Panther Pledge
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Before coming to school or school activities each day, we need all students to complete the Panther Pledge/Daily Symptom Checklist (click for the Panther Pledge in Spanish) and stay home when not feeling well.
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
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What should I do if my student is feeling sick?
Click here for instructions on what to do if your student is feeling sick.
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What should I do if my student tests positive for COVID-19?
1. Keep your student home from school
The date symptoms started is day 0. If you do not have symptoms, day 0 is the date of the positive COVID test. You may return on day 6 IF all of the following are true:
- It has been 24 hours without a fever (without fever-reducing medicine),
- Your symptoms are resolving;
- You feel well enough to be at school; AND
- You wear a well-fitting mask at all times indoors through day 10 (except for approved lunch or mask breaks where you are at least 6 feet from others).
2. Report the positive test by calling 608-835-4000, Option #1
To be as efficient as possible, please state the following information in your message (a school staff member will contact you with information about instruction while your student is absent):
- Your student’s first and last name
- Your name and phone number
- The date symptoms started (if symptomatic)
- The date of the positive test result
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What should I do if there is a positive COVID-19 case in my household?
If there is a positive COVID-19 case in your household, students may come to school as long as they are not experiencing any symptoms. It is recommended that they wear a mask for 10 days from the date of exposure.
To help understand the impact of COVID-19 in our community, Public Health Madison & Dane County requests that positive home tests be reported. Please complete this form to report a positive COVID-19 case in your household.
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Does my student need to quarantine?
Quarantine is not required if your student is not experiencing symptoms. If your student is not feeling well, please see above.
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Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
Students who display symptoms at school can be tested in our school health office. We are unable to administer tests to students who are not displaying symptoms. To be tested at school students must have an account in the COVID Connect 2 system (the WI Department of Health Services new COVID-19 testing system) by registering here.
There are many locations that offer free COVID-19 testing. You may search for a location via Public Health Madison & Dane County. Make sure to complete any required documentation and call for an appointment at your selected testing location prior to arriving for a test.
In addition to those testing sites, your family may be eligible to participate in the UW Oregon Child Absenteeism due to Respiratory Disease Study (ORCHARDS). This study is looking at household transmission of COVID-19, Influenza and other respiratory viruses. If eligible, research staff will drop off study materials outside of your home for completing 3 nasal swab collections over a 2 week period. Each set of swabs will be picked up after collection and transported to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene for testing. Since this is a research study, results may not be received as quickly as they would be at the sites listed above. Your family will receive $50 for participating in this study. Call the study line at 608-265-3164 for more details.
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How do I get a COVID Connect 2 account for my student to be tested at school?
Students who display symptoms at school can be tested in our school health office. We are unable to administer tests to students who are not displaying symptoms.
New for the 2022-2023 school year, any symptomatic student tested at school must have an account in the COVID Connect 2 system (the WI Department of Health Services new COVID-19 testing system). All families are encouraged to register for an account at the beginning of the school year to expedite the testing process.
COVID Connect 2 Account Registration
Registration Instructions - English
Registration Instructions - Spanish
COVID Connect 2 Frequently Asked Questions -
Will OSD host a community testing site this year?
While we had hoped to host a community testing site again as a convenience to our community, we were recently informed by the Department of Health Services (DHS) that our application to host a site for the 2022-2023 school year was not accepted due to lack of funding.
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Will the District communicate COVID-19 cases within classrooms?
We will not send COVID-19 notification letters for all COVID-19 cases. We will send notifications in situations where there are outbreaks or patterns of COVID-19 cases.
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Is there ever a time my student could be asked to wear a mask?
There are some occasions in which students may asked to wear a mask for health and safety purposes:
- If your student displays COVID-19 symptoms, they may be asked to wear a mask in the health office.
- Students returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19 or who have a positive case in their household will be asked to wear a mask at school on days 6-10, in accordance with health guidance.
- If there is a classroom or school outbreak, masks may be temporarily required.
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Can I get tested for COVID-19 through ORCHARDS?
If your student is experiencing respiratory symptoms, your family may be eligible to participate in the UW Oregon Child Absenteeism due to Respiratory Disease Study (ORCHARDS). This study is looking at household transmission of COVID-19, Influenza and other respiratory viruses. If eligible, research staff will drop off study materials outside of your home for completing 3 nasal swab collections over a 2 week period. Each set of swabs will be picked up after collection and transported to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene for testing. Since this is a research study, results may not be received as quickly as they would be at general testing sites. Your family will receive $50 for participating in this study. Call the study line at 608-265-3164 for more details.
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How can I schedule a vaccine appointment?
COVID-19 vaccines are availble for everyone ages 5 and older: schedule a vaccine
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How can I contact my school health office?
Visit OregonSD.org/health.
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How can I find information on effective masks?
While masks are not required in school, anyone is free to wear them. Here is the most recent CDC guidance on masks, which includes information on how to properly fit a mask, mask types, and how to clean and store masks.
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How can I find COVID-19 levels in the community?
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Public Health Madison & Dane County publish data on COVID-19 levels within the community: