COVID-19 SY 2022-2023
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DPS Approach to Respiratory Disease Prevention (COVID-19 and Flu) for SY 2022-2023
As we prepare for the start of the school year, the District is operating as close to pre-pandemic practices as possible. The District Health Team will employ thoughtful mitigation strategies, monitor COVID-19 cases, and implement respiratory prevention strategies, as necessary. Remote learning, contact tracing, close contact quarantining, social distancing, cohorting, Project COVID DeteCT (weekly monitoring), and the use of the COVID dashboard and daily notifications are no longer required. This is consistent with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), State Department of Education (CSDE) and Office of Early Childhood (OEC) guidance.Fall-2022-Operational-Strategies-K12_08012022_FINAL.pdf
Vaccinations are the first and most important line of defense in preventing respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and influenza from disrupting the continuous operation of schools. The District recommends that all students and staff optimize vaccines and boosters. Any vaccination related questions should be directed to your child’s pediatrician.
Families should continue to monitor for respiratory disease symptoms (cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat etc). For mild respiratory symptoms with fever (<100F), it is recommended that your child take an At-Home test for COVID-19. If the results are negative and your child feels well, they may attend school (Note: it is always a good idea to wear a mask when experiencing respiratory symptoms). Your child should continue to test daily until symptoms resolve. For respiratory symptoms with fever (>100F), your child should stay home, and it is recommended that your child take an At-Home test for COVID-19. If test results are negative, STAY HOME and continue to test daily until symptoms resolve and your child is fever free for more than 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medication. If test results are positive, please follow CDC recommendations CDC Calculator.
As a reminder, the CDC recommends that an individual who tests positive for COVID-19, should stay home and isolate for 5 days from the date of first symptoms or date of positive test - whichever was first. Kindly report the positive case to your child’s school nurse. The individual may return to school on day 6, and it is recommended that they wear a mask when indoors and around other people through day 10. Alternatively, if on or after day 6 the individual tests negative with two consecutive tests administered at least 24 hours apart, they may return to school without a mask.
The District no longer recommends that individuals who have been identified as a close contact to a positive case need to quarantine. If you are made aware of a high risk exposure (i.e. household), and have no respiratory symptoms, you may continue to attend school and should closely monitor for respiratory symptoms. (Note: it is always a good idea to wear a mask when indoors and around other people for 5 days from last exposure to the positive case). If you develop respiratory symptoms (with or without fever), it is recommended that you take an At-Home COVID test. If test results are negative and no fever, continue attending school. If test results are positive, please see CDC recommendations.
Hand washing and respiratory etiquette continue to be key elements to prevent the transmission of respiratory infections in a school setting. Hand washing and sanitizing stations are readily available throughout the school buildings. Signs are posted to remind students and staff of effective hand washing and respiratory etiquette.
lease know that the nurse in your child’s school is available to answer questions related to health protocols and they look forward to supporting you and your children throughout the school year. Contact information and COVID-19 test kits are available on request through the School Nurse Contact List.