Covid-19 Response

August 19, 2021

Dear Harford School District Families,

As promised, I am writing to you with more specific information about our school district’s COVID response plan.  We will be using a three tiered approach to infection prevention in our schools:

1. Preventing the virus from entering the schools.
   1. Anyone, vaccinated or not, with any symptom(s) that could be related to COVID-19 must stay home and not come to school.  This has not changed from last year and the school nurses will be available to provide guidance to you on what is needed in order for your child to be cleared to return to school depending on the specific circumstances.  If your child becomes ill while at school, they will be isolated and you will be called to come pick them up.
   2. In cases where testing is required, the test must be a PCR test and you must provide a copy of this to the school nurse.
2. Preventing transmission of the virus in schools.
   1. Everyone, vaccinated or not, must wear a mask while inside any of the school district buildings until further notice.  This is our primary risk reduction strategy and one that is strongly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  
      1. At this time, we will not be changing this based on the percentage of vaccinated students.
      2. Masks will not be required while outside.
      3. At times when students need to be unmasked indoors, such as eating, we will keep them distanced as much as possible.  Lunch tables or other surfaces where students/staff eat will be cleaned in between groups.
3. Removing sources of infection.
   1. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, will need to quarantine as directed by the Department of Health or school nurse.
      1. Affected schools will work with the Department of Health to do contact tracing and identify anyone who may have been exposed to the individual who tested positive.
   2. Any unvaccinated individual who knows they have been exposed to COVID-19/has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, must stay home and quarantine.  At this time, vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine following an exposure UNLESS they develop any symptoms.
   3. We will be offering the option for both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff and students to participate in weekly surveillance testing.  This is not intended for anyone experiencing any symptoms.  Consent will be required in order for students to participate and you will receive more information about this in the coming weeks.

We are very happy to be able to have all students back to learning in person this year.  Again, I thank you for your cooperation and partnership in keeping our schools as safe as they can be.  As previously stated and as you have seen, information related to COVID changes quickly and frequently and I will continue to keep you updated on any changes that need to be made to our plan.

Tom DeBalsi
Superintendent of Schools
Hartford School District

Guidance for Families (PDF version of above letter)

Guidance for Staff (PDF)

COVID-19 Testing Site Information
The following sites offer COVID-19 testing.  If you are seeking to get tested, you may need to make an appointment.  Depending on where you live or where you get your healthcare, you may or may not be eligible to get tested at every site. 

• Alice Peck Day (603) 442-5665
• DHMC (603) 650-1818; M-F 7am-5pm, S&S 8am-12pm
• VT Department of Health (802) 863-7240 option 9 and then 3 (or option 8 to speak to a person); M-F 7:45am-4:30pm. You can search for walk-in testing sites and/or make an appointment online at https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing
• Clear Choice MD (603) 276-3261; daily 8am-6pm
• Valley Regional Hospital (603) 542-7771; M-F 11am-5pm
• Gifford Hospital (802) 728-7000
• Mt Ascutney Hospital (802) 674-7300 option 4

Vaccination Information

Please do not hesitate to contact Superintendent DeBalsi or one of the district's COVID Coordinators with any questions.