Covid Update and New Protocols 1/12/22

State COVID Guidelines from the Department of Education

These are a couple of COVID related items that we do not have any control of as a public school in MA that we have been getting a lot of parent questions about:

1.) The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is not allowing remote learning as an option.

2.) The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has extended its mandate that masks be worn in schools through February 28, 2022.

Key Terms to know:
Isolation - Refers to someone who has been confirmed to have COVID
Quarantine - Refers to someone who is a close contact of someone who has been confirmed to have COVID

Counting the days in isolation or quarantine: The day you begin developing symptoms or test positive (whichever comes first) is technically not included in the five-day isolation period. It is Day 0. The same is true for a close contact in reference to the day they were in contact with someone who is positive with COVID. That day is Day 0.

Example: I was exposed or tested positive on January 1st. My Day 1 is Jan 2 and my Day 6 is Jan 7th.

For the most recent guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, please click here.

K-12 Burlington Protocols as determined by the CDC and DESE Guidance

Scenario  Column 1  Column 2 

My Child is Vaccinated - Current DESE definition fully vaccinated is defined as two-weeks following the completion of the Pfizer or Moderna series or two-weeks following a single dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.  My Child Unvaccinated - Does not meet the current DESE definition for fully vaccinated in Column 1. 
My child has a fever of
100 degrees or higher or meets the criteria for COVID testing.  		Stays home from school until fever free without fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours and a negative COVID test.  Stays home from school until fever free without fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours and a negative COVID test. 
My child goes to school feeling well and does not feel well during the day.*  Rapid tested if consent is on file and dismissed.

If positive, isolation for 5 days and return to school on day 6 followed by 5 days of strict masking as long as symptoms have significantly improved. Note: If a student can't adhere to strict masking for 5 days then they should stay home for
10 days.  		Rapid tested if consent is on file and dismissed.

If positive, isolation for 5 days and return to school on day 6 followed by 5 days of strict masking as long as symptoms have significantly improved. Note: If a student can't adhere to strict masking for 5 days then they should stay home for
10 days. 
A student in my child’s class tests positive.   In Burlington Public Schools classrooms, we are spacing students at least three feet apart which is the distance that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education indicates is necessary for an individual to not be considered a close contact. However, because the current transmission rate is so high, we caution all individuals in a classroom where there was a positive individual to watch for symptoms.   In Burlington Public Schools classrooms, we are spacing students at least three feet apart which is the distance that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education indicates is necessary for an individual to not be considered a close contact. However, because the current transmission rate is so high, we caution all individuals in a classroom where there was a positive individual to watch for symptoms. 
A student in my child’s class does not feel well and my child is determined to be a close contact.  Continue to come to school and continue the daily symptom checker  If determined to be a close contact, students are placed in quarantine for 5 days, students can test on Day 6 at school (with consent) at home, or at a medical facility. Positive initiates isolation. Negative, return to school. 
Someone in my home is positive for COVID.  If there are no symptoms, students can attend school in a mask.   Student stays home in quarantine. This student's quarantine period does not start until the isolation period ends for the positive member of the household. Quarantine is five days followed by 5 days of strict masking. Students test on Day 6 at school (with consent) at home, or at a medical facility. Positive, begins isolation. Negative, return to school. 
My child has a mild symptom - like nasal congestion - fits in the one symptom category.  Student attends school in a mask and is tested for COVID if consent is on file. If there is no consent, then the student would need to go home for 5 days and could return to school on day 6 followed by 5 days of strict masking as long as symptoms have resolved.

Note: If a student can't adhere to strict masking for 5 days or is not eligible to be vaccinated (BECC), then they would stay home for 10 days.   		Student attends school in a mask and is tested for COVID if consent is on file. If there is no consent, then the student would need to go home for 5 days and could return to school on day 6 followed by 5 days of strict masking as long as symptoms have resolved.

Note: If a student can't adhere to strict masking for 5 days or is not eligible to be vaccinated (BECC), then they would stay home for 10 days.

 
My child has a sore throat - fits into the one symptom category that requires staying home.  Student stays home. Test for Strep throat and COVID.  Student stays home. Test for Strep throat and COVID. 

 

*Protocol Changes
Positive BECC students should isolate for 10 days.
Test and Stay can be utilized for quarantined students after Day 5. If negative, return to school with no additional days of testing - If positive, isolate for 5 days with a return with strict mask wearing on Day 6. Without strict mask wearing the student will need to remain out of school for another 5 days for a total of 10 days.
Fully vaccinated staff can return on Day 6 of isolation if fever free and symptoms have significantly improved

Future Scenarios
Obviously, the scenario list is not exhaustive. If there are other specific situations that you think should be included in the chart or if you have questions on these scenarios please send them to [email protected] and we will address them.