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Update from September 2022

Dear Families,

As we prepare to welcome the Jewish New Year, we are encouraged to take time to consider the ways in which we can demonstrate our commitment to caring for ourselves, to honoring others, and to building a caring and just community. With that in mind, it feels like an opportune time to provide you with updates in regards to our COVID mitigation strategies, as it is one way we can demonstrate these important values. 

JCDSRI will be following both RIDOH (click here for the RI Department of Health website for more complete information) and CDC guidance. The following practices will help us mitigate the spread of COVID and other infectious illnesses:

• We have a mask-optional policy at JCDSRI; any individual who chooses to mask will be encouraged to do so.
• We ask that children who have symptoms of COVID be tested at home and that they do not return to school unless they receive a negative result. Following RIDE (RI Department of Health) and CDC policies, we require a 5-day isolation period for any child or adult in our school who tests positive for COVID. They may then return to school (as long as they are symptom-free), but must remain masked for an additional 5 days. 
• All families should send copies of updated COVID vaccine and/or booster cards to Donna (dbaer@jcdsri.com) or Meredith (mfriedman@jcdsri.com), if you have not already done so.
• We will continue to closely monitor student, faculty, and staff wellness. Please review the “JCDSRI Family Handbook” (found in the Parent Portal of our website) for our illness policies. Please note that students may not attend school – or will immediately be sent home from school – if they exhibit obvious symptoms of illness (as determined by someone on our Administrative Team). If your child is fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms have significantly improved, they may return to school, although we may require them to wear a mask until they are completely asymptomatic. We also reserve the right to send a child home if we determine that they are too ill to remain at school or if there are concerns that they may be infecting others.  
•  RIDE and the CDC no longer are recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, and test-to-stay testing in schools. When we are made aware of a positive case in a classroom, we will notify the families of the students in the class. 

We continue to follow multiple safely measures, including:

• Daily professional cleaning and sanitization of all indoor spaces
• Use of air purifiers, as well as continuing to keep windows open as much as possible so that there is appropriate air flow
• Utilization of our outdoor learning spaces

We will also continue to evaluate our safety measures and monitor trends on a regular basis. Doing so will allow us to respond in a timely and responsible manner to changing conditions at JCDSRI and in our local area, and adjust our safety protocols, as necessary.

Thank you in advance for your trust, understanding, and commitment to the well-being of our entire community. 

Wishing you a sweet, joyful, and healthy New Year,

Andrea Katzman (HoS) and Mara Ostro (Chair of the JCDSRI COVID Committee)

Update from April 20, 2022

We are writing to provide some important updates and reminders re: COVID. Please read this email thoroughly, as it contains important information about your child’s return to school. 

A reminder that we will be transitioning into the new phase of our masking policy at JCDSRI beginning May 2, when mask wearing for all students, faculty, staff, and family and community members visiting our school will become optional. Some members of our community will choose to wear masks beyond May 2 and we are grateful that – as a community of care – we are invested in honoring each others’ choices. 

In preparation for this change, we are asking that every child take a rapid at-home COVID test before returning from vacation to school on Monday, April 25 (only positive test results should be shared with the school; we ask that you keep your child home if they test positive OR if they show any symptoms of illness of any kind.) 

We recently have been informed that a number of our students, faculty, and staff have tested positive for COVID over vacation, hence it being even more important that we remain masked for a week after vacation and that every member of our community entering school after vacation take a rapid test. 

We want to share a few other reminders and considerations about the new health and safety practices at JCDSRI:

• We are hearing from other schools that removing masks does increase the presence of other illnesses at school. We expect that the natural spread of viruses will continue to make the rounds, so many of our multiple risk mitigation layers will remain in place (for details, see below). Please review the “JCDSRI Family Handbook” (found in the Parent Portal of our website) for our illness policies. Note that a student must be fever-free (without medication) and/or on antibiotics for 24-hours before returning to school. 

• We anticipate that children of different ages will have various thoughts and feelings about taking masks off. Many students will need time to acclimate to seeing a wider variety of expressions from their friends. We will be speaking with our students about how they are feeling about a mask-optional school environment and remind them that this will be an adjustment for us all. These conversations afford us yet another opportunity to talk to our students about what it means to build – and sustain – a diverse, pluralistic, healthy, and democratic community. 

• Per Rhode Island Department of Health guidance, we will no longer be contact tracing as part of our regular process, but if there is a concern about an outbreak of COVID, we may conduct contact tracing and require testing and short-term masking for affected groups at school. At this stage of the pandemic, we should consider that we may always be exposed to COVID – both in and out of school – so we ask that you join us in monitoring your child’s health and continue home testing when symptomatic.

• If you suspect your child has been exposed to COVID – or may be ill with COVID – we ask that you test them and that they remain out of school until you receive a negative result. 

• We will continue to require a 5-day isolation period for any child or adult in our school who tests positive for COVID; they must remain masked at school for an additional 5 days. 

