COVID Protocols

2022- 2023 School year protocols 


-Positive Cases- Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for five days, with Day Zero being the day symptoms began (or the day of the positive test if asymptomatic).  If symptoms are resolved or improving and the individual has been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine, they may return to school on Day 6 but should continue masking through Day 10.

- Immunization- One of the best ways to protect yourself and family is immunization. Although Immunization is not mandatory, we highly recommend families do get a CoVid vaccine. If your child has had the vaccine please forward your immunization records to our school nurse's office.

- MASKS- Mask wearing inside school buildings and offices remains optional for all members of the school community, except for within school nurse health offices, where it is mandated by the state. Decisions to mask made by students, families, and staff will be respected.

- Close Contacts- Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 but who are asymptomatic are no longer required to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. Masking is recommended through Day 10 after exposure. Individuals who have been exposed and who have symptoms but who then test negative may remain at school, and should wear a mask until the symptoms resolve.  Testing is recommended on Day 6 after exposure, sooner if experiencing symptoms before Day 6.

- Test & Stay- “Test and stay,” and contact tracing are no longer recommended nor funded by the state, and Saint Mary School will not be participating in these practices.  The school has an inventory of rapid tests, and while supplies last a test kit will be offered to the family of a student who requires dismissal due to symptoms.  The results of these self-administered rapid tests will be reported to the school nurse. The nurse's office will provide rapid testing supplies only to those students who present with COVID symptoms in school.  

- Ventilation- School building ventilation systems will continue to be utilized in the same manner as last year, and opening windows is still encouraged to maximize air flow.  Spaces without windows have been equipped with air purifiers.  

- Proactive- To reduce the chances of transmitting COVID-19 or other illnesses, families should practice good hand hygiene and encourage this with students, and should use good judgment regarding staying home and getting tested if exhibiting symptoms: 

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nausea, vomiting, when in combination with other symptoms
• Headache, when in combination with other symptoms
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies), when in combination with other symptoms

Supporting guidelines can be found here. 

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-exposure-guidance-for-children-and-staff-in-child-care-k-12-out-of-school-time-ost-and-recreational-campprogram-settings

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-childcare-guidance.html