See the answers to the most frequently asked COVID-19 questions here. - https://dph.georgia.gov/contact
About These Decisions
- HOW DID THE DISTRICT MAKE THEIR NEW SCHOOL YEAR DECISIONS?
Over the last few months a large team of district leaders, including more than 100 principals, assistant principals, teachers, and district personnel combined their over 400 years of education experience to answer the most pressing questions our district is facing. This diverse team pored over research and data, surveyed our stakeholders, and tested various solutions before arriving at the answers which seem best for our community. We are so appreciative of the many hours of labor and conversation that they’ve invested in ensuring that Cobb Schools continues to provide the highest level of academic excellence and support for all of our students.
All of our decisions are based on the health and safety of our staff and students and are guided by public health officials, as well as, state officials like Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Education.
- WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR FACE TO FACE AND VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR?
Health, Sanitation and Safety Protocols
- WILL FACE MASKS BE REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL AND SCHOOL EVENTS?
- WHAT CLEANING PROCEDURES WILL BE IN PLACE FOR SCHOOLS AND WORKSPACES?
Schools will follow specified cleaning procedures. Click here for more information.
- WHAT PROCEDURES WILL BE USED WHEN POSITIVE CASES OCCUR?
The District will continue to follow guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH) and Cobb/Douglas Public Health.
Click Here for DPH and Cobb/Douglas health guidance.
- WHAT PROCEDURES WILL BE IN PLACE FOR BUSES?
All high touch points will be wiped down and disinfected after each run and at the end of each route.
- WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR SERVING MEALS AND FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES?
- Conduct cleaning of cafeteria and high-touch surfaces throughout the day.
- Enhanced cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting procedures will be implemented in addition to regular stringent cleaning measures for food safety.
- Meals for the 2021-2022 school year are available to students at no charge. Breakfasts and Lunches are a part of the face-to-face educational school day for the school year.
- Parents can pay for meal accompaniments such as bottled water and snacks meals online via MyPaymentsPlus.com.
- Some food and nutrition details are handled on a school-by-school basis according to student need.
- More information is available on the FNS website.
- WILL STUDENTS BE REQUIRED TO BE TESTED IF ANOTHER STUDENT TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN THEIR CLASS?
In accordance with public health guidance, any student or staff member who, through contact tracing, is identified for COVID-19 testing will be asked, by Cobb and Douglas Public Health, to be tested.
Scheduling
- IF A STUDENT IS INSTRUCTED TO QUARANTINE, WILL HE/SHE BE ABLE TO CONTINUE LEARNING REMOTELY?Yes, if a student is quarantined for any reason he/she will continue with remote learning on the remote learning schedule for his/her class schedule.
- WHY DID THE DISTRICT DECIDE TO GIVE FAMILIES A CHOICE OF FACE TO FACE OR FULL REMOTE? We understand that COVID-19 has impacted families in many ways, and giving our families a choice in what type of learning environment is best for their family is an important part of our COVID-19 response. Just as District leaders have done in past years, Cobb Schools continues to prioritize listening to our parents as we partner with the community to educate each and every student no matter the unique struggles they have faced over the past year.
Instruction
- WHAT WILL REMOTE INSTRUCTION LOOK LIKE FOR STUDENTS?Click here for more information about the different options available to Cobb families interested in remote instruction.
- IF A STUDENT IS QUARANTINED, WILL HE/SHE BE ABLE TO CONTINUE LEARNING REMOTELY?Yes, if a student is quarantined for any reason he/she will continue with remote learning on the remote learning schedule for his/her class schedule.
- WILL STUDENTS' GRADES BE IMPACTED NEGATIVELY DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUES (HARDWARE ISSUES, NO INTERNET CONNECTION, ETC.)Grades will be given by teachers in accordance with existing District policies as one measure of what students know. Specific grading questions or issues should be communicated with your teacher.
Questions Specific to Elementary School
- IS ASP AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS?ASP is available to students who attend face to face school Monday-Friday.
- WHERE CAN I FIND SPECIFIC SAFETY MEASURES FOR AFTER-SCHOOL-PROGRAMS (ASP)?Specific health and safety guidelines for ASP are available through the ASP program and must adhere to the protocols of each school.
Health Related
- HOW LONG DOES A STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER HAVE TO QUARANTINE IF EXPOSED TO COVID-19?Please refer to the Public Health Administrative Order regarding length of quarantine. Effective February 1, 2021, the quarantine guidance was updated.
- WHAT IF THERE IS A POSITIVE COVID CASE AT MY SCHOOL?The positive case (staff member or student) will isolate until 10 consecutive days have passed from their positive COVID-19 test and they are asymptomatic. CCSD will report all positive cases of staff members and students to the Cobb and Douglas Department of Public Health (DPH) as required by Georgia law. CCSD communicates all potential cases to Cobb and Douglas Public Health who communicate confirmed cases to affected students/staff/ parents. Affected students/staff/parents are asked to follow guidance provided by Cobb and Douglas Public Health as communicated through low-risk and high-risk letters.
- WILL PARENTS BE NOTIFIED OF POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES?While adhering to privacy laws, the District aims to keep parents as updated as possible about any potential exposure to COVID-19. If their child is a close contact, as determined by DPH, the school will send them a “high-risk” DPH letter, which informs parents about DPH’s “Return to School and Child Care Guidance After COVID-19 Illness or Exposure” and when their child can return to school. Parents may also receive a “low risk” letter from DPH if there is a casein a school but not a close contact. Parents can also refer to the COVID Case Notification page, which is updated weekly.
- WHEN WOULD MY CHILD BE QUARANTINED?Your child needs to be quarantined if your child tested positive for COVID-19, is suspected for COVID-19 due to presence of symptoms OR your child was in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or was in close contact with someone who has a suspected case for COVID-19 due to the presence of symptoms.
- WHEN DOES AN ENTIRE CLASSROOM OR WHOLE SCHOOL GET QUARANTINED?CCSD leaders will work collaboratively with Cobb and Douglas Public Health officials to determine when an entire classroom or whole school will quarantine in accordance with DPH guidelines.
- WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD HAS COVID-19 SYMPTOMS AT SCHOOL?When a student or staff member has symptoms at school, they will immediately be sent home and the CCSD existing illness management procedure will be implemented. Students or staff members with symptoms will be isolated in a designated area supervised by school staff while waiting to be picked up.
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLOSE CONTACT AND POSITIVE CASE?The Department of Public Health defines a close contact as any individual who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes, direct contact with an infected person (hugged/kissed/shared drinks), sneezed or coughed on by an infected person. A positive case is laboratory confirmed, diagnosed or a suspected case of COVID-19. A suspected case of COVID-19 would be based on the presence of symptoms.
- HOW WILL THE COMMUNITY BE NOTIFIED BY THE DISTRICT IF A STUDENT(S) IS EXPOSED TO COVID-19?The Cobb and Douglas Department of Public Health notifies us when there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 or a confirmed case of COVID-19 exposure. Once notified by the Cobb and Douglas Department of Public Health, the school distributes communication from the Cobb and Douglas Department of Public Health to all affected families and/or staff. If you do not receive communication, public health officials have determined you or your family have not been affected. The District provides a weekly COVID-19 Case Notification Update which does represent the total number of confirmed cases in the District. To protect the medical privacy of those involved, it does not provide the specific people, schools, or roles involved in confirmed cases.
COVID-19
- WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)?Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
- WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:
- 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 runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- WHAT ARE WAYS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, LIKE COVID-19?
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Hotline: (844) 442-2681
- WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ON COVID-19 AND HOW I CAN KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE AND HEALTHY?
