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COVID-19 Information and Resources - 2022-2023 School Year

 

 

 

Launching into Healthy Learning

 

Is it allergies, a cold, or COVID-19?

 
Groton Public Schools is using the MONITOR-TEST-GO strategy for the 2022-2023 school year.
 

The fall and spring allergy seasons, combined with New England winters, present a challenge for schools. In previous years, individuals with any COVID-19 symptoms were excluded from in-person attendance.

This year, staff and students with mild respiratory symptoms (such as infrequent cough, congestion, runny nose, or sore throat) should answer the screening questions below and take a COVID home test before coming to school. 
 
MONITOR-TEST-GO is designed to increase the number of in-person learning days, both to improve the social/emotional/physical well-being of students, staff, and their families and enhance learning recovery.
 
If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, scroll down for the MONITOR-TEST-GO guidance Before coming to school.

 

COVID Test Kits 

  • If you need an at-home test, Groton Public Schools has a limited supply of test kits for students who are symptomatic. 
    • Children sent home by the nurse will take a test kit home with them while supplies last.
    • If your child stayed home, please call their school to request a test kit.

 

Monitor-Test-Go if you are experiencing mild respiratory symptoms.

 

Can I attend school? Answer the questions below to know if you should stay home or can come to school!

 

 

You may attend school if you answer yes to all of the following:

         

 

 

I am fever free  (< 100°F) and feel well enough to participate.

 

I do not live with anyone who has had COVID-19 in the past two weeks.

 

I test negative for COVID-19 

(Test each day while you have symptoms.)

 

One final test the morning their symptoms have completely resolved is also suggested.

Students who are a close contact, at risk, or currently using Monitor-Test-Go, may wear a mask if they choose to do so.

 

 

You should not attend school if you have any respiratory symptoms and either of the following:

 

 

Have a fever (≥ 100°F)

or feel feverish

 

Staff and students should not attend school until their fever has resolved for at least 24 hours, without medication

Live with a person who

tested positive for COVID-19

in the past 2 weeks      

 

 

Q & A from Our Health and Education Experts

 

Q: If a student or staff member does NOT have a fever but has mild respiratory disease symptoms and lives with someone who has had COVID – 19 in the past 2 weeks, can the Monitor-Mask-Go strategy be used?

A: No.  If a student or staff member is symptomatic and lives with someone who has had COVID-19 in the past two weeks, this may be a presumed positive case and Monitor-Mask-Go cannot be used. The student or staff member needs to isolate at home until their symptoms resolve and continue to test daily.


Q: Since students with allergies can stay in school if they have mild respiratory disease symptoms and no fever, are they required to have a doctor’s note in their HAR with an allergy diagnosis?

A: No. Many students with environmental allergies may not have been formally diagnosed and do not require medication in school. They are often simply treated with over-the-counter medication at their parent/guardian's discretion

 

Q: Can students at the high school level, self-test in the health office?

A: No. They should be sent home to minimize the potential spread of the virus.

 

Q: Will the District be providing distance learning to students who test positive for COVID-19 and are isolating at home for 5 days, during the 22-23 school year?

A: No. Students who have significant symptoms including a fever will remain home for 5 days, are recommended to rest and when feeling better, read a good book, and log into Lexia and Dreambox to complete lessons.

 

Q: Will the District continue to provide Home Test Kits for COVID-19 and PPE for staff and students?

A: Yes. The District will continue to provide Home Test Kits for COVID-19 and PPE for students and staff. Staff and parents/guardians may contact their child’s school to request a test.

 

Q: Will positive COVID-19 cases in each building still be reported to the community via the COVID Dashboard?

A: Yes. The District will continue to communicate positive COVID cases to parents via the COVID Dashboard which is located on the District website.

 

Q: If I live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (within the past two weeks), but I don't have any respiratory symptoms or a fever can I come to school? 

A: Yes. You may come to school.  It is recommended that you wear a mask around others and at home until day 10.  

 

 

Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19

 

 

FIGURE. Recommendations for isolation,* masking,† and additional precautions for persons with COVID-19 illness§ or who receive a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result¶,** — United States, August 2022

 

* Symptomatic persons should isolate immediately and get tested. They should remain in isolation until they receive a test result. If the test result is positive, they should follow the full isolation recommendations. Asymptomatic persons should begin counting isolation from the first full day after a positive test result (day 0 is the date the test specimen was collected). If an infected person develops symptoms after a positive test result, the isolation count starts again with day 0 being the first day of symptoms.

† Persons at high risk for severe illness should wear a mask or respirator (N95/KN95) that provides more protection indoors in public at medium and high COVID-19 Community Levels. All persons should wear well-fitting masks or respirators indoors in public at high COVID-19 Community Levels. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

§ Persons who had moderate illness from COVID-19, including those who show evidence of lower respiratory disease such as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing should isolate for ≥10 days. Persons who had severe illness from COVID-19, including those who were hospitalized and those who required intensive care or mechanical ventilation, and persons with immunocompromising conditions should isolate for ≥10 days and consult with a health care provider to determine end of isolation. https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/overview/clinical-spectrum/

 Infected persons can contact their health care provider to discuss their test results and available treatment options. They should monitor fever and other symptoms. If they develop an emergency warning sign, they should seek emergency medical care immediately. Emergency warning signs include trouble breathing; persistent pain or pressure in chest; new confusion; inability to awaken or stay awake; and pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nailbeds, depending on skin tone. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

** If symptoms worsen from the end of isolation through day 10, infected persons should restart isolation; they should consider consulting with a health care provider to determine care.