A Strong and Healthy Year - Update for Parents

On April 8, 2021, The Agency of Education and Vermont Department of Health issued an update to their previously released document, A Strong and Healthy Start: Safety and Health Guidance for Reopening Schools. Below are some specific changes that we wanted you to be aware of as we move forward for the remainder of this school year.

Daily Health Screenings

The expectation since the beginning of the year has been that parents and students are doing a daily health screening before school. Students should not come to school if:

• They have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (unless fully vaccinated) or if they are experiencing any symptoms that could be associated with COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status).
• In these cases, they should follow The Vermont Department of Health guidance on testing and quarantine.
• Students will no longer have their temperature taken upon arrival to school.
• If you need a thermometer please contact your school nurse as they still have plenty available.

Exclusion/Inclusion Policies

All students and staff will be excluded from in person school and extracurricular activities if they:

• Experience any symptoms of COVID-19
• Have a temperature greater than 100.4°F
• Are in isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19
• Any unvaccinated student or staff member will be excluded from in person school and extracurricular activities if they have been in close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19.

Return requirements regarding testing and quarantine following illness or exposure have not changed. Please contact your school nurse if you have any questions about this.

Travel

Per Governor Phil Scott, effective 4/9/21, unvaccinated Vermonters may travel without needing to quarantine. The VT Department of Health states they must be tested within 3 days of returning to Vermont. While quarantine is not required, you should monitor for the development of any symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 for 14 days following travel even if you had a negative test in the first 72 hours. If symptoms develop contact your healthcare provider for guidance/testing.

*Please note that masking requirements and restrictions regarding social gatherings have not changed.

Thank you for your attention to this information. I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Tom DeBalsi, Superintendent