Quick Resources
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* Please be aware that due to an exponential increase in phone calls and messages related to illness and COVID concerns, it may take 2 to 3 business days for a reply. We will assist you as quickly as we are able. Thank you for your understanding and patience!
~ Venture COVID Team FREE at Home COVID TestsFREE Community COVID Testing Opportunities |
FREE COVID Testing Available
through SJCOE SJCOE has a new, free COVID-19 rapid antigen testing site available on campus. The site is open to all Venture students and their families from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on weekdays. One time registration is required prior to testing the first time. This is a walk-in testing site only (no appointments). For safety purposes, all users should stand outside and form a line if necessary until one of the testing staff invites them inside. See the registration flyer and site map for testing location in the information provided below. How to Register?: Click HERE Testing Location?: Click HERE *This is a different testing opportunity than what has been offered at Venture for the 2021-2022 school year. *See below for more on home tests. |
COVID-19 FAQ’s
What protocol does Venture follow?
Venture follows The California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-2022 School Year as directed by San Joaquin County Public Health. You can find the most up to date guidance here.
What are the mask requirements?
Guidance for the Use of Face Masks
What are COVID-19 symptoms?
COVID-19 related symptoms include (but not limited to): headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, body aches and fever.
What should I do if my student has COVID-like symptoms?
Please keep them home. Consider contacting their doctor and testing is recommended. Please notify their teacher of record, the school nurse or a COVID-19 Liaison if your student has COVID-like symptoms. You can anticipate a response from the school nurse or a COVID Liaison within 24 to 48 hours during regular school days.
COVID Team Email: vanurse@sjcoe.net
What is the protocol if my child is sick and exhibiting COVID-like symptoms (#4)?
Staff members and students with symptoms of COVID-19 infection are not to return for in-person instruction until they have met CDPH criteria to return to school:
Please submit medical paperwork for clearance to return to school to: vanurse@sjcoe.net
Be sure to note if your student's symptoms have improved and if they have been fever free without medications for 24 hours.
If my child is in quarantine, what can I do to keep them on track at school?
Contact your child’s teacher of record to notify them of their illness/quarantine and include the COVID-19 team at vanurse@sjcoe.net. The COVID-19 team will respond as quickly as possible to establish a clearance date to return to school. Their absence will be excused. Teachers will provide work, extended time to submit work, and any other additional accommodations they feel will be appropriate for your child. If they are ill, we want them to prioritize their recovery and teachers will get them caught back up when they return.
When should I test my child for COVID-19?
Does Venture offer COVID-19 testing?
For students who receive a notification that they were potentially exposed to a confirmed COVID positive person ON CAMPUS, testing opportunities are available (see above). Parents must provide consent for free testing through the school by registering through the link provided in the notification letter. Please register using parent email and student name. Results should be emailed 24-72 hours after collection to the parent email provided at the time of registration.
Where can I have my child tested for COVID-19?
Talk to your child’s doctor about testing if they are exhibiting symptoms that could be COVID-19. You can also use the following local resources.
Stockton Unified School District high schools offer free drive through testing. For more information:
https://www.stocktonusd.net/PushToYellow
For additional test site locations:
https://sjready.org/events/covid19/testing.html
Which test is needed for my student to be cleared to return to school (Updated 1/12/22)?
Any FDA-approved antigen diagnostic test, PCR diagnostic test, or pooled PCR test is acceptable for evaluation of an individual's COVID-19 status during quarantine. At-home testing, also known as over-the-counter (OTC) testing, is permitted to evaluate the status of a student who is in isolation or quarantine (or received a notification of exposure). When submitting results from a home kit for confirmation of a positive or negative test result, the family must write the student’s full name and the date when the sample was collected on the test kit (see pictures and examples below). By writing the name and date on the test kit, you are attesting that the test was given to the named individual written on the test and it was taken on the date written (see pictures below).
Please submit proof of negative COVID results for clearance to return to school to: vanurse@sjcoe.net
Once received, clearance to return to school will be provided.
See FAQ #11 for further details about types of tests that may be used to assess a person's status during quarantine or to exit quarantine.
