Health & Safety Procedures

COVID-19 TESTING

STUDENT COVID-19 TESTING CONSENT FORM

All students and staff are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 regularly. Priority testing for staff and students is available. 

Beginning in October, the DOE will conduct random testing of students and staff in all schools. Chancellor Carranza issued an update for Families: COVID-19 Student Testing on September 29, 2020. 

This update pertains to families of blended learning students, not 100% remote students.

Please know that the Guidance on this testing policy is evolving, and you can check this Frequently Asked Questions page for the latest updates.

DAILY HEALTH SCREENING

DAILY HEALTH SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE

To keep everyone safe and healthy, anyone entering an NYCDOE building- students, staff, parents, and other visitors, must complete a daily health screening prior to entering. The health screening can be done digitally or families can print a copy, complete it, and bring it to school.

Students who do not arrive to school with a completed digital or paper version of the health screening completed will be asked to complete a health screening on-site.

The health screening asks the following questions:

  1. Have you experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever of 100.0 degrees F or greater, a new cough, new loss of taste or smell or shortness of breath within the past 10 days?
  •  No. Go to the next question. 
  • Yes. No further screening is needed. The employee/student/guest may not enter the building. [The student will be sent home with their parent/guardian or escorted to the Isolation Room for family pick up if no parent/guardian is with them at arrival.]
  1. In the past 10 days, have you gotten a positive result from a COVID-19 test that tested saliva or used a nose or throat swab? (not a blood test)  
  • No. Go to the next question. 
  •  Yes. No further screening is needed. The employee/student/guest may not enter the building.  [The student will be sent home with their parent/guardian or escorted to the Isolation Room for family pick up if no parent/guardian is with them at arrival.]
  1. To the best of your knowledge, in the past 14 days, have you been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes) with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19? 
  •  No. Go to the next question.  
  • Yes. No further screening is needed. The employee/student/gues may not enter the building. [The student will be sent home with their parent/guardian or escorted to the Isolation Room for family pick up if no parent/guardian is with them at arrival. OR If the student is not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, the student will be escorted to the auditorium until a parent arrives to pick them up.] 
  1. Have you traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days? 
  •  No. The employee/guest may enter the building. 
  • Yes. No further screening is needed. The employee/student/guest may not enter the building. 
    [The student will be sent home with their parent/guardian or escorted to the Isolation Room for family pick up if no parent/guardian is with them at arrival. OR If the student is not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, the student will be escorted to the auditorium until a parent arrives to pick them up.]

COVID VACCINE INFORMATION

An important message from the NYC Department of Health and Hygiene.

If you have a child who is at least 16 years old, I strongly encourage you to make a vaccination appointment for them as soon as possible by visiting vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. You can also call 877-VAX-4-NYC (877-829-4692) for help making an appointment at a City-run vaccination site. 

By getting your child vaccinated, you are helping to protect them from COVID-19 and making your community safer. Also, please consider vaccination for yourself and other household members age 16 and older, if not vaccinated already. Vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect you and your family from COVID-19. While we encourage everyone age 16 and older to get vaccinated, vaccination is especially important for those with an underlying health condition, such as asthma, obesity or diabetes. The same is true for those who live in a multigenerational household or with a person who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness. Vaccination is provided at no cost to all and regardless of immigration status. 

Of the vaccines currently available in the United States, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people age 16 and 17. The Pfizer vaccine has been shown to be safe and very effective at protecting people from severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death. 

While you may be asked about health insurance, it is not required. Your insurer may be billed by the vaccinating provider, but you will not be charged a copayment or other fee. 

A Few Things to Know About the Pfizer Vaccine: 

• Type of vaccine: mRNA (see How the mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Work). 

• Number of shots: two shots, 21 to 42 days apart 

• How it is administered: a shot in the muscle of the upper arm 

• Does not contain eggs, animal products, preservatives, latex, or the virus that causes COVID-19. 

• Side effects are usually mild to moderate and may include soreness or swelling on the arm where you got the shot, headache, body aches, tiredness and fever. Side effects are more common after the second shot and less common in older adults. Side effects usually last about one to two days after they begin. 

• Your child cannot develop COVID-19 from the vaccine. 

For more information about the vaccine, see the FDA factsheet. 

Where Can My Child Get Vaccinated? 

Visit vaccinefinder.nyc.gov to find a site that offers the Pfizer vaccine. There are many places in NYC where your 16- or 17-year-old can receive the Pfizer vaccine, including most hospital clinics. If your child’s doctor is affiliated with a hospital, check with them about available appointments. 

