Health Guidelines
(As of August 11, 2021)
Masks are REQUIRED for all students, staff, and visitors indoors (including the school bus).
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools places the health and safety of our students as a top priority. Face coverings are required by the district for all students, staff, volunteers, and visitors (age 2 years and older).
Beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year, CMS will require a Request for Face Covering Exemption (Spanish) form to be submitted for any student seeking an exception from wearing a face-covering in school. The form will need to be filled out and signed by the parent or guardian and require a medical recommendation before being submitted to the student’s school administration.
Any prior exemption form is not valid for the 2021-2022 academic year. The new form must be submitted. Until a Request for Face Covering Exemption is approved, all students must wear a mask.
QHMS staff cannot be responsible for enforcing family preferences regarding face coverings. If, for example, a family prefers for their student to wear their mask when outdoors, the family needs to set that expectation with the student and the student needs to demonstrate personal responsibility to act in alignment to the family expectation.
No Symptom Screeners
Students, staff and visitors will no longer complete a symptom screener and have their temperatures checked. Rather, we expect each individual to take shared ownership for the health of our school community. Do not enter the school if you experience any COVID-related symptoms, someone in your home has tested positive for COVID, or you have otherwise been advised to quarantine.
Physical Distancing
When masked, students will physically distance three (3) feet from each other (on the center) to the greatest extent possible. When NOT masked, students will physically distance six (6) feet from each other (on the center).
Adults should maintain six (6) foot social distancing (on the center) to the greatest extent possible.
Student Movement & Shared Materials/Spaces
At this time...
Students will follow a traditional bell schedule, transitioning among different classrooms and learning spaces throughout the school day. At the end of each class period, students will wipe down their desks with a paper towel and cleaning spray to prepare the space for the next group of students.
Students may share materials (ex. PE equipment, class scissors/markers/etc.) and frequent hand washing/sanitizing is encouraged. Hand sanitizer is available in each classroom.
Use of locker rooms and changing spaces is permitted.
Use of water fountains is permitted, although students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles filled with water (only) for convenience.
Lunch routines will be adjusted so students are six (6) feet apart when they are eating with their masks off.
Suspected Cases
If a student demonstrates COVID-like symptoms at school, they will be taken to the Isolation Room and need to be picked up by a parent/guardian immediately. Guidance will be provided by a nurse or the Health Department regarding when the student can return to school.
Contact Tracing and Quarantine Procedures
If your student tests positive for COVID, notify us using this reporting form.
Individuals who were in close contact to a person who tests positive for COVID may be quarantined and and not permitted to return to school for between seven (7) and fourteen (14) days, depending on a number of factors including vaccination status, COVID test results, and the ability to distance and mask upon the return to school. Health officials will make this determination. Individuals who consistently wear their masks properly (covering the face and mouth) during the close contact period will not need to quarantine as long as both parties were wearing their masks properly. Individuals who are vaccinated will not need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms.
Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities
Guidelines for these events/activities may be different. Guidance will be given as the events/activities are communicated.
Thank you for your partnership to keep our Falcon Family healthy!