COVID Mitigation Plan for the 2023-24 School Year

  • Ross Valley School District’s COVID-19 Mitigation Plan continues to focus on the health and safety of all students, staff and families.  Our strategies have been developed according to guidance from Marin County Public Health, California Department of Public Health, and Marin County Schools, and updated as guidelines change, to support in-person instruction for all students.


    This webpage is intended to provide our RVSD community a central location to access information and resources during this continually evolving time.  This page (see below and to the left) will remain fluid and responsive to new information from local, regional, state, and federal agencies.  

    Prevention Measures

    Masks are simple and effective in preventing transmission of COVID-19 infections and other respiratory illnesses.  Additionally, all eligible students and staff should get vaccinated, boosted (if eligible), and stay up to date with any newly recommended vaccinations. Though both vaccination and masking are recommended by Public Health, neither is required in school and each individual's personal choice will be respected.

    COVID-19 Testing Plan

    For RVSD's testing plan, click here.  We are working with MCOE, MHHS, and CDPH to provide test kits to students and staff as follows:

    • The person has symptoms, either at school or at home.
    • The person has had a known exposure.
    • For high-risk travel exposure or activities

    For additional testing resources,

    • Click here for testing resources in Marin County.
    • Health Insurance providers may reimburse for the cost of Covid-19 testing; check with your heathcare provider.
    • The California Department of Public Health periodically provides us with Covid test kits for all students and staff.  Students and staff members may request additional test kits if they are symptomatic or need to test after travel or being exposed.

    Guidance for Students and Staff Who Test Positive for COVID-19

    Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 must quarantine at home for at least 5 days after the onset of symptoms or a positive test, if asymptomatic. They may not attend any extracurricular, sports, social, or community activities, including afterschool programs and child care during this time. They may be released from quarantine on day 6 if they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and their symptoms have improved. They do not need a negative test to return. Notify the school office immediately if your student tests positive for COVID-19.

    Monitor for Symptoms and Test 

    We ask all students, staff members, and volunteers to continue to monitor themselves and their household members for symptoms of COVID-19 and to stay home and test if they have ANY symptoms:

    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath / difficulty breathing
    • Loss of smell or taste
    • Fever of a 100.4° F or above
    • Chills
    • Body ache
    • Fatigue
    • Headache
    • Congestion
    • Runny nose
    • Sore throat
    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Conjuctivitis (pink eye)

    DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF THEY EXHIBIT ANY SYMPTOMS, EVEN IF MILD OR FLEETING. Students who exhibit any symptoms of illness while at school will need to be picked up from school promptly.  

    In the event a student or staff member with symptoms tests negative for Covid-19, the current guidance from CDPH and MHHS is to stay home and re-test in 24 hours. They may return when fever-free for 24 hours without medication AND symptoms have significantly improved AND a negative COVID-19 test 24 hours or more after the initial negative test. 

    Guidance for Students and Staff Exposed to COVID-19 
    If they do not have symptoms, exposed students may attend school and other activities; they do not need to quarantine. 

    • Monitor for symptoms for 14 days and test on Day 5 after the exposure.
    • Wear a mask for 10 days in public and at school.

    If symptoms develop,

    • Remain at home and test immediately.
    • If they test negative for COVID-19 but are symptomatic, they must remain home and retest for COVID-19 in 24-48 hours. They may return when fever-free for 24 hours without medication AND symptoms have significantly improved AND they test negative 24 hours or more after the initial negative test.

    Guidance for Students and Staff Returning from Out-of-State Travel

    Persons returning from out-of-state travel may continue to attend school in-person as long as they are asymptomatic. They should get tested for COVID-19 on Day 5 after returning to California if the travel involved greater risk for exposure, such as in crowded terminals.

    How to Count Days for Testing/Quarantine

    For the purposes of determining when to test following exposure, out-of-state travel, or to end quarantine, Day 0 is counted as:

    • The last contact with an infectious COVID positive person OR 
    • The first day of symptoms OR 
    • The date of a positive test, if asymptomatic OR 
    • The date of return to California 

    For those needing to quarantine, it begins on the next day, Day 1.

    Visitors/Volunteers

    For more information about volunteering in our schools, click here.

    COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines for Schools & Site Safety Plans for the 2022-23 School Year (As updated guidance is received this section will be updated accordingly)

    Plans for 2023-2024 are in progress and will be posted here when complete. Meanwhile, each of our schools and our district office will continue to operate under a 2022-2023 Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSPP) / COVID-19 Safety Plan (CSP) linked below.  Specific information regarding each school campus can be found in their site’s respective plan, originally developed, and revised as needed, by the site’s SSSPP Task Force (teachers, administrators, parents, staff), and reviewed/approved by Marin County Office of Education (MCOE). 

    We will continue to follow guidance from our public health partners to ensure that our schools are safe for our students, staff, and families.

    COVID-19 Vaccination 

    Vaccination is recommended, though not required, for all students and staff.  

    Visit the Vaccine Finder webpage to view available clinics and schedule an appointment. Remember, vaccine recipients between the ages of 5 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive a vaccine.   

    If unable to find a vaccination clinic open at a time that works with your schedule, more options for COVID-19 vaccine clinics are available by visiting California Department of Public Health’s MyTurn COVID and flu vaccination scheduling website. 

    Additional Resources: