Hello, Lebanon & Hampton Township School District Families

Covid Protocol Update | May 18, 2022

As many of you are aware, we have seen an increase in students and staff testing positive for Covid over the past week. We currently have a total of seven (7) positive cases at Valley View and three (3) positive cases at Woodglen. Based on the increased spread and after consulting with the Hunterdon County Department of Health, we notified a number of parents of the current masking and testing requirements. In response to that notification, I received a number of parent concerns about seemingly inconsistent information between the CDC and the Department of Health guidelines and mandates. I am writing to clarify the procedures for our district and to clarify those procedures that are requirements and those procedures that are recommendations.

If your child tests positive for Covid:

• They are required to stay home for a minimum of five (5) days.

• They are then required to wear a mask for an additional five (5) days. (Please note that any student who tests positive must be fever free with improving symptoms for at least 24 hours before returning to school.)

Any student who is determined to be a close contact to someone who tests positive for Covid should follow the guidelines below:

• If a student is fully vaccinated, it is recommended, but not required that they show a negative test to stay in school.

• If they are not fully vaccinated, they are required to show proof of a negative test or stay home for five (5) days from the date of exposure.

Masking:

• Anyone who is considered a close contact to someone who tests positive for Covid is asked to wear a mask for a total of ten (10) days from the date of exposure regardless of vaccination status.

• Based on Health Department guidelines and directives from the Governor’s office, the district has both the right and the obligation to enforce the mask recommendations or exclude students from school.

• We strongly recommend that anyone who is considered to be a close contact follow the mask guidelines. This recommendation is based on our commitment to keeping our school community healthy and safe. With that said, we will not exclude any student who is unable to wear a mask for overall health reasons. We are asking parents to make decisions about masking for their child based upon their personal needs and the needs of the school as a whole. We also ask that parents be mindful of the fact that some of our families have loved ones in their homes that are at high risk for serious health issues. (If you have a high-risk family member in your home and have concerns about masking, please contact the school for assistance)

Please know that we will continue to make decisions that are driven by our commitment to keeping as many students and staff members as possible in school on a consistent basis. We must; however, balance this commitment against the need to act in a responsible manner with regard to community health and safety. I assure you that all of the teachers, staff, and administrators in the district care deeply about the well-being of your children.

Test to Stay Update | May 2, 2022

Based upon guidance from the health department, we are now able to allow students and staff to stay in school after a known exposure to covid under the following conditions:

• The person who was exposed may stay in school if they can show proof of a current negative covid test.

• At home tests are now permissible for this purpose.

• Parents who are notified of an exposure at school can come to the school and administer the test to their child.

• Parents may also take their child home to test or test before or after school hours if the notification takes place during this time.

• If the test is negative, the student will be asked to wear a mask for 5 days and can return immediately to class. An exposure that takes place in the home may still require a quarantine period.

Please contact the respective school nurse for to discuss your specific situation.

COVID-19 Information and Resources:

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the nurses if you have any questions about COVID.  Please help us keep everyone healthy by keeping your children home from school if they do not feel well.

When to Isolate: If you test positive for COVID 19, isolate for 5 days since the start of symptoms (if you have no symptoms, isolate from the date of testing) from the rest of the members of the household. Students may return to school when the 5 day isolation period is over AND they are symptom/fever free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication (Tylenol or Advil). Masks must be worn around everyone for an additional 5 days.

When to Quarantine: If you are exposed (within 6 feet for more than 15 cumulative minutes, or within 3 feet if both parties were masked) to an individual or family member that has COVID-like symptoms (new onset cough, sore throat, fever, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath, chills, muscle aches, headaches) it is our district policy that you must quarantine for 5 days. 

If you are exposed to an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19 and you are not vaccinated, you must quarantine for 5 days from the last date of exposure. If you should develop symptoms in that time, please reach out to your primary care provider for further assessment. Please also contact the school nurses to make them aware.

If you are exposed to an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19 and your child is over the age of 12 and has been fully vaccinated within the last 5 months or received a booster shot if it’s been more than 5 months, they do not need to quarantine.  Children between the ages of 5 and 12 are considered fully vaccinated with 2 doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one does of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and would not need to quarantine.  Also, students who had COVID-19 within the last 90 days do not have to quarantine. Monitor yourself/child for symptoms for 10 days. If symptoms develop, stay home and get tested. Please make the health office aware if you develop symptoms. 

Masking Guidelines:

Fully vaccinated students or staff who are exposed to a positive case in their home should continue to wear a mask for a full ten days. 

Anyone returning from quarantine after five days should continue to mask for days 6-10.

For the latest information from the Department of Health regarding Covid 19 school regulations, please go to this website.  https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/covid2019_schools.shtml

Instruction during quarantine:

Please remember that your child is eligible for virtual instruction when required to quarantine.  Each school will be in contact with you to arrange for the instruction.  Please contact the respective school office with any questions about virtual instruction.