January 12, 2022
Subject: Updated Isolation/Quarantine Protocols

Dear North Shore Community,

Since the start of 2022, there has been changing information regarding the guidelines to address the COVID-19 pandemic in our schools. Beginning on January 3, 2022, I have been in direct contact with the Nassau County Department of Health. They have issued updated guidance on how schools should operate during this time. They are listed below. 
Additional changes are under consideration at the state level and if they are adopted by the Nassau County Department of Health, we will consider their adoption as well. 

Updated North Shore Schools COVID-19 Isolation/Quarantine Protocols ~January 11, 2022~
	Individuals Who Test Positive for COVID-19	Unvaccinated Individuals Who Are a Close Contact of a COVID-19 Positive Person	Fully Vaccinated** Individuals Who Are a Close Contact of a COVID-19 Positive Person
Amount of Isolation/Quarantine	10 days (day 0 through day 10)	At least 5 days (day 0 through day 5)	No quarantine requirements
Testing Requirements	Required: Rapid antigen/PCR/NAAT to be sent to school nurse	Recommended: Rapid antigen/PCR/NAAT administered between days 3 and 5 to be sent to school nurse	Recommended: Rapid antigen/PCR/NAAT administered between days 3 and 5 to be sent to school nurse
Requirements for Return	Doctor’s note stating clearance for PE and Sports Symptoms are improving ANDfever -free for the last 72 hours of isolation without fever reducing medicine	NS Health Attestationstating no symptoms upon return No symptoms present No pending PCR test	No symptoms present No pending PCR test

 

**Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the receipt of either two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson and Johnson, regardless of booster status. 
At this time, there has been no change by the county to the isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19. In addition, we now accept rapid antigen tests, as well as PCR/NAAT tests, for those who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. Please note: we are not accepting negative home test results. 
As always, we have been closely monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases in our schools among our students, faculty and staff. Recently, we have seen a significant increase due to the Omicron variant and we are hopeful that the number of cases will decline so that we can successfully continue in person learning at all of our school buildings. I commend our administrators, faculty, and staff for their heroic efforts at keeping our schools open for the last two weeks.   
Finally, as I am sure you heard, we are still subject to the mask mandate that the New York State Education Department and the Governor have instituted. This will come to an end someday soon. I think some of the changes we have already seen are harbingers of that event. 
Please stay well and have a good day.

Sincerely
Dr. Tom Dolan 
Interim Superintendent of Schools