Dear PCSD Families,

The New York State Department of Education recently notified school districts that it does not anticipate issuing new guidance for COVID-19 prevention in schools and is referring families back to the most recent CDC guidance.

If your child is ill, please follow these instructions:

• The CDC recommends that people who have symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home. Please contact your child’s pediatrician regarding treatment options.
• Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
• If your child tests positive for COVID-19, they should stay home for at least 5 days and isolate
• Isolation may end after day 5 IF your child is fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND their symptoms are improving.
• If symptoms are NOT improving, the CDC recommends that the person continue to isolate until symptoms improve and your student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
• After the person has ended isolation and when symptoms have improved, the CDC recommends that people wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask through Day 10, OR until two rapid tests, taken 48 hours apart, are both negative.

The NYS Department of Health has indicated that there are rising infection and hospitalization rates. Please follow the CDC’s guidance in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Michael Pero, Superintendent of Schools