Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Links
Frequently Asked Questions
About Returning to Full In-Person Learning
About Returning to Full In-Person Learning
(Updated as of April 5, 2021)
Decision Timetable
If the District returns students to full in-person learning later this spring, will a remote option still be offered? Will a 2-day hybrid model still be available?
The remote learning option will continue to be in place for our students who are already in remote learning. We anticipate that our students who are currently in remote learning will remain in this model. If there are extenuating circumstances that make this difficult, please contact your building administrator.
There will no longer be a 2-day in-person option for students. We anticipate that students who have been in the hybrid learning program will return to full in-person learning. Again, if there are extenuating circumstances, please reach out to your building administrator.
Factors influencing these changes include space limitations and teacher/program consistency.
What will the situation on Wednesday be if students return to in-person learning?
It is proposed that students return to school 5 days per week, including on Wednesdays. (Note: Governor Sununu has ordered a 5-day in-person week for all schools.)
Safety Protocols for Returning to Full In-Person Learning
How will you fit all of the students into classrooms, and still maintain safe physical distancing?
When we return to full-in person learning the District will change from 6-feet distancing to 3 feet between students in classrooms. New Hampshire and CDC guidance allows for 3-6 feet distancing between students in classrooms. Recent studies have addressed the spread of COVID- 19 in schools. These studies indicate that physical distancing of at least 3 feet between students can safely be adopted in classroom settings where other layers of prevention is in place (masks, hand-hygiene). Schools in New Hampshire that have been implementing the 3-foot distancing have had no more COVID cases than those that have been using 6 feet. Administrators and staff are working to assess space in all district classrooms.How will we manage entering and exiting the buildings to avoid large numbers of staff or students congregating?
At each school, administrators will identify specific doors that will be used by smaller groups of students. Staff will direct students regarding safe distancing at entrance/exit locations.Will students and staff be screened before coming to school?
We are proposing a two-stage screening process for all students and staff. We will ask parents to screen their children at home daily. The District will provide families with a screening checklist. Staff will be asked to use a checklist to self-screen at home. All students and staff will be screened daily at school before coming into the building. Multiple entrances will be used for arrival. In order to keep schools safe, parents will not be allowed in the building at arrival or departure time.What about breakfast, lunch, and snacks? Will my student be expected to eat while sitting within 3-feet of another student?
No, the District is implementing 6-feet of distancing for meal and snack times. Additional spaces beyond the cafeteria, or additional lunch sessions will be identified in order to allow for this.
Children in a classroom will not all eat snacks at the same time unless they can maintain 6-foot distancing.
Will students and staff still be required to wear masks if we return to full in-person learning?
Yes, the same protocols will be in place for mask-wearing. This is true for those who have been vaccinated and those who have not.
Cloth masks will be provided to all students and staff. If you have your own and would like to wear them at school that is acceptable as long as the nose, mouth, and chin are covered. Disposable masks will be available at every school in case anyone forgets their mask at home or needs one for any other reason. Masks will not be worn during lunch periods. Students will eat in small groups, seated physically distant from others, inside or outside. For outside activities, masks can be off as long as appropriate physical distancing is being practiced.
I’ve heard that school start and end times might need to be staggered. How would that impact the day?
We anticipate that there will be additional bus runs to accommodate all students and ensure appropriate physical distancing during transit. At a few of our elementary schools, this might mean an approximately 10-minute delayed start for some students. More information will come from the schools and our transportation department.
Will we use outside spaces for learning now that the weather is getting warmer?
Yes, tents will be erected on all school grounds during the first week of April. Staff and students are encouraged to be outside as much as is practical.
Will the whole class have to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19?
The District will continue to follow the guidance of the NH Division of Public Health, and will complete contract tracing at school. We will continue to have seating information for classrooms and buses available for contact tracing. The state definition of ‘close contact’ in a classroom setting has changed:
In a classroom setting, a person is considered a ‘close contact’ to a person with COVID-19 if they were within less than 3 feet of the infected person for at least 10 minutes or longer regardless of mask use. The 10 minutes of contact can be at one time or cumulative over the course of the day. The previous measurement was 6 feet. There are settings involving, for example, our youngest students and sports, where we cannot always maintain distances easily. Overall, we anticipate that our quarantine situations will be similar to what they have been this year.
Will my student have to quarantine if they travel outside of New England?
