EHS COVID-19 Protocols for 2022-2023 School Year
Guidance is adapted from the CDC, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Individuals who have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections—such as severe cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea—should stay home. Home testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
QUARANTINE:
- Quarantine for asymptomatic exposed individuals is not required. Those identified as close contacts may continue to attend programming, as long as they remain asymptomatic, and wear a mask until it has been 10 days after last exposure. Testing on day 6 of exposure (or earlier if symptomatic) is strongly recommended.
- Symptomatic individuals can remain in school if they have mild symptoms, are tested immediately onsite, and that test is negative. Individuals will be asked to wear a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative is strongly recommended.
- If the symptomatic individual cannot be tested immediately, they will be sent home and allowed to return to school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis.
ISOLATION for COVID+ Individuals:
- Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate themselves for at least 5 days.
- Please inform the school nurse if your child has tested positive for COVID-19.
- If individuals are asymptomatic, or symptoms are resolving and they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication), they may return to school after day 5 by choosing one of the two options below:
Option 1: Individual provides proof of negative test after day 5. Results must be emailed to the nurse. Individual does not need to wear a mask.
Option 2: No test is required and the individual wears a mask indoors through day 10.
- Students in grades 2 – 8 who are isolating will be offered the opportunity to Zoom in to class for lessons (if feeling well enough) when appropriate. Teachers need advance notice to prepare for Zoom students.
MASKS:
- Any individual who wishes to wear a mask will be supported in that choice.
- Masks are to be worn when new symptoms are identified in school, and whenever visiting the nurse’s office for symptoms.
TESTING:
- Rapid antigen tests will be available at the nurse’s office for students and staff who develop symptoms during the school day.
- EHS will not offer COVID-19 screening via pooled PCR tests collected at school.
VACCINATION:
- All faculty and staff are up to date with current COVID-19 vaccinations. Eligible students are strongly encouraged to do the same.
- Please be sure that your child’s other routine immunizations are up-to-date and vaccination documentation is on file with the school nurse, or your child will not be allowed to be in school.
VISITORS:
- Guests are welcome at school provided they are asymptomatic.
Epstein Hillel School may adjust these protocols at any time due to changing pandemic circumstances and guidance from the medical advisory board.