2022-23 COVID-19 Information
On Monday, August 22, 2022, the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department released a joint memo regarding COVID-19 as it relates to the upcoming 2022-23 school year. Read the letter, as well as an FAQ, below.
Highlights include:
- Students and staff exposed to COVID will not have to quarantine. People who were exposed to COVID-19 should follow CDC recommendations to wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after the exposure and get tested.
- Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days at home. Those with symptoms may resume attending school after 5 days if they are fever-free without fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours their symptoms are improving and they wear a mask through day 10.
- Universal masking is not required at this time. Local health departments have the authority to implement masking requirements.
- Schools will no longer be required to conduct contact tracing.
- Schools are not required to report daily test results to DOH.
2021-22 COVID-19 Information
Health Emergency Plan
Correspondence from the District:
Germantown CSD Opening Plan 2021-2022
(Subject to Change based on CDC, NYSED, and NYSDOH Guidance)
Multi-Layered Mitigation Strategies
Many of the health and safety guidelines put in place last year, which helped prevent COVID-19 outbreaks and school closures, will continue indefinitely to ensure the safety of students, staff and families:
- Regular cleaning and disinfecting of school buildings and buses
- Improved ventilation in all school buildings
- Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Respiratory etiquette – cough or sneeze into your mask or use a tissue or the inside of your elbow
- Stay home when sick and call your family physician
- Provide surveillance and point-of-care testing of students and staff in schools
Face Coverings
In accordance with CDC and NYSED recommendations, and a directive of the Governor, face masks covering both the mouth and nose will be required for all students, staff, and visitors inside schools and on school buses regardless of vaccination status. Masks will be optional when outdoors on school property.
Students will be provided mask breaks when seated in class and socially distanced.
*Importantly, CDC guidance also indicates that in the K-12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time.
Given this guidance from the CDC, the district anticipates that fewer students will likely be quarantined by adhering to the recommendation to require mask-wearing in our schools regardless of vaccination status.
Social Distancing
Schools will maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms. The district can comply with this guidance and fully accommodate all students for instruction.
Transportation
All students and staff must wear face masks while riding on a school bus regardless of vaccination status. CDC guidelines permit buses to operate with two students per seat. Windows and roof hatches will be open to increase ventilation on the bus. Cleaning and disinfecting will continue following each bus run daily. Students will be assigned seats to assist with possible contact tracing needs.
All students will be placed on a bus route for the upcoming school year. However, if parents plan on driving their children to and/or from school, they are asked to please inform the district office to assist with our planning. Please call 518-537-6281 or email Transportation Supervisor Diane Palazzo at dpalazzo@germantowncsd.org.
Cafeteria
Appropriate physical distancing will be maintained in cafeterias and eating areas to provide necessary meals to all students in attendance. Seating arrangements for students are being made to ensure as much physical distancing as possible within space constraints. Layered mitigation protocols will include hand washing or hand sanitizer before and after meals; limiting mask removal to the duration of eating; cleaning and disinfection between lunch periods; and providing increased ventilation of seating areas.
Athletics
Interscholastic sports will be offered to students this Fall. In accordance with CDC guidelines, it is recommended that schools currently located in regions classified as a “high” transmission zone be subject to either canceling higher-risk sports or ensuring that all students participating in higher-risk athletic teams are fully vaccinated. For the Fall season, this requirement affects participants in Girls’ Volleyball. The district is conferring with other schools within our league and the NYS Public High School Athletic Association to examine this recommendation. Parents of all students including those registered for interscholastic athletics are encouraged to consider vaccination in consultation with your child’s primary care provider.
The district is also requiring a surveillance testing program of student-athletes among other students in accordance with CDC recommendations.
Parent/Guardian consent for testing of students is required in all cases.
Music
Band and chorus will continue to maintain the 3-6 feet social distancing of students during instruction. Wind and brass instrumental instruction will make use of bell covers for instruments to prevent aerosol spread similar to the end of last school year. Chorus singers will wear masks at all times. Outdoor instruction will be considered as weather permits.
Physical Education
When indoors, students should maintain 6 feet of social distancing during physical education instruction. Physical Education teachers will prioritize outdoor activities as weather permits.
Classroom Desk Cleaning
In accordance with CDC recommendations, in general, cleaning once a day is sufficient to remove potential viruses that may be on surfaces. Daily disinfecting removes any remaining germs on surfaces, which further reduces any risk of spreading infection. Classroom desks will not need to be disinfected after each period. Surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected daily by custodial staff. High-touch surfaces will be given additional cleaning and disinfecting.
Lockers
Students will be allowed to use lockers during the school day.
Contact Tracing/Quarantine
In conjunction with the Capital Region, Questar III BOCES, and Columbia County Department of Health, the Germantown Central School District will follow the contact tracing/quarantine flow chart describing processes for vaccinated/unvaccinated individuals, three-foot distancing vs. six feet distancing, mask-wearing, and time exposed to a positive case. A flow chart will be amended to this document.
Testing
The district is working with Questar III BOCES, other schools, and the county health department to develop and implement a voluntary COVID-19 testing program for students and staff. We will conduct surveillance testing for 10% of all students and staff on a weekly basis. This test will be a rapid PCR test and will provide for a safe environment for all students and staff. In addition, through support from our local DOH, we will provide a point-of-care testing option for students and staff who may be showing symptoms while in school. This molecular test will provide our nurse with results within 15 minutes. This molecular, point-of-care test will provide the district with results to make decisions to quarantine, contact trace, or allow the student/staff member to return to their normal daily activities. Last year, we sent home every child that showed any symptoms related to Covid-19. This point-of-care testing will allow us to ensure there is a positive or negative result quickly and allow more students to learn safely without quarantining.
School Events
The Germantown CSD is committed to restoring as many in-person school events as possible this school year, including welcome back events, open houses, parent-teacher conferences, etc. Face masks would be required for any indoor events, and they would be optional for outdoor events.
Full Remote Program
A Full Remote Program through Questar III BOCES is in development for medically eligible students. This program would be a regional Full Remote Program for K-12 students taught by Questar instructors. Course options may be limited at the 7-12 level. The district anticipates making final arrangements for this program within the next few days and will make the application available to parents this week. Only students with an immunocompromised condition with a doctor’s note will have the option for remote opportunities. Please provide the district with a medical excuse prior to Friday, August 27.
COVID-19 Vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the pandemic. All eligible individuals are encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Currently, there are three vaccines available (Pfizer-ages 12+, Moderna-ages 18+ and Johnson & Johnson-ages 18+). If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your family physician.
Find a COVID-19 Vaccine
Resources
Archived COVID-19 Information 2019-20
Archived COVID-19 Information 2020-21
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