What if someone in my household has tested positive for COVID-19?
If a member in the household tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for 10 days from symptom onset. Repeat testing to acquire a negative test to return is NOT required. However, isolation can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present or are resolving AND a diagnostic specimen* collected on day 5 or later tests negative (Table 1). *Antigen testing preferred. If fever is present, isolation should be continued until fever free 24 hours without medications. If symptoms other than fever are not resolving, isolate until symptoms are resolving or until after day 10. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings.
Unvaccinated individuals with an in-home exposure should test on or after day 10 of the first exposure. If the test is negative and they are not symptomatic, they can return after day 14. The exposed individual should continue to monitor for symptoms and isolate and retest if they develop symptoms (Updated 10/29/21 per local Public Health guidance). If the individual does not test on day 10, they may test on day 5 to return immediately (Table 2). If the quarantined individual does not test at all, they must quarantine for 10 days from last exposure to the COVID positive individual.
For fully vaccinated, follow guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals (Table 3). Further guidance can be found here.
For all symptomatic or positive members in the home, please stay home. Contact the school nurse or a COVID-19 Liaison if someone in your household is experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms (vanurse@sjcoe.net). It is best practice to keep siblings home. However, CDPH does not require other siblings to stay home unless they are experiencing symptoms or there is a confirmed positive within the home.
Venture follows The California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-2022 School Year as directed by San Joaquin County Public Health. You can find the most up to date guidance here.
- View K-12 Guidance
- 2021/2022 FAQ's
- Group-Tracing Approach to Students Exposed to COVID-19 in a K-12 Setting (Guidelines for Exposure at School)
- Isolation and Quarantine Recommendations for the General Public (not applicable to healthcare personnel) See Table 1-3 (Guidelines for In-Home/Community Exposure Outside of School)
What are the mask requirements?
Guidance for the Use of Face Masks
What are COVID-19 symptoms?
COVID-19 related symptoms include (but not limited to): headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, body aches and fever.
What should I do if my student has COVID-like symptoms?
Please keep them home. Consider contacting their doctor and testing is recommended. Please notify their teacher of record, the school nurse or a COVID-19 Liaison if your student has COVID-like symptoms. You can anticipate a response from the school nurse or a COVID Liaison within 24 to 48 hours during regular school days.
COVID Team Email: vanurse@sjcoe.net
What is the protocol if my child is sick and exhibiting COVID-like symptoms (#4)?
Staff members and students with symptoms of COVID-19 infection are not to return for in-person instruction until they have met CDPH criteria to return to school:
- At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
- Other symptoms have improved; and
- They have a negative test for SARS-CoV-2, OR a healthcare provider has provided documentation that the symptoms are typical of their underlying chronic condition (e.g., allergies or asthma) OR a healthcare provider has confirmed an alternative named diagnosis (e.g., Streptococcal pharyngitis, Coxsackie virus), OR at least 10 days have passed since symptom onset.
Please submit medical paperwork for clearance to return to school to: vanurse@sjcoe.net
Be sure to note if your student's symptoms have improved and if they have been fever free without medications for 24 hours.
If my child is in quarantine, what can I do to keep them on track at school?
Contact your child’s teacher of record to notify them of their illness/quarantine and include the COVID-19 team at vanurse@sjcoe.net. The COVID-19 team will respond as quickly as possible to establish a clearance date to return to school. Their absence will be excused. Teachers will provide work, extended time to submit work, and any other additional accommodations they feel will be appropriate for your child. If they are ill, we want them to prioritize their recovery and teachers will get them caught back up when they return.
When should I test my child for COVID-19?
- If they exhibit COVID-like symptoms.
- If vaccinated or unvaccinated and exposed to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case, testing is recommended 3-5 days after last exposure OR if they become symptomatic up to 14 days after exposure.
Does Venture offer COVID-19 testing?
For students who receive a notification that they were potentially exposed to a confirmed COVID positive person ON CAMPUS, testing opportunities are available (see above). Parents must provide consent for free testing through the school by registering through the link provided in the notification letter. Please register using parent email and student name. Results should be emailed 24-72 hours after collection to the parent email provided at the time of registration.
