Current COVID-19 Protocols and Information

Both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Departments of Health and Education (NYDOH/NYSED) have adjusted their COVID related recommendations for schools. These new recommendations remove many of the previous requirements that schools were asked to enforce, and signal a continued shift toward individuals and families as decision-makers with respect to COVID response.

In light of this guidance, the District will be refocusing our energy on more traditional and familiar educational responsibilities, and spending less time managing and enforcing these recommendations. Of course, we will make appropriate adjustments to this approach should changing health conditions in our schools and community warrant.

Key Updates From Recent CDC/State Recommendations:

• Isolation for those testing positive for COVID is still required.

• Weekly testing of unvaccinated staff members is no longer required.

• Individuals exposed to COVID are no longer required/recommended to quarantine.

• The guidelines and recommendations no longer differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

• Regular testing for COVID within schools is no longer recommended, although we will still provide testing kits to those that request them. Schools are encouraged to provide testing around return from breaks or higher-risk activities.

• Schools should adjust their mitigation/testing protocols in response to the local COVID metrics and prioritize in-person schooling for all children.

Links to NY State and CDC Guidance:

• CDC Adjusted Recommendations

• NYSDOH/NYSED “Letter to Districts”

• NYS FAQ

• NYS Parent/Caregiver Information

Scarsdale’s Protocols in Response to Updates:

Returning to School After Symptoms or Illness:

The recommendation remains for students exhibiting a COVID-related symptom to stay home until two antigen or one PCR test show negative result(s), but is no longer a requirement. We continue to strongly encourage any students or staff who experience symptoms related to COVID to test prior to returning to school after an absence or illness; however, the nurses’ office will no longer be collecting the negative results.

Returning to School after a COVID Diagnosis:

Students testing positive for COVID are still required to isolate according to the CDC guidelines for a minimum of 5 days. The CDC still recommends wearing a mask indoors on days 6-10 after release from isolation.

NYS EMERGENCY SICK LEAVE

Below is how time in isolation is accounted for under the NYS Emergency Sick Leave law.

• When you are absent due isolation from a Covid-19 positive diagnosis, please enter your time using personal illness days, and notify Deirdre Reid.

• When you are absent due to a loved one in isolation, please use personal days (and illness days for those union contracts that allow it).

• HR will restore time to you for these absences according to the following:

-NYS Emergency Sick Leave can be awarded up to 3 times (maximum of 10 days each).

-One time (only) it can be awarded for the care of someone else (child, loved one)

-All other times it can only be applied when the employee is in isolation due to Covid+.