March 26, 2022
Good Morning Hartford,
Due to the change in transmission rate of COVID-19 in Windsor County we are forced to return to mandatory masking, effective Monday, March 28. All schools and programs in the Hartford School District will require masks to be worn when inside district buildings or programs.
I will keep you posted as conditions change in our county.
Tom DeBalsi
Superintendent
March 18, 2022
Hello Hartford School Community!
This past Wednesday the School Board approved new guidance to go into effect Monday, March 21, 2022. Please review the guidance carefully as a lot has changed. The Short version is included in this letter with a link to the full guidance. Please do not hesitate to contact your school nurse or me with questions or concerns at any time.
Tom DeBalsi
Superintendent
Hartford School District COVID Response (3/21/2022)
LINK to Complete Guidance
It’s hard having a sick kid, but it’s important to keep them home from school until they get better. Get them tested if they have any COVID symptoms, may be a close contact, or have taken part in activities that could put them at risk. http://healthvermont.gov/testing
Here are some local sites that offer COVID testing for FREE:
COVID-19 Update
January 17, 2022
Hello Hartford,
Effective immediately, the Hartford School District will be using the COVID Response Protocol as outlined below.
COMMUNICATION
When a school learns of an individual who has tested positive for COVID, anyone in the classroom will be considered to have had an exposure. A general communication will go out notifying of a presumptive exposure in the affected classroom(s). A message will also go out to schools notifying of the total number of COVID cases in a given day per building.
MASKING
Universal masking is required for anyone while inside any Hartford School District Buildings. Masks must be at least 2 layers, fit properly, and be worn over the mouth and nose. Masks are not required when outdoors unless an individual is directed to wear one as outlined in the guidance below.
GUIDANCE FOLLOWING AN EXPOSURE
Antigen test kits will be made available to anyone notified of an exposure to use as outlined below: *As directed by the Agency of Education, schools will not monitor compliance of kit pick up or use of kits.
IF YOU:
You DO NOT need to quarantine.
YOU MUST:
IF YOU:
YOU MUST:
IF YOU:
Have continuous household exposure:
If testing is not done as outlined above, the unvaccinated individual who has been exposed MUST complete a 10 day quarantine from their last date of exposure. They may also do a single PCR test on/after day 5 and end their quarantine with a negative result.
IF YOU:
Have had a confirmed case of COVID within the last 90 days:
ISOLATION FOLLOWING A POSITIVE TEST
If you have a positive antigen or PCR test, let your school nurse know; they must report positive cases to the VT Department of Health. Use the following guidance regardless of vaccination status:
ILLNESS
If anyone, regardless of vaccination status, develops ANY symptom(s) (see list below) they must stay home AND get tested for COVID.
List of symptoms (regardless of severity):
Cough Nausea
Shortness of breath Vomiting
Fever Diarrhea
Sore throat Loss of taste or smell
Runny/stuffy nose Muscle aches
Headache Fatigue
If symptoms begin while at school, the student or staff member must be sent home as soon as possible, and the individual should be isolated from other staff and students until they can leave. The school nurse can do a PCR test prior to leaving if consent has been completed. A 2 pack antigen test kit can also be provided for use at home. Individuals must stay home until test results are received. If they test negative (1 PCR/LAMP test or 2 antigen tests 24hrs apart) for COVID-19 they can return to school when symptoms improve and they are fever free for 24 hours.
If a student is not in attendance due to illness, a parent/guardian may pick up a test kit from the school.
TESTING
Each building will develop a process for antigen test kit distribution following notification of a COVID case in school. A staff member will be identified to hand out tests. Parents will need to report to this person the number of kits needed based on their child's vaccination status (fully vaccinated will need a total of 2 tests, unvaccinated will need a total of 5 tests). Tests can be distributed to students or picked up by parents.
If you cannot access a home antigen test kit and/or would like to have your child complete a PCR COVID test at school due to exposure or illness, please make sure you have completed the electronic consent form linked below.
https://www.cognitoforms.com/VermontAgencyOfEducation/SY22COVID19TestingProgramConsentForm
Contact your school nurse to make arrangements for PCR testing.
Antigen test kits will be provided by the school subject to available inventory received from the state of Vermont. Until we have a secure supply chain of tests, antigen kits will be prioritized for those students and staff that are not fully vaccinated. As above, PCR testing will continue to be offered at school for those fully vaccinated and asymptomatic following an exposure.
Thank you, if you have questions or concerns please contact me or your school nurse.
Tom DeBalsi
Superintendent
Hartford School District
Vaccination Information
Please do not hesitate to contact Superintendent DeBalsi or one of the district's COVID Coordinators with any questions.
