COVID-19 Health Services Page
District COVID-19 Protocols and Guidelines
Please screen your student daily for these symptoms both remotely and in-person:
YOUR CHILD HAS SYMPTOMS AT HOME:
- They must get a test for COVID-19 before returning to school. Per the recommendation of both our local Board of Health and our school physician, please request a PCR or NAAT (molecular) test. Rapid tests are antigen tests which have a higher rate of false negatives so we are requesting molecular tests in order for
your student to return to school. - The alternative is to remain at home in self-isolation for 10 days from symptom onset.
- If they do not get tested and they have a sibling at AWRSD who may potentially be exposed to a positive student, please refrain from sending the sibling to school until the isolation has been completed.
This does not pertain if you have your student tested. - Absences, including remote absences, are to be reported to the main office and must include the reason for the absence.
- Documentation of a negative COVID test must be submitted to your school nurse. If you choose to isolate your child, please notify the school nurse before he/she returns.
** If your student is symptomatic or referred for testing due to being in contact with someone with KNOWN Covid-19 and you cannot get an order for a COVID-19 test, please contact your local board of health to obtain documentation to take to your testing site.
YOUR CHILD HAS SYMPTOMS AT SCHOOL:
- Teachers have been trained in identifying COVID-19 symptoms.
- If a teacher observes a student who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, they will be sent to the nurse’s office immediately for evaluation.
- Symptomatic students will then be placed in a staffed isolation area to await dismissal.
- Please ensure that your student’s emergency contact information is up-to-date and includes at least one other local non-custodial person who is able to pick up your student for dismissal.
- Under no circumstances will a student with a suspected case of COVID-19 be sent home on the bus.
YOUR CHILD HAS HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH A KNOWN POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE:
- Your child must self-quarantine for 14 days after the last exposure to the person who tested positive. You may get your student tested, however, per Massachusetts state requirements, please keep your student home for the full 14 days regardless of the results of a COVID test.
- A close contact is defined as being within six feet of the individual for at least 15 minutes, while the person was infectious.
TESTING SITES:
- Call your PCP
- Additional testing sites are at www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing.
- Please notify your school nurse before your student returns.
Know what to do when you get your child’s COVID-19 test results:
POSITIVE:
- Remain at home at least 10 days and until symptoms have improved and until student has had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- Answer the call from the contact tracing team (local board of health or Community Tracing Collaborative), they will clear your student to return to school.
- Bring paperwork from your PCP or local Board of Health clearing your student to return to school to your school nurse.
NEGATIVE:
- Your student may return to school when symptoms have improved and if your student has had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- Please send negative test results sent to your school nurse.
If your student has been COVID-19 tested, please check with the school nurse before returning to school regardless of test results.
Know these three critical measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in school:
1.MASKS: Students in all grades will be required to wear masks throughout the school day as well as to and from school on the bus. The schools will offer designated“mask breaks”, which will occur throughout the day. Exceptions will be made for students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/ face coverings. A medical note in addition to prior approval from an administrator
will be required if your student is unable to wear a mask. Please provide your student with a mask to wear on the way to school and during the school day, and also provide a backup mask in case the mask breaks or becomes soiled. Cloth masks should be washed daily. Please note: gaiters, bandanas and masks with valves that do not have double layers are not allowed due to insufficient studies supporting their effectiveness.
2. HAND HYGIENE: Your child will be required to perform hand hygiene (handwashing or sanitizing) upon arrival to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, after using the restroom, and before dismissal. Please help your student learn to wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer for 20 seconds at a time. If your child cannot use hand sanitizer, please provide your school nurse with a letter stating your request to opt out.
3. PHYSICAL DISTANCING: As COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets, distance between individuals reduces risk. In classroom settings, six feetof separation will be required. Your school will likely assign seats or designate cohorts of students to help mitigate the transmission of the virus. Please encourage your student to follow these instructions.
4. TRAVEL GUIDELINES AWRSD follows state travel guidelines for staff and families. Information can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/What do I do if I have additional questions?
Contact your school nurse, or email COVID19K12ParentInfo@mass.gov
Ashburnham: Nashoba Board of Health http://www.nashoba.org/
Westminster: Board of Health https://www.westminster-ma.gov/board-health
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH): https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html