Williamsville Central School District

Font Size

06-30-22 Summer Update to Families on Protocols

June 30, 2022

Dear Williamsville Central School District Families,

As we head into summer we wanted to re-share health and safety protocols from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH).   Please know the information below is subject to change based on updates provided by the NYSDOH and ECDOH.

Exposure and Notification

  • Any individual who was in the same school setting (i.e. bus, classroom) as a COVID-19 positive individual is considered exposed and will be notified
  • Regardless of vaccination status, NYSDOH school guidance states individuals who were exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual is not automatically excluded from school and should wear a mask and test as recommended below
  • Notification of exposure will now be communicated through WITS and sent directly to parents/guardians and staff members who are impacted

COVID-19 Positive Individuals

  • Any individual who tests positive, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate for a minimum of 5 days from symptom onset date (day 0) or positive test date if asymptomatic (day 0) through the 5th day with a return as early as day 6
    • ECDOH COVID-19 At-Home Test Kit Positive Result Reporting Form (Erie County Residents Only)
    • NYSDOH Affirmation of Isolation Form
    • A positive individual may return to school on day 6 if symptoms are improving and individual is fever free for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medications
      • A negative test is not required to return to school/work
      • A positive individual must wear a mask on return to school/work on days 6 – 10
      • All positive student tests must be reported to the summer school health office

Masking

  • If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 and returns to school under the reduced isolation guidelines, they must wear a mask on return to school on Days 6 – 10
  • Mask wearing, regardless of vaccination status, is strongly recommended for 10 days after an individual’s last exposure to a positive COVID-19 individual

Testing

  • Following an exposure, regardless of vaccination status, it is recommended to test immediately upon learning of the exposure and on day five after the last known exposure
  • NYSDOH guidance no longer requires any individual, regardless of vaccination status, exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual to be automatically excluded from school
    • If an individual is exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual, a COVID-19 at-home test kit will be provided to families and/or staff members upon request through WITS
    • Each test kit contains two (2) COVID-19 at home tests

Symptomatic Individuals

  • Symptomatic individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must stay home
  • If an individual tests positive they must isolate for 5 days
  • Symptomatic individuals who are not tested must be excluded from school for at least five days following onset of symptoms and until they are fever free for at least 24 hours
  • Negative results on COVID-19 at-home tests are acceptable for return to school protocol
    • Parents/guardians can e-mail their child’s summer school building of attendance indicating their child received a negative result through the COVID-19 at-home test kit

Physical Distancing

  • Physical distancing will continue to the greatest extent possible

Surveillance Testing

  • In partnership with ECDOH and Quadrant Biosciences, weekly testing for voluntary surveillance will continue during the summer session on-site at each of the summer school buildings
  • Surveillance testing is an optional program for any student or staff member, regardless of vaccination status, as a way to monitor your COVID-19 status
    • This type of testing occurs on a weekly basis and consists of a random selection of 10% of the consenting school population
    • In order to participate in on-site testing, you must first confirm your consent and register on the Quadrants website at https://app.clarifi-covid-19.com/register
    • You will then receive follow-up information regarding the weekly on-site testing schedule via email and the effective date of your approval for participation

If you have any questions regarding these items, please contact your supervisor/building.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sincerely,


Dr. Darren J. Brown-Hall
Superintendent of Schools