Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Do I need to keep my child home from school because he/she has COVID?

Yes. Districts must exclude students from attending school in person who are actively sick with COVID-19 or who have received a positive test result for COVID-19. Parents must ensure they do not send a child to school on campus if the child has COVID-19 symptoms or is test-confirmed with COVID-19.

2.  What are some symptoms that may be associated with COVID? 

Generally speaking, some of the most common early symptoms seen in COVID-19 patients include fever persistent cough, abdominal pain, nausea, blisters on the feet, eye soreness, fatigue, rash, unusual muscle pain, loss of smell or taste, and chest pain.

3. How long does my child need to stay at home?

Yes. If your child has COVID, he/she is required to stay home for 10 days following their positive test. For example: If Jane tests positive for COVID on August 11th, her return date is August 21st. Since August 21st is on Saturday, she will come back to school on August 23rd.

3. Do I need to keep my child home from school if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive?

CISD will continue contact tracing in the 2021-2022 school year. If there is a positive case identified at a campus, the school’s nurse will identify and notify close contacts. The district will also continue collaborating with county health officials as needed.

For individuals who are determined to be close contacts, CDC has updated their guidance, and the stay-at-home period can end for students experiencing no symptoms on Day 10 after close contact exposure, if no subsequent COVID-19 testing is performed. Also, your child needs to stay home if they continue to be ill.

4. Will my child be counted absent if missing for COVID?

CISD is working with parents to ensure that children will receive instruction. Per TEA, attendance will be generated based on whether the student is virtually “present” at the official attendance-taking time. Please call the campus your child attends for more information.

5.  Will my child be required to wear a mask?

Students will be required to wear a mask on all CISD buses and other transportation. CISD is strongly encouraging all students to wear masks while at school. Students who voluntarily wear masks, will be seated together in the classroom.

6. What if my child had the COVID vaccine?

Data is showing that individuals that have had the vaccine can still acquire the illness. At the present time, CISD will still quarantine vaccinated students unless they are masked and the positive individual is masked.  

7. Will the school test my child for free?

Yes. Your child can be tested for COVID from their campus nurse. You will need to make an appointment before coming.

7. Are bus monitors still taking student’s temperatures?

Bus monitors will take student’s temperatures when getting on the bus.  If fever or symptoms are present and the parent is home, they will not be allowed on the bus. If parents are not at home, the child will sit in the front seat away from other students. When the bus arrives at school, the bus monitor will escort the student to the nurses office. The nurse will contact the parent at that time.

8. If my child becomes ill at school, can they ride the bus home?

No. For the safety of other students, the parent/guardian must pick up their child.

9.  What information do I need to provide the school if my child has COVID?

You will need to send a copy of the results of the COVID test. If they are quarantined because of a family member, you are requested to send a copy of the positive test results.

Questions will be updated as information and guidelines from TEA are released.