On March 16, New Hampshire’s Division of Public Health Services updated its guidance concerning travel and quarantine. The Concord School District has consistently followed the State guidelines regarding travel and will continue to do so with the revision. The new travel guidance no longer requires quarantine upon return to NH after domestic travel (regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status); this includes domestic travel to U.S. territories. People who travel internationally or on a cruise ship are still required to quarantine upon return to New Hampshire, unless they are:
14 days or more beyond completion of COVID-19 vaccination - this means a person must be at least 14 days beyond receipt of the second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or at least 14 days beyond receipt of the single-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine.
Within 90 days of a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection that was diagnosed by PCR or antigen testing (if a person had a previous infection that was more than 90 days prior, then they are still subject to travel quarantine).
The guidance from New Hampshire and the CDC continues to warn of the risks of travel given the continued spread of COVID-19 and the concerns associated with the virus variants around the country. It is still recommended that travelers wear well-fitting face masks, practice social distancing, and get tested 3-5 days after travel.
Those who travel are asked to be very vigilant upon return. Assessing yourself and the children for symptoms is more important than ever. Please stay home if any new or unexplained COVID-19 symptoms are present.
New Hampshire’s COVID-19 Travel Guidance, updated on March 16, 2021, can be found at the link below.
NH COVID-19 Travel Guidance link
Now that most adults are vaccinated, can they be together at school without regard to distancing?
State guidance continues to recommend that adults use 6-foot distancing with other adults, for example in staff rooms or meetings.
Do I need to quarantine for contact with a positive COVID case if I am vaccinated?
If it has been 14 days past your second Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 14 days past your only J&J vaccine, you do not have to quarantine if you are deemed a contact to a positive case. If you develop symptoms you should isolate and get tested for COVID, because although it is unlikely that you would contract COVID, no vaccine is 100% effective. (The COVID vaccines will not affect the accuracy of the COVID tests).
[If you have not been vaccinated, you need to self-quarantine for 10 days from your last contact to the person while they are considered infectious.]
Do I need to isolate for new and unexplained viral illness symptoms if I am vaccinated?
Yes, if you develop new and unexplained viral illness symptoms, you should isolate and get tested for COVID, because although it is unlikely that you would contract COVID, no vaccine is 100% effective.
Do I need to quarantine for contact to a positive COVID case if I have had a positive COVID test in the last 90 days?
If you are within 90 days of your COVID diagnosis, you would not have to quarantine if you are deemed a contact to a positive case. If you develop symptoms you should isolate and consult your PCP about your symptoms and you should get tested for COVID.
A negative COVID test or a letter from your PCP are required to return to in-person school.
Do I need to isolate for new and unexplained viral illness symptoms if I have had a positive COVID test in the last 90 days?
If you develop new and unexplained viral illness symptoms, you should isolate and consult your PCP about your symptoms and you should get tested for COVID. A negative COVID test or a letter from your PCP are required to return to in-person school.
What does it mean to quarantine?
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others during the period of time between exposure and when COVID-19 might develop. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in self-quarantine should:
a) Stay home
b) Separate themselves from others
c) Monitor their health
d) Follow directions from NH DHHS (https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/self-quarantine-covid.pdf)**What does it mean to isolate?
Isolation is used to separate people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from others who are not infected. People who are in self-isolation should:
a) Stay home
b) Separate themselves from others in the home by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom
(if available)
c) Monitor their health
d) Follow directions from NH DHHS (https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/self-isolation-covid.pdf)**
[See COVID-19: What are Quarantine and Isolation chart.]Will my child still be sent home if they have a COVID symptom at school like a runny nose or cough?
Yes, all guidelines in place for symptoms, except as noted above, will still be in place. We will continue to expect that families will screen for new or unexplained symptoms that are found on the COVID screening checklist. It is important that staff or student with any of the symptoms stays home and follows protocols above. If students have allergies or other chronic conditions that explain symptoms, please ask your primary care practitioner to document this and share it with the school nurse.
When should a staff member or student who has not been vaccinated get tested for COVID-19?
Testing is recommended for anybody with new or unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 (even if only mild symptoms), and for anybody who is an identified close contact of another person diagnosed with COVID-19. Someone with symptoms should be tested as soon as possible after onset of symptoms. (Close contact is defined as being within 3 feet for a total of 10 cumulative minutes or more, beginning 48 hours prior to illness onset or date of specimen collection associated with the positive COVID-19 test, whichever is earlier.) **Can a staff member or student who is quarantining for 10 days due to exposure to COVID-19 get a COVID-19 test and, if negative, return to school sooner?
No. A negative COVID-19 test does not change the need for a person to quarantine for 10 days following an exposure to COVID-19 or travel related risk. Testing is recommended for people who are close contacts of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 so that new infections can be identified early in order for public health contact tracing to help prevent further spread.**Where can a staff member or student go to be tested for COVID-19?
