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COVID-19 Resources

Last Updated: January 28, 2022
COVID-19 Parent Notice-January 2022

This has been an incredibly challenging few weeks for schools in our area, as well as across the country. Robla School District has seen a significant number of positive COVID‐19 cases at our schools and among our students, families, and staff. The extremely high case rate in our community makes it difficult to determine where transmission is occurring.
 
Most of our positive cases from the past three weeks are linked to in‐home exposures and exposures that occurred over winter break. As we continue to follow all health and safety guidelines, the assumption from public health leadership is that at some point, everyone will be exposed. However, being exposed to somebody with COVID‐19 does not necessarily mean that your child will become infected. In fact, scientific research, and experience from around the State and Country, demonstrates that schools remain among the safest places for children to be.

Since students returned from winter break, we have been able to contact all families of students who were identified as close contacts or exposed to a COVID‐19 positive person; however, due to the steep increase incases this has become operationally unsustainable due to the enormity of the work made worse by staffing shortages and rapidly evolving guidelines. As the cases continue to rise, Sacramento County Public Health(SCPH) has advised schools to focus their contact tracing on high‐risk activities, such as lunch and extracurricular activities where students are unmasked for the activity. We are adjusting our notification procedures to fit SCPH’s model of only notifying families of students with exposure in high‐risk activities.

The following notice was sent home to families on January 28, 2022.  Below the notice are reminders of what to do should your child develop symptoms and/or be exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID‐19.  In addition, this page includes information and resources on the COVID-19 vaccine and community clinics, as well as COVID-19 testing for students.  
 
We can help protect Robla together through testing, vaccines and keeping children home when they are sick.
We are asking parents and guardians to follow the “self‐screening process” we established when we originally returned to in‐person learning. If your student exhibits any of the following symptoms, please keep them at home, get them tested for Covid‐19 and notify the school office:
 
Symptoms include:
  • Fever (100.4+) or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
If a student is exposed to a person positive for COVID‐19 at school in a high‐risk activity, the letter sent home will provide you with the guidance to properly address your child’s exposure. Should you have questions regarding the guidance in the letter, please contact your school office and they will assist you or ask the School Nurse to contact you as soon as they can.
If a student lives with a person who tests positive for Covid‐19, keep the student home and contact the school office for further guidance. If a student comes in contact with a Covid‐19 positive individual outside of school and they do not live with the person, we ask families to keep their children home and contact the school office for proper guidance.
If your child is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed, you should have your child tested for Covid‐19.There are several options to obtain a test:
  • Consult with your child’s doctor to obtain a test.
  • Visit the Sacramento County Department of Public Health’s website for community test locations at: http://bit.ly/SacCOVID19tests
  • Sign‐up your student for weekly surveillance testing at our school sites:
    1. Visit: https://shk-patient.limsabc.com/#/
    2. Click "Register as a new patient"
    3. Enter Office Location Code as your child's school site in all caps. Office Locations: RSDBELL, RSDGLENWOOD, RSDMAIN, RSDROBLA, or RSDTAYLOR
    4. Agree to disclaimer and consent, add your details, fill in your insurance information or state-issued driver's license or identification card number.
    5. Check your email or mobile phone for confirmation of the registration.
    For registration assistance, email support@simplehealthkit.com

An at Home Test Kit can be used in conjunction with submitting an Attestation Form to the school office with the final result. The Attestation Form declares that the test specimen was obtained from the student represented on the form, including the date the specimen was collected, and that the test was processed according to the instructions provided. The Attestation Form can be obtained from the school office or you can download it below.
All individuals, ages 5 and older are eligible for vaccination. Please get your child vaccinated and boosted, when eligible. Evidence shows that individuals who have received a booster dose increase their immunity to a level that provides more protection from all circulating COVID‐19 variants, including Omicron. CDC and CDPH recommend that all eligible persons receive a booster dose because immunity wanes several months after completion of the initial vaccine series. Proof of vaccination will help lessen quarantine requirements of students in some cases.
 
Please provide your school office with proof of your child’s vaccination status. There are several options to obtain a vaccination:
  • Consult with your child’s doctor to obtain resources for a vaccination.
  • Visit the SCPH website for more information on vaccinations or you can make an online appointment at http://bit.ly/SacCountyVaccine or https://myturn.ca.gov/
  • Robla School District will be offering additional COVID-19 vaccination clinics.  Please check back to this page and on the district calendar for the dates and times.
 
More information about the COVID-19 vaccine can be found below.

Click on the sections below for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine and testing

We realize that you may have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. We are planning parent information sessions in the coming weeks where you can learn more and get your questions answered.  Here are some frequently asked questions and links to more information.

Is the vaccine safe?
COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 years old are subject to the very same multi-step testing and approval process as all other COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 vaccines ─ including those routinely recommended for childhood vaccination.

Millions of adolescents ages 12-17 and adults have been safely vaccinated, and we know vaccines work. Fully vaccinated individuals are 10 times less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 and have a high degree of protection, including against the Delta variant. 

Can my child get a COVID-19 vaccine during the same visit with other vaccines?
Yes. Your child can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. The way our bodies respond to vaccines and create protection will be the same when a child gets a vaccine alone or with another vaccine. You can ask your doctor for more information. 

My child hates getting shots. Do they need to get both shots?
Understandably, children don’t like getting shots. However, to get the most protection, every child over 5 should get both shots. You can explain to your child that if they only get the first shot, they won’t be protected the full amount. For the highest level of protection (nearly 100%), they will need to get the second shot as well.

