February 24, 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As Milford Public Schools transitions to “Masks Optional” status, effective February 28, 2022, we want to provide the following reminders and information to the school community as we continue to work together to protect the health and safety of students and staff:
- Daily Health Screening. Continue to complete the COVID-19 Daily Self Checklist each morning at home before you send your child to school. In addition to assessing symptoms, there are questions specific to COVID-19 exposures. If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, it is very important that your child stay home and not report to school. Contact your child’s medical provider and the School Nurse for further guidance.
If your child will be absent due to illness, you will be asked to complete a form in PowerSchool where you will report all symptoms when calling out. Completion of this form is a critical tool in order to assist the School Nurse in monitoring illnesses that may be circulating in the school building and/or classrooms and will allow for early intervention specific to COVID-19 as needed.
- Illness at School. Should your child become ill during the school day, he/she will be assessed by the School Nurse. Please note that individuals entering the School Nurse’s Office may be required to wear a mask, in accordance with standard infection control procedures, for the protection of staff and students in the Nurse’s Office. If, upon assessment by the School Nurse using criteria from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), it is determined that your child may be contagious with COVID-19, the child will be brought to an Isolation Room in the school building to wait with a staff member until your arrival. It is very important that you come to the school within 30 minutes of receiving a notification to pick up your child. The School Nurse may provide a COVID-19 at-home test kit as needed along with instructions on when your child may return to school.
- Isolation & Quarantine for Positive Cases of COVID-19 and/or Close Contacts to a Positive COVID-19 Case. Notify your School Nurse if your child or anyone in their household tests positive for COVID-19. School Nurses will continue to follow existing isolation and quarantine policies based on CDC and CT DPH guidance communicated in the letter dated January 5, 2022 (pages 2-4).
- Masks. While masks will be optional effective February 28, 2022, well- fitting masks will continue to be required on school bus transportation, in accordance with Federal orders. Additionally, as previously stated, individuals entering the School Nurses’ offices may be required to wear a mask upon entry in accordance with CDC and CT DPH recommended infection control practices.
- COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility. At this time, students age 5 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. If you or your child are eligible and want to get vaccinated and/or get your booster, visit the Milford Health Department website for upcoming clinic details. Remember to provide the School Nurse a copy of your child’s vaccination certificate.
- COVID DeteCT Testing. Milford Public Schools continues to participate in the COVID DeteCT program made available through the State of Connecticut. Voluntary testing on school campuses is completely optional. If you would like to have your child included in this free weekly screening program, please click here to complete the online consent form. Please note this testing program is not intended for students who are symptomatic. Click here for an FAQ document regarding the program.
We want to continue to remind all students and staff of the importance of remaining vigilant as we transition to a mask-optional environment. Milford Public Schools and the Milford Health Department will continue to work together closely to communicate any changes moving forward. We appreciate your individual efforts towards keeping your child, your family and those in our school community safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Anna M. Cutaia, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Deepa Joseph, MPH
Director of Health
Andrew J. Carlson, MD
School/Community Medical Advisor