The daily case incidence number (per 100,000) will determine whether a jurisdiction is green, yellow, orange, or red COVID activity levels using the criteria describes under the COVID-19 Risk Level definition below. This is calculated using a 7-day rolling average
with a lag time of one day. This lag time may increase based on processing and reporting times for tests being conducted.

Defined as being within 6 feet or in a room for more than 15 minutes or having any physical contact with an individual who has been positively confirmed to have COVID-19, starting from 48 hours before illness onset or positive test, whichever occurred first.

Level of community transmission, or percent of confirmed cases with an unknown source of infection. More extensive mitigation will be needed when there is greater community transmission. Jefferson County is using a rolling average for the prior 2 weeks.

Percent of Total Tests Conducted that are positively confirmed. This is calculated
using a 14-day rolling average with a lag time of one day. This lag time may increase based on
processing and reporting times for tests being conducted.

Separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

Separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

The effective reproductive number (the average number of secondary cases from an infectious case in an a particular population at a specific point in time) and doubling time (the time required for the number of cases to double) are epidemiologic measures that can be used to characterize the speed with which illnesses are spreading in an outbreak. Although these measures can be imprecise, especially when calculated within smaller populations, they provide alternative ways to analyze and characterize the trajectory of COVID19 activity in Jefferson County.

This list does not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19, only the most common. When asking students and parents to self-assess symptoms, ask them to check for any of these symptoms. If any of these symptoms are being experienced, it is best to shift to virtual learning. Other symptoms, like body rashes, have also been observed in many positively confirmed cases of COVID-19.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Quarantine of the individual, a specific classroom or grade level, and in extreme circumstances the entire school may be required. Classroom, school, or district quarantine will result in the implementation of a virtual learning format for some period of time depending on the number of cases and the nature of exposure.

Students and classes that are quarantined due to positive COVID-19 tests or exposure will be able to continue instruction via implementation of a virtual learning instructional model.

Yes, the district is preparing for situations in which school buildings need to once again close due to a significant number of students or staff testing positive for COVID-19 or reporting other illnesses. We are also planning for the need to close buildings if there is a considerable increase in COVID-19 cases in our state or region.

• The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has the authority to make this decision on their own. 
• The Jefferson County Health Department has hired a full-time Epidemiologist. Recommendations from their office regarding closure, contact tracing, and decision making with positive cases can be found HERE. 
• If the decision is made locally, this decision will be a joint decision while consulting health professionals, Jefferson County Public Health, the school nurse, and state officials as necessary. Ultimately, for the SDoJ the authority rests with the Board of  Education or the authority the Board of Education gives to the Superintendent of  Schools.   

The Jefferson County Health Department has hired a full-time Epidemiologist. Recommendations from their office regarding closure, contact tracing, and decision making with positive cases can be found HERE.

Below is an overview of what the process will be from the Jefferson County Health Department:

• Public health departments have used contact tracing for decades to identify a person with a communicable illness, isolate that person, and quarantine others with high-risk exposure to the infected person to prevent disease spread. This technique has worked with the measles, chickenpox, mumps, and multiple other illnesses seen in schools. 
• If a school district becomes aware that an individual who has spent time in a district facility tests positive for COVID-19, the district officials must immediately notify local health officials from the Jefferson Department of Public Health officials of a confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality. 
• If exposure occurred at school, students and staff may or may not be able to continue coming to school based on exposure assessment. This exposure assessment will be completed by the school nurse in conjunction with Jefferson County Health Department officials. 
• Contact tracing for all positive COVID-19 cases will be completed by Jefferson County  Public Health, Department of Health Services, and other agencies in conjunction with the school nurse and assistance from school district administrators. 
• School officials will cooperate with the contact tracing investigation with attendance records of bus transportation, classroom cohorts, cafeteria seating, and other such contacts that will allow for quick identification of those at high risk of infection from the positive COVID-19 student and staff. 
• Quarantine of 14 days may be necessary for those identified through contact tracing 
• Contact tracing will be conducted for close contacts (any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes and both parties not wearing a face covering) or any new requirements for contact tracing as established by health officials. 

The District Technology Department will be providing every enrolled (in-person and virtual format) student with a mobile device to access the internet, complete coursework, and access course materials. Students will be allowed to take the device home and are required to bring it to in-person classes, fully charged each day. Students/families should familiarize themselves with our Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety Policy found on our website. Fees may be assessed to families due to damage to any district property including mobile devices. It is important that parents help their children to properly care for their mobile device, including keeping it clean and to use it effectively for online learning.

Information about when and where students can check out their device can be found here.

The district is encouraging families to commit to a learning format selection for one quarter (9 weeks).   If a family feels a change in learning format needs to occur within the quarter due to an unexpected circumstance or academic need, requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your school main office if you would like to change learning formats.

If a student falls ill they will be transitioned to the virtual format during their time away and may return once the quarantine time period has been completed.

Please see this document for an overview of each format.

Please rest assured, we continue to be focused on making decisions in the best interest of all stakeholders - students, staff, and community alike.  

It is important to note that school districts in other counties are experiencing a different level of COVID-19 infection rate than that of Jefferson County.  Knowing this, the Board of Education is allowing the SDFA to further develop both an in-person option requiring face coverings with additional precautions, as well as a virtual option.  SDFA has been working with the Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County School Districts, and other accredited organizations to customize a safety plan that best fits and evolves with the Jefferson County COVID-19 situation.

The Board of Education does have the authority to adjust its decision based on the best information that is available.  By developing both an in-person model and a virtual model, it ensures that we are in the best place to pivot if or when it would be necessary to move everyone to full virtual learning.  Please know, if there is a drastic change in the COVID-19 situation in Jefferson County, the Board of Education would certainly revisit the decision.