In this ever-changing world of COVID, our guidance from NYS Department of Health and the Monroe County Department of Health has once again changed. The following are some highlights for parents to be aware of. This information is all reflected in various flow charts that will be posted on the school website.

Screening questions will focus on whether your child has been COVID tested and if awaiting a result, whether your child has been designated as a contact of a COVID positive person, any international travel or travel to states on NYS travel advisory list and most importantly whether your child has any new or worsening symptoms that may indicate COVID.

If your child has COVID symptoms, they should be evaluated by a health care provider within 48 hours of developing symptoms. If MD recommends a COVID test, your child should stay home and away from others until results are known. Positive COVID results will be handled by the health department. If results are negative, your child can return when symptoms are improving and fever free without medication for 24 hours. Your child will need a note from the provider regarding negative COVID test results or the lab confirmed test result.

The provider may determine that symptoms are due to either a known chronic condition or an acute illness that can be confirmed by a lab test (i.e. strep throat or influenza). In that case, the school will need a note from the provider explaining that alternate diagnosis before your child can return to school.

If your child is not evaluated by a health care provider within 48 hours of symptom onset, your child will be required to stay home and in isolation for at least 10 days since symptoms began and symptoms are improving and fever free for 72 hours without medication. Your child will be deemed COVID positive if no alternate diagnosis or COVID negative test result is received by the school. The school must then contact the health department to begin the contact tracing process.

If you do not have a health care provider, you can contact the health department hotline at 753-5555.

Please feel free to reach out to the school nurse regarding questions/concerns about the new guidance.