Superintendent's Letter January 21, 2022 - test To Stay

January 21, 2022

Dear Families;

Over the last few weeks, there have been changes in guidance regarding COVID-19 quarantine and isolation time periods and Test to Stay. We are starting our Test to Stay program. We want to take some time to clarify the current parameters.

Isolation/Quarantine

As of 1/11/22, Ulster County has adopted shortened quarantine and isolation periods which are reduced from ten to five days. Students and staff who test positive or who are exposed can return to work if cleared by health services and are fever free for 24 hours, have symptoms resolving and are able to wear a face covering. Individuals who have tested positive must also wear a surgical mask for an additional five days upon their return to school/ work. Negative tests are not needed to return to school or work. 

Test to Stay

Test to Stay allows for asymptomatic, unvaccinated school-based close contacts (students, teachers, school staff) to avoid school exclusion (but not other restrictions of quarantine, including sports) by testing negative through serial testing using rapid NAAT or antigen tests during a five day period following exposure.

Test to stay only allows for students and staff who are exposed at school to participate. Due to the smaller size of our Phoenicia and Woodstock buildings, families will be provided with at-home test kits and must send documentation (picture of test) prior to the beginning of the school day to their building nurse and health services (healthservices@onteora.k12.ny.us.) showing that their child tested negative. Without this documentation, students will be sent home. Building nursing staff will provide parents with specific directions on what days to test and how to submit the results.

For students at Bennett Elementary, Onteora High School and Onteora Middle School our schools will be partnering with Village Apothecary to provide testing in our buildings at the beginning of the school day. To participate in testing, parents must register their children with the Village Apothecary https://drnealsmoller.com/covid/onteoracovid/

Ulster County Department of Health Guidelines do not allow students participating in Test to Stay to participate in any after school, extracurricular (including sports), or community activities during the five day Test to Stay period. Students are expected to quarantine in their homes when not in school.

If your child tests positive during the five day quarantine period, please alert healthservices@onteora.K12.ny.us and please notify the Ulster County Department of Health at (845) 443-888 or submit your child’s positive results on their online portal: https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/hometest/

Sincerely,

Marystephanie Corsones
Interim Superintendent