Illness Guidelines
2022-2023 School Year
All students/staff with symptoms should be tested for Covid-19 before reporting to school.
Rapid at-home tests are now accepted. School nurses will not be testing students/staff at school. If you need a Covid-19 test, please contact your school nurse.
When should I stay home?
Review of symptoms before school every day:
Fever (100F or higher), chills, shaking chills
Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Headache when in combination with other symptoms
Muscle aches or body aches
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Fatigue when in combination with other symptoms
Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies)
What should I do if I have any of these symptoms?
Remain home if ill.
Call your school and report your absence and notify your school nurse of symptoms.
Massachusetts DPH guidelines recommend that all symptomatic individuals, even with mild symptoms, should be tested.
You should get tested at your primary care provider's office or use a home antigen test.
Isolate at home until test results are received.
TEST RESULTS
IF NEGATIVE: Remain home until feeling well enough to come to school. Continue to test for COVID-19 (Negative results initially are common). Wear a mask to protect others if you are experiencing symptoms and coming to school. If rapid results are negative and symptoms persist, consultation with your primary medical provider is recommended.
IF POSITIVE: Remain at home (except to get medical care), monitor your symptoms, notify the school, notify close personal contacts. Most people who have relatively mild illness will need to stay in self isolation for at least 5 days and until 24 hours have passed with no fever and improvement of symptoms.
What if I get sick at school?
Secure coverage for your classroom.
Notify the Main Office.
Consult with your school nurse prior to leaving the building.
Leave school immediately.
Massachusetts DPH guidelines recommends that all symptomatic individuals, even with mild symptoms, should be tested.
You should get a Covid test at your primary care provider's office or use a home antigen test.
Follow Test Results listed above.
Isolate at home until test results are received.
Do I need a Covid-19 Test (3).pdfReturn to School After Illness (2).pdf