2023-2024 COVID19 Guidelines

Click here:  2023-2024 Student Consent for Symptomatic COVID-19 Testing at School

  *See below for more details.on symptomatic testing at school. 

 

2023-2024 COVID-19 Protocols and Guidance 

As we begin a new school year, we will continue to update you on our current COVID-19 Protocols.  At this time the guidance regarding what to do when someone tests positive for COVID-19 has not changed since the end of the last school year. . Our schools will continue to be mask-optional and students and staff may wear a mask in school if they choose.  Below is a summary of practices we will continue to follow this year.

Bedford Public Schools will continue to follow the recommendations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Children and Staff in Child Care, K-12, Out of School Time (OST) and Recreational/Camp Program Setting

We encourage families to:
  • Keep home rapid antigen tests on hand. 
  • Continue to screen daily for symptoms of illness before sending your child to school. 
  • Stay up to date with vaccinations/boosters
  • Keep masks on hand to be used as indicated for those returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19.
 
Returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19 
 
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will still need to isolate for 5 days at home.  Those individuals may return to school after Day 5 wearing a mask through day 10, as long as they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and fever free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours. 
  • Day 0 - is the date of the positive test/symptom onset- whichever came first
  • Day 5- isolate through this date
  • Day 6- return to school if symptoms have significantly improved or resolved AND fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. 
  • Day 10- wear a well fitting mask at all times (except when eating or drinking or outside) through day 10. 

COVID Reporting 

School nurses will continue to track reported COVID cases along with other communicable illnesses.  Please report all cases of COVID-19 to your child’s school nurse (contacts listed below). 

Close Contacts  

Quarantine is no longer required or recommended in the school setting regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred.  All individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic.  Those who can mask should do so until day 10, and it is recommended that they test on day 6 of exposure.  

*Testing 

 

The school nurses are able to offer symptomatic testing using rapid antigen tests in the event your child begins to show symptoms while at school.  This is only available to students whose families have granted consent for testing. 

Click HERE 2023-2024 Student Consent for Symptomatic COVID-19 Testing at School

While supplies last, students who develop symptoms at school during the day will be able to be tested in the health office with a Rapid Antigen Test with parent/guardian consent.  In addition we will send home rapid antigen tests with families who request them for exposure or symptomatic management.  
  • A new consent is needed for this school year
  • Only students with consent on file will be able to be tested at school
  • This testing service is optional for families.
 
Need to reach your school nurse?

Sometimes it is a difficult decision on whether or not to send your child to school.  Please do not hesitate to contact your child's school nurse with any questions. 

NurseSchoolE-MailPhone
Annmarie VaughanBedford High Schoolannmarie_vaughan@bedfordps.org781-275-1700 x4416
Tracy FernaldJohn Glenn Middle Schooltracy_fernald@bedfordps.org781-275-3165
Lorene SimoneauLt. Job Lane Elementary Schoollorene_simoneau@bedfordps.org781-275-7623
Jennifer CapeceLt. Eleazer Davis Elementary Schooljennifer_capece@bedfordps.org781-918-4906