The Louisiana Department of Education announced the creation of a new parent choice option for school systems to include in their quarantine determination process.
If a school system decides to implement the parent choice option, mandatory quarantines for students defined as “close contact” will no longer be required. Instead, the parent or legal guardian will be immediately notified of the exposure and given the option to quarantine their child or allow them to remain in school. Additionally, at that time, parents will be given an opportunity for a no-cost COVID screening for their child.
In Tangipahoa, Superintendent Melissa Stilley says they will implement the rule because she says last school year none of the students who were considered close contact ever tested positive. She also said the amount of instructional time that students missed because of close contact will have a detrimental impact on their future educational success.
In a statement given by St. Tammany Parish superintendent Frank Jabbia, the district said parents and guardians will be notified of the exposure and they will have the option to quarantine their child or allow them to remain in school. Jabbia said by implementing the guidance from the LDOE for the parent choice option, they are allowing parents and caregivers to make the best choice for their child and family.
