COVID-19
22-23 COVID Protocols
The Academy of Alameda continues to align our COVID-19 protocols with guidance from state and county public health agencies.
This summer, the California Department of Public Health and the Alameda County Public Health Department changed their K-12 protocols for COVID-19 to align more with guidance for the general public. As we are aware, guidance changes frequently, and we will continue to update our protocols as changes happen.
For the 2022-23 school year, our protocols are currently as follows:
Masking
Face masks continue to be strongly recommended but not mandated for indoor learning environments.
Testing
School-based testing
Both the California Department of Public Health and the Alameda County Public Health Department now recommend that schools use rapid tests rather than PCR tests for identifying positive cases this year. AoA had a very successful rapid testing program in place last year, and we will continue to utilize that program onsite.
Rapid Testing will be used in the following ways:
- To test symptomatic students / staff who are on campus.
- Between days 3 and 5 for students / staff who were exposed to a COVID positive person on campus.
Student Consent for Primary.Health rapid testing expired, and needs to be done by families. Please login in to your Primary.Health account and update your students consent.
Community Testing
AoA will discontinue onsite PCR testing through National Labs for surveillance testing of classes.
National Labs will continue to provide PCR testing for students, staff, and community members at Lum Elementary School, 1801 Sandcreek Way, Alameda. Testing is happening in the portable at the back of the school Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
Positive Cases
Students who test positive still need to stay home and take a COVID-19 test on Day 5. Please contact our front office immediately with the results of a positive test so we can support students as needed.
- If they test negative, they can return to school on Day 6.
- If they test positive, they can stay in isolation until Day 10 or test again between Day 6 and Day 10 to see if they are negative.
Exposure to Positive Cases on campus
Elementary school
- Principals will notify families and staff of the exposure.
- If resources are available, students in the exposed class will be rapid tested onsite on Day 3 and Day 5 after exposure. If rapid testing is not available onsite, or if days fall on the weekends, rapid tests and instructions will be sent home with students
- Exposed students should also mask for ten days
Middle School
- Principals will send schoolwide notifications about positive cases once or twice a week
- Rapid tests will be available in the school offices for students to take onsite, or at home test kits will be available to send home with students.
Symptomatic students
- Symptomatic students should still stay home and not return until the symptoms have subsided and the student tests negative.
Vaccinations
The Academy of Alameda continues to encourage families, students, and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to get boosters if they are eligible.