• AAP COVID-19 Resource Page- HealthyChildren.org : learn more from pediatricians about COVID-19 and how you can protect your family
  • AAP COVID-19: What Families Need to Know - HealthyChildren.org
  • AAP COVID-19 and Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) - HealthyChildren.org
  • AAP The Science Behind COVID-19 Vaccines: Parent FAQs - HealthyChildren.org
  • AAP Mental Health During COVID-19: Signs Your Child May Need More Support - HealthyChildren.org
• CDC COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit (cdc.gov)
• CDC Know What to Expect at your Child's K-12 School or Child Care Program
• CDC Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with COVID-19
• VDH Mask Guidance
• VDH Isolation & Quarantine Calculator. Note: This guidance is for members of the general public and may not apply to all K-12 schools. Please follow your school policy on isolation and quarantine. 
• VDH COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
• Guidance for Sports Participation
  • AAP Sports and Physical Activities Guidance (01/27/2022)

• A VDH and DOE tabletop training exercise is a scenario-based training for K-12 schools
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Guidance for Safe Schools (01/27/2022)

• Template Letter from Daycare/School: COVID-19 Outbreak  (DOCX)
• Template Letter from Childcare/School: COVID-19 Exposure (DOCX) (UPDATE 9/20/22)

• CDC Cleaning, Disinfection, and Prevention 
• CDC Cleaning Your Facility handout (CDC) (PDF) (3 pp, 646 KB)

Increasing ventilation in indoor spaces is one way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools.  The following resources offer information on how to reduce potential airborne risk of COVID-19.

• EPA Indoor Air and Coronavirus (COVID-19
• EPA Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Action Kit
• CDC Ventilation in Schools and Childcare Programs
• CDC Ventilation in Buildings
• ASHRAE Guidance for Building Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic> (PDF)
• AIHA Reopening Guidance for General Office Settings (PDF)

If a building has been closed or unused for a period of time, there is an increased risk of exposure to hazards including Legionella bacteria and lead.  Follow the EPA’s guidance for Water Quality in Closed/Reduced-use Buildings to reopen school buildings.

Communicable disease reference chart for K-12 schools and child care facilities

English
Spanish

Schools and child care programs should notify parents and families of a case of COVID-19 in a member of the school or child care community. Contact tracing should be continued in partnership with local health departments when there are outbreaks or when sustained transmission is thought to be occurring within the school or child care program. Schools and child care programs should continue to communicate isolation recommendations to the school or child care community.

Reporting Requirements

Schools are subject to Board of Health disease reporting regulations. Any person in charge of a school, summer camp, or child care center is required to report suspected outbreaks of any illness that might be spread from one person to another. Schools should refer to the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health for requirements. 

If a known or suspected outbreak of COVID-19 occurs among students or staff, the school, child care program, or summer camp should call their local health department to discuss the situation. A COVID-19 outbreak is defined as 3 more cases within a 14 day period. The local health department will work with the facility to provide disease control and prevention recommendations to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19. Schools, child care programs, and summer camps may also use the new VDH outbreak reporting tool to report suspected outbreaks of COVID-19 or other communicable diseases.

CDC recommends that healthcare personnel in schools and child care settings, including school nurses, follow the Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel .

• Understanding the Difference Between Surgical Mask and N-95 Masks (PDF)
• OSHA N-95 Fit Testing Videos
• Contact your Medical Reserve Corp unit regarding fit testing

A customized and individualized approach for COVID-19 may be necessary for some children and youth.  The CDC provides guidance for direct service providers  such as personal care attendants, direct support professionals, paraprofessionals, therapists, and others who may need to consider additional protective measures.

Resources on coping with stress and building resilience among the strong emotions surrounding workplace changes due to COVID-19.

• VDOE Virginia Community Schools Framework : includes resources on basic needs, mental/emotional health, student engagement and motivation, and family engagement
• AAP Bridge2Resources VA:  Open Access to Community Resources like financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help
• A Case for School Connectedness - ASCD
• School Connectedness | Adolescent and School Health | CDC
• Adolescent Health | HHS Office of Population Affairs
• Positive Youth Development | Youth.gov
• Mental Health During COVID | AAP
• Positive Parenting Practices | Adolescent and School Health | CDC
• The Power of Resilience: Sam Goldstein, Ph.D. at TEDxRockCreekPark - YouTube
• Grit: the power of passion and perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth - YouTube
• CDC Children’s Mental Health

The Pharmacist Led Community Engagement Program allows organizations in the Commonwealth of VA to partner with a local pharmacy to promote community engagement around COVID-19 topics, including offering COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible individuals. To request a PLCEP event for your school community, please use this REDCap Survey Link and someone from your Local Health District or a member of the VDH pharmacy team will reach out to you.

The School-Age Vaccination Playbook (Updated 08/2022) (PDF) includes resources for planning, operating, and executing COVID-19 vaccination clinics at schools. The playbook covers pre-planning steps, necessary communications, mapped out day-of operations, and important legal considerations. Templates for communications, in addition to additional tools and helpful links, can also be found in the playbook. Note that this playbook is an ongoing work in progress and will be updated in accordance with guidance from the CDC and feedback from clinic planners.

• Pre-Vaccination Parent Letter [English] [Spanish] (DOCX)
• Post-Vaccination Parent Letter [English] [Spanish] (DOCX)

• Activities for Kids
  • Maze (PDF)
  • Word Search (PDF)
• Vaccination FAQs (PDF)

• CDC COVID-19 One-Stop Shop Communication Toolkits
• CDC COVID Related Videos/PSA's
• CDC Print-ready resources
• CDC Hygiene-related Posters
• Handwashing Activities for Children

VDH provides the tele-town hall resource as a tool for schools to address a variety of health & wellness topics with families, including immunizations, back to school check-ups, and COVID-19. The tele-town hall resource is intended to educate and empower families to make informed health decisions for their children. The Virginia Department of Health can partner with your school to coordinate a tele-town hall event, as well as identify subject matter experts to discuss health topics with families and answer questions. If you are interested in collaborating with VDH to make tele-town hall resources available to your school communities, please complete the Tele-Town Hall Resources for Schools Survey.  Tele-Town Hall Resources for Schools Survey