Amesbury Public Schools Update

Email: bartlettc@amesburyma.gov
Website: schools.amesbury.gov
Location: 5 Highland Street, Amesbury, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 388-0507
Facebook: facebook.com/amesburyschools
Twitter: @amesburypublic1

Happy New Year! I honestly did not anticipate writing to you this week, but with such significant changes to protocols and expectations, I thought it was important to do so!

On Monday, December 27, 2021, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) issued updated guidance which shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine period for the general population. On Wednesday, Superintendents received notification that there was an optional Zoom meeting with Commissioner Jeff Riley to discuss the impact of the new recommendations on DESE's guidance for schools.

During that meeting, we learned that Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) updated their state-wide guidance to include "the reduction of the required isolation period for COVID-19 positive individuals in K-12 schools to 5 days (from the then current 10 day guidance), effective immediately."

The Commissioner informed us that they were working on updating their guidance in consultation with DPH. Yesterday afternoon, we received that guidance. In the sections below, I will break out each piece of that guidance in the hope that it helps to clarify the new protocols and expectations.

Additionally, DESE has provided us with KN-95 masks for approximately 5-6 weeks for each staff member, including bus drivers. DESE has also ordered test kits for all staff members to use if they choose (OPTIONAL), so they can test prior to returning to school. We had planned on picking up the test kits on Friday, but there was a shipping delay. We are currently anticipating a new pick up date for those tests.

I realize that this is a very intense time as the number of COVID cases increases. A time such as this requires consideration, cooperation, communication, and patience. Please help us keep our students and staff as safe as possible by following the protocols and expectations listed below.

As always, if you have any questions, please email me at elizabeth.mcandrews@amesburyma.org and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you and stay healthy,

Elizabeth McAndrews

Superintendent

• If a family/student administers a rapid home test that results in a positive result, please notify your school nurse (see list below) and complete this quick form for the Board of Health.
• With a rapid home test positive, the parent/guardian will determine the return to school date (with the understanding that the conditions listed below are met). A reminder that the day of the test or onset of symptoms is noted as Day 0.

At this time, fully vaccinated is defined as two-weeks following the completion of the Pfizer or Moderna series or two-weeks following a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Please keep in mind that this will likely change in the near future to include a booster in order to be considered fully vaccinated. But for right now, it is status quo.

On Monday, January 3, 2022 and Monday, January 10, 2022, the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative will host COVID-19 vaccination clinics with first, second, and booster doses available. Appointments are available between 5 and 8:30 pm.

To make an appointment, visit:

https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/amesbury

One of the greatest ways to help keep the schools as healthy as possible is to keep students home when they are ill. As always, call your child's school to report them as being absent.

• Both the length of isolation (positive for COVID) and the length of quarantine (close contacts) have been reduced to 5 days with a return to school on day 6.
• Of course, there are conditions associated with a return to school. Please read below for greater detail.

• Asymptomatic, fully vaccinated close contacts: Individuals who are asymptomatic and fully vaccinated are exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols.

• Classroom close contacts: An individual who is exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the classroom while both individuals were masked, so long as the individuals were spaced at least 3 feet apart, is exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols.
  

• Bus close contacts: Individuals on buses must be masked according to federal requirements. As such, individuals who are masked on buses when windows are open are exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols.
  

• Close contacts who have had COVID-19 within the past 90 days: An individual who has been previously diagnosed with COVID-19 and then becomes a close contact of someone with COVID-19 is exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols if: o The exposure occurred within 90 days of the onset of their own illness AND o The exposed individual is recovered and remains without COVID-19 symptoms.
  

Duration: Self-isolation for COVID-19 positive cases is a minimum of 5 days after symptom onset or after positive PCR or antigen test, if asymptomatic.

Return to school: After 5 days and once they have:

• Been without fever for 24 hours (and without taking fever-reducing medications); and,
• Experienced improvement in other symptoms.
• Following the 5-day isolation period, individuals must mask for 5 additional days when around others. Individuals who are unable to mask should follow the information provided in the FAQ released on October 12, 2021.

Note: Return to school should be based on time and symptom resolution. Even with a 5-day isolation period, repeat viral testing prior to return is NOT recommended.

I wanted to remind families that ONLY students who are close contact IN SCHOOL are eligible to participate in our Test and Stay Program.

• Duration of Test and Stay: 5 days from the date of exposure
  

• Return to School: Close contacts can remain in school and do not have to quarantine, as long as they:

• Are asymptomatic

• Wear masks in school at all times, other than when eating or drinking. When these individuals cannot be masked (i.e., when eating or drinking) they should maintain 3 feet of distance from other individuals to the extent feasible.

• Take a rapid antigen test (e.g., BinaxNOW) on each school day and receive a negative result. When the 5 days from date of exposure includes weekends or holidays, individuals should quarantine on weekends, and if they remain asymptomatic, upon return to school to school be tested immediately. If the individual remains negative, they can stay in school.

• Conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 10, and self-isolate at home if symptoms develop.

Note: If an individual has symptoms at the time they are designated as a close contact or develops symptoms during the Test and Stay period or the 10 days following initial exposure, they should follow the protocol for symptomatic individuals (Protocol C). If an individual tests positive at any time, they should follow the protocol for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 (Protocol A).

Duration: Quarantine is at least 5 days from the date of exposure

Return to School: After 5 days, returning on day 6, provided that they:

• Remain asymptomatic, and

• Conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 10, self-isolate if symptoms develop, and adhere to strict mask use for an additional 5 days.

Note: If an individual has symptoms at the time they are designated as a close contact or within the 5 days following initial exposure, they follow the protocol for symptomatic individuals (Protocol C). If an individual tests positive at any time, they follow the protocol for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 (Protocol A). For all those exposed, best practice would also include an antigen or PCR test for COVID-19 at day 5 after exposure. An antigen test may be self-administered and does not need to be proctored or performed by a healthcare professional.

Duration: Dependent on symptom resolution

Return to School: Individuals may return to school after they:

• Have received a negative PCR or antigen test result for COVID-19. An antigen test may be self-administered and does not need to be proctored or performed by a healthcare professional. Note: So long as the individual is not a close contact, if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis for the COVID-19-like symptoms, the individual may use this recommendation (e.g., for influenza or strep pharyngitis) in lieu of a PCR test or antigen test.

• Have improvement in symptoms

• Have been without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Note: If the symptomatic individual was a close contact who is not exempt from testing and quarantine response protocols, after symptoms resolve and they receive a negative PCR test, they should follow Protocol B-1 for Test and Stay.

• If Test and Stay is not available or the family or adult individual opts not to participate, they follow Protocol B-2.

Duration: Isolation is at least 5 days from symptom onset.

Return to School: After 5 days, returning on day 6, assuming they:

• Have improvement in symptoms

• Have been without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.