Updated COVID-19 Guidance for the 2022-2023 School Year

Dear Liverpool CSD Families,

In just a few short weeks we will embark on a new school year. Liverpool Central School District teachers, staff and administrators are looking forward to seeing our students and families again shortly after Labor Day.

We also are entering a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last two school years we have experienced ever-changing guidance in regards to the pandemic. While there is still guidance in place for the 2022-2023 school year, New York State has provided schools and districts with more flexibility.

Earlier this week, the state Department of Health and the State Education Department announced that it was encouraging schools to utilize the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) current COVID-19 guidance for the 2022-2023 school year.  

  • Quarantine: Quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19, however the CDC recommends that those exposed, regardless of vaccination status or history of prior COVID-19 infection, wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days in public indoor settings (such as schools) and test on or after day 5 or sooner if symptoms develop.
  • Isolation: Students and staff experiencing any type of illness are asked to stay home from school. If a student or staff member experiences any symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal illness while at school, the individual should wear a well-fitted mask while arrangements are made to go home. Testing is recommended for people with COVID-19 symptoms as soon as possible.
  • Testing Positive: Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days at home. 
    • For Those with Symptoms: Day 1 is the first full day after symptom onset (Day 0 is the day of symptom onset). Those with symptoms may resume attending school after the 5 days if they are fever free without fever reducing medicine for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving and they wear a mask through day 10 (day 1 is the first full day following the day they received positive test results regardless of symptom onset). *Please note: In the absence of COVID testing when symptomatic, an individual must remain out of school for 5 days from the onset of symptoms and may return when symptoms are resolving.
    • For Those with No Symptoms: Day 0 is the day they were tested (not the day you received your positive test result) and Day 1 is the first full day following the day they were tested. if someone develops symptoms within the 10 days of testing the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.
  • Masking: Masking in schools or on school buses is not required at this time. Individuals returning to school after completing 5 days of isolation should wear a mask in school and in indoor public places on days 6 to 10. Masks are recommended in school health offices regardless of COVID-19 transmission levels. If a school is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, masks can be added as a prevention strategy to help reduce transmission. Accommodations will be made for anyone who cannot or has difficulty wearing a mask. 
  • Physical Distancing: Physical distancing is no longer required, but maintaining increased space and distances is part of layered prevention strategies that are recommended.
  • Cleaning & Disinfection: The CDC recommends that schools clean surfaces at least once a day to reduce the risk of germs spreading by touching surfaces. If a person with COVID-19 has been inside a school within the last 24 hours, the space should be cleaned and disinfected. The Liverpool CSD recently acquired two R-Zero brand Arc devices that can disinfect 1,000 square feet of space in just seven minutes to enhance our cleaning and sanitizing process.
  • Testing: Schools do not have to offer diagnostic or surveillance testing, however the Liverpool CSD recently sent out a survey to gauge family and staff interest in continuing to offer surveillance testing. More details regarding surveillance testing will be shared once the survey has closed. Unvaccinated teachers and staff are no longer required to test weekly.
  • Remote Instruction: Schools should be open for in-person instruction and students should be educated in a school building. In case of school closures due to a COVID-19 outbreak, schools should be prepared to provide remote instruction. 

The NYS Department of Health and the NYS Education Department have crafted a Frequently Asked Questions Document for the 2022-2023 school year. Download this document here.


Sincerely,

Daniel G. Henner
Superintendent of Schools