Where can I have my child tested for COVID-19?
Talk to your child’s doctor about testing if they are exhibiting symptoms that could be COVID-19. You can also use the following local resources.
Stockton Unified School District high schools offer free drive through testing. For more information:
https://www.stocktonusd.net/PushToYellow
For additional test site locations:
https://sjready.org/events/covid19/testing.html
Which test is needed for my student to be cleared to return to school (Updated 1/12/22)?
Any FDA-approved antigen diagnostic test, PCR diagnostic test, or pooled PCR test is acceptable for evaluation of an individual's COVID-19 status during quarantine. At-home testing, also known as over-the-counter (OTC) testing, is permitted to evaluate the status of a student who is in isolation or quarantine (or received a notification of exposure). When submitting results from a home kit for confirmation of a positive or negative test result, the family must write the student’s full name and the date when the sample was collected on the test kit (see pictures and examples below). By writing the name and date on the test kit, you are attesting that the test was given to the named individual written on the test and it was taken on the date written (see pictures below).
Please submit proof of negative COVID results for clearance to return to school to: vanurse@sjcoe.net
Once received, clearance to return to school will be provided.
See FAQ #11 for further details about types of tests that may be used to assess a person's status during quarantine or to exit quarantine.
What if someone in my household has tested positive for COVID-19?
If a member in the household tests positive for COVID-19, they must isolate for 10 days from symptom onset. Repeat testing to acquire a negative test to return is NOT required. However, isolation can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present or are resolving AND a diagnostic specimen* collected on day 5 or later tests negative (Table 1). *Antigen testing preferred. If fever is present, isolation should be continued until fever free 24 hours without medications. If symptoms other than fever are not resolving, isolate until symptoms are resolving or until after day 10. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings.
Unvaccinated individuals with an in-home exposure should test on or after day 10 of the first exposure. If the test is negative and they are not symptomatic, they can return after day 14. The exposed individual should continue to monitor for symptoms and isolate and retest if they develop symptoms (Updated 10/29/21 per local Public Health guidance). If the individual does not test on day 10, they may test on day 5 to return immediately (Table 2). If the quarantined individual does not test at all, they must quarantine for 10 days from last exposure to the COVID positive individual.
For fully vaccinated, follow guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals (Table 3). Further guidance can be found here.
For all symptomatic or positive members in the home, please stay home. Contact the school nurse or a COVID-19 Liaison if someone in your household is experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms (vanurse@sjcoe.net). It is best practice to keep siblings home. However, CDPH does not require other siblings to stay home unless they are experiencing symptoms or there is a confirmed positive within the home.
What is considered close contact?
Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period. This includes: physical contact (hug or kiss), shared utensils/cup, exposure to respiratory droplets from a sneeze or cough, or providing care to a person with COVID-19. Close contacts include anyone who has been around a COVID-19 positive person up to 48 hours prior to symptom onset.
When will I be notified if my child was potentially exposed to a positive case at school?
If your child was potentially exposed to a confirmed COVID positive individual at school, your family will receive an exposure notification letter the same day that the school is notified. This notice will outline the date(s) of possible exposure as well as recommend testing your child 3-5 days after last known exposure. If your child was exposed to COVID-19 and is not experiencing any symptoms, your child may remain at school. Testing for exposed students is recommended but not required. If your child should begin to experience symptoms, please isolation guidelines.
Who should I contact if a student is absent for known chronic illness reasons?
Please email vanurse@sjcoe.net if your student is absent for chronic health reasons. If not already on file at the school for the school year, CDPH requires that a healthcare provider has provided documentation that the symptoms are typical of their underlying chronic condition (e.g., allergies or asthma).
What is a presumed positive?
Someone who has had close contact with a person who tested positive within the last 14 days and develops COVID-19 symptoms is presumed positive. Public health recommends COVID-19 testing.
What happens if my child is vaccinated?
If your child is fully vaccinated with 2 doses, even if booster eligible, we follow guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals (Table 3).
