Nurses’ Office: Covid-19 Protocols

Covid-19 Protocols for Fall 2022

Testing and Test Kits
We are not requiring testing for students or employees at the start of the school year. We will continue to make free rapid antigen at-home test kits available in the nurse’s office and in division offices.

Testing If You Are Symptomatic
Students and employees who experience Covid-like symptoms (fever or chills, cough, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or diarrhea) should stay home and test. If you test positive after experiencing Covid-like symptoms, you should email any POSITIVE test results to the nurses.

If you test negative, you should stay home from school and take a second rapid antigen test 24 hours after the first test. If both tests are negative AND you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and have resolving symptoms, you may return to school.

Positive Test Results and Isolation
Students and staff who test positive for Covid-19 must isolate (stay home) for five days. Please use the CDC Covid Calculator to calculate isolation and return dates. They can return to school on day six if they have no symptoms or their symptoms have improved, and must wear a mask for ten days from the initial onset of symptoms or the first positive test date (whichever is earlier). A negative test is not needed to return. Students who return to school on day six after testing positive will not be allowed to engage in activities that generate large amounts of aerosols like playing woodwind and brass instruments, singing, dancing, or competing in athletic games or practices. They may resume participation on day 11 (e.g. when the full 10-day isolation period is complete).

Covid Exposure
Students and staff who were exposed to Covid-19 should test on days four or five, or sooner if symptomatic, after exposure, wear a well-fitting mask for ten days, and check for fever and other symptoms for ten days after their last exposure. If symptoms begin, you should isolate and get tested for Covid-19 right away.

Vaccination
The school requires all employees and students to be vaccinated against Covid-19. We strongly encourage all employees to follow the guidance and recommendations of the CDC for boosters.

Masking
Masks are available at the entrances of each building, in division offices and in the nurses’ offices. Masks are optional for all school activities. However, students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask when:

  • Returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19 through Day 10 after their symptoms began or positive test date (whichever is earlier).
  • Entering their school nurse’s office
  • Exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms at school
  • A household member tests positive

Students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, should strongly consider wearing a mask:

  • After being exposed to someone who has Covid-19, whether the exposure occurred in or outside of school. Students and staff who were exposed to Covid-19 should wear a mask for ten days after their last exposure and get tested on days 4 and 5.
  • If they are moderately to severely immunocompromised and recommended by their health care provider
  • In crowded indoor settings

Ventilations and Windows
The school will rely on the same ventilation systems that were in place last year. These include MERV 13 filters in the HVAC systems and air scrubbers equipped with HEPA filtration in each room.

We inhabit many different kinds of spaces, and this variation makes it a challenge to give a one-size-fits-all overview on windows and ventilation. The ventilation system in each space on campus and the general practices we will follow are below.

  • Bosworth Building 3rd Floor and Below, Plaza Classrooms and Rotunda
    A modern HVAC system introduces fresh air and filters air in these spaces. Additional air scrubbers equipped with HEPA filtration, if present, will be left running 24/7.
  • Bosworth 4th Floor and Above, Preschool, Kindergarten
    There are air scrubbers equipped with HEPA filtration in every instructional space and these will be left running 24/7. We will also open the windows wherever possible.
  • Townhouses and Farber Building
    The townhouses at 124 Pierrepont have a modern HVAC system that introduces fresh air and filters air in these spaces. The system is designed to work best with the windows closed but teachers can choose to open windows. There are air scrubbers equipped with HEPA filtration in every Farber Building instructional space and these will be left running 24/7.

Nurse’s Office Hours
The nurses will be available to respond to emails or phone calls from 8:00AM-5:00PM on weekdays. Please follow the guidance outlined above if you are sick or test positive. The nurses will follow up at the beginning of the next day if you notify the school after 5:00PM. You can email positive test results to the nurses at nurses@saintannsny.org.