(NEW August, 2022) Q: Do students and staff have to quarantine following exposure to someone with COVID-19?

A: No. Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19 so long as they are asymptomatic. In schools, people who have been exposed to COVID-19 should follow recommendations to wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days following exposure and get tested. 

(NEW August, 2022) Q: When does my child have to quarantine/ isolate? For how long?
A: For Students/ Staff WITH COVID-19 Symptoms
Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate at home for 5 days, with Day 1 being the first full day following onset of symptoms. Those with symptoms may resume attending school after the end of Day 5 if they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine and their symptoms are improving.

For Students/ Staff WITHOUT COVID-19 Symptoms
Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate at home for 5 Days, where Day 0 is the day they were tested (not the day they received their positive test result) and Day 1 is the first full day following the day they were tested — if someone develops symptoms within the 10 days of testing the clock resets to day 0.

In all scenarios of COVID-19 positivity, students and staff must wear a well-fitting mask in school through Day 10.

CDC guidance indicates that people can use the test-based strategy outlined in the isolation guidance to potentially shorten the duration of post-isolation mask use. If using the test-based strategy, people should continue to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in school and community settings until ALL testing criteria have been met.

Q:  My child has been quarantined; are they eligible for remote instruction? 
A:  A student in quarantine will be eligible for quarantine instruction in the form of observing the classroom and receiving the assignments virtually, as well as participating in virtual "extra extra help" as needed. Due to our current staffing challenges, including teachers who are not able to provide any instruction due to illness, we may not be able to arrange the virtual instruction for all students. In addition, if a student is not feeling well, they are not expected to participate. 

Q:  What if an entire class has to quarantine, including the teacher?  Will the teacher conduct the class remotely?
A:  If an entire class is quarantined, having the students working remotely would certainly be an option for consideration based on the availability of the teacher. We will explore numerous options to maintain a continuity of teaching and learning by partnering with the teacher and administration depending upon the circumstances. As we gain clarity on what is required and/or allowed, we will be able to provide a more specific answer. 

Q: Are students required to wear face coverings in school?
A: No.The New York State Department of Health's March 1 New Masking Guidance Update removed "the statewide requirement for universal masking in schools, and applies to P-12 elementary and secondary public, charter, private and state-operated schools, including residential schools and programs serving students with disabilities, as regulated by the New York State Education Department."

However, in all settings, masking continues to be required upon return from isolation during days 6 through 10 after COVID-19 infection.

Whenever persons are expected or required to wear masks, they may remove their masks while eating, drinking, singing, going outside, or playing a wind instrument. When masks are removed for these purposes, it is recommended that physical distancing of 6 or more feet be maintained to the extent possible.

Q: Is masking required on the school bus?
A: No. Masking is no longer required on school buses or vans. However, individuals who are required to wear masks in school for any reason should wear masks on school transport.

Q: What are the current social distancing measures?
A: Social distancing may be applied in situations involving an infection or exposure on a case by case basis.

Q:  My child has been quarantined; are they eligible for remote instruction?
A:  A student in quarantine will be eligible for quarantine instruction in the form of observing the classroom and receiving the assignments virtually, as well as participating in virtual "extra extra help" as needed. Due to our current staffing challenges, including teachers who are not able to provide any instruction due to illness, we may not be able to arrange the virtual instruction for all students. In addition, if a student is not feeling well they are not expected to participate. 

Q:  Do parents need to have a medical reason to request remote instruction?
A:  The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is not requiring districts to provide remote learning. This decision was affirmed in a detailed, Back to School Guidance from NYSED. The District is currently in the process of evaluating our obligations to provide remote learning for medical reasons. Such requests should include medical documentation and will be reviewed carefully by administrators, Pupil Personnel Services (eginsberg@ccsd.edu), and the District’s Health Coordinator (ssherlock@ccsd.edu). It is important to note that our top priority is to provide in-person instruction.

Q: Will students be required to bring laptops back and forth to school this year? If so, can they use their own? Are there places to charge the laptop during the day in case of no power? 
A: It will be up to the individual teacher whether laptops are used during the class.  Since more instruction relies on technology, some teachers may assign activities that require use of a laptop.  Students can either bring their own or receive a school-issued laptop.  There are charging stations in the library.

Q:  If a class, school, or the District at large, has to pivot to remote for classes, is the District prepared for a seamless transition?
A:  The District will do its very best to meet the needs of students, whether they are receiving in-person or remote instruction.  

Q:  What are the cleaning and disinfecting protocols for this school year?
A:  We will maintain the NYSDOH/CDC recommended cleaning protocols.  Each school will be cleaned and disinfected each evening. 

If there is an active COVID-19 case, the impacted area will be deep-cleaned, which means that in additional to daily disinfection of high frequency contact surfaces (ie: desks, chairs, door handles, handrails, light switches, sink handles, restroom surfaces), deep cleaning includes the additional surfaces listed below. The specific areas for deep cleaning are identified during contact tracing.

The following are the additional surfaces included in deep cleaning: Uncovered sections of classroom walls, built-in furniture (where practical) and building equipment; Doors and door frames; Classroom floors; Lockers; Uncovered hallway walls and windows; Hallway floors and Computer equipment is wiped down with a disinfectant dampened cloth.

Q:  When will the PTA be able to put in permits for events?
A:  Permits can be sent to the District and will be reviewed, with approval granted or not, based on the current environment of the pandemic. Each permit, when reviewed, will be given careful consideration for acceptance based on details of the request such as the gathering of people. 

Q:  Where are we with fans in every room? 
A:  Fans are not recommended to be used to address comfort in classrooms as their use can increase risk of COVID transmission among occupants. CDC guidance states "As with all fan use during the COVID-19 pandemic, take care to minimize the potential to create air patterns that flow directly across one person onto another: 

• Avoid the use of the high-speed settings
• Use ceiling fans at low velocity and potentially in the reverse-flow direction (so that air is pulled up toward the ceiling)
• Direct the fan discharge towards an unoccupied corner and wall spaces or up above the occupied zone

Following the aforementioned guidance greatly reduces any cooling effect the fan would provide. Teachers can request fans from their principal as needed, and as available.

Q:  Are the kids allowed to use the playground equipment, have shared equipment in specials, etc.? 
A:  Yes, students will need to use hand sanitizer before and after using the equipment.

Q:  Will the students be using lockers this year at Festa?
A:  Yes - hallway.