Covid Health Guidelines & Protocols

 
LATEST UPDATE: June 1, 2023

Carroll School will continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines based on recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, CDC and medical experts. These protocols were reviewed and updated on June 1, 2023.

  • Testing: A rapid antigen test, such as a self-test, is preferred to a PCR test in most situations. Carroll School will not be conducting on-site testing for COVID-19 or providing test kits for at-home testing. We recommend rapid antigen testing at home any time students are (1) symptomatic, please see below for specific guidance, (2) after exposure to someone with COVID-19, and (3) after school vacations.
  • Isolation: To count days for isolation, Day 0 is the first day of symptoms OR the day the positive test was taken, whichever is earlier.
  • Masks are required in school health offices when directed by school nurses and during certain large group gatherings at the School’s discretion. Any individual who wishes to continue to mask at school, including those who face higher risk from COVID-19, will be supported in that choice. For those who need or choose to mask, masking is never required while the individual is eating, drinking or outside. *All children should have an emergency mask in their backpack for instances where masks are required (health office, large indoor gatherings, etc.).
  • Vaccination: All students and employees are encouraged to stay up-to-date with CDC-recommended COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Contact tracing is no longer recommended or required in K-12 schools, but we will continue to work with our local Boards of Health in the case of outbreaks.

Exposure Guidance and Protocols

  • Exposure Guidance: Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for students or staff, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. Anyone who is exposed to a person with COVID-19 may attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic and have not tested positive for COVID-19 themself. Per CDC and MDPH guidelines, exposed individuals should mask when indoors around others through Day10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 3-5 of exposure. If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below.
  • Positive Test Guidance: Students and staff who test positive must isolate at home for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to school after Day 5 and should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10.
  • Symptoms at School: Individuals who develop symptoms at school will be assessed by our school nurses and will be sent home when necessary. They can return to school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. Best practice would also include wearing a mask until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test 48 hours after a negative initial test.

Symptoms

All students and staff should continue to perform a symptom check each day prior to coming to school. Symptoms of COVID-19, influenza, strep throat, gastrointestinal illness and other viral illnesses can be similar. Individuals should remain home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms, and should consult with their PCP for guidance. A negative COVID rapid antigen test does not automatically indicate that a person can/should attend school. Students and staff should remain home until they are afebrile and their symptoms have significantly improved/resolved and they are feeling well enough to manage a busy school day.

  • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Muscle aches or body aches
  • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Headache, when in combination with other symptoms
  • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
  • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies), when in combination with other symptoms
  • Unexplained rash


Contact Us

Please feel free to contact any member of the Carroll nursing staff with questions or concerns.

Lower School  (781) 314-9811
    Katie Smith, RN (email)
    Erin Hanley, RN (email)

Middle School  (781) 314-9710
    Dario Azzone, RN (email)

Upper School & Carroll School Nurse Manager (781) 314-9836
    Donna Linstrom, RN (email)