Sites that offer the Pfizer vaccine include: 

• Some NYC-run vaccination sites, including Citi Field (Queens), Martin van Buren (Queens), Teacher’s Prep (Brooklyn), and Empire Outlets (Staten Island) 

• Hospitals and hospital clinics, including NYC Health + Hospitals acute care hospitals 

• Certain Federally Qualified Health Centers and community health centers 

• Pharmacies, including select CVS and Walgreens/Duane Reade locations 

• New York State vaccination sites, including Javits Center (open to all NYC residents), Bronx - Bay Eden Senior Center (open to all NYC residents), Medgar Evers College (Brooklyn residents only), and York College - Health and Physical Education Complex (Queens residents only) 

How Should We Prepare for an Appointment? 

Your 16- or 17-year-old will need to bring their vaccine appointment confirmation. 

Additional Considerations 

1. For minors under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent to vaccination, either in person or by phone at the time of the vaccine appointment. Minors must present identification to verify that they are at least 16 years of age or have a parent present to attest on their behalf. 

2. Some vaccination sites may require proof of NYC residency or residency within a certain borough or ZIP code. Learn about acceptable proof residency documentation at nyc.gov/covidvaccine. 

3. Everyone must complete the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Form in order to get vaccinated. 

4. You do not need to show proof of immigration status or a social security number. Immigration status does not need to be confirmed when registering for or attending a vaccine appointment. 

5. Children with disabilities may be eligible for free transportation to and from vaccination sites. Services are provided courtesy of the Curb app. After booking a vaccination appointment, participants will be screened and directed to Curb’s 24/7 call center. The call center helps book the trip by taxi or ambulette service as appropriate. 

You or your eligible teen may have additional questions about COVID-19 vaccines. We encourage you to discuss any concerns with your child’s primary care provider so you and your child can feel confident about your choice. 

You can also read answers to frequently asked questions on the NYC Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine facts page. Visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine for more information. 

Sincerely, 

Daniel H. Stephens, M.D. 

Deputy Commissioner, 

Division of Family and Child Health NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

STAYING HEALTHY & SAFE IN SCHOOL

Face Coverings: Anyone entering a DOE building is required to wear a face-covering that covers their mouth and nose. In the event that a student loses or breaks their mask we have child and adult size masks to distribute.

Hand Hygiene: Clean hands help make healthy bodies. Students will use hand sanitizer before entering the classroom and must wash their hands thoroughly after using the restroom. See this video from the CDC with helpful information on hand-washing.

Physical Distancing: Students will remain six feet apart at all times in the courtyard and in the school building. Markets have been placed in the courtyard to help students know where to stand while waiting for their teacher to bring them into the building. Furniture in all classrooms has been arranged to ensure at least six feet of distance between students.

Ventilation: To ensure proper ventilation classroom windows & hallway windows will be open. Classroom doors will also remain open to allow for air circulation. Because the windows will be open we recommend that students dress in layers on the day that they come to school.

Limited Movement Through the Building: Students will remain in their classrooms for the two hours that they attend school on Small Group Instruction days. One-directional signage has been placed to ensure that groups of students do not pass each other as they move through the building. 

Bathroom Capacity: No more than two students can be in the restroom at a time, 

Health Screening: All students and staff will complete a daily health screening prior to entering the building.  Families who selected blended learning will be given a thermometer for use at home. Starting in October 2020, in-person students will be randomly tested for COVID-19 in school. In-person students must fill out a Consent Form.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FEEL SICK AT HOME?

Anyone who is feeling sick with symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 must stay home, and contact the school. Please report your absence and the reason for your absence to Ms. Marcy Duran at mduran22@schools.nyc.gov.

For a complete list of symptoms associated with COVID-19, please visit the CDC website.

Any individual (student or staff member) showing signs of COVID-19 can only return to school when all the following conditions are met:

  • Received a positive COVID-19 test AND
  • Isolated for 10 days AND
  • The individual has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving. 

OR

  • Received a negative COVID-19 test AND 
  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started AND
  • The individual has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.

 OR 

  • Never got a COVID-19 test AND
  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started AND
  • The individual has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FEEL SICK AT SCHOOL?

Students who develop symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 while at school, will be escorted to our designated isolation room. The area/classroom where the student was showing symptoms will be cleaned as soon possible, and a deep-cleaning of the area/classroom must be performed at the end of the day.

Please see NYS Department of Health Guidance on how to assess a student's or staff member's health status.

When the ill student is placed in the Isolation Room, the building nurse will be contacted and will come to the Isolation Room and assess the student. 

Once the student is in the isolation room, school staff calls the student’s guardian for pick up. The student will be released to the guardian once the health assessment is completed.

Students and staff who develop symptoms at school are advised to visit a doctor and get tested for COVID-19, at the closest testing site. Families are asked to keep the school informed of any changes in symptoms or test results

Any individual (student or staff member) showing signs of COVID-19 can only return to school when all the following conditions are met:

  • Received a positive COVID-19 test AND
  • Isolated for 10 days AND
  • The individual has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving. 

OR

  • Received a negative COVID-19 test AND 
  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started AND
  • The individual has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.

 OR 

  • Never got a COVID-19 test AND
  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms started AND
  • The individual has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.