Multiple testing options for COVID-19 exist around the State. If a person is having symptoms of COVID-19, it is recommended they first reach out to their primary care provider to seek testing as rapid point-of-care options may exist through primary care. If a person is unable to access COVID-19 testing through their primary care provider, or if the person does not have a primary care provider, there are multiple other testing options available and a testing location can be identified through the NH COVID-19 website or this document. Multiple options also offer testing for people who are asymptomatic and want to know if they might be asymptomatically infected.**How can I reach the NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS)?
Contact the NH DHHS at 603-271-4496, or 603-271-5300 if after hours, and ask to speak to the Public Health Professional on call.Can a staff member or student who is quarantining because of a travel related risk factor get a COVID-19 test and, if negative, return to school sooner? Yes, on the seventh day after return from international travel or travel on a cruise ship, an individual can shorten their travel-related quarantine if all the following apply: the person gets a molecular-based test (an antigen is not acceptable) on day 7 (or later) of their quarantine, the person tests negative, and they remain asymptomatic. NOTE: The following people do NOT need to quarantine after international travel or travel on a cruise ship:
Persons who are 14 days or more beyond completion of COVID-19 vaccination - this means a person must be at least 14 days beyond receipt of the second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or at least 14 days beyond receipt of the single-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine.
Persons who are within 90 days of a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection that was diagnosed by PCR or antigen testing (if a person had a previous infection that was more than 90 days prior, then they are still subject to travel quarantine).
How will we manage a staff member or student who develops symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day?
NH DHHS recommends that any person with even mild symptoms be excluded from school and tested for COVID-19. When evaluating a symptomatic person:
1. Mask the symptomatic person (be sure mask is properly covering the nose and mouth).
2. Place the symptomatic person in a private room with the door closed if safe to do so (at a minimum they should be separated
from others).
3. Record the symptomatic person’s temperature.
4. Perform a brief assessment of the person’s complaints or symptoms. Keep any assessment brief and stay at least 6 feet away
to the extent possible.
5. If in the same room as the symptomatic person, the nurse should wear:
a. A surgical face mask at all times.
b. Eye protection (goggles or face shield) if the nurse is within 3 feet of the person, OR if the symptomatic person is unable
to wear a face mask (even if more than 3 feet away).
c. If prolonged close contact is anticipated (close contact is defined as being within 3 feet for a total of 10 cumulative minutes
or more, beginning 48 hours prior to illness onset or date of specimen collection associated with the positive COVID-19 test,
whichever is earlier), or if there is contact with the person’s secretions/excretions, then wear all appropriate PPE recommended
below, including surgical face mask, eye protection, gown, and gloves.
6. The symptomatic person should go home by private transportation.**If a staff member or student is sent home sick, do we have to notify the entire school community?
No, we do not need to notify the entire school community of ill individuals who have not been confirmed to have COVID-19. There may be times when it may be appropriate to confront rumors or misinformation, even when there is not a confirmed case. We will work closely with NH DHHS about situations that may arise.**If a staff member or student is excluded from school due to symptoms of COVID-19, but they have not been tested for COVID-19, when can they return to school?
Any person with new or unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 should be excluded from school, and instructed to isolate at home and contact their primary care provider for COVID-19 testing. Symptomatic students or staff can be allowed to return to school when one of the following two conditions is met:
Person receives an approved COVID-19 test that is negative, AND the person’s symptoms are improving and they are fever-free
for at least 24 hours off any fever-reducing medications. Approved tests include:
A PCR-based molecular test
Quidel Sofia antigen testing is conducted within 5 days of symptom onset
Person has met CDC criteria for ending of home isolation (i.e., if person is not tested, they are managed assuming they have COVID-19).**
When a student has symptoms that may be COVID-19, should their sibling(s) be sent home and attend school remotely until the sick student has tested negative?
Management of Household Contacts (HHCs) of Persons with New and Unexplained Symptoms of COVID-19, Based on the Symptomatic Person’s COVID-19 Risk Factors and Testing Status:
Risk Factor?* Viral Testing Pending?† Action
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Present Yes - Symptomatic person isolates pending test result.
- HHCs quarantine pending test results.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No - Symptomatic person must remain on isolation until they have met CDC’s criteria
for discontinuation of isolation.
- HHCs quarantine for 14 days from last day of exposure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Absent Yes - Symptomatic person isolates pending test result.
