Jan. 18 COVID-19 information and update

Health and safety guidance from the state and local health departments related to COVID-19 continues to evolve, often affecting protocols in our K-12 schools. We remain committed to keeping our students in school, providing a safe learning environment for all, and continuing to communicate information to staff and families regarding COVID-19 testing, quarantine and isolation. Below are some specific changes that are being implemented immediately.

Contact Tracing

The New York State Department of Health will no longer conduct contact tracing. Individuals potentially exposed to COVID-19 will no longer be contacted by their local department of health. Moving forward, Schuylerville CSD will no longer be collecting information about contacts to report to county health departments.

However, our school district will continue the practice of notifying impacted staff and families if we learn about a positive case in school. Affected individuals will be contacted by a school nurse or building administrator with notification about the exposure.

Schuylerville CSD Weekly Emails

Positive cases in Schuylerville CSD will continue to be reported daily to the NYS COVID-19 Report Card: https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov/#/home. The district will be sending out weekly emails via SchoolMessenger on Fridays with the number of positive cases per building that week.

COVID-19 Exposures at School

If a student has been exposed to COVID-19 at school during the school day:

  • If a student is up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations, as defined by the CDC, they may come to school. 
  • If a student tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, they may come to school.
  • If a student is not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccination and has not tested positive in the last 90 days, they will be excluded from in-person learning (but have access to remote learning) for at least five days after their last close contact with an individual with COVID-19.
  •  If asymptomatic, these individuals are eligible for the district’s Test to Stay Program. Click here to read more.

COVID-19 Positive Tests

If a student has tested positive for COVID-19: 

  • Regardless of vaccination status, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 they must isolate for a full five days. Students may return to school after day five if they are asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving.
  • If a student tests positive for COVID-19 and took an at-home (rapid) antigen test, parents/guardians should report the results.
  • In order for students who have tested positive and have had symptoms to return to school after five days, they must:
    • Be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
    • Have not lost their sense of taste or smell.
    • Have no runny nose.
    • Have no more than an infrequent, nonproductive cough that is not getting worse. 
    • Have not experienced excessive or unusual fatigue.
    • Have no persistent headache or muscle aches.
    • Have no nausea, diarrhea or vomiting for at least 24 hours.

As a reminder, whether or not there is a known exposure to COVID-19, it is very important that students who are sick do not attend school.

COVID-19 Symptoms

 If a student has COVID-19 symptoms:

  • Regardless of vaccination status, if a student has COVID-19 symptoms they must have a negative test to return to school. Schuylerville CSD will accept a negative at-home (rapid) antigen test or a negative PCR test.
  • In addition to a negative test result, students must be well enough to:
    • Participate in school
    • Not have a runny nose or cough
    • Be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications
  • If a healthcare provider makes a diagnosis of a confirmed non-COVID-19 acute illness (e.g., laboratory-confirmed influenza or strep throat) and COVID-19 is not suspected, then a note signed by the healthcare provider explaining the alternate diagnosis may be provided to allow a student, teacher, or staff member to participate in school.

Additional quarantine and isolation information can be found on our local county department of health websites:

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to keep our students and staff healthy and in school. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.

Thank you,

Dr. Ryan Sherman
Superintendent

Gregg Barthelmas
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
COVID-19 Coordinator