CSDE Mask Guidance Update

CSDE Mask Guidance Update
         BOE Meeting
          2/24/2022
CSDE Guidance Documents
Transitioning to a Model of Routine Respiratory Disease Prevention and Enhanced
Outbreak Management and Control for COVID-19 in PreK-12 School Settings
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/PreK-12-COVID19_Transition-Routine-Prevention-Control_021
82022_FINAL.pdf



Considerations for Boards of Education, District Administrators, and other Local
Decision-Makers Regarding Potential Changes to School COVID-19 Policies and
Practices
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/PreK-12_Guidance-for-Mask-Decisions_School-Districts_0218
2022_FINAL.pdf
Questions to Consider - CSDE
1.   What does the available data indicate regarding the community and district prevalence and transmission of
     COVID-19?
2.   What is the risk tolerance for the possibility of increasing case numbers and necessary quarantine and isolation in
     your students and staff?
3.   What is the current COVID-19 vaccination status of students and staff within individual schools and across the
     district, and what is the current COVID-19 vaccine coverage for the surrounding community?
4.   What additional planning is necessary to address the needs of students and staff who may be at greater risk for
     adverse health outcomes?
5.   What additional guidance is necessary to ensure support for students and staff who may wish to continue mask
     wearing?
6.   What processes need to be in place for continuous risk assessment and prompt decision-making regarding
     COVID-19 policies and mitigation strategies (including mask use) going forward?
7.   What advanced contingency planning needs to occur to prepare for potential surges and/or outbreaks?
Question 1
What does the available data indicate regarding the community and district
prevalence and transmission of COVID-19?

See next three slides:
Question 2
What is the risk tolerance in your school district for the possibility of
increasing case numbers and necessary quarantine and isolation in your
students and staff?

A.   The district will not change our current instructional model or our current
     practices on positive cases. Staff and students will still be required to
     isolate for 5 days if positive. We will continue to monitor the number of
     cases on a daily basis and implement mitigation strategies as needed (see
     Q. 7).

     Follow existing quarantine guidance for masks for days 6-10 (or isolate)
Question 3
3. What is the current COVID-19 vaccination status of students and staff within
individual schools and across the district, and what is the current COVID-19
vaccine coverage for the surrounding community?

    The community vaccination rate is approximately 76%

    Current staff vaccination rates are approximately 96%.

    See next slide for other information.
Question 4
4. What additional planning is necessary to address the needs of students and
staff who may be at greater risk for adverse health outcomes?



A.   Students and staff with specific health issues will be addressed on an
     individual basis and given appropriate supports as needed. High level
     masks such as N95 masks will be available, fit-testing of those will be
     provided as requested, and support to families on how to discuss N95
     mask use with their medical provider.
Question 5
5. What assistance can be provided to students and staff making personal
decisions regarding mask wearing?



A.   If masks are optional at some point this school year, all staff and students
     will be supported in their individual choices.
Question 6
6. What processes need to be in place for continuous risk assessment and
decision-making regarding COVID-19 policies and mitigation strategies
(including mask use) going forward?



A.   The district will continue with daily monitoring and reporting of cases. We
     will continue to urge staff and families to report positive cases to the
     school and CHD. The district may reintroduce contact tracing limited to
     high risk activities such as lunch, etc. (See question 7)
Question 7
7. What advanced contingency planning needs to occur to prepare for
potential surges and/or outbreaks?



A.   The district will work closely with Chatham HD and our medical advisor to
     monitor positive cases and determine if a surge or outbreak is occurring.
     If a surge does occur, mitigation strategies can be reintroduced by class,
     grade or school as necessary on a temporary basis.
Other Considerations
CIAC Sports Guidance:
    http://www.casciac.org/pdfs/CIACUpdatedWinterandSpring2021-2022COV
    ID_Feb_18_2022.pdf
Continued mask mandates on buses per federal law
Students/staff may return on day 6 if there are no symptoms will wear a mask
for days 6-10, which is still recommended by DPH and the CDC (or isolate)
DPH will retain the authority to impose a universal mask mandate if there is a
local or state-wide need due to an outbreak. Local school districts also
maintain that ability to institute mask wearing due to local conditions.
Other Considerations Continued
Staff surveys

Parent communications

Parent Survey