1/28/22
Note: If you have not yet signed your student up for the Test to Stay Program, you are still eligible to do so. It is also open for Pre-K parents/guardians, regardless of whether you are also using “Tests for Tots.”
>> Click on this link for more information and to register your student(s).
Dear Families,
Thank you to the families of our First Graders and Pre-K students for their flexibility and support in using the “Test to Stay” and Pre-K “Test for Tots” programs for their classrooms this week. I will admit, it made for some extra busy mornings. However, the good thing is that everyone in these classes tested negative, and it was worthwhile in keeping students here for in-person instruction as safely as possible.
Navigating the guidelines and recommendations in regards to quarantine, isolation, and testing can be confusing; and I would like to clarify our school’s procedures for students when there is a COVID-19 exposure. They are based on the recommendations of the Vermont Agency of Education and the Department of Health.
- There is a COVID-19 positive case in a classroom: All students (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) can return to school if they are not experiencing symptoms and they have parental/guardian permission to participate in “Test to Stay” or the Pre-K “Test for Tots” programs. Outside of school, unvaccinated students still need to follow the Dept. of Health quarantine guidelines.
- Your student has a COVID-19 exposure outside of school but not within your family household(s). For example, your student has an exposure at sports practice. Please reach out to Kim Krall, the COVID-19 Specialist, at covid@vsnb.org. Provided that our school has a sufficient supply of antigen tests and your student has parental/guardian permission for testing, both vaccinated and unvaccinated students will be able to return to school with a daily in-school antigen test. Ms. Krall will advise you on the timeline when you reach out to her.
- If a member of your household(s) has COVID-19, that can be much more complicated. Please notify Ms. Krall, and we will work with you to determine the best course forward.
Please note: if you are reaching out to the school about COVID-related matters prior to 7 p.m. on a weekday, we will do our best to get back to you that evening. Otherwise, we will get back to you the next day, after the start of school. If it is a weekend, please expect it to take 24 hours before someone may respond.
Additionally, with other illnesses circulating, please be mindful of the fact that our school is still following a stay-home-when sick policy for both students and staff.
I’m happy to end on a bright note and share that in this week’s Surveillance Testing there were no new cases of COVID-19 to report. While I recognize there’s a lot of luck involved in this, I am still heartened to see everyone’s support and adherence to best practices and our school’s mitigation efforts are serving our community well.
Have a good weekend,
Tim
P.S. If you have not yet signed your student up for the Test to Stay Program, you are still eligible to do so. It is also open for Pre-K parents/guardians, regardless of whether you are also using “Tests for Tots.” Click on this link for more information and to register your student(s).
