Covid Protocol letter
As we prepare to begin the 2022-2023 school year, our first commitment is always for the health and
safety of our students and staff. Certain health and safety precautions taken during the pandemic will
remain in place such as proper ventilation including HEPA filters, floor units and exhaust fans to ensure
airflow from outside air. We will continue using touchless soap and paper towel dispensers. Hand
sanitizing stations will remain available. Students will be able to carry water bottles to class.
At this time, we will be requiring the submission of screening forms. Parents/legal guardians should
screen students every morning before they send them to school for possible symptoms or illness. These
can be found in the Sunday IRIS alerts. Students will be given two home tests at orientation this week
(although the expiration date is in September, tests are good for 3 months beyond the expiration date
shown), and will be given more home tests throughout the year for use if they do not feel well. Testing is
critical to stop the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
Masking is not required in school, except in cases where students/employees have been exposed or are
returning to school after a positive COVID-19 test (read below). Students/employees without exposure or
a positive test may wear masks if they choose; that is a personal preference.
Please note that there will be no remote learning unless school is closed due to an emergency
situation imposed by federal, state or city authorities.
Per Hill’s policy, students will be permitted to attend school trips regardless of vaccination status,
however, for the safety of all, the school may ask that prior to such trips, all students test (home test kits
will be provided by the school). As was the case last year, certain venues or
locations for extracurricular activities or trips may require vaccination; we have no control over
policies implemented by those locations. If we are aware of any vaccination restrictions, we will
notify you about them promptly.
The following NYC Department of Health rules must be followed regardless of vaccination status.
If a student/employee is experiencing symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such
as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea:
(a) You should stay home and take a COVID-19 home test.
(b) If the COVID-19 home test is negative and symptoms continue, you should take a second test at
least 24 hours after the first one and it is STRONGLY recommended that you wear a mask to
school until you get the second negative test.
(c) If the COVID-19 at home test is positive, parents/guardians must email the School Nurse and
employees must email the Principal. You must be isolated for 5 days.
Example : The day a person tests positive or is exposed is counted as Day 0.
If a student/staff member tests positive on Monday, Monday is Day 0. The student should isolate
Monday (Day 0), Tuesday (Day 1), Wednesday (Day 2), Thursday (Day 3), Friday (Day 4) and
Saturday (Day 5).
If you are not experiencing any symptoms, the student/employee may return to school and must
wear a mask for another 5 days (e.g., Days 6 to 10).
If there are symptoms, but the individual has remained fever free for 24 hours (without fever
reducing medication), and symptoms are improving, isolation may end after 5 days, and the
student/employee may return to work wearing a mask for the next 5 days.
If you are experiencing symptoms, but they are improving, and you have remained fever free for
24 hours (without fever reducing medication), isolation may end after 5 days, and the
student/employee may return to school wearing a mask for the next 5 days.
If the student/employee has been exposed to someone who tested positive for Covid-19 (for 15
minutes or more within 6 feet of that individual):
(a) Parents/guardians must email the School Nurse and employees must email the Principal.
(b) You must wear a mask at school, and take an at home test as soon as symptoms appear, or on
Day 5 after exposure and please remember, the day of exposure is Day 0 (see example
above).
(c) You may stop wearing a mask to school for the 10 days, if they receive two negative
COVID-19 tests-- 48 hours apart, after day 5 (e.g. on Days 6 & 8).
We reiterate, anyone having symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever,
sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home and test. Staying home when sick can lower the risk
of spreading infectious diseases, including COVID-19, to other people.