- HHCs can remain in school/work as long as they remain asymptomatic, but if test
is positive then quarantine.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No - Symptomatic person must remain on isolation until they have met CDC’s criteria
for discontinuation of isolation.
- HHCs can remain in school/work as long as they remain asymptomatic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Risk Factors for COVID-19 exposure include close contact (close contact is defined as being within 3 feet for a total of 10 cumulative minutes or more, beginning 48 hours prior to illness onset or date of specimen collection associated with the positive COVID-19 test, whichever is earlier) to a person with COVID-19, travel internationally or on a cruise ship, or other high-risk activities as identified by an employer or public health in the 14 days before symptom onset.
† Appropriate COVID-19 viral testing includes molecular- (i.e., PCR) or antigen-based tests (antigen tests must be conducted within an appropriate time frame after symptom onset, as specified in manufacturer instructions). Antibody tests are not appropriate for diagnosing active infection.**Can a staff member or student with confirmed COVID-19 get a doctor’s note to return to school before their isolation period ends?
No. NH DHHS is the only entity with the authority to release an individual from quarantine or isolation.**When can a staff member or student return to school after being diagnosed with COVID-19?
Any person diagnosed with COVID-19 can end their isolation and return to school when they have met CDC’s criteria for ending home isolation, which requires a person with mild to moderate illness, who is not severely immunocompromised, to meet all of the follow criteria:
a) At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first began
b) At least 24 hours have passed with resolution of fever off any fever-reducing medications
c) Other symptoms have improved**If a staff member or child tests positive, will all children and adults in a classroom or school be tested/quarantined?
Schools will maintain attendance and seating records in school and on the bus so that if one person is COVID-19 positive, the NH DHHS will use our records to trace contacts and advise families and staff about who needs to be quarantined and who can remain in school.What will happen if there is a diagnosed case of COVID-19?
The Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) will be informed immediately. Administrators will collaborate with the DPHS to support contact tracing and identify who needs to isolate or quarantine. Notification will be provided to staff and families of the school involved, in accordance with proper legal and privacy rights. The DPHS will provide specific guidance about quarantining to those who have had close contact. A building where an employee or student has been diagnosed with COVID-19 may be closed for 2-5 days. Impacted students and staff will participate in remote learning.What will be the school's role in COVID-19 contact tracing?
We will work collaboratively with public health by:
a) Being proactive in contacting NH DHHS when a person is confirmed with COVID-19 in our community.
b) Assisting in identifying those who had close contact (close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for a total of 10 cumulative minutes or more,
beginning 48 hours prior to illness onset or date of specimen collection associated with the positive COVID-19 test, whichever is earlier) with the
person confirmed with COVID-19. This might include sharing seating charts, attendance records and bus rosters.
d) Assisting in providing contact information for those identified as close contacts (including name, date of birth and phone number of
parents/guardians).
e) Communicating with our school community. NH DHHS will assist us in the development of these communications.**What is considered “close contact”?
A person is considered a “close contact” to a person with COVID-19 if they were within 3 feet of the infected person for a total of 10 cumulative minutes or more, beginning 48 hours prior to illness onset or date of specimen collection associated with the positive COVID-19 test, whichever is earlier. NH DHHS can assist with determining who is considered a close contact.**Where can we find state and community transmission data in relation to COVID-19 cases?
This information can be found on the new COVID-19 School Interactive Dashboard. **Will there be isolation areas in school if a student presents symptoms during the school day?
Yes, each school will have areas set aside for use only in the case of a student presenting symptoms during the school day. Any student identified with symptoms will be immediately removed from close contact with others and brought to an isolation area. Parents/emergency contacts will be asked to come to school to pick up the student.What type of PPE will the District be providing?
We will provide face masks for every student and staff member if we return to in-person learning. We will also provide gowns, face shields, additional specialized masks, and gloves to other staff, including custodians, food service personnel, bus drivers, nurses, educational assistants and related service providers, as needed.Does the District have ample PPE supplies?
We have received ample supplies from the state throughout the spring and summer. The District is working with various vendors to provide for our school year PPE supplies.How will we dispose of used PPE? Do we need to double bag the dirty/used items?
The virus does not survive very long in the environment and is not easily transmitted through fomites, so used PPE will be handled through routine disposal.Is there a specific number of cases or other virus data that would result in a switch to fully remote instruction?
The District will rely on the advice of the NH Public Health Department and the District’s infectious disease consultant for this guidance. The District will monitor the New Hampshire, Merrimack County and Concord COVID data.
Remote Learning Model
Will ‘live’ classes be available?
