Testing Protocol

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, it is imperative that you notify the Principal, Mrs.Shmotkin, as soon as possible if you, your child(ren) or a close contact has tested positive for COVID-19.

If a student in your child's pod tests positive for COVID-19, your child(ren)'s pod will begin quarantine once the positive result is known. The NSHD will be contacted and will follow up with your family. For anyone becoming symptomatic during the quarantine, they should contact their primary care physician and/or the NSHD. Testing is required before returning to school.

If a student/staff was in close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, outside of the school community, it is imperative that you notify the Principal, Mrs. Shmotkin, as soon as possible.

If a student becomes symptomatic during the day, he/she will be escorted to the office and into the isolation room. Simultaneously, the parent will be notified that the student will need urgent pick-up (within 30 minutes). Based on DHS guidance, you will be given written directions for the next steps.

"Sympotomatic" for COVID-19

Symptomatic for COVID-19 will be a case by case situation. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. People with the following symptoms may have COVID-19 (This list does not include all possible symptoms. The CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.):

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If a student was sent home for symptoms of COVID-19 (and not in close contact with a COVID positive individual) and tested negative, they may return to school after consulting with the school:

• Active vomiting or diarrhea – must stay home 24 hours symptom-free.
• Fever/chills/generalized body aches – must stay home 24 hours fever-free (100.0) without the use of fever-reducing medications.
• Undiagnosed, new, and/or untreated rash or skin condition - cannot return until evaluated by MD.
• Severe cough which prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities - must stay home until cough resolves and is evaluated by MD.
• Any child with respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, or sore throat) - can return after the fever associated with these symptoms has resolved for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
• Abdominal pain that continues for more than two (2) hours or intermittent abdominal pain associated with fever or other signs or symptoms - must stay home until evaluated by MD.

"Close contact" to a positive COVID-19

Close contact with a COVID positive person is specified as, but not limited to, any of the following situations occurring while you spent time with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (even if they didn't have symptoms):

• Had direct physical contact with the person (for example, a hug, kiss, or handshake).
• Were within six (6) feet of the person for a total of more than 15 minutes in a single day.
• Had contact with the person's respiratory secretions (for example, coughed or sneezed on; contact with a dirty tissue; shared a drinking glass, food, towels, or other personal items).
• Live with the person or stayed overnight for at least one night in a household with the person.

A transition to virtual learning

• One positive case in a pod will trigger a transition to remote learning. This will allow for deep cleaning of the building, in addition to, tracking, tracing and testing of all involved.
• If there is a positive case in two pods of unrelated students, the whole school will transition to virtual learning. There will be more information forthcoming on this.