Important COVID Updates

Important COVID Updates
Posted on 06/07/2022

Good morning CPS Community:

We have several updates to share with you about COVID as we near the end of the school year and finalize preparations for summer learning.

  1. REMINDER: Reporting Positive Cases to Your Child’s School
  2. UPDATED COVID-19 Testing and Quarantine Protocols
  3. Last Day of Pooled Testing
  4. At-Home Rapid Test Expiration Dates
  5. CLARIFICATION: Vaccination Requirements for 2022-23: “Fully Vaccinated” vs. “Up-to-Date”

REMINDER: Reporting Positive Cases to Your Child’s School
If your child tests positive for COVID, it is important that you notify the school so that we can track cases and have the most accurate information for our COVID Dashboard.

UPDATED COVID-19 Testing and Quarantine Protocols
We have revised our testing and quarantine PROTOCOLS to align with the updates released by the state at the end of May. The updated protocols are effective immediately.

Last Day of Pooled Testing
The last day of pooled testing will be Wednesday, June 22, after which nursing staff will use rapid tests for any reflex or symptomatic testing.

At-Home Rapid Tests Expiration Dates: Please note that the iHealth test kits we have distributed may be used for up to three months past the expiration date. For example, if the expiration date printed on your box is 2022-05-22 (YYYY-MM-DD), the updated expiration date would be 2022-08-22.

Vaccination Guidance for 2022-2023: “Fully Vaccinated” vs. “Up-to-Date”
In April, we announced that for the 2022-23 school year, all students must be fully vaccinated and up-to-date OR have received a religious or medical exemption to participate in before or after school activities.

Why did we update this requirement?
To reflect the CDC’s definition of up-to-date vaccination and to continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination as a proven mitigation strategy. Vaccines are widely accessible and access is not a barrier.

For 2022-23 school year:

  • Students must be up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations (e.g. boosted if eligible) by the “first in-person activity” for the sport, program, or club. This may be the first tryout, practice, rehearsal, or other gathering of the season or semester.
  • If, during the season or fall semester, students’ become eligible for boosters, they are strongly encouraged to get boosted and stay up-to-date on the vaccination. However, they will not be penalized if they do not receive the booster mid-season, and can continue to participate.
  • Per the CDC, students who have experienced a COVID infection may consider delaying their booster dose by 3 months from when symptoms started or when they received a positive test. Students who tested positive in the 90 days before the first in-person activity may request a “recent infection” exemption from the vaccination booster requirement.
  • If you received your vaccination or booster in Massachusetts, you do not need to upload your vaccination card. If you are vaccinated out-of-state or internationally, or wish to request an exemption from this requirement, please visit the CPS Family Portal.
  • This is particularly relevant for students who may be registering for fall sports.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Sincerely,

The CPS Team

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