covid-19 precautions for the 2023-2024 school year
Updated 08/29/2023
Dear Members of the NEARI Community,
With the 2023 Summer Semester having closed last week, NEARI staff are getting set for the coming fall semester. We are reviewing our policies and practices as it pertains to COVID19 as well as other communicable diseases. The health and safety of our students and staff remain a top priority. NEARI’s continuing commitment towards that end is to provide an environment which fosters learning, growth, and enjoyment while protecting staff, students, and guests.
Vaccines continue to be the most effective tool to limit the spread of COVID and to minimize the severity of the disease when it occurs. On May 11, 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced the public health emergency declaration ended. (Learn more about what is changing and what is not in MA.) The end of the public health emergency does not mean that COVID is no longer a threat. The virus remains a leading cause of death in the United States.
Following the guidance of CDC, DESE as well as MA DPH, NEARI will continue all school operations as usual and we will remain vigilant, proactive and flexible in our approach to mitigating the impact of all communicable diseases. This means that as long as staff and or students are not presenting with symptoms and our county remains in a “low risk” designation, the school will not be requesting testing or requiring anyone to wear a mask. With that said, students who are symptomatic and wish to receive a test (with parental/guardian permission) or wish to wear a mask will be supported in doing so while at school. Anyone who tests positive will be required to stay home for at least five days, which continues to be CDC and DESE guidance. The CDC has online an isolation and exposure calculator to assist in determining next steps if you were exposed (click here). In such a case your case manager and administration will work closely with you and your student to develop an individualized plan.
Our school nurse Aimee Paquette will be providing “standard precautions” training to both staff and students as part of their orientation this fall. We realize that not everyone has the same perspective on how to manage communicable diseases going forward, so we will continue to ask for your support and flexibility as the NEARI community navigates the return this fall semester. Please contact me by telephone at 413-540-0712, ext 12, or by email at mschibley@neari.com if you have any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Matt Schibley Executive Director