COVID-19 Update (11/15/23)

Covid-19 is still front and center when we talk about our daily routines and protocols. Again, health and safety are our top priorities at BFUHS. My job is to make sure we are following the recommendations and guidance from the CDC, the State of Vermont, the AOE and the APA to help maintain the healthiest and safest place for all of us to learn, work and play. That being said, these protocols are changing frequently based on infection rates, vaccination rates, and the latest research and information from our experts. 

One thing I am asking from all of our students, families, faculty and staff.....

PLEASE, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE, DO NOT SEND YOUR STUDENT TO SCHOOL IF THEY HAVE NEW COLD OR FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS. THEY WILL BE SENT HOME. 

If your student develops new symptoms such as:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Please contact the school nurse before sending your child to school.  If your student is found to have any of these symptoms at school that cannot otherwise be explained, a parent/guardian will be contacted immediately with the expectation that the student leave school grounds within 30 minutes and monitor symptoms and/or see their pediatrician/PCP for further work up if necessary. 

What can we expect at the beginning of the 23-24 school year?

• We (the collective "we," meaning the school) are still not in a position to be able to test your students at this time without consent from a parent/guardian. 

• If we suspect your student of having symptoms consistent with Covid symptoms, we may call you to see if you would like us to perform a test at the school, or send home Covid testing supplies if we have them. 

• Students/faculty/staff found to have a positive Covid test are required to stay home for 5 days. The timeline starts at the onset of SYMPTOMS, regardless of testing date.  Folks are not to return until symptoms have resolved or significantly improved, and there is no fever for >24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications.

• Negative Covid testing results are NOT required to return back to the school community. DO NOT KEEP TESTING AND RETESTING LOOKING FOR A NEGATIVE TEST. 

• Masking upon return is highly recommended but not required.

• Student athletes/students participating in physical education do NOT need a return to play note from a provider, nor do they need to participate in a graduated return to play protocol post-Covid. 

•  Please see https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19  and https://vpaonline.org/ for more information. 

-We still have take-home Covid tests available in the Health Office if needed (supplies are limited).

-Frequent hand washing/sanitizing is still strongly encouraged (this should have been a no-brainer before a pandemic!).

FINALLY - REMEMBER! It is the responsibility of the STUDENTS to reach out to their teachers when/if they are going to be out of school for an extended period of time. If they are feeling well enough to do work from home, this may be an option in order to keep up. However, communication is key! Everything is figureoutable! You all just need to communicate!!!!

Guidelines are still changing frequently - it is hard to keep up with it.  We will continue to keep you updated as we get more information. If you have any questions for the Health Office and the nurse, please feel free to call 802-463-3944 x211.