COVID-19 Policies 2022-2023

All Pike community members who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated.  Acceptable COVID-19 vaccination documentation includes a copy of an immunization record or a copy of the CDC COVID-19 vaccination card.

All students, faculty, and staff have the option to wear masks and will be supported in their decision to do so.  Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask. 

Masks are required in the following situations:

• In the Health Office
• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are returning from isolation on day 6 will need to mask indoors through day 10
• Individuals who have been exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID will need to mask indoors through day 10 

SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE COVID TESTING:

• 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 a chronic cough) 
• Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms 
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms 
• 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

If symptoms develop before or after the school day, the student must be tested at home or with a health care provider and the student’s parent/guardian must notify the school nurse.

If a student develops symptoms during the school day, and the parent/guardian has signed consent to have the student COVID tested at school, the student will be tested at school.  If the student does not have a signed consent, the parent/guardian will be notified and the student will be dismissed from school and will be required to take a COVID test at home or with a medical provider prior to their return to school.

ISOLATION (If you test positive, regardless of vaccination status): 

• The date of the positive test or start of COVID symptoms (fever, cough, muscle or body aches, sore throat) is day “0”
• Children and staff who test positive must isolate 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:
    • If the individual has a negative test on Day 5 or later, they do not need to mask.

EXPOSURE (if you are a close contact):
Regardless of COVID-19 Vaccination status:

• The date of your exposure is day “0”
• Monitor for symptoms and test immediately you develop any
• Mask indoors through day 10
• At-home antigen test on day 5, or sooner with symptoms

Separate Areas
The school nurse’s office will supervise separate areas for students with symptoms of COVID-19   If there is more than one student at a time, each student will be at least 6 feet apart and will be required to wear a surgical mask while in the health office.

With respect to students who are ill and need to leave school, parents or guardians shall pick up their student as soon as possible.  With respect to faculty and staff, the person shall promptly leave the campus.  The school expects to maintain and report (when appropriate) information concerning such departure, including reasons why, the date/time of departure and any other information deemed relevant to the Andover Board of Health, the Department of Public Health, and/ or the Massachusetts Community Tracing Collaborative.  Students, families, faculty and staff shall communicate with the school about their progress at home, including allowing and facilitating communication between the school’s nursing staff and their physicians as may be appropriate. 

Return to Play Post-COVID

Student athletes who test positive for coronavirus may require cardiac clearance before resuming participation in Pike Athletics.

• Students who had at least moderate symptoms with their illness will be required to obtain a return-to-play clearance letter from a medical professional.  
  • Moderate symptoms include: fever > 100.4F for >4 days; > 1 week of myalgias (body aches), chills or lethargy; or symptoms requiring hospitalization.
  • Evaluation should be completed after symptoms have fully resolved and completion of isolation (10 days).
• Students who remained asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms (not meeting the criteria above) are encouraged to discuss with their primary care provider whether any evaluation or clearance is needed but are not required to present clearance from their health care provider.  
   

General Health Records
All students, faculty and staff must complete and submit their regular health forms, including providing immunization records and other requested information, on a timely basis prior, and as a condition, to beginning the school year.  Parents, guardians, faculty and staff must use the school’s health portal, Magnus Health, for completing and submitting such forms.

Administration of Medication
Nebulizer use is prohibited the health office as it may contribute to the spread of COVID-19 and will not be permitted in the school unless approved by the school nurse and medical advisor. Use of inhalers should be limited to private areas (such as the health office) except in cases of emergency. School personnel administering medications to students will ensure that all medication is taken in a safe and sanitary manner. 

Influenza Vaccine
All Pike community members are strongly encouraged to get a seasonal flu vaccine in the fall of 2022. 
 

The Head of School, in consultation with the COVID-19 team, may, at their discretion either individually or collectively, make any and all changes to these policies at any time.  If the Head of School makes any material changes or amendments to these policies, then families, faculty, and staff will be notified of such changes as soon as practicable.  These policies will continue to be in effect from time to time as changed, loosened, tightened or otherwise amended.  These changes may be made for any reason, understanding that the facts and circumstances surrounding COVID-19, and the public health guidance around the same, change rapidly.