSAISD DOES NOT require all staff and students to wear masks in school buildings.

What if someone exhibits symptoms while at school?

The nurse will immediately notify parents for medical follow-up. The individual will be sent home. The student will need medical documentation with clearance for school and must be 24H fever-free.

Students/Staff/Faculty who test POSITIVE for COVID ( vaccinated and unvaccinated):

• 5 days insolation & on day 6 may return to school and MUST wear a mask around others PLUS

• Symptom resolving PLUS

• 24 hours fever free

  Continued Positive test:

  All individuals who tested positive can continue testing positive for up to 90 days (if this applies, those will be exempted from any further isolation within that time frame).

   

   Positives PCR:

• Students/Staff/Faculty who have a Positive PCR no longer can present 2 negative tests to return to school per Metro Health

   

  Athletics :

•  

  All students in Athletics will be able to participate in the program after 5 days since onset of symptoms and on day 6 MUST wear a mask around others.

Students/Staff/Faculty sent home with COVID-19 Symptoms:

• 5 days isolation & on day 6 may return to school and MUST wear a mask around others, PLUS

• Symptom resolving, PLUS

• 24 hours fever free

        OR

•   Note/Evaluation from doctor giving alternative diagnosis clearing for return school  OR

•   Obtain an acute infection test at an approved testing location that comes back NEGATIVE for COVID-19

Siblings of students sent home with COVID-19 symptoms:

• NONE (PER TEA no contact tracing will be completed)

Students/Staff/Faculty sent home for exposure to COVID 19:

• NONE (PER TEA no contact tracing will be completed)  

 Please keep up to date with the latest information by clicking on the links below:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-isolation.html

City of San Antonio Metro Health
https://www.sanantonio.gov/Health/News/Alerts/CoronaVirus#281783805-cdc-

Texas Education Agency
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/tea-closely-monitoring-novel-coronavirus