2022-23 Wellness Protocols and Information

2022-23 Wellness Policies Related To COVID-19 And Other Viral Respiratory Diseases

Ensuring a safe learning environment for our community

Updated October 27, 2022

VISIT THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER 2022-23 WELLNESS POLICIES

Updates as of October 27, 2022

The Mead School's interpretation of current health guidance and the school's related policies have a singular goal - to do all that we possibly can to return our school experience to pre-pandemic normalcy, while ensuring utmost safety. Please bear this in mind as you review what follows, and please know that we hope and even anticipate that all this may change at any point during the year.

ON COMMUNICATION:

We will implement a significant change in communication. Starting on October 27th, we will announce the presence of serious respiratory infections (i.e. Covid, Flu, RSV) as they arise to the whole Pre-K-Grade 8 community, rather than just the cohort most exposed, so that we honor those members of the community who feel they need to know for personal or health reasons.

ON VACCINATIONS:

The Mead School continues to STRONGLY encourage you to remain up to date on vaccines and boosters for Covid and Flu, as soon as possible. The effectiveness of any other respiratory disease prevention strategy in schools, child care programs, and youth camps is likely to be dependent on the underlying level of COVID-19 and influenza vaccination in staff and students.

**Please note that “Up to date” means you have received all of the vaccinations/boosters for which you are eligible.

SEE BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

In This Section

Health & Safety Measures

Drinking Water

We have installed a Water Bottle Filling Station in the upper hallway of the building by the main Art Center.

All Water Fountains will be turned off until the COVID-19 virus and other respiriatory viruses are under control.

In place of water fountains, all centers have water filters next to the sinks in their centers with a “faucet” attached so students will be able to fill up personal cups/bottles with water.

Face Coverings

Masking is now strongly encouraged during times of exposure and outbreak, rather than required, except for a returning, recovered person, as noted in the section "Symptoms, Positive Covid-19 Cases, and Exposure Protocols".
The school retains the right to reinstate full community masking in times of high risk outbreaks. This includes Influenza as well as Covid. We hope this will be rare with the right preventive measures.
At present, we are not continuing to offer on-site testing. At home testing is required for any symptomatic individual.

Hand Washing/Sanitizing

Frequent handwashing/sanitizing and respiratory etiquette will remain a part of our daily practice.

Cleaning Procedures

Surfaces are cleaned daily, and high-traffic areas are cleaned and disinfected several times throughout the day.

Handwashing

Everyone on campus is encouraged to wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer upon entry into the building and into classrooms and offices. Hand sanitizing stations are installed throughout the campus in classrooms, offices, and public spaces for easy access throughout the day.

Outdoor Learning

Overnight Trips

Transportation

Visiting Campus & Events

Symptoms, Positive COVID-19 Cases, and Exposure Protocols

Positive COVID-19 Cases

Current Covid protocols still hold for community members ill with Covid except that masking will be strongly encouraged, rather than required, for other exposed, healthy students. The affected community member:

Must inform the school of the positive test results
Must isolate for a full five days (Day 0 = Positive Test Day OR 1st day of symptom onset)
If symptoms are improved, may return to school on Day 6
If symptoms persist (CLICK HERE for symptoms), return to school on Day 11
There is no longer a test to return policy to end isolation if symptom free
The returning community member must mask for 10 days after testing positive, or, after day 5, provide two negative antigen tests, taken 48 hours apart.
Note: In all cases affected individuals must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to School.

Exposure

All students and employees, regardless of vaccination status, who have been notified that they were exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 may continue to come to campus unless symptoms develop.

Affected individuals will be strongly encouraged, rather than required, to wear a mask for 10 days from exposure.
Affected individuals should get tested on day five (first day of exposure is Day 0) after exposure and must screen carefully for symptoms. (See section below).
If the test is negative, the individual are strongly encouraged to wear a mask at school and continue to screen carefully for symptoms.

Symptom Screening

Respiratory Infection Protocols

Stay Home if Sick!
Respiratory Infection Protocol & Return to School

Stay Home if Sick!

Respiratory Infection Protocol & Return to School

Test for Covid, and if positive, see section above titled,"Symptoms, Positive Covid-19 Cases, and Exposure Protocols".
If there is no fever (less than 100*F) and no evidence of Covid, i.e. a mild respiratory infection, a child may come to school as long as:
- There has been no exposure to Covid in the household in the last 2 weeks
- That child is tested in the morning before arrival every day during the time they exhibit symptoms, and the results shown to the school
- The child is strongly encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask indoors
- Provide one final test the day symptoms are resolved
- If a child comes to school with obvious respiratory symptoms, we reserve the right to send that child home without evidence of a negative test and mask precautions. Communication is key.