2024-25 COVID Guidance

Throughout the pandemic, CPS prioritized safe, in-person learning and made significant investments in a comprehensive plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We worked closely with the Cambridge Public Health Department and our school leaders to monitor the public health situation, gather input from scientific, medical, and educator experts (Health, Safety, and Facilities Working Group), and update our policies and procedures as necessary. The district is poised to again respond quickly if conditions change. Please review the changes that were implemented following the end of the COVID-19 Federal Emergency on May 11, 2023.
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COVID-19 DASHBOARD
The COVID-19 Dashboard provided up-to-date information about individual, school, and district quarantine needs and allowed us, in collaboration with the Cambridge Public Health Department, to make informed decisions. Please note that the City of Cambridge no longer collects community metrics following the end of the Federal Emergency on May 11, 2023. The district also discontinued tracking reported cases, COVID-related absences, or student vaccination rates ahead of the 2023-2024 school year.. Schools and building-based programs no longer send a notification letter for a positive case. As a reminder, students and staff should stay home if they are sick.

connectionsCOVID ISOLATION GUIDANCE 

If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID or any other respiratory illness, they should stay at home until symptoms improve and they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication. Masks are recommended for 5 days following return to school/work.

When the school nurse is notified that a student has tested positive for and will be out of school due to a significant respiratory illness, such as flu, strep, or COVID, upon return, if the child is regularly masking, the school will offer the parent/caregiver of the child the opportunity for the child to sit in a designated lunch area. 

connectionsCOVID TESTING PLAN

Free COVID tests are Available at City Hall, the main branch of the Cambridge Public Library, and the Cambridge Public Health Department located at 119 Windsor Street. For more information, including when and how to take the test, visit here.

vaccination graphicCOVID VACCINATION 

On May 2, 2023, the School Committee voted to amend the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Students are no longer required to be fully vaccinated to participate in CPS-sponsored before and after school activities.

The vaccination requirement was implemented in the fall of 2021 when community transmission of COVID was high. Members of the Working Group recognize that conditions have improved and immunity has increased because of the vaccine and having the disease.

We, in alignment with the Cambridge Public Health Department, will continue to strongly encourage getting the COVID-19 vaccine and all recommended boosters.

maskMASKING 

Masking at school/work following COVID or other respiratory illnesses is expected and highly encouraged. You may be asked to mask while in the Nurse's office. Free masks are available at all schools.

ventilationVENTILATION

Every school has maximized air circulation through a combination of central systems, HEPA filters, windows, and fans. Outdoor learning is periodically utilized as well.

We perform regular air quality testing (CO2 monitoring) and results are posted online. All classrooms will be tested multiple times throughout the course of the year. Classrooms that register a CO2 reading of 1000+ ppm will be tested more frequently while efforts to increase air circulation and quality are employed.

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