North Smithfield Public Schools: New CDC And RIDOH Guidance Letter

Press release from the North Smithfield Public Schools:

January 7, 2022

Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,

"On Thursday, 1/6/2022 the Governor and the Department of Health released updated COVID guidance for Rhode Island schools. https://health.ri.gov/publications/memoranda/20220106-COVID-Prevention-Strategies-PreK-12.pdf.

These changes were promoted by the Rhode Island Superintendent’s Association and are designed to keep more children out of quarantine and in school. The data shows the previous quarantine and close contact guidelines had the negative effect of keeping many healthy students at home and out of the classroom. The new guidelines, based on the changes released by CDC on December 31, 2021, allows K-12 public schools in Rhode Island to change our protocols for quarantine, as well as increase our capacity for in-school screening, referred to as Monitor to Stay, and in-school testing for our athletes, referred to as Test to Play. In addition to the continued focus on full vaccination and booster of adults and children ages 5 and older and mask-wearing in public, these two strategies continue to be the most effective means of minimizing the transmission and impact of COVID-19.

Regardless of the changes it is vital that students and staff who have symptoms stay home from school. We will have more information how NSPS will be implementing the new guidelines, but effective immediately:

• The quarantine period for COVID-positive staff members and students, and their in-school close contacts, is now reduced from 10 days to 5 days, with a return on day 6, if the person is symptom-free and has been fever free for 24 hours. Anyone past 5 days and symptom free may return to school on Monday. If symptoms are not resolved or fever is present the isolation period is extended. A negative PCR test is recommended, but is not required. Household contacts follow different protocols.

In the coming week:

• NSPS will be replacing our planned Test-to-Stay pilot program for unvaccinated students in grades PK-6, with Monitor-to-Stay at all grade levels. This will allow students that are determined to be in-school close contacts, and are symptom-free, to remain in school. Unlike Test-to-Stay, Monitor-to-Stay will not require the student to receive a daily antigen screening. While an antigen screening will be available for those who request it, we will primarily rely on a daily student/parent wellness attestation over a five day period.
• Athletes, regardless of vaccination status, who are determined to be an in-school close contact, may still participate in Interscholastic League sports through Test-to-Play as long as they remain symptom-free and have a negative rapid test given during the school day.

There is still a lot of information to unpack and we know you will have questions. We are also waiting on some additional information ourselves. Again, please look over the release from the Governor's office and the RIDOH.

https://health.ri.gov/publications/memoranda/20220106-COVID-Prevention-Strategies-PreK-12.pdf

You can address any general questions to me and, while I probably won't be able to respond to everyone individually, I can certainly take your email into consideration and respond en masse.

For any questions about how the new guidelines affect your student individually, you should consult your school’s nurse. Further guidance and clarification will follow."

This press release was produced by the North Smithfield Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.