Dear Parents,

I would like to provide you with the following updates. Please read each item very carefully. The Omicron variant is spreading rapidly and we currently have more positive COVID-19 cases in our NDV community than we have ever had at one time. The more prepared and informed we are, the safer our children will be.

Here is brief information about some of the changes we will be implementing during this Omicron surge:

Mealtimes

Distancing and cohort protocols will be in place at mealtimes and there will be no mixing of cohorts. Each cohort will eat together with adequate distance between each student. Students will eat lunch quietly.

Recess

Students will be masked at recess.

Gatherings

We will continue to have morning assembly outdoors, masked, and on the school yard. Masses, prayer services, and other large gatherings will be reimagined. We will not assemble as a student body indoors.

Distance Learning/Cohort Closure

If there are 3 or more positive COVID-19 cases in a cohort in one week and or a series (as determined by SFDPH) of positive cases in a two-week period, the entire cohort will be considered close contacts and the cohort will move to online/distance learning instruction for 5 days. At that time, all students in the cohort will be required to test negative on day 5 before returning to school on day 6.

COVID-19 Cases in the Household

We are finding that NDV students who come to school when there is a positive case in their household are later testing positive themselves. Due to the high number of cases in our NDV community, allowing students with positive cases in their household to come to school puts our community and our ability to continue in person learning at risk. For this reason, and because of the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, students will be required to complete quarantine at home regardless of vaccination status if a household member tests positive for COVID-19. We will work with families on a case by case basis to determine return to school dates for their children after determining whether or not full isolation is possible in the household using CDC and SFDPH guidance on quarantine and COVID-19 exposure.

Here is information about Masking, Isolation, Testing, and Quarantine that has been adapted from SFDPH.

Masking

All students must be sent to school in a well-fitted mask. Young children should wear masks that are specifically designed for children. All students are required to bring at least two additional masks stored in a plastic bag in their backpacks each day. Student mask supply should be replenished as needed. There are masks in the office in case of an emergency. However, our supplies are very low and all faces are unique. We cannot guarantee the masks provided from the office supply will provide proper protection for each student.

Please do not send children to school in masks that do not fit properly, including those that do not cover the nose and mouth, require that the strings be twisted multiple times, and or if there are gaps around the mask where air can easily escape – they are ineffective and do not provide the many benefits of wearing a mask.

More information about proper masking can be found on the CDC website at this link.

Quarantine vs. Isolation

• If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they isolate for 8-10 days depending on the circumstances.

• If a student is exposed to COVID-19, they quarantine for 5, 8, or 10 days depending on the circumstances.

Students Who Test Positive for COVID-19

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, the following steps must be followed:

• Report the positive case to me and to the NDV office within one hour.

• If a student tests positive on any test, they are considered COVID-19 positive. No additional tests are needed.

• The student must remain home, except to receive medical care.

• Students can leave the home 5 days after a positive COVID-19 test and return to school 8 days* after a positive COVID-19 test if all of the following are true:

• At least five (5) days have passed since symptom(s) started AND

• They no longer have fevers, AND

• Their other symptoms are getting better, AND

• They have a negative test collected on day 5 or later (Day 0 is the positive test date)

• Either an antigen or PCR test is fine, but an antigen test is preferred in this case. Over the counter tests are acceptable to end isolation or quarantine.

• All of the above remain true on days 6 and 7.

Students for whom the above does not apply may return on day 11.

Any person who tests positive for COVID-19 should wear a well-fitting mask around others, indoors and outdoors, for a total of 10 days.

*At this time, the SFDPH website says the isolation period is 5 days, however, they indicated in a meeting on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 that this would be changed to 8 days.

Students Who Have Symptoms of COVID‑19

If a student has any symptom of COVID‑19, they must stay home except to get tested or get needed medical care, even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recently had COVID-19. They must stay home, away from other people, while waiting for their test result.

“You can leave home after one of the following:

• You have a negative COVID‑19 test result, collected after your symptoms started, AND you have had no recent Close Contact to someone with COVID-19. You are encouraged to stay home until you feel better, so that you don't spread other illnesses.

