COVID-19 & GCS

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Keeping GCS Healthy and Safe

Any symptoms, exposures, or positive cases for individuals or family members can be shared with the school through our wellness@grotoncommunityschool.org email.

Guidance on COVID-19, Flu or RSV symptoms can be found at www.mass.gov/protect-yourself-and-others-from-getting-sick. Please consult with your child’s pediatrician and test for the COVID-19 or Flu when applicable.  GCS reserves the right to create its own COVID-19 policy for what is best for our school community.  Current protocols for symptoms, isolation and exposure are informed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, local boards of health, and our state licensing agency.  All GCS staff are strongly encouraged to be up-to-date for COVID-19 vaccination, and we gladly welcome vaccination for children.

The following protocols are currently in place:

GCS COVID-19 EXPOSURE AND ISOLATION POLICY

EXPOSURE:  

All exposed individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic. 

MASKING:

Masking indoors after single exposure is welcomed but not required.  Masking indoors is required with household exposure for 5 days.

Masking indoors after returning from COVID-19 is required as specified below.

Masks do not need to be worn while eating, drinking, sleeping or outdoors at school.

SYMPTOMS AFTER EXPOSURE:

If symptoms develop, exposed individuals should stay home and get tested. We require a negative test prior to return when symptoms occur after exposure.  For a list of symptoms, please refer to our GCS website: www.grotoncommunityschool.org/wellness-at-gcs.

POSITIVE RESULT:

Please inform GCS as soon as possible regarding ALL positive cases in your household.  We will ask about the type and onset of symptoms, and the test date(s) that yielded a positive result(s).

COVID-19 positive individuals with symptoms can return to school when they meet the following conditions:

  • Their symptoms are resolving
  • They are fever-free without fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours
  • They mask indoors for 5 days after returning

COVID-19 positive individuals without symptoms can return to school when they meet the following conditions:

  • They stay home and remain asymptomatic for at least 72 hours after testing positive
  • They mask indoors for 5 days after testing positive

IN CLOSING:

Please know that we continue to be diligent about health and safety at GCS.  We are available for any questions!

Revised April 11, 2024

 

STAY INFORMED

Please stay tuned for further Groton Community School updates regarding COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

We pay close attention to communications from the Board of Health, the MA Department of Public Health, our licensing agency (the MA Department of Early Education and Care), our GCS Health Care Consultant, and the Governor’s office.  We ask families (and staff) to please continue to be responsible in monitoring possible COVID-19 symptoms and exposure for their household, to be safe with their interactions within the community, and to please get vaccinated if possible.

Please contact Groton Community School if you have questions about our protocols and policies.