Oak Hill School Health Plan

The Oak Hill School has been working with stakeholder groups to develop a School Health Plan for the 2022-23 school year. Stakeholders involved in the planning process included but not limited to Oak Hill teacher’s association, board members, local health officials, parents and component school district personnel. The process has been collaborative and inclusive with all stakeholders having input into the School Health Plan. Paramount in our process is to ensure the health and wellbeing for all students and staff at Oak Hill School.

As you most likely are aware, health and safety guidance from the state and local health departments related to COVID-19 has evolved considerably since March 2020. As always, we remain committed to keeping our students healthy and safe, while providing a secure learning environment for all. We also remain committed to providing staff and families with clear, updated information on the latest guidance.

Effective immediately, Oak Hill School will use the following protocols when allowing students to return to school if they have symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for COVID-19 or are considered exposed to an individual with COVID-19. These protocols are based on the most recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the New York State Department of Health and local health departments. Feel free to click the following link for the updates from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

Please know that this information is subject to change at any time. If you have specific concerns or questions regarding your child, please contact our school nurse, Kaleigh Verra BSN, RN at (518) 399-5048 or [email protected]

At Risk Individuals

Any student or staff with increased risk for severe COVID-19 or live with individuals with increased risk will be provided accommodations to allow safe participation in the school based on their individual and specific needs. This may include but is not limited to modified settings or additional PPE.

Regardless of whether or not there is a known exposure to COVID-19, it is very important that students who are sick do not attend school.

Staying Home When Sick/Symptomatic: it is recommended that students and staff stay home when sick. Any student or staff member who has symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections (such as the symptoms listed below) should stay home.

Temperature/Fevers

Any individuals with a temperature above 100.4 F and/or symptoms of COVID-19 will be immediately sent home with instructions to test for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status. The school will provide families with OTC COVID-19 tests as necessary.

The following are listed as the symptoms that would warrant a student not to attend school and/or be sent home from school to be seen by their Dr and/or be tested:

  • Fever/chills greater than 100F
  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body ache
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Students and staff will be taught and re-taught healthy hygiene habits including the following:

  • Hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Cleaning and disinfecting
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, dispose of used tissues immediately, and wash their hands with soap and water

All staff and students will be expected to hand wash:

  • Before and after snacks/meals, recess, and PE
  • Upon entering the building/classroom
  • Before and after using any shared object
  • After using the bathroom
  • Upon coming inside from outdoors
  • Anytime hands are visibly soiled

Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocol

Increased cleaning will be conducted throughout each school day to include the following:

  • Hand sanitizing stations throughout the building
  • Increased cleaning of health office, classrooms, gym, bathrooms, kitchen, library, speech room, OT/PT room, and high traffic areas

Management of Ill Persons

  • Regardless of vaccination status, if a student has COVID-19 symptoms they must have a lab negative NAAT(PCR), lab antigen test(rapid), or two negative Over-the-Counter (i.e., at-home or take-home) antigen tests taken 36 hours apart, in order to return.
  • In addition to a negative test result(s), students must be well enough to participate in school, meaning:
    • Not have rhinorrhea (runny nose) or cough severe enough to make mask wearing difficult or unhygienic;
    • Be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications
  • Please also note:
    • There is no exemption to the testing requirement for symptomatic students.
    • Students with symptoms that are attributable to pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., migraines, allergies) and are not new or worsening do not require testing.
    • If a healthcare provider makes a diagnosis of a confirmed non-COVID-19 acute illness (e.g., laboratory-confirmed influenza or strep throat) AND COVID-19 is not suspected, then a note signed by the healthcare provider explaining the alternate diagnosis may be provided to allow a student, teacher, or staff member to participate in school without COVID-19 testing.

Testing Positive/Isolation

  • Regardless of vaccination status, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 they must isolate for a full five days. Students may return to school after day five if they are asymptomatic or if symptoms are resolving.
    • For example:
      • Day 0: Symptom onset or tested positive.
      • Day 1: Stay home
      • Day 2: Stay home
      • Day 3: Stay home
      • Day 4: Stay home
      • Day 5: Stay home
      • Day 6: Return to school if asymptomatic, or if symptoms are resolving.
      • All individuals will be advised to wear a well-fitting mask around others (e.g., at school, at home, in public) for a full 10 days following the first day of symptoms (or the date of a positive test, if the student is asymptomatic).
      • Testing is not required to end isolation; however, there is an option to potentially shorten then length of time for post-isolation mask use. With 2 negative tests 48 hours apart, people may remove their mask sooner than day 10. If a person’s test result is positive, they may still be infectious and should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before taking another test.
  • In order for students who have tested positive and have had symptoms to return to school after five days, they must:
    • Be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
    • Have no runny nose.
    • Have no more than an infrequent, nonproductive cough that is not getting worse. Students with a cough must be able to tolerate continuous mask use as breaks are not allowed.
    • Have not experienced excessive or unusual fatigue.
    • Have no persistent headache or muscle aches.
    • Have no nausea, diarrhea or vomiting for at least 24 hours.
  • Anyone who is moderately or severely immunocompromised should follow the standard 10-day isolation guidance issued previously.

Masking

Universal masking is not currently required in the school setting but is recommended in indoor public settings when a community is in a High COVID-19 Community Level

Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Purification

The MERV-13 filtration system has been installed within the school and a fresh air ventilation system has been installed within the gymnasium to improve indoor air quality and decrease the risk of COVID-19 spread.

We will increase ventilation by increasing outdoor air and decreasing recirculated air as much as possible.

Air Purifiers are located in each classroom, as well as common areas.

School Safety Drills

School safety drills, such as fire drills and lock down drills, will continue to be conducted. Students and staff will be instructed in maintaining social distancing during the drills.

Child Nutrition

The school will continue to provide snacks on arrival and mid-morning for all students in prepackaged servings. Additionally, students will continue to bring lunch from home or receive lunch through the free/reduced meal program.

Students will eat lunch in their classrooms, hand washing before and after meals will be promoted. Protection for those with food allergies will be assured, sharing of food or beverages will be discouraged.

Additional Resources

What Parents/Caregivers Should Know about COVID Mitigation Strategies for the 2022-2023 School Year

2022-2023 Frequently Asked Questions related to COVID-19

Additional quarantine and isolation information can be found on your local county department of health websites, as well as the New York State Department of Health and CDC websites:

Updated 9/22