January 12, 2022

Dear School Community Member:

Good afternoon. I hope this note finds the new year off to a healthy and productive start for you and your family.

Yesterday, Governor Murphy reinstated a Public Health Emergency for NJ and extended the mask mandate for all schools. As a result, all students, staff members and visitors will need to continue to wear a mask when entering our buildings.

Since we returned from the holiday recess, we have been monitoring the number of cases in the district. Between January 1st and January 6th we were informed of the following cases of COVID-19 in the school community: HS - 47 students, 2 staff members; EB - 10 students, 3 staff members; WR - 6 students, 3 staff members. It is important to note that some of these individuals fulfilled their 10-day quarantine during the recess and did not inform us until after we returned on January 3rd. As always, please feel free to contact your school nurse for an updated number of cases in our schools.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) changed their guidance for COVID-19 positive individuals and close contacts by decreasing the quarantine period in certain situations. The NJDOH has now adopted that guidance and disseminated information to all school districts. The complete document can be found at this link: NJDOH Guidance - January 10, 2022.

While additional information is forthcoming, please be advised that the new guidance at the bottom of this email will take effect for all students and staff members on Thursday, January 13th. If you have any questions regarding how this will impact a current quarantine or isolation period, please contact your school nurse ASAP.

Please keep in mind that this is an extremely fluid situation and I will continue to monitor all communications from the NJDOH, BCDOH and the Governor's Office regarding new or updated COVID guidance.

In closing, staff absences and a lack of available substitutes have become our largest challenge since we returned from the break. Recognizing the importance of keeping our schools open to in-person instruction, many teachers have been covering classes for their colleagues on a daily basis. Please take a moment to thank our faculty and administration when you see them. Needless to say, they are an extremely dedicated group of educators.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Gamper, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

NJDOH K-12 Updated School Guidance (January 10, 2022)

Persons who test positive for COVID-19 and are symptomatic or persons with COVID-19 symptoms who weren’t tested or who are waiting for test results.

Stay home and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the

first day of symptoms).

a. If symptoms resolve (fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms improve),

isolation can end after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6). Individuals must continue to wear a well-fitted

mask when around others at home and in public through day 10. For those

ending quarantine on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10.

b. If symptoms persist (fever or if other symptoms have not improved), continue

to isolate until fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved.

Persons who test positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms

Stay home and isolate from other people for at least 5 full days (day 0 is the day of the positive viral test).

a. If no symptoms develop, isolation can end after 5 full days (i.e., on day 6). Individuals must continue to wear a well-fitted mask when around others at home and in public through day 10. For those ending quarantine on day 5, this would be during days 6 through 10.

b. If symptoms develop within one week of the positive test, the 5-day isolation

period starts over with day 0 being the first day of symptoms. Follow

recommendations for ending isolation for persons who have COVID-19

symptoms.

Close Contacts - Who does not need to quarantine?

Individuals in the following groups who had close contact with someone with COVID-19 do NOT need to quarantine but should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days and get tested at least 5 days after the last close contact. If the test is positive or if COVID-19 symptoms develop, follow isolation recommendations.

• Adults ≥ 18 years old who completed a primary series of COVID-19 vaccine AND have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
• Children and adolescents 5-17 years old who completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccine.
• Persons who had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (positive viral test).

Close Contacts - Who should quarantine?

Individuals in the following groups who had close contact with someone with COVID-19 DO need to quarantine and should take additional precautions during and after quarantine:

• Adults ≥ 18 years old who completed a primary series of COVID-19 vaccine but have NOT received a recommended booster shot when eligible.
• Persons who are not fully vaccinated (haven’t completed a primary vaccine series).

During quarantine

• Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after the last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of the exposure is considered day 0.
• If COVID-19 symptoms develop, get tested and follow isolation recommendations.
• If asymptomatic, get tested at least 5 days after the last close contact.
• If the test is positive, follow isolation recommendations.
• If the test is negative, you can end quarantine after day 5.
• If testing is not available, you can end quarantine after day 5 (as long as there were no COVID-19 symptoms throughout the 5-day period).

Home Based Testing - According to the NJDOH Guidance for K-12 Schools, home based test kits may not be used to determine if a symptomatic individual can return to school.

COVID Compatible Symptoms - Lastly, and most importantly, please do not send a sick child to school. Individuals who are sick will need a negative test (PCR or Antigen) to return to school based on the guidance below:

• For school settings, the NJDOH recommends that students with the following symptoms be promptly isolated from others and excluded from school:
• At least two of the following symptoms: fever (measure or subjective), chills, rigors (shivers), myalgia (muscle aches), headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose;
• OR At least one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new olfactory disorder, new taste disorder.