• Students in our Nitzanim and Ilanot programs will also be mask optional starting on May 2. A separate communication was sent to our Nitzanim and Ilanot families earlier today informing them of this decision.

Although JCDSRI will become mask-optional beginning May 2, we will continue to follow current safely measures, including:

• Daily professional cleaning and sanitization of all indoor spaces

• Use of air purifiers, as well as continuing to keep windows open so that there is appropriate air flow

• Utilization of our outdoor learning spaces

• The close monitoring of student, faculty, and staff wellness. Please note that students may not attend school (or will immediately be sent home from school) if they exhibit any symptoms of illness. If your child is fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms have significantly improved, they may return to school. We may require them to continue wearing a mask until they are completely asymptomatic. We also reserve the right to send a child home if we determine that they are too ill to remain at school or if there are concerns that they may be infecting others.  

The Task Force will continue to evaluate our safety measures and monitor trends on a regular basis. Doing so will allow us to respond in a timely and responsible manner to changing conditions at JCDSRI and in our local area, and adjust our safety protocols, as necessary.

On behalf of all the members of the Task Force, I want to thank you in advance for your trust, understanding, and commitment to the well-being of our entire community.

Update from January 9, 2022

Dear JCDSRI Families –

As many of you are aware, the CDC and RI Department of Health (and Education) have released new guidelines for K-12 schools. In light of their announcement, the Task Force met this morning and made the following decisions:  

• We will continue to require 10 days of isolation for any child or teacher/staff member who has tested positive for COVID. 

• We will adopt a “monitor to stay” policy for all vaccinated and unvaccinated students who are identified as close-contacts in school. That means that if your child has had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, they may remain in school as long as they are asymptomatic. 

• Due to our adoption of a “monitor to stay” policy, monitoring for symptoms is even more important than ever. Children may not come to school – or will be sent home – if they have any symptoms of COVID – no matter how mild (this includes a minor headache, a runny nose, a stomach ache, a slight cough, etc.) Children must receive a negative PCR test in order to return.

We want to acknowledge that as this pandemic surges and guidelines continue to shift, confusion and frustrations are increasing. As such, we are so grateful for your patience – and your understanding that every decision the Task Force makes is with the goal of keeping your children physically at school – and safe, loved, and connected.  

The JCDSRI COVID Task Force 

Mara Ostro (Chair)

Dr. Nate Beraha

Dr. Lesley Landau

Representative Rebecca Kislak

Jill Davis

Erika Rusley

Harshita Lakhiani

Anthony Bucci 

Donna Baer (COVID Coordinator)

Andrea Katzman

Update from December 31, 2021

Only a few more days until school begins – and I’m really excited! In the meantime, I want to offer one last reminder about COVID protocols:

1. Required Testing: Every student must take a PCR test at some point between now and Tuesday, January 4, regardless of vaccination status (please note that testing sites are closed 12/31 & 01/01). If you haven’t yet made an appointment, do it NOW (there are only a few slots left!) and remember that it helps to create an account for your child(ren) on the State COVID testing site.

2. Please note that the test results are not required in order for your child to return to school (only the test is mandatory). Please send the results when you receive them to Donna at dbaer@jcdsri.com. 

3. Proof of vaccination: If your child has received their second dose of the COVID vaccine, please send either a picture or a copy of the card ASAP to Donna. 

4. Be EXTRA cautious in the days before school begins: The new COVID variant spreads easily – even with safeguards in place – and as a result, cases in RI are rising daily (as are hospitalizations, including in pediatric wards). Therefore, we ask that even if you or your child are vaccinated, please continue wearing masks and limit attendance at large gatherings (and if you choose to attend large gatherings -particularly those indoors and/or ones that don’t require masks – you must follow our quarantine protocols; see below). 

5. Consider wearing surgical paper masks: There is increasing evidence that surgical paper masks are more effective than cloth ones; see this article for mask options for adults and children. 

Below is a review of our protocols in regards to fully vaccinated, as well as unvaccinated, students:

Fully vaccinated children (2 weeks out from second shot):

Close contact with someone who has COVID: 

• They may remain in school as long as they are asymptomatic

• They must be tested the day they are exposed — and then again 5 days after exposure

• If they have symptoms of COVID, they must immediately isolate and get tested. They may not return to school until they are asymptomatic – and receive a negative PCR test

• If the PCR test result is positive, they must isolate at home for 10 days

Travel: 

• Students do NOT need to get tested or self-quarantine if they are fully vaccinated (or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) – as long as they are traveling within the United States

• They should be monitored for COVID symptoms 

• They should isolate and get tested immediately if they develop symptoms (see above)

Unvaccinated children: 

Close-Contact:

• Immediately take a PCR test and then quarantine at home

• Take a PCR test on the 5th day after exposure AND monitor for symptoms for an additional 2 days (7 days total)

Travel: 

• Take a PCR test on the 5th day after returning home AND monitor for symptoms for an additional 2 days (7 days total). Please read previous emails on our website for more details

In peace,

Andrea

Update from December 14, 2021

Dear JCDSRI Families –

As we prepare for our winter break, I want to again share some reminders with you about our COVID policies, as well as our expectations before school begins in January. 