The second shot should come 21 days after the first shot. It’s best to aim to get the second shot on time, but if you are late getting your child’s second vaccine, you will not need to start over. 

Let your child know that you understand why they don’t like shots. However, by getting the vaccine, they are protecting themselves and others from getting sick from COVID-19. They are also helping reduce the risk of spreading the pandemic. 

Remind them that once they are fully vaccinated, they can begin to get back to the way things were before the pandemic. Being vaccinated allows them to see friends and family safely, and eventually, they won’t have to wear a mask inside. 

How can I prepare my child for the vaccination?
We know that children can often express fear about the pain when receiving a shot. Here are some ways you can help:

  1. Be honest and calm. Explain that the child may feel a little pinch, but that it will go away very fast. Use words like “pressure” or “poke” rather than “pain” or “shot.” Support the child if they cry.
  2. Find a comfortable position. The child should sit in a caregiver’s lap or lay down during the vaccination, and can continue for comfort during the 15 minute observation period.

  3. Let the child hold a favorite item. Bring anything that is comforting, like an iPad or a favorite toy, stuffed animal, blanket or book, to help the child focus on something pleasant.

  4. Distract the child. Right before the shot, play with an iPad, sing the child’s favorite song, tell a story or just act plain silly to pull the child’s attention away from the shot. Keep the distraction going after the vaccine is given.

  5. If the child is older, ask them to take deep breaths to help “blow out” the pain, imagining that the pain is leaving their mouth.

  6. Provide care after the shot. Calm the child with hugs, cuddles and soft whispers.

What can I expect after the vaccination?
Your child may have some minor side effects, which are normal signs that their body is building protection. These side effects may affect your child’s ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects and severe allergic reactions are rare. If your child experiences a severe allergic reaction after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, vaccine providers can rapidly provide care and call for emergency medical services, if needed.

Ask your child’s healthcare provider for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home after your child gets vaccinated. In general, aspirin is not recommended for use in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age. Placing a cool, damp cloth on the injection site can help with discomfort.

Image depicting what parents should expect with the COVID-19 vaccination for children

Infographic Source: Centers for Disease Control

How much will it cost for my child to get the vaccine?
The US federal government provides the vaccine for free to all people over the age of 5 who live in the United States. This service is available regardless of their immigration or health insurance status.

No matter where you take your child to get the vaccine, even if it is out of your network, or if your family doesn’t have health insurance, the vaccine is available to every person at no cost.

What happens if my child isn’t vaccinated?
Although children are at a lower risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19 compared with adults, children can:
  • Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
  • Get very sick from COVID-19
  • Have both short and long-term health complications from COVID-19
  • Spread COVID-19 to others
 
Children with underlying medical conditions are more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with children without underlying medical conditions. Children who get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can also develop serious complications like multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)—a condition where different body parts become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.
 
The consequences of a pediatric COVID-19 case can be serious and potentially last months.Getting accurate information is important and can help stop common vaccine myths and rumors. Talk with your pediatrician about any questions or concerns you may have.

Other COVID-19 Vaccine Resources:

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children: Who, what, when, where, and why for your family (Source: Hazel Health)
COVID-19 Vaccination-What Parents Need to Know (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine)
Ensuring Vaccine Safety for Children (Source: National Institutes for Health)
COVID-19 Vaccines Protect the Family, Too (Source: National Institutes for Health)
COVID-19 Vaccine Top 5 Questions for Parents (Source: California Department of Public Health)

Studies show that regular COVID-19 testing can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.  That is why we are offering weekly testing for students at our schools.  We also encourage families to utilize the free COVID-19 testing services that are available in our community and through at-home tests.

Register Your Student for Weekly Testing

The tests are self-administered and take just a few seconds. Parents receive their child’s results typically about 24 hours after the test was administered. This testing helps keep all of our students and staff safe at school. 

If you would like to register your student up for the weekly testing please complete the following steps:

  1. Visit: https://shk-patient.limsabc.com/#/
  2. Click "Register as a new patient"
  3. Enter Office Location Code as your child's school site in all caps. Office Locations: RSDBELL, RSDGLENWOOD, RSDMAIN, RSDROBLA, or RSDTAYLOR
  4. Agree to disclaimer and consent, add your details, fill in your insurance information or state-issued driver's license or identification card number.
  5. Check your email or mobile phone for confirmation of the registration.
For registration assistance, email support@simplehealthkit.com

Free At-Home Testing Kits: Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order 4 free at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests. Getting tested, along with vaccinations and masking, help us reduce the chances of spreading COVID-19 and its variants. For free at-home COVID-19 tests, visit covidtests.gov.

Free COVID-19 Testing in the Sacramento County: Sacramento County is offering free COVID testing.  Please keep in mind that due to the high demand for COVID-19 testing, testing lines may be long, and results may take longer to receive.

Click on the sections below for more information about Robla School District's COVID-19 Health & Safety Procedures 

Image of 2021-22 School Year Health & Safety Procedures-English
Image of 2021-22 School Year Health & Safety Procedures-Spanish
Image of STUDENT CLOSE CONTACTS PROTOCOLS AT A GLANCE: SCHOOL SETTINGS ONLY
Image of STAFF CLOSE CONTACTS PROTOCOLS AT A GLANCE
Image of Your Child Has COVID-19: Here are the Next Steps
Check out this Proper Hand Washing Techniques video and follow the steps to keep your hands clean to stay healthy!
Picture of a heart-shaped bandaid with text: Let's Protect Robla Together
Is this Covid?