Corpus Christi School is following the cleaning and disinfection recommendations from the CDC and the Archdiocese of Newark (RCAN). Custodial staff clean all areas daily with specialized disinfectant cleaners.
Beginning March 7, 2022, New Jersey lifted the mask mandate in all schools. The Archdiocese of Newark has decided to follow CDC guidelines, while implementing slight alterations to the state plan for now. We here at the school understand the wide range of opinions and emotions
regarding these decisions. Regardless, Corpus Christi School has a responsibility to continue to monitor local, state, archdiocesan and CDC guidelines and find the best means to collaboratively, work through these new directives and continue our goal of doing the best we can to keep everyone safe.
Nurse Skinner and Mr. Feliciano have been in constant communication with appropriate health officials, and as a result, there are new protocols in place for our school Covid-19 response and policy. This is for staff and students alike. As we all are aware, every case is specific and should be handled individually. Please notify the nurse’s office and/or main office with any situation that arises. Also, please remember all of these directives are subject to change
as we move forward. For now, please use the following guidelines for direction:
Masks • As per CDC guidelines, masks will be optional for all students, all staff members, volunteers, and visitors regardless of vaccination status.
• If you want your child to be masked during in school hours, indoors and/or outdoors, please email the teacher and administration your request to have your child always masked or specifically when (ie. in the classrooms, in hallways, only indoors etc). This communication will be essential for monitoring purposes and to best attempt to collaboratively honor parents’ concerns.
• All students, staff members, volunteers, and visitors can still choose to continue wearing a mask if he/she feels more comfortable doing so. Masks should not and will not be viewed as a sign of illness or vaccination status.
• Covid-19 specific situations may require certain individuals to wear a mask for a certain amount of time. That communication, as well as the reasoning behind it, will remain confidential between the individual, the nurse and administration.
• Please note if the town and/or school sees an increase in the number of positive cases, the school reserves the right to return to the previous mask mandate for an undetermined amount of time. All will be required to comply.
Cleared4School App • Protocols have removed the requirement of using apps like Cleared4School. As of now Corpus Christi School will follow this directive and not do daily morning screenings.
Testing Individuals will be considered exposed during the period between 2 days prior to symptom onset (or positive test date if asymptomatic) and 5 days after. • If you take a test, you are unable to come in until you have received your results.
• If someone in your house takes a test, you are unable to come in if you are experiencing symptoms until you get tested, receive the results AND you have notified the nurse.
• If someone in your house takes a test, and you are NOT experiencing symptoms, you are allowed to come in as long as you are masked for an amount of time determined by the nurse.
• If a relative in your household tests positive, you are initially considered a close contact and MUST contact the school nurse for further direction. You are unable to come in until you have communicated with the nurse. The nurse will direct you on quarantine and masks procedures specific to your situation.
Asymptomatic/Feeling Symptoms and Test Positive • Regardless of Vaccination status, the student/staff member must be out for 5 SCHOOL DAYS (weekends included) before being able to return. The student/staff member should not be returning unless symptom free. Upon return, the student/staff member must be masked for a total of 10 days from the start of symptoms or the positive test result. In most cases, this will amount to 5 days or less. That end date will be determined by the nurse and will be specific to your situation.
Asymptomatic/Feeling Symptoms and Test Negative • Regardless of Vaccination status, the student/staff member can return the next school day as long as he/she is fever/symptom free for 24 hours at the discretion of the nurse.
Close Contact • Regardless of Vaccination status, if you are in close contact to someone that tested positive, you are UNABLE to come in if you are experiencing symptoms until you get tested, receive the results AND have notified the nurse.
• Regardless of Vaccination status, if you are in close contact to someone that tested positive, and you are NOT experiencing symptoms, you are allowed to come in as long as you are masked for an amount of time determined by the nurse.
Traveling • Regardless of vaccination status, if you travel domestically, you currently do not have to quarantine as long as you are symptom free.
• Regardless of vaccination status, if you travel internationally, you must notify the nurse for guidance as it pertains to quarantine and testing. The decision will be determined by the nurse and be specific to your situation.
Additional Information • We are asking everyone to continue to bring a mask to school (leave it in a bag or backpack) even if you are not wearing it. This way, should any issue arise that requires individuals to put on a mask, everyone can be prepared.
• Everyone is expected to comply with a mask mandate if one is imposed by any venue used by the school for an event or trip as well as for transportation to/from the event until further.
• As has been the case last year, there will be no hybrid instruction for students out for Covid-19 related issues.
• Please know all dividers have been removed from all classroom and lunchroom tables. Please notify the nurse or administration if this is an issue for you.