Port Jervis Learning Community,
I hope all in our learning community have enjoyed the time with family throughout this holiday and that 2022 is off to a healthy and happy start!
As you are likely seeing in the various media outlets, health officials from the federal to the local levels have released multiple changes to the guidance regarding isolation and quarantine protocols, specifically in how these may apply in the school setting. The intent of this letter is to provide an overview of the changes, as well as how this will be implemented in our schools.
Before going into the two main ideals, I want to provide a brief overview of the current models, as applicable.
Quarantine Protocol (Current)
- An unvaccinated individual is subject to quarantine if they are determined to be a close contact of an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19
- The quarantine period is ten (10) days
- Day zero of the quarantine is last date that one had close contact with the individual while considered infectious
- Vaccinated individuals are not subject to quarantine providing they remain symptom-free
Isolation Protocol (Current)
- Regardless of vaccination status, one that tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate for ten (10) days from either:
- The date of the test is asymptomatic OR
- The start of symptoms
The following are two recent updates to the CDC, NYS Department of Health, and Orange County Department of Health protocols that will result in changes in the isolation and quarantine protocols for our students and/or school personnel.
Test to Stay (Students)
- Previously, if an unvaccinated student is determined to be a close contact in school, they would be excluded from school and placed on “quarantine” for ten (10) days.
- Test to Stay will allow students to remain in school providing the student tests negative up to three times during the required timeframe. The intervals for the testing during this period are based on when the student is determined to be a close contact and conduct the first test.
- Our District has received approximately 500 “At Home Rapid Test Kits” and we expect to receive another 2400 on January 3, 2022. In addition to general distributions of the kits, these tests will be utilized in the Test to Stay protocol to make certain there is equity in access and availability for our students.
- Additional communication regarding the specifics of the Test to Stay model will be released on Monday, January 3, 2022 with the goal of beginning this optional model as soon as this week.
Shortened Isolation Period (Vaccinated School Personnel Only)
- This revised model allows for isolation to be reduced from ten (10) days to five (5) days if all of the following apply:
- Fully vaccinated
- No fever for 72 hours without fever-reducing medications
- No runny nose
- No more than a “minimal, non-productive cough”
- Asymptomatic (no symptoms or resolved symptoms) OR if there are “residual symptoms, then all are improving”
- Important: This shortened isolation period does not apply to those staff members that are not considered fully vaccinated. In this instance, the staff member would need to continue with the ten (10) day isolation period.
While more information regarding these changes will be provided, I do want to emphasize that these changes will allow for reduced disruptions to the educational experience of our students. Our collective goal is to provide the best for our students, inclusive of academics, extra-curriculars, and the social-emotional support they deserve. Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
Mike Rydell