COVID-19 Protocols for 2021-2022

COVID-19 Protocols still in place

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

As we open another school year while still in the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to remind you of the COVID-19 protocols that are still in place for the 2021-2022 school year, which are included in the district’s Safe Return Plan. These protocols are subject to change if we receive any new guidance from the NJ Department of Health, Governor or the CDC.

1. Masks – Per the Governor’s Executive Order 251, masks are required for all individuals indoors in district and school buildings no matter your vaccination status. There are exceptions which are listed in the Order (on page four, section one). As a public school district, we must follow this Order; masks are being mandated by the Governor and it is not a local board of education decision. The Order is explicit that boards of education and other governing bodies cannot override the Order. Mask mandate can only be modified or revoked by the Governor. It is important to note that per an exception by the CDC, if students are properly wearing masks indoors, there will be no quarantine needed for close contacts as mentioned in #5 below.
2. Screenings – Though you are not requested to complete a daily pre-screening survey, parents are requested to screen their own children prior to sending them to school. If your child has the symptoms listed below per the New Jersey Department of Health, the child should not come to school. Please inform the health office if your child has the following symptoms (North Hunterdon, call 908-713-4171; Voorhees, call 908-638-2148).
   • At least two of the following symptoms: fever (measure or subjective), chills, rigor (shivers), myalgia (muscle aches), headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion, or runny nose; OR
     At least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of smell, loss of taste.
3. COVID-19 Positive Cases – If any student, either vaccinated or unvaccinated, tests positive for COVID-19, please report the positive case to the health office so we can contact trace if needed (North Hunterdon, call 908-713-4171; Voorhees, call 908-638-2148). Please refer to the Hunterdon County Department of Health’s COVID-19 Dashboard to track positive cases in the county.
4. Isolation – Isolation is still in effect for ill individuals or those who test positive for COVID-19 as follows:
   • Ill individuals with COVID-like symptoms who have not been tested or individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 should stay home until at least 10 days have passed from symptom onset and at least 24 hours have passed after resolution of fever without fever-reducing medications and improvement in symptoms. (Note: if county is at High level for COVID-19 activity quarantine is 14 days, no testing out of quarantine. Levels are determined by the NJ Department of Health.)
   • Persons who test positive for COVID-19 but who are asymptomatic should stay home for 10 days from the positive test result. (Note: if county is at High level for COVID-19 activity quarantine is 14 days.)
   • An alternate diagnosis (including a positive strep test or influenza swab) without a negative COVID-19 test is not acceptable for individuals who meet COVID-19 exclusion criteria to return to school earlier than the timeframes above.
5. Close Contacts and Quarantine – The CDC has an exception for close contacts in K-12 indoor classroom settings as follows: “the close contact definition excludes students who are within 3-6 feet of an infected student if both the infected student and exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time.” Therefore, if students are wearing masks over their mouth and nose indoors, there is no quarantine required for close contacts.

In circumstances where masks are not worn, such as lunches, PE class, sports, etc., the following guidelines will be followed for close contacts:

• Unvaccinated individuals identified as close contacts of an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 should be excluded from school and quarantine for 10 days, or 7 days with a negative test result collected at 5-7 days. If the county’s COVID-19 activity level reaches High, close contacts should be excluded from school and quarantine for 14 days. Note: COVID-19 Activity Levels are determined by the New Jersey Department of Health.
• Exposed close contacts who are fully vaccinated and have no COVID-like symptoms:
  • Do not need to quarantine, be excluded from school, or be tested following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
  • Should still monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure.
  • If they experience symptoms, they should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, including testing and inform their health care provider of their vaccination status at the time of presentation of care.

If your child has been vaccinated for COVID-19, please consider sending in a copy of the vaccination record to the health office so that they may add it to your child’s immunization file and it will assist with contact tracing if needed. The vaccine is not a requirement, but it is a great way to keep your student’s records updated and all in one place should you need a copy for college.

6. Schoolwork While on Quarantine – Students who are quarantined will receive a Zoom or Google Meet link to log in and attend class virtually. (Virtual instruction is offered for quarantined students only per the NJ Department of Education.) Quarantined students should also be checking their classes’ Google Classrooms daily to keep up with assignments. Quarantined students can meet virtually with teachers during the teacher’s resource room period or during curriculum & instruction time (2:30-3:10pm) if they need extra help; please email teacher for an appointment.

Please cooperate with these protocols in order to keep our students, employees and visitors safe and healthy while at our schools. We appreciate your cooperation and your assistance in providing our students with a traditional school year, despite these protocols still being in place.