COVID POLICY

The BPDS will be masking optional for the enrolled children and staff. Children who choose to mask will be unmasked during eating/drinking, and resting times.

We will also maintain a supply of rapid antigen tests if it is deemed necessary to test a child (permission required) or staff member due to onset of covid symptoms.

If a child has covid symptoms, they can test and stay (provided they are under 100.3 degrees and the test is negative). Parent permission is needed for a child to test and stay. If there is no permission to test the child, they will be sent home until symptoms improve or there is a negative test. (Note: if a child has fever of above 100.3, they will be sent home regardless of testing and will be allowed back to school once they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications).

If a child or staff member tests positive, they are required to isolate and are not permitted to attend BDPS. Day 0 of their isolation will be the day of the first symptom of Covid, or the day the positive test was taken, whichever is an earlier date. Children who test positive must isolate for 10 days and return to school on day 11. If they can produce a negative test after day 5, they can return to school as early as day 6. Staff can return on day 6 provided they wear a mask at all times for 5 additional days without further testing.

COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, Out-of-School Time (OST) and Recreational Camp/Program Settings | Mass.gov

“Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for children or staff in these settings, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All exposed individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 6 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below. [see website link above]”

Drop-off and pick-up will be at the classrooms directly. Note: a covid positive parents/caregiver/guardian cannot drop-off or pick-up a child until day 6 of their exposure (and will wear a mask during these times for 5 additional days).

If any teachers or adults (parents, guardians, vendors,

specialists, and/or guests) who have active cold/cough symptoms will be required to wear a mask.

• Fever (100 degrees higher), chills, or shaking chills (note: this is a lower fever level than is in our BDPS health care policy)

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• New loss of taste or smell

• Muscle aches or body aches

• Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms

• Nausea, vomiting, when in combination with other symptoms

• Headache, when in combination with other symptoms

• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms

• Cough (not due to other known cases, such as chronic cough)

• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known cases, such as chronic cough), when in combination with other symptoms

As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, your child has a fever if:

• Rectal, Ear, or Forehead Temperature is: 100.4F (38C) or higher

• Oral/Mouth Temperature: 100.0F (37.8C) or higher

• Under the Armpit Temperature: 99.0F (37.2C) or higher

*We will send a pic home of the temperature taken*