• You get a doctor's note or clinic note that you do not need to isolate. A healthcare provider can give you a note that allows you to end isolation and leave home in two situations:

• They decide that your symptoms are caused by a medical condition that you already have, like allergies or asthma.

• They determine that your symptoms are caused by another disease, like strep throat, which is less likely to infect others.

• Or, if you don't get tested or cleared by a healthcare provider, after all of the following are true:

• Ten (10) days have passed since your symptom(s) started AND

• You no longer have fevers AND

• Your symptoms are getting better.

If your COVID‑19 test is positive, see If you tested positive or were diagnosed with COVID‑19.”

Students Exposed to COVID‑19 Outside of School

If a student has close contact with someone with COVID‑19 outside of school, there are two options based on vaccination status:

1) If the student is fully vaccinated at the time of the exposure:

• They may continue coming to school and participating in regular activities. However, they must do the following:

• Test on day 5.

• Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days, especially in indoor settings.

• Monitor symptoms for 10 days since the last date of close contact. If symptoms develop at any point, test immediately and stay home.

2) If the student is not fully vaccinated at the time of the exposure:

• Stay at home and wear a well-fitting mask around others indoors or outdoors, until day 10.

• They should be tested on days 3 and between days 5-8.

• They may return to school on day 11 after the 10 day quarantine is complete.

Parents may consider testing their child immediately after learning of a close contact. Testing early allows you to have earlier access to treatment options, especially if you are immunocompromised, and to let people around you know that they might have been exposed.

Students Exposed to COVID‑19 in School

If a student has close contact with someone at school, they have a few options based on vaccination status:

1) If the student was fully vaccinated at the time:

• They should test on the exposure date (day 0).

• They must test on day 5.

• They may participate in activities as usual but must remain masked at all times for 10 days.

2) If the student was not fully vaccinated at the time and both the infected person and the student were wearing well-fitted masks consistently and correctly at the time, they may participate in the Test to Stay Program and quarantine at school:

• Get tested for COVID‑19 twice: once immediately after notification of exposure and once more on or after day 5 from last date of known close contact

• Remain free of any COVID‑19 symptoms during this time.

• Wear a face mask in school, except to eat.

• The student must quarantine except to attend school.

• They may not participate in activities outside of school or extracurricular activities at school, including sports, NDVEP, eating out, etc.

• They also must not play wind instruments in class.

• Quarantine can end on day 8 if a test collected on or after day 5 is negative (The last Close Contact is day 0).

3) If the student was not fully vaccinated at the time of exposure and either the infected person and or the student was not wearing well-fitted masks consistently and correctly at the time they need to follow the COVID-19 Outside of School guidance.

Please note: This “test to stay” or "modified quarantine" applies only to students who were exposed to COVID‑19 at school, because of the low risk of transmission between students in school classrooms. It does not apply to students who were exposed to COVID‑19 at home, outside of school, or during extracurricular activities, including school sports.

Acceptable Testing

“Either nuclear acid amplification tests (NAAT) like a PCR, or antigen tests are acceptable to end isolation or quarantine. However, antigen testing is preferred in two situations, 1) to end isolation or 2) when you have a close contact but have had a recent infection with COVID-19 in the last 90 days. This is because antigen testing is better at picking up virus that is still infectious, while PCR tests can stay positive for some time and do not correlate as well with risk of infecting others. Over the counter tests are acceptable to end isolation or quarantine. See our additional guidance on at home testing.”

Testing Availability

We understand that tests are not easy to find, but many have had luck finding testing through the following:

• Their healthcare provider

• Get Tested SF

• Virus Geeks

We have also found that Walgreens stocks rapid tests in the morning and that Walmart gets very frequent deliveries.

We do expect that guidance will continue to change and we will send updates to families in the Wednesday newsletter and as needed. I know that this is a lot of information to take in during an uncertain time and thank you for your support.

