Please find Supt. A. Joseph Dhara’s opening day 2021-2022 letter here , the Berlin Central School District Reopening Plan for the 2021-22 School Year as well as important links and updates.
COVID Update From Superintendent Dhara 1/7/22 – Quarantine Length
January 7, 2022
Dear Berlin Families:
Effective today, Berlin CSD will adopt new isolation and quarantine protocols in partnership with RCDOH. This change aligns with updated guidance from the New York State Health Department on January 4, which also aligns with updated recommendations from the CDC. These changes supersede previous guidance and protocols listed in our school opening plan published in September 2021.
Moving forward, this means any new cases will follow the updated guidance below. Please note that any cases identified prior to today will follow the previous guidance.
ISOLATION (for when you are sick or when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms)
Isolate for 5 days, where day “0” is the day of symptom onset or (if asymptomatic) the day of collection of the first positive specimen.
- If asymptomatic at the end of 5 days, or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends and the individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
- Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should continue to follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
- Individuals who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after a 5-day isolation should also follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
Please fill out this form for the student after Day 5 of their Isolation.
You will be notified by the district as to whether your student is cleared to return to school after a shortened isolation period.
QUARANTINE (for when you might have been exposed to the virus and may or may not have been infected)
If exposed to COVID-19, quarantine as follows, where day “0” is the last date of exposure:
- If not fully vaccinated: Quarantine for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
- If fully vaccinated: NO quarantine is required but these individuals should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
- If possible, test at day 5 with either a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT, e.g., PCR) or antigen test.
- If symptoms appear, quarantine and seek testing. In this situation, quarantine would end when the test is negative. If testing is not done, isolate according to the isolation guidance.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate the changing guidance impacting our schools.
As always, we communicate any changes after they have been discussed with and approved by RCDOH.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Joseph Dhara
Superintendent of Schools
Community Resources
- Get free at-home COVID-19 tests
- COVID Update From Superintendent Dhara 1/7/22 – Quarantine Length
- Message From Superintendent Dhara Regarding COVID Test Kit Pickup 1/3/22
- Weekly COVID Tracker
- Back to School Resources From the U.S. Department of Education
- Local Counseling Services
- COVID-19 Specific Family Resources
- Capital District Early Childhood and School Age FACE Centers Offers Training Opportunities for Families (mid-August -October)
- Rensselaer County Department of Mental Health Youth Resource Pamphlet
- Local Community Resources for Families Updated 8/21
- Area Food Pantry Information Updated 8/21
- BES Helping Hands
- RCDOH Contact Tracing Charts
- Rensselaer County COVID Relief 518-410-8292
- Ceedar Center Family Guide to At-Home Learning
- Get to know Schoology
Links & Resources
- RCDOH Contact Tracing Charts
- NYDOH Guidance on the Contacts of a Close or Proximate Contact of a
Confirmed or Suspected Case of COVID-19 - New York State Launches #VaxToSchool Campaign
- COVID-19-or-Allergy Symptoms?
- NY Project Hope – Coping with COVID
- UPDATED 2/02/21: NYS DOH COVID-19 Toolkit
- COVID-19 Testing Information
- COVID-19 Testing Sites
- Contact Tracing Information
- 2021-2022 Continuation of Instruction Plan
External Resources
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- NYSDOH Interim Guidance – Sept. 2, 2021
- NYSDOH Commissioner’s Determination on COVID-19 Testing – Sept. 2, 2021
- NYSED COVID-19 page
- NYSED Health And Safety Guide for the 2021-2022 School Year
- CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools
- American Academy of Pediatrics COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools
- New York State Launches #VaxToSchool Campaign