COVID-19 Updates

Question: Do students and staff have to quarantine following exposure to someone with COVID-19?

Answer: No

Question: Is isolation still mandatory for a staff member or student who tests positive for COVD-19?

Answer: Yes. Staff members and students who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.

For those with symptoms Day 1 is the first full day after symptom onset (Day 0 is the day of symptom onset). For those that had no symptoms Day 0 is the day they were tested (not the day you received your positive test result) and Day 1 is the first full day following the day they were tested—if someone re-develops symptoms within the 10 days of testing the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.

Those with symptoms may resume attending school after the 5 days if:

1. They are fever free without fever reducing medicine for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving; and

2. They wear a mask through day 10 (day 1 is the first full day following the day they received positive test result regardless of symptom onset).

After having ended isolation, if COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, restart isolation at day 0. Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset. Staff and student’s parents/guardians should be advised to talk to a healthcare provider about their symptoms or when to end isolation.

Question: Does staff have to report positive COVID test results to their supervisor?

Answer: Yes. The NYS Paid Leave Law is still in effect with no expiration date. A staff member who has a positive COVID-19 test must stay at home for at least five days and is paid COVID-19 pay during the time of isolation (remember the law allows paid leave for only three times a staff member tests positive for COVID-19.) Of course, the staff member is not paid for days not regularly scheduled to work if that time falls within the isolation period. For example, A Monday through Friday worker has symptoms of COVID-19 on Thursday. Day 0 is Thursday. The staff member has five days of isolation starting Friday and ending Tuesday. They can return to work on Wednesday. They are not paid Saturday and Sunday and are therefore not entitled to COVID-19 leave pay for Saturday and Sunday.

Question: Is universal masking required?

Answer: No, universal masking in school is not required at this time.

Question: Do students need to wear masks while on a school bus?

Answer: No.

Question: When is masking required?

Answer: Masking is only required for staff and students that test positive for covid and have returned from the isolation period. People should wear a well-fitting mask or respirator around others through day 10.

Question: Is physical distancing required?

Answer: No, physical distancing is no longer required.

Question: Are vaccines required for students and staff to work in the building or receive instruction in the building?

Answer: No. The vaccine is not required for the student to attend school or the staff member to work in the building.

Question: Are unvaccinated staff members required to test to stay weekly to remain employed.

Answer: No.

Question: Do schools still need to conduct contact tracing of positive cases?

Answer: No, routine contact tracing is no longer recommended.

Question: When should a student or staff member be sent home or stay home?

Answer: Students and staff with symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea should be sent home or directed to stay home. If at school, the individual should wear a well-fitted mask while arrangements are made to go home even if they have not yet had a test. Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

Question: Are schools required to provide diagnostic testing?

Answer: No. Schools can direct an individual to a location for diagnostic testing if the individual exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 or was exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Question: Are districts mandated to offer or provide screening testing?

Answer: No.

Question: Are Districts required to test on a weekly basis unvaccinated staff members for a negative COVID-19 test?

Answer: No.

Question: Will schools provide staff and families with at-home COVID-19 tests?

Answer: Schools are being provided, by the state, with a supply of tests to start the school year. Our school will create a system where staff and families can request a test as needed, until our supplies run out.

Question: What are recommendations for cleaning & disinfection of school buildings?

Answer: The CDC recommends that schools clean surfaces at least once a day to reduce the risk of germs spreading by touching surfaces. If a person with COVID-19 has been inside a school within the last 24 hours, the space should be cleaned and disinfected.

Question: Will the district still monitor and regulate air quality in the buildings?

Answer: Yes, the district will continue to use the highest rated MERV filters our units will accommodate. We will monitor air quality and circulate fresh air into buildings at a higher percentage as we did last year. Additionally, the county has purchased proven air purification systems for every classroom in Ontario County. Upon arrival of the systems, they will be placed in each room.

Question: Do I have to report positive test results to the NYS Department of Health COVID-19 Report Card for the 2022-23 school year?

Answer: No.

Question: Will the school district post COVID positive rates on the district website?

Answer: No. The district will provide periodic updates specific to the COVID rates in our school district should our cases surge.