COVID-19 INFORMATION

Revised 11.22.22

McGuffey’s protocols are based on current government recommendations and on the judgment and assessment of the Head of School and staff in the classrooms. Please note the revision date above. Parents will be informed by email when there are substantive edits to the page. 

We have been undeniably successful in preventing the spread of Covid at school. This was aided by timely communication from parents in the event of potential or known exposures, symptoms, and positive test results. Thank you for continuing to communicate with us as soon as you are aware of any of these in your household. 

The school as a whole and/or individual classrooms may return to masking. We strongly encourage families to purchase KN95 masks. Classrooms will continue to run air purifiers in every room. Windows will remain cracked open as needed for extra ventilation.

We will communicate information regarding exposure. Our procedures for exposure, symptoms, and testing for Covid-19 positive are below, following CDC guidance from August 11, 2022.

Close Contact Exposure

If a student or staff member tests positive, the school will inform families of possible exposure. Unless there is an outbreak in a classroom as determined by the school, the classroom may not be required to mask. Families may choose to have their child mask at school for their protection. We recommend testing your child 48 hours after the exposure and ask that you notify the school of positive results. 

If a student or staff member has had a close contact exposure with a family member who has tested positive, after an initial negative test, they may need to mask at school with a KN95 mask when indoors for 10 days, depending on the amount of exposure at home. The student or staff member will test again 48 hours after the exposure. Monitor closely for symptoms. If the exposed person becomes symptomatic, they will remain at home until symptoms subside and have a negative test.

No Known Exposure: Symptomatic

If a student or staff member is symptomatic and there is no known exposure, they will test before school at onset and then every 48 hours for a total of three tests or until symptoms abate. During times of high transmission, students and staff may be required to mask until symptoms abate. If a student is feeling sick, even if it is not COVID, it’s still a good idea to stay home and not infect others. 

If a student develops symptoms at school, they may be sent home or asked to wear a mask. Please keep a mask in your child’s bag for unexpected use.

Students and Staff Members Positive for Covid-19

  • If asymptomatic, the student or staff member will isolate 
    • 5 days after the positive test.
    • Day 0 is the day of the positive test.
    • The student/staff member will mask at school when indoors with a KN95 mask for days 6-10 if a negative test is produced on day 6. 
    • If symptoms appear, the day of onset is the new day zero and guidelines for a symptomatic student or staff member will be followed. 
  • If symptomatic and symptoms are mild, the student will isolate
    • 5 days after symptoms first appeared.
    • Day 0 is the day symptoms began.
    • The student/staff member will mask at school when indoors with a KN95 mask for days 6-10 if a negative test is produced on day 6 and
    • 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
    • all other symptoms of Covid-19 are improving other than loss of taste and smell and
    • the student is able to manage lingering symptoms independently. 
    • If two tests, 48 hours apart, are negative, the student/staff member may stop wearing a mask before day 10.
    • If a fever is still present after day 10, the student will continue to isolate at home until the fever is gone for 24 hours without fever reducing medication, a negative test is produced, and other symptoms are getting better. 
  • If symptomatic and symptoms are moderate, the student or staff member will quarantine
    • 10 days after symptoms first appeared and
    • 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
    • all other symptoms of Covid-19 are improving other than loss of taste and smell and 
    • the student is able to manage lingering symptoms independently.
    • Day 0 is the day symptoms began.

Symptoms

Covid-19 symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with one or more of these symptoms in any combination may have Covid-19.

  • fever or chills
  • cough
  • runny nose
  • shortness of breath
  • muscle pain or body ache
  • headache
  • loss of taste of smell
  • sore throat
  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • nausea or vomiting
  • less common: sneezing

For students who tend to have allergies, we encourage parents to get a letter from their physician stating their child’s typical allergy symptoms. 

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