Dear Eatontown School Community Member:
As we approach the opening of another school year, I wanted to provide some general health guidance based upon the latest information and circumstances. Although overall the times have improved in relation to COVID-19 infections, the data will continue to be monitored by the district. Luckily, our ability to manage and to respond to COVID-19 has greatly improved over the last two and a half years.
Contact Tracing As per New Jersey Department of Health guidance, universal case investigation and contact tracing are no longer recommended for COVID-19. Instead of contact tracing, schools will use broad-based notifications through letters to the community about potential exposure and actions individuals should take to remain healthy as well as reduce transmission. If an individual is a close contact, the individual should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and may want to take a COVID-19 test. Test kits are available at each school upon parent request through the Nurse’s Office.
Exclusion/Isolation Parents should not send students to school when sick. The New Jersey Department of Health recommends that students with the following symptoms be isolated from others and quarantined from school:
At least two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, shivers, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose; or
At least one of the following symptoms: new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of smell, or loss of taste.
For students with chronic illness, only new symptoms or symptoms worse than baseline should be used to fulfill symptom-based exclusion criteria.
The district will continue the practice in place since March 2, 2022 not to quarantine students or staff for close contacts in school. With overall case counts lower than in the past as well as a two-and-a-half-year history of little to no in-school transmission of COVID-19, the district will not quarantine close contacts in the school setting unless the close contact tests positive for COVID-19 or displays COVID-19-like symptoms. However, close contacts in the household setting may still need to quarantine. Our ultimate goal is to keep students and staff in school on a consistent basis.
If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the individual will need to quarantine for five days and may return to school if symptoms are resolving or if symptom-free, but the individual must wear a mask beginning Day 6 through Day 10 in order to return to school.
Masking As of March 7, 2022, masks were no longer mandated in New Jersey schools as per executive order. However, the district respects individuals’ personal decision to wear a mask in school if they choose.
Vaccinations for COVID-19 The district recommends that individuals obtain a vaccination protocol or booster dose as per New Jersey Department of Health guidance. Vaccinations are recommended, but not required. If you have questions, please contact your School Nurse.
Unvaccinated Staff As per executive order, unvaccinated staff members no longer need to undergo routine weekly COVID-19 testing.
The district will continue to monitor the situation and inform you of future updates. Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to move forward with the goal of maintaining school routines and schedules in order for students to benefit from daily instruction and services.
Sincerely,
Scott T. McCue Superintendent of Schools