IPS continues to update the district’s health and safety protocols per guidance from the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD), the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These protocols are subject to change based on new guidance from the health departments/organizations listed above.
Resources
- Updated CDC K-12 Guidance (as of May 27, 2022)
- COVID-19 Screening for Parents
- Examen de detección de COVID-19 para padres
- The Conversation About the COVID Vaccines and Kids
- Top 5 Things Parents Want to Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine for 5-11 Year Olds
- Get vaccinated! Pfizer vaccine approved for children ages 5-15
- ¡Vacúnese! Vacuna Pfizer aprobada para niños de 5 a 11 años
- CDC isolation and quarantine guidelines
- Booster recommendation expanded for 5 and older per updated CDC guidelines
- COVID-19 Vaccines for children and teens – CDC Resource Page
- Indiana Youth COVID-19 Dashboard
- IDOH Vaccine Information and Planning
- How Sick is Too Sick? – IDOH one pager resource for parents
Face Masks
- The IDOH has advised that masking students and staff may be optional.
- Students/families and staff may decide for themselves whether to wear masks on IPS property and it is no longer district policy that they are required to do so.
- Per CDC guidance, masks are no longer required for all students, staff and drivers on IPS buses.
Health Screening/Testing
- Each day, students and employees will need to monitor whether they have COVID-like symptoms. Those who develop COVID-like symptoms will need to stay at home and not attend school or participate in the activity.
- IPS continues to encourage testing when anyone is exhibiting symptoms. Tests are available at all IPS locations.
Positive Cases/Isolation
- The CDC and IDOH isolation guidance for K-12 settings has not changed. Students and staff who has tested positive for COVID will be required to isolate for a minimum of 5 full days.
- Staff/students may return to work/school only if:
- Symptoms have significantly improved, including no fever within 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- The individual wears a well-fitting mask consistently and correctly at all times, including when outdoors while not eating or drinking for days 6-10
- Positive cases in children ages 2 to 5 years of age:
- Children testing positive for COVID must isolate at home for 5 days
- May return on day 6 if fever free for 24 hours without medication AND can correctly and consistently mask.
- If cannot correctly and consistently mask should isolate at home for 7 days, returning on day 8.
- IPS will remain vigilant to changes in school and community COVID cases and will adjust mitigation measures accordingly.
Contact Tracing/Quarantine
- IPS school leaders will notify their whole community each instance there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the building.
- The IDOH no longer recommends identifying or quarantining close contacts regardless of vaccination status.
- This includes if there is a positive individual in the household. However, continue to monitor individuals for symptoms.
- Anyone with symptoms should not return to school unless they are fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication and symptoms are resolving. Again, testing for COVID-19 is still recommended for anyone exhibiting symptoms.
Cleaning/Sanitizing/Hygiene & PPE
- All high-touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized in school and office buildings and on buses.
- Proper hand washing, cough and sneeze protocols are required.
- No-touch water bottle filling stations available in schools.
Social Distancing — Classrooms/Cafeterias/Buses
- Social distancing is no longer required.
Visitors & Volunteers
- Volunteers, visitors and families may be in buildings by scheduled appointment, and interactions within classrooms should be limited.
- IPS strongly encourages that any vendors or external partners should ensure they are vaccinated and boosted to reduce their individual risk in schools.
- Events can be held in person. We encourage schools to offer virtual or recorded offerings for families.
PE & Recess
- Masks are optional during PE indoors.
Athletics & Extracurriculars
- Schools can resume normal student movement and seating.
- Social distancing is no longer required.
Testing/Vaccination
- Currently for ages 5 and older, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus. Read more HERE.
- IPS will continue to encourage vaccination for all eligible populations and host vaccination clinics with community partners.
- Students are still encouraged to provide proof of vaccination status:
- Vaccinated students (ages 12 and older) can voluntarily provide proof of vaccination status.
- Staff should continue to provide proof of vaccination status:
- Vaccinated can provide proof of vaccination to the IPS HR Department.
IPS Vaccine and Immunization Clinics
- IPS will continue to host vaccination clinics throughout the school year. These clinics include COVID-19 vaccines (1st, 2nd and booster shots) and school-required and recommended immunizations (including DTap, Polio, MMR, Hepatitis, flu, etc.).
COVID-19 Citywide Vaccine Sites:
- Vaccine sites are conveniently located throughout the city. Click HERE for locations.
COVID-19 Citywide Testing Sites:
- COVID testing information and testing sites can be found HERE.
*Page updated July 28, 2022.