Some key points are:
Are a student's symptoms due to being infected or recently vaccinated against COVID-19? (2021/2022 FAQ #1a)
Most post-vaccination symptoms occur within the first 3 days of vaccination (the day of vaccination and the following 2 days, with most occurring the day after vaccination). Testing may help determine whether symptoms should be attributed to COVID-19 infection that could occur prior to the body's ability to develop immunity from the vaccine, which typically takes about two weeks after the vaccination. Vaccination does not cause positive antigen and PCR test results for COVID-19.
Additionally, many of CDC's post-vaccine considerations for workplaces apply to K-12 schools, including information about signs and symptoms not caused by COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste or smell).
Possible Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination
Key Words
Asymptomatic- Producing or showing no symptoms.
Symptomatic- Exhibiting or showing symptoms, especially of something undesirable.
Close Contact- Close contacts are defined as 0-6 feet for 15 minute or more of exposure over a 24 hour period.
Rapid Test- A rapid antigen test can be administered for individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Results should return back within 24-48 hours.
PCR Test- Also called a molecular test, this COVID-19 test detects genetic material of the virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results usually arrive in 3-5 days.
Quarantine- Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Isolate- To keep someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19 away from others, even in their own home.
Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period. This includes: physical contact (hug or kiss), shared utensils/cup, exposure to respiratory droplets from a sneeze or cough, or providing care to a person with COVID-19. Close contacts include anyone who has been around a COVID-19 positive person up to 48 hours prior to symptom onset.
When will I be notified if my child was potentially exposed to a positive case at school?
If your child was potentially exposed to a confirmed COVID positive individual at school, your family will receive an exposure notification letter the same day that the school is notified. This notice will outline the date(s) of possible exposure as well as recommend testing your child 3-5 days after last known exposure. If your child was exposed to COVID-19 and is not experiencing any symptoms, your child may remain at school. Testing for exposed students is recommended but not required. If your child should begin to experience symptoms, please isolation guidelines.
Who should I contact if a student is absent for known chronic illness reasons?
Please email vanurse@sjcoe.net if your student is absent for chronic health reasons. If not already on file at the school for the school year, CDPH requires that a healthcare provider has provided documentation that the symptoms are typical of their underlying chronic condition (e.g., allergies or asthma).
What is a presumed positive?
Someone who has had close contact with a person who tested positive within the last 14 days and develops COVID-19 symptoms is presumed positive. Public health recommends COVID-19 testing.
What happens if my child is vaccinated?
If your child is fully vaccinated with 2 doses, even if booster eligible, we follow guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals (Table 3).
Some key points are:
- People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 if it has been two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series, or two weeks or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine.
- If asymptomatic, a student is not required to quarantine following a known exposure to someone with confirmed COVID-19.
- Fully vaccinated persons are recommended to test 3-5 days after exposure. They must also wear a mask in public indoor settings.
- Vaccinated individuals must continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days after exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
- If at any point during the 14 day period the close contact becomes symptomatic, they must stay home and testing is recommended.
Are a student's symptoms due to being infected or recently vaccinated against COVID-19? (2021/2022 FAQ #1a)
Most post-vaccination symptoms occur within the first 3 days of vaccination (the day of vaccination and the following 2 days, with most occurring the day after vaccination). Testing may help determine whether symptoms should be attributed to COVID-19 infection that could occur prior to the body's ability to develop immunity from the vaccine, which typically takes about two weeks after the vaccination. Vaccination does not cause positive antigen and PCR test results for COVID-19.
Additionally, many of CDC's post-vaccine considerations for workplaces apply to K-12 schools, including information about signs and symptoms not caused by COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, loss of taste or smell).
Possible Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination
Key Words
Asymptomatic- Producing or showing no symptoms.
Symptomatic- Exhibiting or showing symptoms, especially of something undesirable.
Close Contact- Close contacts are defined as 0-6 feet for 15 minute or more of exposure over a 24 hour period.
Rapid Test- A rapid antigen test can be administered for individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms. Results should return back within 24-48 hours.
PCR Test- Also called a molecular test, this COVID-19 test detects genetic material of the virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results usually arrive in 3-5 days.
Quarantine- Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Isolate- To keep someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19 away from others, even in their own home.