Before I do so, however, I want to acknowledge that as the pandemic lingers, people’s frustrations are understandably increasing (and this is just exacerbated by delayed lab results and children having to stay home due to a minor sniffle!) I also recognize that our COVID policies, while effective, can be inconvenient and even disruptive for some families.

I continue to feel deep sadness for the ways in which this pandemic has impacted all of you, in both large and small ways. I humbly ask for your continued patience and trust. Every decision we make is so that we can (to the best of our abilities) keep your children physically at our school – safe, engaged, loved, and connected.  

Now for the copious amounts of information I promised you! Please read through the entire email carefully: 

• Proof of vaccination: If your child has received their second dose of the COVID vaccine, please send either a picture or a copy of the card ASAP to our COVID coordinator, Donna Baer. Please note that at this point in time, only 31% of our student body is fully vaccinated. 

• Required Testing: We are mandating that every student receive a PCR test at some point between Friday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 4, regardless of vaccination status. Please note that the test results are not required in order for your child to return to school. 

• Stringent protocols: As an elementary school with an early childhood program, we will continue to have children who are ineligible for vaccinations. Our stringent protocols exist in order to keep all our students and families safe. 

Below is a review of our protocols in regards to fully vaccinated, as well as unvaccinated, students:

Fully vaccinated children (2 weeks out from second shot):

Close contact with someone who has COVID: 

• They may remain in school as long as they are asymptomatic
• They must be tested the day they are exposed — and then again 5 days after exposure
• If they have symptoms of COVID, they must immediately isolate and get tested. They may not return to school until they are asymptomatic – and receive a negative PCR test (rapid tests are still proving to be unreliable and as such, will NOT be accepted).
• If the PCR test result is positive, they must isolate at home for 10 days.

Travel: 

• Students do NOT need to get tested or self-quarantine if they are fully vaccinated (or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months) – as long as they are traveling within the United States
• They should be monitored for COVID symptoms 
• They should isolate and get tested immediately if they develop symptoms (see above)

Unvaccinated children: 

Close-Contact:

• Immediately take a PCR test and then quarantine at home
• Take a PCR test on the 5th day after exposure AND monitor for symptoms for an additional 2 days (7 days total)

Travel: 

• Take a PCR test on the 5th day after returning home AND monitor for symptoms for an additional 2 days (7 days total). Please previous emails on our website for more details.

Thank you for reading this email carefully and following our protocols. I have faith that – as a covenantal community – we will continue to respond to all challenges before us with grace and love. 

In peace,

Andrea

Update from December 2, 2021

Dear JCDSRI Families –

Like you, however, we are alarmed by the sudden rise of COVID cases and are aware that we seem to be just weeks away from our hospitals reaching their full capacity (see Dr. Forman talk about the growing crisis in this powerful video). Despite schools being safe spaces for children, we know that we are not immune from community spread – especially when it becomes out of control. We are asking that everyone in our community redouble their efforts and follow the following guidelines in the hopes that we can continue in-person learning at JCDSRI and protect our friends and neighbors (please review the points carefully, as there are some important new additions):

• Travel information: The Governor has asked that families do not travel over Thanksgiving. If you must travel outside of RI overnight, we require that you inform Eileen Ellis of your travel plans (including dates and destination) as soon as possible. 

• Quarantine requirements: Upon return from a state where positivity is 5% or above or from any international travel, a 14 day quarantine is strongly recommended. However after the fourth day of quarantine has been completed (at a minimum), a PCR test may be taken and – with confirmation of a negative result and no symptoms of COVID–19 – the student can return to school.

• Hosting visitors: If you are hosting a family member or friend from a state where positivity is 5% or above, the same restrictions as above must be followed. 

• Testing sites: For students, sites can be found here. Testing information for parents and other household members who are not students can be found here.  Testing results must be submitted to Eileen Eillis before a student may return to school.

• Symptoms & testing: Please note that if someone in your household has symptoms and needs to take a COVID test, everyone (including siblings) must quarantine pending test results.

• Questions: If you have any additional questions about our COVID–19 policies, please reach out to Eileen Ellis or call (401)-751-2470.

As we continue to watch community cases rise, we cannot overstate the importance of following all guidelines, including  not taking your mask off around people with whom you do not live and socially distancing when possible – even when spending time with others within your child’s bayit. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. Only because of your cautious and thoughtful partnership has our school been able to continue to keep students, families, and teachers healthy and our learning in-person. 

Wishing you all a Shabbat filled with peace, health and joy,