Before coming to campus each day, staff and students (with assistance from family members) must complete daily health screenings for COVID-19 symptoms.

Are you (or your child) experiencing any of the following symptoms or have you (or your child) experienced the following symptoms within the past 48 hours?

• Fever (100.0 F or higher?)

OR respiratory symptoms including coughing or shortness of breath

OR acute loss of taste or smell

OR repeated shaking with chills

• OR any of the following symptoms that are new and cannot be explained by another reason --  fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

• OR do you live with, or have you been in contact with someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19?

If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, please stay home and call your child's school for further direction.

Visit the CDC COVID-19 website for more information about COVID-19 symptoms and self-screening.

Following is a sample communication sent to parents of students exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms on campus:

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child is being sent home from school today since they have presented with symptoms that may be suggestive of COVID-19. Your child was noted to have the following new onset or worsening symptom(s):

• Fever (100.0 F or higher)
• OR respiratory symptoms including coughing or shortness of breath
• OR acute loss of taste or smell
• OR repeated shaking with chills

OR any of the following symptoms that are new and cannot be explained by another reason:

• fatigue
• body aches
• headache
• sore throat
• nausea
• vomiting or diarrhea

It is recommended that your child get tested immediately. Contact your medical provider and get tested for COVID-19.  Your child may return with a negative PCR or Antigen COVID-19 test and at least 24 hours after fever resolves and other symptoms improve. FDA-Approved home tests are accepted with a signed self-attestation form.

If your child does not get tested for COVID-19, they will be excluded from school until 10 days have passed since symptom onset and at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication and symptoms have improved.

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please contact the school for further instructions.

Please contact your healthcare provider if your child develops new or worsening symptoms or if you have any additional questions or concerns.

If your child does not have a healthcare provider, additional testing resources are available through the Public Health Department at sccfreetest.org.

Paul Winslow, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Gilroy Unified School District paul.winslow@gilroyunified.org
(669) 205-4010

Will students and staff be required to wear masks?
No.  According to the June 30, 2022 guidance from CDPH, masks are not required for staff or students, but they are highly recommended.  Masks will be provided for anyone who requests one on any of our campuses.

What health and safety measures will be implemented?
The CDPH is still recommending that districts implement protocols related to frequent handwashing, sanitizing and cleaning surfaces, and maximizing ventilation.  GUSD will continue to follow the recommendations of the CDPH regarding implementation of health and safety protocols.  

How will classrooms and other buildings be cleaned?
Classrooms will be cleaned daily, including all hard surfaces, and high touch areas.  More extensive classroom cleanings will occur at least weekly.  Disinfecting cleaning products will be used if or when there are identified cases of COVID-19 on campuses.

What ventilation protocols will be in place? 
The Gilroy Unified School District has repaired, as needed, 1,200 heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units and has implemented other air circulation mitigation measures.

District HVAC units will be set to circulate air for approximately 10 hours a day, and staff will be directed to keep windows and doors open.  Fans will be provided where needed to move the air.

HEPA filters have been installed in classrooms and offices as recommended by an expert assessment team.

What happens if someone on campus is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19?
Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms while on our campuses will be assessed at the school site's triage tent by a member of our District health team. COVID-19 symptoms include: fever, cough and shortness of breath.

GUSD continues to follow the most current guidelines from the CDPH and will notify any close contacts based on analysis of exposure to the prescribed guidelines.

Will there be a daily “health check” at school?
Parents, students, and staff will self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if they are sick. 

What are expectations for students who ride the bus?
Students and drivers will wear masks on all GUSD buses. Windows will be open to maximize ventilation.

• Well over 90% of GUSD staff members are fully vaccinated.
• GUSD intends to follow all applicable laws and guidelines relating to the health and safety of its employees, students and families as it is firmly committed to providing a safe working and learning environment as we welcome all of our students back for in-person instruction.
• GUSD cannot provide information on an individual staff member’s vaccination status.
• There is an gubernatorial order requiring all public school employees to provide proof of vaccine or submit weekly testing results.
• There is no mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement for children to attend school. 
• More information about how to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Information about COVID-19 testing in Santa Clara County.

Effective January 7, 2022, FDA-approved home test kit results are accepted as valid evidence for the purpose of returning to in-person learning, accompanied by a signed self-attestation form.

Regardless of vaccination status, anytime a student receives a positive test, they must isolate at home for at least five days after the first symptoms started (or date positive test collected) and until symptoms improve, and until fever-free for at least 24 hours, and has a negative test on or after day five of quarantine. 

If your student tests positive for COVID-19, please contact their school site immediately.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued a press release stating that any COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students will not take effect until after full FDA approval and no sooner than July 1, 2023. For the 2022-23 school year, there will be no requirement of a COVID-19 vaccine for students to attend school.