Schools
Ridgefield Public Schools Changes Some COVID-19 Protocols
Here's what's changed — and what's the stayed the same — in the Ridgefield Public Schools protocols meant to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Public Schools has changed its COVID-19 protocols for the start of the school year, according to a post on the district website.
Students and staff may attend school if they have mild respiratory symptoms — and have no known COVID-19 case in their household. Those with these mild symptoms, and no exposure to a positive COVID-19 case in their household, must self-test at home prior to leaving for school for each day that they experience symptoms.
If the result of the self-test is negative, the students/staff may be permitted to attend school in-person if they feel well enough to participate. Those with these mild respiratory symptoms will be strongly encouraged to wear a well-fitting mask. Anyone with a fever above 100°F, or who feels feverish, should not report in-person until their fever has resolved for at least 24 hours without the use of medication and should test for COVID-19.
Mild respiratory disease symptoms may include, but are not limited to, infrequent cough, congestion, runny nose, sore throat. Parents should consult their school nurse if they have a question regarding whether or their child has mild respiratory disease symptoms.
Other changes to the RPS COVID-19 protocols include:
● The district will no longer be conducting remote learning for students at home with a positive case of COVID-19, regardless of symptoms.
● Classroom contact tracing will no longer take place
● While the district will continue to post on its COVID tracker on the district website the positive cases of COVID-19 in the schools, no announcements will be made at the classroom or school level of positive cases.
Masks will continue to be optional for students and staff if they remain asymptomatic. Those exposed to COVID-19 in their homes who are both COVID negative, and not exhibiting any "sick symptoms," will not be required to quarantine.
RPS will continue to implement the "return to school on day 6 protocol:" Students and staff who tested COVID positive may return to school on the sixth day after their positive test result, so long as the person's symptoms are improved and the individual wears a mask through the tenth day from the positive test.
Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 should complete isolation according to the new CDC COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Calculator published online by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
RPS will continue with alcohol-based hand sanitizers throughout the district, and all ventilation and air purging protocols as outlined by the state Department of Public Health.
Test kits and PPE are available at all of schools. Families may also order self-test kits online. Parents should continue reporting cases to the school nurse.
