Boulder Valley School District

Health and Safety Precautions

Knowing the importance of in-person learning and the daily social interactions for our students – our focus in BVSD is on doing everything possible to keep kids in in-person learning five days a week.

See the full BVSD COVID Health Guidelines for Families for detailed information on protocols and guidelines.

Illness Protocols

Parents/Guardians should follow How Sick is Too Sick - CDPHE’s Illness Policy for Students and Staff in School and Child Care settings. 

  • Students may return to school or child care as long as the symptom(s) have been resolved for 24 hours unless the symptoms are caused by an illness that requires them to stay home longer.

    • COVID testing is recommended, not required, for anyone with COVID-like symptoms or a known exposure

COVID-like symptoms include:

  •  Fever (100.4 and above), chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose or congestion, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea

The best way to prevent the spread of infection is by staying home when sick and through good hand washing.

  • Testing is available through BVSD and COVID Check Colorado throughout the district - see the schedule here.

COVID Testing

Routine COVID testing will be offered at BVSD elementary, middle and K-8 schools every two weeks. If you would like to sign your student up for routine testing, see our website here for the schedule and registration information. These sites can also be used for symptomatic screening as needed by any student or staff member of any school. Note: If you were registered for testing last year you will need to re-register on COVIDCheck’s website to provide consent for your student to be tested this year.

Positive Tests and Exposures/Quarantines

Any individual who tests positive must isolate at home until: 

  1. They have had no fever for at least 24 hours — without the use of fever-reducing medicines,  AND 

  2. Symptoms are improving,  AND 

  3. It has been at least 5 days since symptoms began 

    • If symptoms do not develop, count 5 days from when the test was administered

Individuals should then wear a well-fitted mask for the next 5 days when around others. If they are unable to effectively wear a mask for an additional 5 days, they should isolate for the full 10 days.

*A negative COVID test is NOT required to return after testing positive 

If exposed to a positive household member or other individual you should follow these quarantine guidelines based on your vaccination status.

Up-to-Date or Exempt - Do not need to quarantine, should wear a mask around others for 10 days 

  • Definition of Up-to-Date: 

    • Ages 12 and  older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including a third dose if more than 5 months from the second dose

    • Ages 5-11 years and have completed a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (2 doses)

  • Individuals are Exempt if they have had a positive COVID test within the past 90 days

Not Up-to-Date or Exempt:  

  • Should stay home for 5 days from the last contact with the positive individual, test if possible and continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days 

    • Household contacts that cannot separate from a known case, must start their quarantine on the last day of the known case’s infectious period (day5).  

Face Covers/ Masking

BVSD is following federal, state and/or local orders on masking. On February 18, 2022, Boulder County ended its indoor mask mandate. On February 25th, the CDC ended the mask requirement on buses. 

Masks are still recommended in certain circumstances and for some individuals, and anyone who would like to continue to wear a mask will be supported by our staff. Our schools will continue to offer adult and child-sized KN-95 masks at no cost.

BVSD has individualized procedures to follow for students who have medical needs that may require accommodations when masks are optional and who require accommodations to mask mandates (in the event such a mandate is reinstated). Parents/guardians should initiate discussions about their student’s individual needs with the Principal or their student’s case manager

Continuing our layered approach

As shown last school year, a layered approach was extremely effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We will continue this approach this school year, including the following measures:
 

 Ventilation and cleaning
Regular reminders for families: Look out for symptoms & keep sick kids home
Masks required -All students and staff, age 2+ (under public health order) 
Handwashing
Physical distancing to the greatest extent possible
Seating charts
Stable groups whenever possible for as long as possible
Maximize outdoor activities


These actions will help to limit the size of quarantines. This fall, close contacts will not be required to isolate – if these measures are in place.

Resources

BVSD COVID-19 Face Cover Protocol and Guidance- English

BVSD COVID-19 Face Cover Protocol and Guidance- Spanish

COVID-19 Ventilation Protocols (English & Spanish)

COVID-19 Cleaning Protocols (English & Spanish)

COVID-19 Food Services Protocols (English & Spanish)

COVID-19 Transportation Protocols (English & Spanish)

Additional Health Measures