Harborlight Montessori COVID-19

A message to parents regarding state covid protocols

(This message was sent to the school community on June 9, 2022)

As we turn the calendar on this school year, we are updating our COVID protocols to reflect current recommendations and directives from public health officials. The important changes are:

The State is sunsetting the test and stay protocols and will no longer fund testing for schools in the fall.

For now, symptomatic children will still be tested on site. We have enough test kits on hand to continue testing through the summer.

We will continue to notify parents and staff when there is a positive case in a classroom.

Quarantine for asymptomatic exposed children is no longer required. The state recommends a home test on day 2 and 5, with masking through day 10. If you have an unvaccinated child who is unable to isolate from a positive family member at home, please discuss with Chris Wilson.

Positive students and staff must quarantine through day 5 and mask through day 10. If a child is unable to mask, they must have a negative test on day 5 or later to return to school prior to day 11.

Children under two are now allowed to use rapid testing at home. It is expected that vaccines will be available for this age group this summer.

Exposed staff should test daily for five days not just day 2 and 5.

We expect there will be additional changes to public health guidelines, and we will adjust accordingly. The health and safety of our school community is paramount. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.

Healthy Students, Healthy Classrooms

Our ability to maintain healthy classrooms, (especially the Infant-Toddler and Children's Houses) begins at home. We rely upon parents/guardians to look for symptoms. Early indicators may include:

change in sleep patterns: restless sleep, lethargy when awake, or
needing more sleep than usual
change in appetite: refusing food or beverages, difficulty swallowing or digesting
mood changes: irritable, clingy, or difficult to soothe

These characteristics are often associated with an onset of illness when not associated with a disruption in routine (such as changing from crib to bed, recent tooth eruption, overnight guests at home, etc.)

Children exhibiting these symptoms often have difficulty making it through a full school day. If possible, giving a child a day to rest can prevent the onset of illness during the school day, which is disruptive to everyone, including the parent who has to arrange pick up.

Daily Health Attestation

SYMPTOMS OBSERVED IN ABOVE NAMED OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBER IN THE PAST 24 HOURS:

Fever of 100.0 or higher
Cough
Sore throat
Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (not physical activity induced)
Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)
Fatigue (fatigue alone should not exclude a student from school attendance)
Headache (headache alone should not exclude a student from school attendance)
New loss of smell/taste
New muscle aches

WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS: Have you or your child had close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual?

If your answer is yes to any of the above, please do not enter the campus.

Public Health Resources

The situation regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) is ever-changing. Harborlight continues to monitor the following resources for up-to-date, accurate information in our decision-making.

Rapid Testing Documents

Consent for Rapid Test - General Information
Please review the information provided by Early Education and Care prior to submitting the Consent Form.

Thank you
Consent for Rapid Test Form
Please complete the Consent for Rapid Test Form and submit it to the school office (hard copy) or info@harborlight.net (attachment). Thank you.
Chris

Health and wellness: Chris Wilson, Health Care Consultant

To report a student absent: School Office; 922-1008

General Harborlight: Paul Horovitz, Head of School

Infant & Toddler: Hiromi Sudachi, Director

Children's House: Nichole Schrafft, Director

Lower/Upper School: (Grades 1-8): Elisa Pitkin, Director

Facilities: Peter Dickman, Director

Admissions & Financial Aid: Rachel McAlpine, Director

Finance: Jed Dickman, Director

Donations to Harborlight: Development Chairs

Contact

243 Essex Street
Beverly, Massachusetts, 01915
Phone: (978) 922-1008
Fax: (978) 922-0594

About Harborlight

Harborlight Montessori is an independent, co-educational, day school for children from infant-toddler through grade 8 that is committed to innovative teaching and learning.

COVID-19