Please read the following information about how our district will respond when illness presents at school: 

• Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor their children for signs of illness before coming to school each day. Children who are sick should NOT attend school in-person. 
• Students who present with the following symptoms at school will be sent home:
  • At least two of the following symptoms:  chills, rigors (shivers), myalgia (muscle aches), headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose OR
  • At least one of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new olfactory disorder, new taste disorder.
• Students who are sent home will be referred to their healthcare provider. Persons with COVID-19-compatible symptoms (see above) should undergo COVID-19 testing regardless of vaccination status. 
• Students may return to school with a negative COVID-19 test or an alternative diagnosis supported by a physician's note AND at least 24 hours have passed after resolution of fever without fever reducing medications AND improvement of symptoms. The NJDOH School Exclusion List will be utilized to determine the return to school date for alternative diagnoses (i.e., strep throat, influenza, worsening of chronic illness).

PERSONS WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19:

• Stay home and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms).
• If symptoms resolve (fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms improve), isolation can end after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6).
• If symptoms persist (fever or if other symptoms have not improved), continue to isolate until fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved.
• MASK: Continue to wear a well-fitted mask when around others at home and in public through day 10. For those ending isolation on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10. Persons who are unable to wear a mask when around others should stay home and isolate from other people for a full 10 days.

HOUSEHOLD CLOSE CONTACTS: If a student lives in a home with a person who tests positive for COVID-19, quarantine is not required, but the following protocols will be followed:  

• The family member should isolate and/or wear a well-fitted mask in the home
• The student may return to school as long as they are asymptomatic and wear a mask for at least 5 days. 
• If the student tests NEGATIVE 5 days after last exposure to the person, then they do not need to wear a mask on days 6-10 but should continue to monitor for symptoms for ten days. If the student tests POSITIVE, follow isolation protocols. If no COVID-19 test is taken, student will wear a mask for the full 10 days. 
• If a parent does not want their child to wear a mask at school, the child’s absences will be excused (10 days from last contact with the positive family member).

COVID-19 TESTING: PCR tests are still the preferred method.  Rapid antigen tests and home tests will be accepted.  If a home test is used, the parent must email or provide written confirmation of the date and outcome of the test results.