Dear Port Jervis Learning Community,
The purpose of this letter is to provide updated information regarding the return to school protocol following a quarantine period. Specifically, the Orange County Department of Health Commissioner has issued a memorandum that, in part, explains that clearance to return to school for those identified as contacts may be made by school nurses or the school medical director. Previously, students that were quarantined as a result of being a direct or proximate contact were required to receive a clearance note from a healthcare professional in order to return to in-person learning.
As a result of this update, effective immediately, in lieu of a note from a physician or healthcare provider, Port Jervis City School District will require the following protocol for students to return from quarantine as a result of being a direct or proximate contact:
- The Port Jervis CSD COVID Screening Form is to be completed each day, inclusive of weekends and holidays for the duration of the quarantine. The purpose of this daily attestation is to confirm that no symptoms were present for the duration of the quarantine.
- If the Screening Form is completed each day of the quarantine, the student may return to school on the date provided by school personnel or the Orange County Department of Health.
- If the Screening Form is not completed each day of the quarantine, the school nurse must be notified prior to the student’s return to school as this may require direct clearance from the school medical director or from the student’s healthcare provider.
The COVID Screening Form is located on the District’s website, www.pjschools.org
For students that have been quarantined for more than twenty-one (21) days following being designated as direct or proximate contact, there is no need for a clearance note from a healthcare provider to return to school. For example, if a student was quarantined prior to February 4, 2021, the student is cleared to return to school with a note from the parent indicating the date of exposure, confirmation that the student did not have any symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, and did not have a subsequent contact with a COVID-19 positive individual. For your convenience, attached is a form that can be used for all students that have remained in remote learning as a result of quarantine from a school exposure at any point this school year.
I have attached a letter sent from my office to the Orange County Department of Health and a response memorandum from Health Commissioner Dr. Gelman.
I am hopeful that this change provides a benefit to our students’ families and allows more students to return to in-person instruction. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school nurse or building principal.
Sincerely,
Mike Rydell
Superintendent of Schools
Attachments:
Letter from Superintendent Rydell to Dr. Gelman, Orange County Department of Health