The Board of Education, pursuant to Policy 5691 and applicable laws, rules and regulations, is committed to the health and safety of our students and staff. If a student or staff member is diagnosed with a communicable disease it is important to protect the health of both students and staff while minimizing the disruption of the education process.
The Shenendehowa Central School District shall follow the latest guidance from the New York State Department of Health regarding COVID-19. For more information, please review “What Parents/Caregivers Should Know about COVID Mitigation Strategies for the 2022-2023 School Year” (August 2022).
Shenendehowa is planning for a full return to school, providing strong academics, an array of extracurricular and athletic offerings, and maximizing space and staff without distancing restrictions.
Illness/Positive COVID Test
As with any infectious illness, students and staff who test positive for COVID-19, or who show symptoms, are asked to stay home from school and follow the Centers for Disease Control’s Isolation Guidance, particularly these two stipulations:
- Someone who tested positive and has no symptoms may return to school after day 5.
- Someone who is sick (has symptoms) may return to school after day 5 if they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving.
There is no longer a requirement to demonstrate/provide proof of a negative COVID test to determine return to school or work. People who have been sick, or tested positive, should wear a mask through day 10.
Testing & At-home test kits
Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. Nurses will not be administering COVID-19 tests in their offices. If a child is demonstrating symptoms, the parent/guardian will be asked to pick up the child from school and follow-up as needed with a personal physician/health provider.
Test kits for at-home use are available at the school nurse’s office, as well as the District Office (5 Chelsea Place) for anyone in need to test students or immediate household members. If you need a home COVID test, please contact the school nurse at your child’s school or the District Office mainline (518-881-0600)
COVID-19 vaccination
Children ages 6 months and older are all eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Children older than 5 are eligible for a booster. COVID-19 vaccinations are not required to attend school or work. The District will not host vaccination clinics. For more information on vaccination sites, visit ny.gov/vaxtoschool.
Masks
Mask-wearing is recommended for at least 10 days following a positive COVID test, or COVID illness. Any student or staff member may wear a mask while at school to prevent the spread of illness. No one shall be bullied, harassed, or discouraged from wearing a mask. Schools will have extra face masks on hand to distribute to students and staff for personal protection.
Health and Safety Protocols
Routine cleaning in our school buildings and buses continues to be an important strategy for reducing the spread of illness. High-risk areas such as health offices, classrooms, lunchrooms, athletic rooms, bathrooms and high-traffic areas are cleaned and disinfected at a greater frequency. High-touch surfaces such as bus seats, lunch tables, desks, chairs, light switches and handrails are cleaned at a greater frequency.
The district shall use disinfectant equipment in large spaces on a routine basis, and in the case of a known COVID exposure. Hand washing and sanitizing is strongly recommended. Hand sanitizer will be readily available. Increased ventilation in designated areas is also a standard practice, lending to generally healthier environments within buildings.
Prevention and control of communicable diseases is a shared responsibility of schools, health care providers, parents, students, local and state health departments, and others in the community.
