One thing has been missing in Chesterfield County schools since students returned to buildings last February: volunteers.
Pre-pandemic, these were parents, guardians or other family members who regularly helped with a variety of tasks, like lunch duty or reading to students.
Now the school district is letting those volunteers return after spring break, but only if they’re fully vaccinated and agree to follow COVID-19 guidelines, such as daily health assessments, mask wearing and physical distancing of 6-feet.
Officials stress that fully vaccinated means “14 days must have passed since receiving the full vaccination, both shots of Pfizer/Moderna or the single shot of Johnson & Johnson.”
Earlier this year, the district did allow some volunteers to return to schools but they were only permitted to help with outside activities.
The district is also asking teachers and staff who travel internationally during spring break to quarantine when they return if they have not been fully vaccinated.
In an email to families, they wrote: “If a staff member or student travels on a cruise, they will be required to self-quarantine for 10 days after returning from travel, regardless of travel destination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends travelers defer all cruise travel worldwide.”
School officials also stated in the email that they are following both county and Centers for Disease Control guidelines regarding international travel, writing in part: “We are aligning school division practice for staff members and students with the county guidance. (International travel is defined as travel outside of the United States or U.S. territories.)”
