COVID Policy

School Facility

ALL STAFF, STUDENTS AND FACULTY NEED TO COMPLETE THE UPDATED HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE BEFORE ENTERING THE SCHOOL BUILDING

We must have consent for testing for all students in first grade and up who attend in person. If we do not have consent on file at the school, your child will not be able to attend in-person school. We will be checking for consent on the first day your child returns to school before your child enters the building.

The best way to give consent is to fill out the form online using a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA)

Return to school after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19

In this page you will find information about when students and staff can return to school after experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. This guidance reflects the expertise of the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the New York City Department of Education (DOE) and the NYC Test + Trace Corps (T2).

When Is It Safe to Return to the School Building?

Any student or staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19 can return to school only after:

● Isolating for 10 days AND
● Being fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication AND
● Is experiencing overall improvement in symptoms

Please note:

● For people with symptoms, the infectious period generally begins two days before symptoms start and continues for ten days from when symptoms begin.
● For people with no symptoms (asymptomatic), the infectious period is estimated to begin two days before COVID-19 testing to ten days after testing.
● A person may continue to receive a positive COVID-19 test result for up to three months even though they are no longer infectious.

If a student or staff member showed symptoms but tested negative for COVID-19, they can return to school only after:

● Being fever free 24 hours without the use of medication AND
● Overall symptoms are improving

If a student or staff member did not get tested for COVID-19 but showed symptoms, they can return to school only after:

● At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started AND
● They have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication AND
● Overall symptoms are improving

If a student or staff member is considered a close contact of an individual who has tested positive, and is experiencing no COVID-19 symptoms, they can return to school only:

●After quarantining for 10 days since their last exposure to the case OR
● If they are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 OR were recently (within the past three months) diagnosed with COVID-19 and finished isolation in the past 90 days. To be considered fully vaccinated by CDC guidelines, two weeks must have passed since you received the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks must have passed since you received a single-dose vaccine.
● Students and staff who are not fully vaccinated and who are considered close contacts may test out of quarantine to return to their classrooms on the eighth day of quarantine . In order to do so, students should take a lab-administered COVID-19 test on or after their fifth day of quarantine to re-enter class on the eighth day. Students must submit proof of a negative lab test through the DOE’s COVID-19 Vaccination Portal or by submitting the result to the school on paper or electronically.

● Close contacts who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 must isolate, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Once you have recovered from symptoms, get vaccinated.

As of September 27, 2021, all DOE employees, as well as DOE/City contractors in DOE buildings, are required to provide proof that they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. If you have received only the first dose of a 2-dose vaccine as of September 27, 2021, you are expected to receive the 2nd dose within 45 days of the first dose to remain compliant, according to the order issued by the Commissioner of Health. You must submit proof of vaccination using the DOE’s Vaccination Portal.
All New Yorkers age 5 or older are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19. If someone is fully vaccinated, they do not have to miss school, sports or work if there is a case in their classroom. People who are between 5 and 17 years old are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine only; all older ages are eligible for all three vaccines. Find a vaccine site today at https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/. There is no cost to be vaccinated.

How can I stay updated?
To help New Yorkers quarantine, the NYC Test + Trace Corps partners with community-based organizations to connect individuals to resources like food, medicine, and health care. To connect with resources, you can call 1-212-COVID19 (212-268-4319). For additional information on COVID-19, visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus or call 311.

Thank you for your cooperation. Health and safety will always come first in New York City public schools, no matter what.

COVID Closure FAQs

Definitions:

Close contact:

Students within 3 feet of other students for more than 10 minutes with mask off
However! In the cafeteria, students within 6 feet of the person who tested positive for more than 10 minutes are considered close contacts.
Students within 6 feet of an adult who has tested positive for more than 10 minutes with or without a mask.
Vaccinated students and adults who are close contacts do not need to be quarantined.
Close contacts of close contacts do not need to be quarantined.

For PreK to 5th grade students:

Question

Class closure protocol

Remote work protocol

A positive case in my preK to 5 classroom?

In the event that there is a positive case in a classroom, close contacts of that student may be instructed to quarantine for up to 10 calendar days.

The whole class may not need to quarantine.

Students can get tested on Day 5, and if the results are negative, they can return on day 8. If not tested, they can return on day 11. All must submit proof of a negative test through the DOE’s COVID-19 Vaccination Portal.

Whole class closure: Students will receive synchronous and asynchronous remote instruction while they quarantine.

There is no synchronous instruction on the first day of the quarantine as teachers prepare for the pivot.

Partial class closure: Students will receive asynchronous instruction with opportunity to interact with the teacher during set office hours.

For 6th to 8th grade students:

Question

Quarantine answer

Remote work answer

A positive case in my 6th -8th grade classroom?

1. Exposed unvaccinated students may be required to stay home for up to 10 days.

2. Exposed vaccinated students continue to come to school so long as they are not experiencing symptoms and it is recommended they get tested 3-5 days after exposure.

3. Students who test positive stay home to quarantine for 10 days.

1. Check Google Classroom for assignments

2. Complete assignments asynchronously

3. Communicate with teachers as needed

4. Participate in teacher office hours if needed. Teachers will share times and links.

General questions

Question	Answer
What happens if an adult in the school who has contact with children tests positive?	Depending on when the adult tested positive, classes may have to quarantine.
What happens if an adult in the school who does not have contact with children tests positive?	No quarantine is needed.
My child is exposed to a confirmed positive case outside of school (family or social gathering exposure). My child is quarantining while the rest of the class is not.	The work will be asynchronous as the classroom teachers are fully busy teaching students in person.
Are absences excused for quarantine time?	Students will be marked present if they participate in synchronous or asynchronous work during the school day.
Is there remote instruction for students who are sick or who are on extended family travel or vacations?	Remote instruction is NOT available for students who have an extended absence not related to Covid quarantine.
My child has at least one of the symptoms of Covid-19 as listed on the daily health screener and tests negative. When do they get to come back to school?	Your child can return to school with a negative covid test and after being fever free for 24 hours without medication.