• If a student tests positive for COVID (at home or at a healthcare provider), they must isolate for 5 days from symptom onset. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are expected to follow the guidelines established by the CDC and NCDHHS regarding the use of a face covering to be worn for days 6-10 upon return to school. Individuals may remove their mask sooner following 2 sequential negative tests 48 hours apart. To report your child’s case, please fill out the self reporting form. Once the form is submitted, you will be contacted within 24 hours with further guidance.

• Individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID 19 should get a negative PCR test or alternative diagnosis prior to returning. Symptoms of COVID are: Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body-aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, and Diarrhea.

• If a student has a fever over 100.4, diarrhea, or vomiting, they must remain at home until symptoms are resolved for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications,an alternate diagnosis and/or a negative PCR test.
  
  

• Hand hygiene, enhanced cleaning protocols, and improved ventilation are all still priorities and important mitigating strategies.
  
  

• Face coverings remain optional, but can be worn by anyone at any time.
  
  

• Physical distancing such as 3 ft or 6 ft apart is no longer required.
  
  

• Contact tracing is not required.
  
  

• Following the guidelines established by the CDC and NCDHHS, MAHEC will not be providing rapid antigen testing in our schools. Staff and families may order at home tests for free via this link: https://www.covid.gov/tests.
  
  

• MAHEC will send home further guidance regarding when students need to stay home due to an illness.

• For students where an absence is Covid related please indicate this in your parent or health provider's note.

• Students/teachers will follow the same guidelines for makeup work as they would for any other illness or injury.

Please remember that the funding that allowed all students to have free breakfast and lunch has expired. The North Carolina State General Assembly has approved paying the difference for families who qualify for reduced lunch. Therefore all students who qualify for reduced-price meals are eligible to receive meals at no cost!

It is critical that all families please take a moment to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application so our schools can continue to receive important federal funding! The total number of students eligible for the program is what determines our annual allotment for Asheville City Schools. Students may be eligible but chose not to receive the meals. Funding is based on the total number of qualifying students.

Having all families complete the Lunch Application allows us to receive funding for:

-Additional classroom teachers

-Academic facilitators and instructional coaches

-Additional funding for supplies and materials

-Professional development for teachers

-Eligibility for discounts at field trip destination

-Participation in community-enrichment events

-Qualifying for many grants

-Potential loan forgiveness for college loans

-Access to district services

Please complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application as soon as possible. Also, please know that families can apply or reapply at any point in time if they incur a change in family income. Thank you for your continued support of Asheville City Schools. If you have any questions please contact the School Nutrition office at 828-350-6110.

You can get a Free and Reduced Lunch Application at your child's school or online at: https://www.lunchapplication.com/