Dear HUUSD Families,
As new guidance continues to emerge from the Agency of Education, the Vermont Department of Health and the Governor's office, we want to provide a few updates and reminders to our school community. We recognize that many safeguards that were in place earlier this year have now been removed by these agencies. We highly recommend that you continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our schools will continue to use mitigation strategies such as masking, handwashing, and physical distancing within our buildings and on school grounds. We will continue to ask you to keep your children home when they are sick. Below are a few brief reminders.
Travel:
- Staying home is still the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick. You should not travel if you are sick or have been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
- We encourage you to review the Vermont Department of Health Travel guidance. International travel guidance does not follow the same protocol. If you plan to travel internationally, please contact your school nurse in advance of travel.
- Any Vermonter who is not fully vaccinated (two weeks beyond their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine) must test within 3 days of return to the state.
- You are expected to notify the school nurse in your building or the HUUSD COVID Coordinator (583-8027) if your test results come back positive.
- If you travel, consider ways to reduce your risk.
- Continue to wear masks.
- Maintain 6 feet of space between you and others.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Be sure to wash your hands routinely or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is unavailable.
- Consider takeout when possible and engage in outdoor activities.
At Home Screenings:
- All families and/or students will be expected to screen their children at home prior to sending them to school.
- Elementary schools will continue to use Pick Up Patrol. CBMS will use a student form linked in Friday’s Cougar Comments and HUMHS students will continue to use their online google form. Screening will consist of the following questions:
- Have you been in close contact with a person with COVID 19 in the last 14 days?
- Have you felt unwell with any of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, chills, fatigue, muscle pain or body aches, headache, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting. or diarrhea?
- Do you have a temperature of 100.4F or higher?
- If you are in need of a working thermometer for your home, please reach out to your child’s school nurse. Families will be expected to complete the screening prior to sending children to school.
In School Protocols:
- Students are expected to stay home when sick. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home. You may touch base with your school nurse for guidance on return to school. Please complete the absence form located on your school’s website.
- Students will continue to follow protocols such as masking (at least double layered) and hand washing. Physical distancing will be maintained according to the most recent Strong and Healthy Year Guidance. Grades 7-12 will be spaced 6 feet apart while eating.
- Household quarantine: If you or someone in your household is a close contact or is symptomatic and being tested for COVID-19, siblings and HUUSD staff can now attend school. We ask that you follow quarantine practices in your home if you choose to send your other children to school. If you are unable to maintain these quarantine practices, it may be best to keep your other children at home.
- Anyone who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive must remain home for the duration of their quarantine.
Additional Information:
- Students 16 and older can begin registering for the Pfizer vaccine beginning April 17
- Please check out the Vermont Department of Health Website for More information on COVID-19
- HUUSD COVID Information
Best,
Brigid Nease, Superintendent
The HUUSD Nurse Team