This webpage is being updated regularly as new information becomes available. Last updated September 15, 2022.

School districts recently received updated COVID-19 guidance from the CDC on August 11, 2022 and NYS Departments of Health and Education on September 8, 2022. The guidance provides increased flexibility regarding our operations, which should lead to a more normal school experience for our students with increased social engagement.

View 2022-23 Opening Guide

Form Required for Completion of Isolation

As part of the state’s updated guidance regarding requirements for isolation, an affirmation form for parents of students and for employees must be submitted to the school once the isolation period has been completed.

• Affirmation of Isolation Form

Health and Safety Procedures

Face Masks

• Face masks are optional for all students, staff and visitors inside schools and on school buses regardless of vaccination status, effective March 2, 2022.
• Masks are also optional when outdoors on school property.
• Masks are required upon return from isolation during days 6 through 10 after COVID-19 infection.

Quarantine

• Contacts are no longer required to quarantine as long as they remain asymptomatic.

Social Distancing

• There is no social distancing requirement for the 2022-23 school year. Traditional classroom and cafeteria seating will return to all schools.

Ventilation

• Improved ventilation inside schools by utilizing a purge cycle program, running exhaust fans 24/7, repairing and replacing exhaust fans, upgrading air filters and utilizing air purifiers in offices and rooms where needed.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Continued regular cleaning and disinfecting of school buildings, buses and high-touch areas.

COVID-19 Testing Program

• Point of Care testing for COVID-19 began in all schools starting Monday, December 13, 2021. If a student or staff member develops COVID-19 symptoms during the school day, they can visit the Health Office and be tested for COVID-19.
• Only students who have parent consent may be tested for COVID-19 at school.
• The school district’s Point of Care testing program is only for those students and staff who develop symptoms while they are at school and it will not be used as a regular testing site at this time. The school Health Offices have a limited supply of tests and nurses are tending to their regular responsibilities related to student care.
• No surveillance testing for students or staff

COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

COVID-19 Prevention

• Every morning before school, please check your child for COVID-19 symptoms.
• If your child displays a COVID-19 symptom, please keep them at home and call your school immediately.
• In the event someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, contact your school and inform them of the positive case.

What is a Close Contact?

A “close contact” is defined as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes).

• Students/staff identified as contacts are not required to quarantine as long as they remain asymptomatic.
  • Instead, it is recommended, regardless of vaccination status, that the individual wears a mask for 10 days from exposure and tests twice within the five-day period following exposure.
  • Individuals who have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days are not recommended to test or wear a mask.

5-Day Isolation Policy

The New York State Department of Health has adopted a CDC recommendation on shortening isolation to 5 days for the general population including students and school staff. Based on interim guidance received by the school district, this new policy will take effect in the East Greenbush Central School District starting Friday, January 7, 2022.

According to the CDC, this “change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.”

Isolation

A person must isolate when they are sick or when they have been infected with the virus, even if they don’t have symptoms.

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, please follow these steps:

• Keep your child home and test them for COVID-19 (at-home tests are now accepted).
  • If test result is positive:
    • Contact your school nurse and inform them of the test result.
    • Isolate at home for 5 days. Day 0 would be the date symptoms started. 
    • Return to school on Day 6 if symptoms have resolved or are improving (fever free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medication and no cough or runny nose). Masks are required for Days 6 through 10.
    • Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should isolate for 10 days.
    • Notify any individuals who have had close contact with your child recently.
  • If test result is negative:
    • Contact your school nurse and inform them of the test result.
    • Return to school when symptoms have improved.
    • Stay at home if fever, cough or runny nose persist.
• Submit the Affirmation of Isolation Form to your school the day they return. (This is a fillable form so you can type in it, save it, and then email it to the school. Or you can print the form and have your child bring it to school.)

COVID-19 Testing Sites

COVID-19 testing sites can be found at the following link: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you.

COVID-19 Vaccine

All eligible students and employees are encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available to individuals ages 6 months and older. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available to individuals ages 18+.

Please talk with your doctor to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines or visit the NYS Department of Health or American Academy of Pediatrics websites.

Vaccine Finder

Resources

• Novel Coronavirus (NYS Department of Health)
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CDC)
• Information for Travel (CDC) / FAQ for Travelers (CDC)
• FAQ: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CDC)
• COVID-19 Plans Submitted to State Education Department
  • Child Nutrition Plan
  • Child Care Plan
  • Continuity of Education Plan
• Forms
  • Affirmation of Isolation Form

Contact Information

• Rensselaer County Health Department: 518-270-2655
• School Health Offices

Food for Families

During this challenging time, the East Greenbush Central School District is providing food to families in need from our school community. This service is open to anyone. If you are in need of food, please contact Audra Di Bacco at DiBaccau@egcsd.org to make arrangements for pickup or delivery.