2022-23 School Year & COVID-19
2022-2023COVID Guidance and Protocols |
Guidance for COVID Positive Individuals
If you are COVID-19 positive, you must isolate. Isolation keeps someone who is infected with COVID-19 away from others. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status must isolate.
- Isolate for 5 days (where day 0 is the day symptoms started, or day you test positive if asymptomatic, whichever came first).
- If you have remained symptom-free or if symptoms are resolving, and you feel you are well enough to work, you can end isolation after 5 days. (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and should not delay the end of isolation).
- If you continue to have fever or your other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.
- You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of your 5-day isolation period.
- If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, isolate for 10 days.
- Individuals not able to wear a mask should isolate for 10 days.
- Avoid contact with those who are at high risk for at least 10 days after positive test or onset of symptoms.
Mask Policy Update
Beginning on March 2, 2022, the Syracuse City School District adopted new masking guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) for Pre-K-12 schools.
Effective March 2, 2022, universal masking will no longer be required for students, staff members, or visitors to SCSD schools. This includes on First Student buses. There will be, however, several instances in which an individual would be required to – or strongly recommended to – mask. Please see below for complete guidelines, which apply to all individuals, vaccinated or unvaccinated.
Masking is still required when:
- Riding on public transportation, including Centro buses.
- Returning to work or school for days 6-10 post COVID-19 infection. This includes sports and extracurricular activities.
- If a COVID-19 infected person is unable to mask, they must be excluded from school or work for 10 days.
Masking is still strongly recommended:
- For 10 days after a known exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual. This includes during school, work, sports, and extracurricular activities.
- Testing is strongly encouraged at least 5 days after the last date of exposure or potential exposure, regardless of vaccination status.
- For those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. If you are uncertain if you fall into this category, please discuss with your healthcare provider.
To ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and community, we will continue to implement mitigation strategies to help decrease the spread of COVID-19, including improved air filtration, frequent hand-washing, daily cleaning protocols and more. Free at-home COVID test kits will continue to be provided upon request – please contact your school’s main office for details.
As always, if your child is sick or demonstrating COVID-19 symptoms, they should be kept home from school and be tested for COVID-19.
Regardless of your personal stance on masking, please remember that many people still have valid reasons to mask. The SCSD has zero tolerance for bullying, and we ask you to remind your children that it is each person’s personal choice to wear a mask and to stress the importance of being respectful of others’ choice.
Thank you for your support and cooperation as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like to read the complete New York State Department of Health guidance provided to schools regarding these updates, please click here.
COVID-19 Testing
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Click here to learn more about community COVID-19 Testing. Use one of the links below to find a COVID-19 test site near you. Appointments may be required. Your physician and many pharmacies may also be able to provide testing. At home COVID-19 test kits will be provided free of charge to SCSD students and staff as needed and as determined by administration. If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, you must complete the mandatory Onondaga County attestation form. You must also notify your school's nurse or main office of a positive COVID-19 test result. |
At Home Testing
In an effort to keep our students and staff safe, we are giving every student a take home COVID test kit. If you have questions about administering the test, you can read the instructions included with the test kit or watch one of the below videos depending on which kit your child received.
How to use the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen
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Access Bio Carestart Antigen Home Test Kit - Instructional Video |
Vaccine Clinics
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CDC recommends that eligible individuals get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19. We encourage our families to be vaccinated.You may be asked for insurance information when signing up for an appointment, but the vaccine is free and there will never be a charge to you. You do not need to have insurance to get the vaccine. Find a clinic near you: NYS Onondaga County Vaccines.gov Many pharmacies may also be able to provide vaccination: CVS Kinney Drug Rite Aid Walgreens Wegmans |
Frequently Asked Questions |
Q |
Where and how will students in the SCSD learn during the 2022-23 school year? |
A |
Students will learn in person in their assigned school buildings. |
Q |
Will the SCSD offer extracurricular activities for the 2022-23 school year? |
A |
Yes. We will have fall sports, drama productions, music concerts and club activities. We will communicate with students, staff and families any changes recommended by the CDC or Onondaga County Health Department. |
Q |
Will students and staff be required to wear masks in the SCSD? |
A |
No. Universal masking is no longer required for students, staff member, or visitors to the SCSD Schools. This includes First Student busses. There will be, however, several instances in which an individual would be required to – or strongly recommended to – mask. Please see below for complete guidelines, which apply to all individuals, vaccinated or unvaccinated. Masking is still required when:
|
Q |
Will physical distancing still be required? |
A |
No; however, maintaining good personal space and spreading out during activities will be encouraged. |
Q |
Will there be school-based COVID-19 testing for students and staff? |
A |
No. There will be at-home COVID-19 tests available while supplies last. If you would like an at-home test kit, please ask your child’s school front office. |
Q |
What is the SCSD doing with regard to improving ventilation and filtration systems? |
A |
We will continue to use air purifiers in classrooms, libraries, and cafeterias. |
Q |
Will there be daily screening for students and staff? |
A |
No. It is expected that those who are ill will stay home until better or cleared by their healthcare provider. |
Q |
What are the cleaning and sanitizing procedures in the SCSD? |
A |
We will continue daily cleaning and disinfecting protocols. |
Q |
What will happen when positive COVID-19 cases arise in the SCSD? |
A |
We will follow the Onondaga County Health Department and NYS Department of Health guidelines and work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 if cases should increase in our community and schools. Any student or staff member who tests positive should continue to notify the school principal, nurse, or immediate supervisor immediately and follow the protocols set forth by the OCHD for reporting and isolating. |
New York State Guidance
COVID-19 Operational Guidance for Schools (August 2022)22-23 COVID-19 FAQs for Parents/Guardians
22-23 COVID-19 School FAQs for Schools (September 2022)
Announcements
Extended Expiration Date for CareStart At-Home COVID-19 Tests
The Access Bio CareStart COVID-19 Antigen At-Home Tests (purple box) now have an extended shelf-life.
To view the new expiration dates for these tests, please click here.
To view the new expiration dates for these tests, please click here.
Extended Expiration Dates for At-Home COVID Tests
On July 8, 2022, the FDA granted another three-month shelf-life extension for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test, which extended the shelf-life of all iHealth tests from 6 months to 12 months.
Please click here to check for extended expiration dates for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests (orange box).
Please click here to check for extended expiration dates for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests (orange box).
