COVID – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
In light of the Omicron cases evolving, this information is to support our families with any Covid queries, and what you need to do.
We know that this will likely end up in disruptions to your life and work. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Please note that we are not the “health experts”, but do know that the Ministry of Health may be delayed in providing advice/guidance to you.
Please also note that this information is subject to change, based on any updated guidelines from the Ministry of Education & Health.
Who do we advise if my child tests positive for Covid-19?
Please contact Cameron as soon as possible after you have been informed of a positive test result.
Contact: cameronlockie@silverdaleprimary.school.nz
What actions does the school take when there is a positive case?
We follow a response plan based on guidance from the Ministry of Education.
This involves:
– Seeking confirmation of the positive case, and when the infectious period was.
– If this was on a school day, we then work through contact tracing.
– We will advise classes that are close contacts, via text/email initially, and then a follow up phone call.
– If this occurs during a school day, we will request that you come and collect your child as soon as you are able to.
– Arrive at the main office, and we will bring your child(ren) out to you safely.
– Rest of school will be advised of the case, and becomes casual contacts.
How do we work out who is a Close Contact?
There is detailed guidance around this and a range of criteria. Without going into detail, because our students spend a long time in the same classroom, this then fits the criteria for being a close contact.
My child is a close contact. What does this mean?
This means your child has had contact with a positive case at our school.
They will need to isolate for 7 days and be tested on day 5. (Note – the 7 days start from the date that they were in contact with a positive case at school, because of the time lag between the confirmed case/test results, this may mean that your child only needs to remain home for a smaller number of days).
The day 5 test is likely when you would receive the notification of being a close contact.
We will advise you further regarding testing and isolation dates.
Do I need to provide anything before my child is able to return to school?
Yes please. For positive Covid cases or close contacts we would like to see the last negative test result please.
Note: if your family chooses not to get the Covid test done, then the period of isolation will need to be extended.
If my child is a close contact, does the rest of our household also need to isolate?
No, not for our region. We have received official direction from the Auckland District Health Board and Ministry of Education that this no longer applies to the Auckland region.
Please note: the Covid19 website still says that other household members of close contacts are secondary contacts, and also need to isolate for 5 days, but this does not apply to the Waikato/Auckland areas.
A member of our household is a close contact. Can my child still attend school?
Yes, as above. Your child is able to attend school, as long as your child has no symptoms.
We received the letter saying that my child is NOT a close contact. What do I need to do?
Most importantly, your child is still able to attend school.
You and your whānau should watch for symptoms.
If any develop, get tested immediately.
Then, stay at home until you receive the result.
Please keep an eye out for school communications.
If your whānau hasn’t been vaccinated, please consider doing so as soon as possible.
My child has tested positive for Covid-19. What does this mean?
This will mean that your child will need to isolate. All family members will be close contacts and also need to isolate.
Ministry of Health will provide more guidance.
A member of our household has tested positive. What does this mean?
This will mean that your child will be a close contact and also needs to isolate. Ministry of Health will provide more guidance.
My child is feeling unwell (e.g. cough, headache, sore throat etc) Can I still send them to school?
Because these are all symptoms of Covid, please do not send your child to school. While these may be the normal bugs/sniffles that occur, we encourage you to get your child tested.
Is it safe to send my child to school?
Our processes involve working through a detailed contact tracing assessment. If your child is not a close contact, then school is still open for them and we encourage you to send them to school as much as you can.
As you know, our students have missed a lot of teaching and learning over the past 2 years, and we really want to see them at school as much as possible.
Our school health and safety plan for Red does contain a large number of protections.
What are you doing to keep my child safe?
All staff, volunteers, contractors on site are vaccinated.
We have good ventilation through our classrooms.
Students in Year 4 and above are asked to wear masks while indoors.
All staff are wearing masks while indoors.
Year 1, 2, 3 students are encouraged to wear a face mask but this is not compulsory.
We have staggered break times and areas to minimise contact between large groups of students and students at different age levels.
My child is anxious or scared. What advice do you have?
Our staff are working hard to make school fun, safe and a place of learning. We encourage you to focus on the things that they can do to help – mask-wearing, washing hands, getting a test (if required).
My child needs to isolate at home. What support will school provide around teaching and learning?
Our support and response will depend on whether class teachers are also isolating at home.
If our teachers are also isolating, they will be in touch to offer our remote learning support (virtual connections, activities etc).
If our teachers are still at school, they will look to connect with you, and see what can be organised.
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