Governor Scott has shared his Vermont Forward phased reopening plan and new guidance was released by the Agency of Education to discuss how schools would move forward with respect to this plan.

 

As part of this, beginning on April 9, students and staff who were not fully vaccinated (two weeks beyond their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine) and who travel outside of Vermont, should complete a PCR COVID test within three days of their return to the state. 

• There is no requirement to quarantine while waiting for the results of the test
• You are not required to provide the test results to the school in order to return.
• You are expected to notify the school nurse in your building or the EWSD COVID Coordinator (802-857-6322) if your results come back positive
• We encourage you to review the Vermont Department of Health Travel Guidance for further information on travel 

 

Please note, international travel guidance does not follow the same protocol. If you plan to travel internationally, please contact your school nurse in advance of travel. You will still be required to quarantine and obtain a negative result on a PCR COVID test before returning to school.

 

Despite this change in guidance from the state, 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. 

 

Please review this information from the CDC about travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, if you are thinking of traveling. Please note that some recommendations are a bit different from the current Vermont Department of Health guidelines. All unvaccinated Vermonters should test within three days of return to the state.

 

If you travel, consider ways to reduce your risk. Continue to wear masks, maintain six feet of space between you and others, and 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.  

 

We ask that you continue to adhere to the Governor’s guidance as we strive to keep our schools and communities safe. 

 

Thank you - Jenna

Hi ADL families,

As you know, we have been seeing an increase in COVID cases in our state and in EWSD. Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate through these uncertain times. 

In hearing from people who have tested positive for COVID, a few things have stuck out to me. I have heard people say, “I had to get a test for a procedure and I found out I was positive. I would have never known otherwise." I have also heard people say they just had a headache or felt tired. I continue to hear people say that children do not get or spread COVID. Remember, the only way to know someone’s COVID status is by getting tested. 

Now more than ever, we all need to be diligent. Please continue to observe the following:

• Children should not come to school if they are ill. Refer to the document at the top of this webpage about when to keep your children home and when they will be able to return to school. 
• Children who become ill (as defined as 1 or more symptom(s) outlined on the document at the top of the webpage) during the school day need to be picked up as soon as possible. 
• We all need to adhere to public health recommendations related to traveling, quarantining, and gathering. 
• Consider keeping all household members home if someone is ill, quarantining, or awaiting COVID results.

 

Please reach out if you have any questions. Thank you-  Jenna

Please see this information from the health department about COVID testing. This is for people who do not have COVID symptoms, such as those who have been identified as a close contact. People 12 months of age or older can get tested through the health department. Parents/guardians need to create an account and it will then give the option to register for a test for your child. The Pine Street and Winooski locations come highly recommended. 2-1-1 is a great resource to help with this if needed. 

**PLEASE NOTE, in order to be cleared to return to school, your child must get a PCR COVID test. Rapid tests are not sufficient. 

If someone has symptoms of COVID, they should call their healthcare provider to arrange for testing. 

Please reach out if you have questions. 

Jenna