COVID-19 Policies and Health Center Reminders for Rumsey Hall School 

2022-2023 School Year

The following are the COVID-19 Policies for students, faculty, and staff at Rumsey Hall School along with information on emergency contacts and medication policies.  Please note: policies are subject to change based on national, state, and local COVID-19 guidelines.  

Vaccination

• The School follows the State of Connecticut guidelines for vaccinations of school-age children.
• The School currently does not mandate the vaccine; however, we strongly encourage all members of our community to be fully vaccinated, including boosters when warranted. Rumsey Hall School had a 97% vaccination rate during the 2021-2022 school year. We expect to continue this high rate of vaccination.  
• All students, faculty, and staff will have the ability to be vaccinated or boosted at specific times during the school year when the School holds vaccination clinics. 
• Unvaccinated students may not be able to participate in specific sporting events due to the policies set by peer schools.

Testing 

• COVID-19 rapid antigen testing will be available for symptomatic students and faculty and staff through the Health Center.  
• At this time, weekly surveillance testing will not be completed during the 2022-2023 school year. 
• COVID-19 PCR testing for travel will be made available for boarding students for a fee of $100 which will be charged to the student’s account. A two-week notice of testing is required.  
• Both Boarding and Day students are expected to complete a rapid antigen test at home 24 hours prior to attending school on the first day. Testing is based on an honor system, only positive COVID-19 results should be reported to the health center.  Positive results should be sent to healthcr@rumseyhall.org.

Test-Mask-Go

• Rumsey Hall School will be using the TEST-MASK-GO strategy designed to increase the number of days of in-person learning and care available to children, both to improve the social/emotional/physical wellbeing of students, staff, and their families and to enhance learning recovery. 
• The Test-Mask-Go strategy allows students, faculty, and staff, with mild respiratory disease symptoms (e.g., infrequent cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, etc.) the option to continue participating in-person provided: 
  • They are fever-free (< 100°F) and feel well enough to participate.
  • They do not live with anyone who has had COVID-19 in the past two weeks, (“live with” is defined as a roommate of a boarding student or a family member of a day student).
  • They can wear a mask consistently and correctly if indicated.
  • They test negative for COVID-19 prior to reporting in-person on every day they have symptoms, as well as one final test on the morning their symptoms have completely resolved. 
• Individuals who have any respiratory disease symptoms should not use the Test-Mask-Go strategy if: 
  • They have a fever (≥ 100°F) or feel feverish (they should not report in-person until their fever has resolved for at least 24 hours without the use of medication).
  • They live with a person who recently tested positive for COVID-19 (within the past 2 weeks).
  • Day students and faculty and staff will be responsible for completing the testing at home and reporting the results to the health center prior to 8 a.m. each morning. 
  • Boarding students will be tested each morning at the health center prior to the school day.
  • If numbers in our community increase, we may ask the above individuals to wear a mask and eat in a separate area while symptomatic. 

Isolation
Boarding Students

• All diagnosed individuals with COVID-19 will be required to isolate per CDC guidelines.
• Please make sure your child has an emergency contact who is able to pick them up within 24 hours of a positive test.
• Boarding students must complete a five-day isolation period OFF campus. The day of testing is considered "Day One".
• A boarding student may return to campus on Day 6 if they are feeling well. The student will be required to wear a mask at all times except while eating or in their dorm rooms.
• Masking may be discontinued if two negative rapid antigen tests, 48 hours apart, on Day 6 and Day 8 are obtained.  

Day Students

• Day students must complete a five-day isolation period at home. The day of testing is considered "Day One".
• A student may return to campus on Day Six and must wear a mask on days six through ten. If a child is unable to properly wear a mask during this time, they will be asked to complete the ten-day isolation period at home. Alternate eating arrangements will be made as well during this time.
• If your child completes a negative Covid-19 test, 48 hours apart, on Day 6 and Day 8, they may remove their mask for the remainder of the isolation period.

Masking

• Masking will be required for day students completing days six through ten of their isolation period as stated above.
• Mask may be removed after two negative Covid-19 tests on Day 6 and Day 8.
• Masking of close contacts may be requested of students and faculty if COVID-19 numbers within our community are on the rise.

Athletics

• Students ages 12 and older who have tested positive will need a sports clearance from their physician in order to return to sports.
• A return-to-sport protocol will be closely followed for these athletes.
• Please note: athletes who are not fully-vaccinated may not be able to participate in specific sporting events

Emergency Contact

• All boarding students must have an emergency contact who is able to pick them up and remove them from campus in case of an emergency, the need for isolation, or illness requiring a lengthy recovery.  The emergency contact will pick up or arrange transportation for the student within 24 hours of notice. 
• The Emergency Contact form can be found on Magnus Health under the Conditional Questions.  Please ensure your contact’s name, address and contact information is included.  Please make sure your child's emergency contact understands they must be able to pick up your child within 24 hours regardless of illness or injury.
• If a family does not have an emergency contact,  Student Health Advocates (SHA), a guardian and concierge service, for boarding students in our area is an option. If your family chooses SHA, we encourage you to sign up with the service prior to school starting in September. Signing up with the service is the responsibility of the parent.