Student Ill / Quarantine

What to Expect When Students are Ill or out for Quarantine Start of 2021-22 School Year

We always want to support our students, families and staff during times of illness. With COVID-19, we anticipate supporting students for time out of class because of illness, asymptomatic positive cases and quarantines due to exposure. This document provides our shared goals and expectations for staff and students if a student is out of school for any of those reasons.


Our shared goals: 

  • Provide support and materials to students who are out of school but feel able to continue learning, supporting a smooth transition back into classroom learning and activities.
  • Minimize negative impacts on student achievement for children who are out of the classroom.
  • Support staff so that providing resources and assistance to absent students is as manageable as possible.
  • Seek feedback from families, students, and staff to help us make adjustments as needed.


Scenario: Student is out with COVID-19 or any other illness.

  • Families should notify the school attendance office about student absence on the first day of absence by calling or emailing the building attendance office.
  • At elementary, teachers may request that families pick up materials from school for absences that last more than a few days. In most classes grades 6-12, there will be ongoing assignments that the student can resume as soon as they feel well enough. Also in grades 6-12, teachers use Google Classroom, and students can see assignments and other online resources there. If they feel well enough, students should begin working on those prior to their return to create a smooth transition when they return.
  • Students in grades 6-12 should confer with each of their teachers upon their return. Teachers will provide guidance on homework as needed. In general, students in grades 6-12 have two school days for every day absent to turn in make-up work. Based on length of absence and work in other classes, the student should initiate a conversation with their teachers to set expectations for due dates. Any due date adjustments should be clearly communicated between the teacher and student, looping in parents/guardians as needed.


Scenario:  Student is not ill, but is quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure or while awaiting testing.

  • Families should notify the school attendance office about student absence on the first day of absence by calling or emailing the building attendance office.
  • In grades 6-12, the student should e-mail their teachers to initiate contact and let teachers know they will be out for the required number of quarantine days. While staff will be notified of student absences through school channels, this proactive step by students builds and reinforces self-efficacy. This also allows the teacher to provide strong support to students who are continuing to learn from home. 
  • Students should log into Google Classroom to begin to complete classwork and homework being assigned each day during class.
  • Students should contact their teacher by e-mail for materials and resources not included in Google Classroom. Teachers will let the student and families know if they will need to pick up materials at school.
  • Depending upon the current coursework, the teacher will provide expectations and additional support for the student.
  • Teachers may request that the student Zoom with them before or after school to get personalized instruction or to answer student questions. That may occur during the teacher’s planning period, during WIN time (middle school) or Power Hour (high school). 
  • Students should be proactive in keeping up with their work during a quarantine period. As students complete work, they should be submitting it to the teacher for grading and feedback.
  • In some instances, a teacher may ask a student to log into class remotely during a portion of their normal class period to listen to a lecture or to participate in online collaborative teamwork. If teachers use this option for lectures, these would most often NOT be interactive Zoom sessions. Instead most teachers would use a “webinar format,” where the student can log in to view key parts of the instruction.
  • Students in grades 6-12 should confer with each of their teachers upon their return. Teachers will provide guidance on homework as needed. In general, students in grades 6-12 have two school days for every day absent to turn in make-up work. Based on length of absence and work in other classes, the student should initiate a conversation with their teachers to set expectations for due dates. Any due date adjustments should be clearly communicated between the teacher and student, looping in parents/guardians as needed.
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