September 24, 2023
From the Nurse

The school nurses are available to you.  Please do not hesitate to contact them by email if you have any questions or concerns. They can assist you with accessing medical services if you are having difficulty with this, to triage symptoms or just to check in and chat. 

Fact Sheets

Covid-19 Response

Hartford School District COVID Response Protocols

For the start of the 2023/2024 school year, the Hartford School District will be using the infectious disease prevention strategies and COVID Response Protocol as outlined below.  This protocol is based on the current CDC guidelines for COVID-19.  Any future changes to this protocol will be communicated by the Superintendent of Schools.

MASKING

Universal masking is no longer required in Vermont schools*.  However, there are circumstances under which an individual should wear a mask in our school buildings:

  • For 10 days following a positive COVID test;
  • If experiencing symptoms of illness; per the Vermont Department of Health, "A student who is being sent home due to illness may be required to wear a mask while awaiting pick-up. The decision to require masking should be made by the school nurse based on clinical decision-making."  Additionally, if a student or staff member develops any symptoms while at school, the school nurse will use her clinical judgment to determine if the individual may remain in school.  If it is determined that they can stay at school, a facemask may be provided and should  be worn while indoors.

Masks must be at least 2 layers, fit properly, and be worn over the mouth and nose.

It is recommended that those who are identified as being at high risk for severe disease related to COVID contact their healthcare provider to discuss whether or not they should wear a mask.

Individuals may choose to continue to wear masks for their own personal reasons outside of those listed above.  Bullying or harassment of anyone for any reason will not be tolerated in any Hartford School District building or program.

* If community transmission levels in Windsor County reach a "high" level as defined by the  CDC COVID BY COUNTY, Hartford School District may require that everyone wear a facemask while indoors until transmission levels decline.

GUIDANCE FOLLOWING AN EXPOSURE TO COVID-19

IF YOU ARE NOT EXPERIENCING ANY SYMPTOMS:

You DO NOT need to quarantine.

  • You should wear a high quality mask when around others for 10 days following the last date of exposure regardless of vaccination status.
  • If you choose to, you can test on/after day 6.
    • If the test is positive, stay home and notify your school nurse.
  • If you develop any symptoms, you must then stay home until symptoms improve and/or test for COVID using an antigen test.  If negative, multiple antigen tests may be needed.  If symptoms persist, you should continue to stay home and/or test until symptoms improve.

ISOLATION FOLLOWING A POSITIVE TEST

If you have a positive antigen or PCR test, let your school nurse know; they report positive cases to the VT Department of Health.  Use the following guidance regardless of vaccination status:

  • Stay home and isolate for at least 5 days. (Please note: the first day of symptoms/or the day of the positive test if there are no symptoms is DAY ZERO; the 5-day count begins the next day)
  • You can end isolation after day 5 IF:
    • You never had symptoms or any symptoms are improved  AND
    • You have not had a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications  AND
    • You should wear a mask around others for 10 days.
  • Notify your close contacts that you have tested positive.
  • If symptoms recur or worsen after ending isolation, restart isolation at "day 0."


ILLNESS

If a student or staff member develops symptoms of illness while at school, the school nurse will use their clinical judgment to determine if the individual may remain in school.  If it is determined that they can stay at school, a facemask may be provided and should be worn while indoors.  (Please see your child's parent/student handbook for illness protocols).

TESTING

Test kits will be made available to staff and students from the school nurse upon request to test due to symptoms.

**Antigen test kits will be provided by the school subject to available inventory received from the state of Vermont. 


Tom DeBalsi

Superintendent


It’s hard having a sick kid, but it’s important to keep them home from school until they get better. Get them tested if they have any COVID symptoms, may be a close contact, or have taken part in activities that could put them at risk. http://healthvermont.gov/testing

VT Dept of Health - keep children home image

Here are some local sites that offer COVID testing:

  


Vaccination Information

 
Please do not hesitate to contact Superintendent DeBalsi or Felicia Hayes, the district's COVID Coordinator, with any questions.

Community Questions

What are your questions or concerns around COVID-19?  Please let us know. Superintendent Tom DeBalsi will address as many as possible on our upcoming FAQ page.

Vaccine Opportunities

Contact your healthcare provider for questions about, or access to, vaccinations.

Additional Resources

How to select, wear and clean your mask


VT 211

VT 211 provides connection to multiple kinds of resources within and around our community.  Their home page also has links to the CDC and VT Health Department webpages for more information on COVID-19. http://www.vermont211. org/  

 

Current Status in Vermont (vermonthhealth.gov)

Preventing COVID-19 from Spreading to Homes and Communities in Simplified Chinese

Internet Options for Families

Previous Updates