1. Check symptoms using the Panther Pledge checklist and stay home as directed:

2. Get tested for COVID-19

Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms may return to school after one of the following: (see free testing locations):

• Negative test - student may return to school provided their symptoms are improving 
• Positive test - student may return on day 6 (day 0 is onset of symptoms) and should wear a mask on days 6-10.

Because your student has symptoms, they may also be eligible to test at no cost through our partnership with ORCHARDS by calling 608-265-3164. There are safe distribution and pickup procedures in place and your family will receive a $50 gift card for participating.

3. Report the absence and return plan by calling 608-835-4000, Option #1

To be as efficient as possible, please state the following information in your message:

• Your student’s first and last name
• Your name and phone number
• All symptoms your student is experiencing on the Panther Pledge checklist (e.g., my student is experiencing a cough and a sore throat)
• Your planned approach at this time for returning to school (e.g., I plan to get a test)

1. Keep your student home from school

The date symptoms started is day 0. If you do not have symptoms, day 0 is the date of the positive COVID test. You may return on day 6 IF all of the following are true:

• It has been 24 hours without a fever (without fever-reducing medicine), 
• Your symptoms are resolving;
• You feel well enough to be at school; AND
• You wear a well-fitting mask at all times indoors through day 10 (except for approved lunch or mask breaks where you are at least 6 feet from others). 

2. Report the positive test by calling 608-835-4000, Option #1

To be as efficient as possible, please state the following information in your message (a school staff member will contact you with information about instruction while your student is absent):

• Your student’s first and last name
• Your name and phone number
• The date symptoms started (if symptomatic)
• The date of the positive test result

If there is a positive COVID-19 case in your household, students may come to school as long as they are not experiencing any symptoms. It is recommended that they wear a mask for 10 days from the date of exposure.

To help understand the impact of COVID-19 in our community, Public Health Madison & Dane County requests that positive home tests be reported. Please complete this form to report a positive COVID-19 case in your household.

Quarantine is not required if your student is not experiencing symptoms. If your student is not feeling well, please see above.

Students who display symptoms at school can be tested in our school health office. We are unable to administer tests to students who are not displaying symptoms. To be tested at school students must have an account in the COVID Connect 2 system (the WI Department of Health Services new COVID-19 testing system) by registering here. 

There are many locations that offer free COVID-19 testing. You may search for a location via Public Health Madison & Dane County. Make sure to complete any required documentation and call for an appointment at your selected testing location prior to arriving for a test. 

In addition to those testing sites, your family may be eligible to participate in the UW Oregon Child Absenteeism due to Respiratory Disease Study (ORCHARDS).  This study is looking at household transmission of COVID-19, Influenza and other respiratory viruses.  If eligible, research staff will drop off study materials outside of your home for completing 3 nasal swab collections over a 2 week period. Each set of swabs will be picked up after collection and transported to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene for testing.  Since this is a research study, results may not be received as quickly as they would be at the sites listed above.  Your family will receive $50 for participating in this study.  Call the study line at 608-265-3164 for more details.

Students who display symptoms at school can be tested in our school health office. We are unable to administer tests to students who are not displaying symptoms.

New for the 2022-2023 school year, any symptomatic student tested at school must have an account in the COVID Connect 2 system (the WI Department of Health Services new COVID-19 testing system). All families are encouraged to register for an account at the beginning of the school year to expedite the testing process. 

COVID Connect 2 Account Registration
Registration Instructions - English
Registration Instructions - Spanish
COVID Connect 2 Frequently Asked Questions

While we had hoped to host a community testing site again as a convenience to our community, we were recently informed by the Department of Health Services (DHS) that our application to host a site for the 2022-2023 school year was not accepted due to lack of funding.

We will not send COVID-19 notification letters for all COVID-19 cases. We will send notifications in situations where there are outbreaks or patterns of COVID-19 cases.

There are some occasions in which students may asked to wear a mask for health and safety purposes:

• If your student displays COVID-19 symptoms, they may be asked to wear a mask in the health office. 
• Students returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19 or who have a positive case in their household will be asked to wear a mask at school on days 6-10, in accordance with health guidance.
• If there is a classroom or school outbreak, masks may be temporarily required.

If your student is experiencing respiratory symptoms, your family may be eligible to participate in the UW Oregon Child Absenteeism due to Respiratory Disease Study (ORCHARDS). This study is looking at household transmission of COVID-19, Influenza and other respiratory viruses. If eligible, research staff will drop off study materials outside of your home for completing 3 nasal swab collections over a 2 week period. Each set of swabs will be picked up after collection and transported to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene for testing. Since this is a research study, results may not be received as quickly as they would be at general testing sites. Your family will receive $50 for participating in this study. Call the study line at 608-265-3164 for more details.

COVID-19 vaccines are availble for everyone ages 5 and older: schedule a vaccine

Visit OregonSD.org/health.

While masks are not required in school, anyone is free to wear them. Here is the most recent CDC guidance on masks, which includes information on how to properly fit a mask, mask types, and how to clean and store masks.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Public Health Madison & Dane County publish data on COVID-19 levels within the community:

Public Health Madison & Dane County

Wisconsin Department of Health Services