Hartford Public Schools is excited to welcome students back to the classroom on Tuesday, August 29. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment that allows all students to succeed. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are more aware than ever of the ways that all infectious diseases can impact student education. We must continue to remain vigilant in keeping our schools safe and our students healthy. As partners in this education process, we ask that you review the below health and safety updates.
<REMINDER> Immunizations
Immunizations are critical in protecting students from vaccine preventable diseases and minimizing the impacts of these illnesses. Click here PRESCHOOL (ct.gov) for a link of immunizations by grade that are required by the Connecticut Department of Public Health for children to attend school. Please make sure to bring a copy of your student’s vaccination record and last physical to the school nurse before the first day of school.
***Influenza vaccination between August 1st-December 31st is required for all Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 students. Please send in documentation to the school nurse so your Pre-K student can return to school after winter break.
Vaccination is still the most effective way to protect against viral illnesses like COVID-19 and Influenza. Click her for information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) about COVID-19 vaccination:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html
<REMINDER> Best Practice for Infectious Disease Control
HPS staff, students, and families should follow these important steps to minimize the spread of illnesses like COVID-19 and Influenza.
Hand Hygiene: Students will be encouraged to practice frequent hand-washing, especially before meals and snack time and after recess/PE.
Respiratory Etiquette: Students will be encouraged to cough and sneeze into their elbow or a tissue (discard tissue and wash hands after using).
COVID-19 Test Kits: Available in limited supply for nurses to test symptomatic students with verbal parental consent.
Cleaning/Disinfecting: Regular HPS cleaning/disinfecting protocols in place.
<UPDATES & REMINDERS> Symptom Management/COVID-19 Protocols
It is still recommended that students with significant illness, significant respiratory or significant gastrointestinal symptoms should not report to school and get tested for COVID-19. Students who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate at home for 5 days per CDC guidance. They can return to school on Day 6 if their symptoms are mostly resolved and are required to wear a mask while at school on Day 6 through Day 10. Click on this link for more information about when to keep your student home from school.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:
• Fever (≥ 100°F) or feeling feverish;
• Persistent cough;
• Persistent sore throat;
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
• Loss of taste and/or smell;
• Vomiting or diarrhea
Please contact your school nurse if your student tests positive for COVID-19 or you have any health-related questions. Your school nurse will tell you when your student can return to school.
Students who are experiencing significant illness, significant respiratory or significant gastrointestinal symptoms but have not tested positive must not report to school until their symptoms have resolved for 24 hours without the use of medication.
Face Masks: Students are required to wear face masks (available at all schools upon request) after returning to school after testing positive on Day 6 through Day 10 and strongly encouraged to wear a mask for 10 days after they have had direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
For any questions related to any of the district’s health & safety protocols, please email Deb Chameides, Director of Nursing & Clinical Services, at chamd001@hartfordschools.org.