Before School Daily Health Attestation
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In accordance with New York State Education Department Guidance, all students must have their temperature checked each day before being admitted to school
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Parents/guardians must attest that their children do not have a temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or any symptoms of COVID-19 before their children are admitted into school each day by completing the Student Health Questionnaire. Students must bring the completed Questionnaire with them each day. MS/HS students may alternatively complete the form using the EZscrn app.
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If students have not submitted their Student Health Questionnaire on any given day, they will be taken to a separate location where their temperature will be taken by the school nurse or trained staff member
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All staff are also required to complete a written health attestation each day
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Students or staff members who have a temperature equal to or greater than 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit and/or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home
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In accordance with New York State’s Travel Advisory, students/ staff must follow New York State's Travel Advisory. More information is available on the Department of Health website.
When a Student Has One or More Symptoms
If a child is exhibiting one or more symptoms of COVID-19 (including a runny nose), they must stay home from school and seek testing for COVID-19, or see a health care provider within 48 hours.
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If the child receives a negative COVID-19 result using a PCR molecular test, they may return to school so long as the student has remained fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine. Please note that a negative result using a rapid test, will only be accepted if it is a molecular test.
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A student may also return to school if they present an acceptable note from their health care provider stating a diagnosis of a known chronic condition with unchanged symptoms, or a confirmed acute illness (ex. laboratory-confirmed influenza, strep throat, etc.) AND that COVID-19 is not suspected. Please note: a signed note from a health care provider documenting unconfirmed acute illnesses, such as viral upper respiratory illness (URI) or viral gastroenteritis, will not suffice.
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If the family does not provide a COVID-19 test result or an acceptable note from a health care provider, the District must assume that the student is positive for COVID-19. Accordingly, the student will not be permitted to attend in-person instruction for a minimum of 10 days and appropriate contact tracing will begin in consultation with the Department of Health.
Siblings/students residing in the same household who are not exhibiting any symptoms are not required to stay home provided that the child with symptoms has not tested positive for COVID-19, is presumed positive for COVID-19, or has not been directed to quarantine or self-isolate by the Department of Health. Families however always have the option of keeping the siblings home and accessing remote instruction while awaiting test results or a diagnosis from a health care provider.
Procedures if Student/Staff Develop Symptoms While at School
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Per New York State Education Department guidance, all staff have been provided basic training to recognize possible symptoms of COVID-19
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If a student begins experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and/or have a temperature equal to or greater than 100 degrees F, they will be brought to an isolation area within each school under the care of the school nurse where they will wait until they are picked up by a parent/guardian/caregiver to go home.
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If a staff member begins experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and/or have a temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit they will be sent home.
Positive COVID-19 Tests
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Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 must remain home until cleared by a physician, the Department of Health or meet the CDC guidance
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Those testing positive for COVID-19 must notify their school principal as soon as possible
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The District will work with the Department of Health to assist with contact tracing and notification of those who may have come in contact with the infected individual in accordance with applicable health privacy laws and regulations
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Students and staff are required to wear a proper face covering or mask over their mouth and nose while in school.
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Proper face coverings include 3-layer paper masks and cloth face coverings with at least two layers. Masks with air valves will not be permitted as they are not considered effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 to others. Only neck gaiters with at least two layers of fabric are acceptable.
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Physical barriers have been added to better protect students and staff in designated areas
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School nurses and teachers will instruct students about proper wearing of masks/face coverings as well as hand washing protocol
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Students and staff are expected to bring their own face coverings each day
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The District will have masks available to those who do not have one
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Anyone who can not wear a face covering due to a documented medical condition may instead wear a clear face shield. Parents/guardians/caregivers must notify the school principal in these situations.
