The latest guidance and recommendations from the New York State Department of Health regarding COVID-19 may be found here, “What Parents/Caregivers Should Know about COVID Mitigation Strategies for the 2022-2023 School Year” (August 2022).
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 it is recommended they follow the Centers for Disease Control’s Isolation Guidance.
- 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.
It is recommended that people who have been sick, or tested positive, should wear a mask through day 10.
Testing
Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. We do not offer testing at school, but we do have COVID test kits available to families free of charge.
At-home test kits
Mohonasen Central School District provides at-home COVID-19 test kits for students. If you need a home COVID test, please contact your child’s school as we have test kits available for families.
COVID-19 vaccination
COVID-19 vaccinations are not required to attend school and Mohonasen does not have a position regarding whether or not students should receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Children ages 6 months and older are all eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if parents wish them to. Children older than 5 are eligible for a booster. For more information you may visit ny.gov/vaxtoschool.
Masks
Any student or staff member may wear a mask while at school to prevent the spread of illness. Mask-wearing is recommended by the CDC and the NYSDOH for at least 10 days following a positive COVID test, or COVID illness.
Health and safety protocols
Routine cleaning in our school buildings 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 frequently. High-touch surfaces such as lunch tables, desks, chairs, light switches and handrails are also routinely cleaned.
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