Ames Middle School

Student Health

Important information for the 2020-2021 school year

The 2020-2021 school year is going to look a bit different than in the past. We realize these changes will pose more challenges to our students, staff, and families. Please review the following information and also share with your student(s).

View Health Office Information

Guidelines For Keeping
Students Home From School

Students should remain home when sick. Students with any high risk symptom or two or more low risk symptoms should stay home and are advised to seek an evaluation by a health care provider.

High Risk Symptoms

New cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
New loss of taste or smell

Low Risk Symptoms (2 or more symptoms)

Fever 100.4
Headache
Muscle and body aches
Fatigue
Sore throat
Runny nose
Congestion
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Evaluation by Health Care Provider

Negative COVID-19 Test AND no close COVID-19 contacts:

Return to school after 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) and symptoms improving.
Students testing negative for COVID-19 infection and who ARE close contacts of a confirmed case should continue to self-quarantine until 14 days after their last exposure to the confirmed case.

Alternative Diagnosis (From Healthcare Provider):

Return to school after 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) and symptoms improving.

Positive COVID-19 Test:

Return to school after at least 10 days since symptoms started, and improving symptoms, and 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
If people test positive for COVID-19 infection and never get sick (asymptomatic), assume that they could pass it to others from 10 days before they were tested until 10 days after they were tested.

Please make sure your phone number and contact information is up-to-date in Infinite Campus.

If a Student Becomes Ill at School

If your student has been sent home with symptoms consistent with possible COVID-19, they should self-isolate at home for a 10-day isolation period.

To return to school BEFORE the 10-day isolation period they would need an ALTERNATIVE DIAGNOSIS from a healthcare provider OR a NEGATIVE COVID-19 test, and no close COVID-19 contact, and fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and with improved symptoms.

If a student becomes ill while at school, the student must see the nurse for assessment. Students must not call or text parents. The nurse will determine if the student needs to go home and will contact the student’s parents. Unless the nurse recommends that the student go home, the student’s absence will be unexcused.

For specific medical concerns contact your building’s School Nurse listed below.

School Medical Requirements From the Iowa Department of Public Health and School Health Office