Yes, this model will include a balance of ‘live’, interactive classes with teachers and other students, as well as ‘anytime’ learning through teacher-made and other videos, off-line paper-and-pencil activities, reading and writing, instructional software, peer collaboration, and projects.
If a child participates in 100% remote learning, can they still participate in co-curricular activities?
Yes, students will have access to the same clubs or other activities as those learning in person.Will students have a daily schedule while on remote learning?
Yes, we received a great deal of feedback from families noting that schedules and additional structure was needed for remote learning. This has been emphasized as we have moved forward with our planning.Will there be more “face-to-face” teacher/student time while on remote learning?
We received significant feedback on this from the community. This will be an important aspect of remote learning going forward. The District is in the process of offering more training for our teachers and providing software applications that will enhance the face-to-face time for students. Our remote learning will include a balance of ‘live’ or face-to-face ‘synchronous’ teaching and meetings, and anytime ‘asynchronous’ on- and off-screen learning opportunities. These asynchronous activities might include teacher-made videos, books, paper-and-pencil and hands-on activities, use of specific computer software programs, collaborative work with peers, and more.Will students be graded this year, even if learning remotely?
Yes. We anticipate that all students will be graded in the normal fashion for their grade level.
Facilities
What are the cleaning procedures under the in-school model?
The District has specific protocols to address sanitizing the building. Custodial schedules will be shifted as needed to ensure that the building is kept clean and sanitized during the day and at the end of each school day. Cleaning products will be available in every classroom to wipe surfaces, as needed. Every afternoon/evening the custodial staff will spray down classrooms with CDC-approved disinfectants. On Wednesday, with few children in the building, a deeper cleaning will be conducted.Will the school custodians be able to keep the building clean and sanitized?
We have purchased new tools for cleaning, including automated floor machines and electrostatic sprayers, as well as back-pack battery sprayers. We are prepared to hire additional staff if needed.What is the District doing to make sure our buildings have healthy indoor air quality?
We are working closely with two HVAC companies to support this:
a. Trane Technologies has been working with the District for 3 years.
i. They change all air filters in all 7 schools every quarter (over 1,000 filters).
ii. These filters are a combination of MERV 8 and MERV 14.
iii. Trane and maintenance personnel perform routine preventative maintenance on our HVAC units.
b. Siemans Industry is our building automation company. They help us schedule all operating functions of all air handlers. We will be
setting our systems to run at full capacity, to bring 100% outside air into the building, per recommended guidelines.
Mechanical engineers are working with CSD to help further evaluate our systems, to maximize our systems operations. We will allow for regular airing with windows when temperatures allow.
IAQ Consulting - Indoor Air Quality Report - Fall 2020
What is the District doing about exploring new technology for HVAC systems?
We are exploring the use of UV technology and bipolar ionization.As a parent, I’d like safety information about the chemicals that are being used to clean and disinfect the building.
We will post a link on our website to the Safety Data Sheet for each product used.We have many tables in our classrooms instead of desks and chairs, especially at the elementary level. Do we have enough furniture to set classrooms up with proper distancing?
Yes, the District has enough furniture to set up classrooms safely. Student furniture will be arranged to allow for 3-foot distancing, with all students facing the same direction.
Logistic Challenges
Will the District continue to provide meals for students who remain in remote learning?
April 16 will be the last day for remote meal deliveries. This includes the weekend meal deliveries as well.Will there be before/after school programs available at the schools?
The District recognizes the importance of this service as families seek care for their children while they work. Our afterschool programs have been open since mid-October. Please contact Susan Farrelly, After School Director, (sfarrelly@sau8.org).Will I be allowed to visit in the building as a parent?
We will continue to limit individuals coming into the buildings and parent meetings will continue virtually.Can I be an in-school volunteer?
We will not have volunteers join us in the buildings this spring.Can the District provide in-home services?
At this point we are not asking our staff to provide services to students in their homes. We are exploring the possibilities for some students to receive services from other contracted organizations that might be at home or in the organization’s space.
Transportation
How will students get to school?
The District’s buses will continue to operate and students will be seated one child per bench (exception: siblings can sit together) in an off-set pattern. Bus routes will expand to support multiple runs, with potential adjustments to arrival and departure times in a few of the elementary schools (+/- 10 minutes or so).When will the buses be cleaned/sanitized?
They will be cleaned/sanitized before the first pick-up, in between bus runs and at the end of the day.
** These questions/answers were taken from the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services Bureau of Infectious Disease Control Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions for Education Partners document dated September 10, 2020.