COVID-19 Response

BRISTOL* LINCOLN * MONKTON * NEW HAVEN * STARKSBORO 

Shaping Our Future Together

August 24, 2022

Dear MAUSD Learning Community,

We are very much looking forward to welcoming students back to school in just a few short days.  The start of a new school year is an exciting time and this year we have the benefit of a very different COVID-19 context. The Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Agency of Education recently sent COVID-19 guidance to school nurses in preparation for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.  Below you will find key information from that guidance which highlights actions schools will be taking regarding COVID-19. 

Please take a moment to review the information provided below. 

COVID-19/Sickness Response & Prevention

• If the student or staff member is presenting with mild symptoms, the decision to test or return to class should be made by the school nurse based upon their clinical decision making.
• If a student or staff member is not well enough to learn or participate, regardless of whether they are tested for COVID-19, they should be sent home from school. A student who is being sent home due to illness may be required to wear a mask while awaiting pick-up. The decision to require masking should be made by the school nurse based on clinical decision-making. They may return to school if their symptoms have improved, and they meet school criteria for their illness. COVID-19 testing should not be required for symptomatic students or staff to return to school. 
• If a student or staff member has confirmed COVID-19, they should follow the Vermont Department of Health isolation guidance.
• Staff and students should be permitted to exercise their own or their family’s decision-making to wear a mask in school settings.
• Encourage frequent and thorough hand washing using soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol (soap and water are preferred when hands are visibly dirty) to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. When done correctly, hand washing will help students, school staff, and visitors avoid spreading and receiving germs.

COVID-19 Testing

• Antigen and LAMP tests should be used exclusively for symptomatic students and staff.
• COVID-19 testing should not be required for symptomatic students or staff to stay at or return to school.
• Schools will require consent from families to do in-school testing. 
• Tests can be administered in school or be sent home for symptomatic students and staff.
• If an antigen test is negative, and the student or staff member is presenting with mild symptoms that may be attributable to another diagnosis, the student or staff member may return to class. This decision should be made by the school nurse based on clinical decision-making. A second test should be sent home with the student or staff member so it can be repeated before the start of school the next day. Testing is not required to attend school.
• Antigen tests may be sent home to families of symptomatic students and staff as determined by the school nurse.

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate through the changes of COVID-19 protocols. As always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Respectfully,

Patrick J. Reen

Superintendent