In addition to following guidance, the most important thing we can do as a Marist Catholic school community is pray. We need to pray for one another, for medical workers, and for those who are sick and suffering. Please consider saying a ‘Hail Mary’ together as a family each night during the month of January as we all pray for an end to this surge.

God Bless,

Sarah Currier

Principal

Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires

Parents and Community Members,

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas break and I am looking forward to seeing our students tomorrow! As we come back together after the break amidst a national increase in COVID-19 cases, I would like to provide you with some recent public health updates, information, and requests.

On December 29, 2021, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) reaffirmed its support for in-person learning despite the increasing number of COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant (their announcement is in red print at the end of this email). Though this variant is spreading, the Center for Disease Control has noted that the outcome for those who are vaccinated is often mild symptoms, or none at all.

Additionally, we have been notified that a significant number of people in the NDV community tested positive for COVID-19 over the past few days. We are committed to making the return to school as safe as possible for our community and intend to continue our existing and comprehensive safety protocols. Together, we will keep one another safe and healthy! We ask for your cooperation in following the steps listed below:

• Testing:

• As published in December, we ask that all students be tested prior to returning to school tomorrow.

• We also ask that all NDV students be tested weekly through the month of January. (The test can be parent/self-administered using a home test, or a PCR or rapid antigen from a clinic or testing site.) If any student or family member tests positive, please notify the NDV office and me immediately and follow SFDPH isolation and quarantine guidelines.

• City testing resources and information can be found here.

• Vaccination Status: There are different quarantine and testing guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated students, therefore, we ask that parents complete this form once your child has been vaccinated. Please note that, at this time, it is a parent’s right to choose whether or not their child is vaccinated and whether or not that information is shared with NDV. Please note that students with an unverified status will be treated as unvaccinated for quarantine and testing purposes.

• Masking: All students must come to school wearing a well fitting mask. In addition, we are requiring all students to bring two extra masks to school in a ziploc bag to be kept in their backpacks to use in case a mask breaks, gets wet or is otherwise unusable. We have extra masks to be used in case of an emergency but not as a regular supply for students.

• Illness at Home: If a student is sick (i.e., exhibits any cold, flu, and or COVID-19 symptoms), they must stay home. The student may return to school only after forwarding a negative COVID-19 test result or a doctor’s note clearing the student to return to school and all symptoms have subsided. The test can be parent/self-administered using a home test, or a PCR or rapid antigen from a clinic or testing site.

• Reporting Absences: Parents must call the office by 8:30 a.m. and email the office if the child will be absent for any reason and provide the reason for the absence – the NDV office will then determine if our COVID-19 protocols will apply.

• Illness at School: If a student begins to exhibit symptoms at school, a parent will be called to pick up the student immediately. The student may return to school only after forwarding a negative COVID-19 test result or a doctor’s note clearing the student to return to school and all symptoms have subsided. The test can be parent/self-administered using a home test, or a PCR or rapid antigen from a clinic or testing site.

• Scheduling Appointments: We want to minimize the number of students with medical or other appointments who leave and return during school hours. Please schedule all appointments after school.

• Quarantine/Close Contact: The CDC has changed quarantine and close contact guidance based on vaccination status and has reduced the 10 day quarantine to 5 for many cases.

• COVID-19 Diagnosis in the Household: Please report any household COVID-19 cases to the office and me within one hour of receiving the information so that we can assist you/your family with steps that may need to be taken at school. Guidance for close contacts who attend school has been and will continue to change in the next several days. At this time, if there are 1 or more positive cases of COVID-19 in the household, we ask that the student(s) remain home until permission has been obtained from the health department and care provider to return to school.

In light of the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, we canceled tomorrow’s Lice Check. We ask that parents examine their child’s head (as well as all family members) for live lice, egg cases and nits. If a louse, egg case or nit is found, please treat your child immediately. If your child has lice, you must inform the office immediately. We are a completely "nit free" environment, meaning if your child has contracted lice, they are not allowed to return to school with any nits or egg cases still attached. Thank you for your cooperation in our efforts to minimize the spread of lice.

