2022 COVID-19 Protocols

Overview

For the 2022-23 school year, the Pelham Public Schools will continue its efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while prioritizing in-person instruction and delivering the best possible education for our students.

The protocols that will be used are based on the CDC's Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and additional guidance from the New York State Department of Health. This updated guidance will largely allow our schools to return to a normal educational environment with only a select few of the protocols that have been enacted over the past two years remaining in place.

Below, please find a summary of the guidelines and practices that will be in place for the 2022-23 school year:

COVID-19 Exposure

The revised guidance eliminates the recommendation that students/staff quarantine if they are exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. Accordingly, the District’s “test-to-stay” program will no longer be necessary this school year and students who have been exposed and are asymptomatic may continue to attend school.

If your child is exposed to COVID-19, they should follow the CDC’s Exposure Guidance, which recommends that:

They wear a well-fitting mask or respirator for a full 10-day period, and
They get tested at least 5 days after close contact or sooner if symptoms develop

While the District will no longer be contact tracing each individual COVID-19 case, if there are multiple cases in a classroom at a given time, the District will notify families and make rapid tests available to the students in that particular class.

COVID-19 Symptoms and Positive Results

Like last year, students who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home from school and get tested as soon as possible. Students may return to school upon receiving 1 negative PCR test, or two at-home rapid tests taken 24 hours apart. The District will make rapid at-home tests available to students on an as-needed basis. Families should report the test results to your respective school nurse.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19 please report the positive test result to your child’s school nurse and follow the CDC’s isolation guidance, which states that they:

Isolate/stay home from school for five days (Day 0 is the first date of symptoms or the date of the positive test, if asymptomatic)
Students may return to school on day 6, provided their symptoms are improving and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. Please note that students may not return to school prior to day 6, even with a negative test result.
Upon returning to school, students should wear a well-fitting mask while indoors on days 6-10 following the onset of symptoms or the positive test result. Per the CDC’s isolation guidance, individuals may discontinue wearing masks on days 6-10 if they provide two negative rapid test results taken at least 48 hours apart.

Continuity of Learning During COVID-19 Isolation

As with all other illnesses, students who are sick with COVID-19 are expected to stay home, rest and recover before returning to school. Upon return, teachers will work with students and families to ensure they are able to catch up and continue advancing through the curriculum.

In the coming school year, COVID-19 will be treated like all other illnesses with regard to being an excused absence with work made up upon return to school. Accordingly, there will be no live stream option for students. Teachers will continue to utilize Google Classroom to post learning materials should students feel well enough to do school work while they are out.

Masks

Building Logistics

Student lunch, including hot lunch, will be served with regular seating

Fall school open houses will be in person
Large indoor events are permitted with mask use recommended for audience members
CSE Meetings will be remote unless in-person is requested by parent/guardian
Parent/teacher conferences in the late fall and early spring will be hybrid with parents/guardians choosing between virtual and in-person

COVID-19 Screening Testing

Additional Mitigation Strategies

The District will continue to use a variety of other mitigation strategies intended to keep our schools health and safe, importantly:

All District ventilation systems have had filters changed and been serviced this summer to ensure they are in working order for the start of school

Where possible, learning spaces have been outfitted with a window exhaust fan and all classrooms have been provided a portable air purifier to provide additional ventilation and clean air
Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be available in all learning spaces
Masks will be available to students and staff upon request.
The District will continue to follow the CDC’s Cleaning & Disinfecting recommendations

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