God Bless,

Sarah Currier

Principal

Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires

SFDPH REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING DESPITE PRESENCE OF COVID-19 OMICRON VARIANT

Health and safety protocols have kept schools open despite the pandemic and are further encouraged as students and staff return to school following the holidays

As families prepare for a return to school following the holidays, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) reaffirms its support for the resumption of in-person learning despite rising COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. Multiple layers of health and safety protocols have kept school settings open this year despite COVID-19, and SFDPH urges families and schools to continue following these recommendations to allow for a safer return to school.

“San Francisco has remained vigilant and beat back four surges, and we are well positioned with a highly vaccinated population to do the same with this current surge due to Omicron,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco Director of Public Health. “Throughout the pandemic, San Francisco schools have remained low-risk settings by following proper safety protocols – let’s work together to keep it that way.”

Getting vaccinated and boosted, testing after travel and gatherings, staying home when sick, and wearing well-fitted masks are key to keeping schools open for in-person learning.

“I appreciate this guidance from our public health experts on the importance of keeping our students safely in the classroom,” said Mayor London Breed. “We know how hard the last two years have been on our kids, and we need to focus on what’s best to support them, while also putting policies in place to ensure that everyone in our schools is protected.”

When rates of COVID are high in our communities, cases will appear at schools, just as they do in other settings. However, with effective health protocols in place, the data shows that these multiple layers of defense can stop the spread of COVID in school settings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced its support for an additional valuable tool in school settings as part of its layered prevention strategy called Test to Stay. Test to Stay combines contact tracing and COVID-19 testing that is repeated at least twice during a seven-day period post-exposure to allow asymptomatic school-associated close contacts who are not fully vaccinated and do not test positive for COVID-19 to continue in-person learning. Students who participate in Test to Stay should consistently and correctly wear masks while in school and should stay home and isolate if they develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.

SFDPH continues to support strategies that safely keep as many kids in schools, such as the CDC’s Test to Stay tool, which is similar to the modified quarantine guidance that SFDPH supported and allowed since the beginning of the school year. More information on the modified quarantine guidance is available here: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/covid-19/isolation-and- quarantine.asp#school.

“We must do everything possible to keep students safely attending schools,” said Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco Health Officer. “The mental health impacts on students due to social isolation far outweigh the challenges of in-person learning.”

Safer Return to School Recommendations

Testing

• All students and staff are recommended to get tested for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status 1-2 days before returning to school or work, even if they are asymptomatic.

• If families or staff have traveled over the holidays, SFDPH recommends testing 3- 5 days after returning from travel.

• If any students or staff test positive, please notify your school immediately and follow isolation and quarantine guidelines: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/COVID- 19/Isolation-and-Quarantine.asp. Individuals who need assistance with isolation can connect with the COVID Resource Center at (628) 217-6101.

• COVID-19 testing sites and resources: https://sf.gov/find-out-about-your-covid- 19-testing-options

• San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) specific testing resources: https://www.sfusd.edu/covid-19-response-updates-and-resources/covid-19- surveillance-testing-students/covid-19-testing-locations-and-dates

Stay Home When Sick


• Students, teachers and staff who have symptoms of infectious illness, such as COVID-19 or the flu, should stay home and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care, regardless of vaccination status.

Vaccination


• Everyone who is eligible (currently open to age 5 and above) for a COVID-19 vaccine should get vaccinated and stay up to date with boosters (currently open to age 16 and above if enough time has passed since their initial vaccination).
COVID-19 vaccination sites and resources: https://sf.gov/get-vaccinated-against- covid-19

Face Coverings

• A well-fitted mask that can be comfortably worn is most important.


• Double masking is an effective way to improve fit and filtration.

• A close-fitting cloth mask can be worn on top of a surgical/disposable mask to improve the seal of the mask to the face.

• Additional masking resources: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Get-the-Most- out-of-Masking.aspx