COVID-19 & GCS

EXPOSURE AND ISOLATION

Please be sure to refer to our GCS Exposure and Isolation Policy for details regarding exposure to COVID-19 in the community or positive cases in your family.  

Our GCS Exposure and Isolation Policy is informed by the MA Department of Public health (MDPH) and our Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) licensing agency.  Updates are made on an ongoing basis.

An infected person can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 starting 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for people without symptoms, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date).

Helpful information from the state is available to protect yourself and others from getting sick.

Please note that GCS requires a conversation with an administrator regarding return to school for COVID-19 positive or exposed individuals.

TESTING

Proof of a negative rapid antigen home test is permissible in the case of symptoms, or after exposure (if properly timed).

Please note, a positive result for a rapid antigen home test is considered COVID-19 positive.  Please inform your doctor and GCS ASAP.

To submit information regarding home testing, please include the individual’s name and date of test, as well as describing the reason for testing in your email. 

All test results should be emailed to wellness@grotoncommunityschool.org. 

TESTING AFTER COVID

People who had COVID-19 in the last 90 days should test with a rapid antigen test, not a PCR test.  People who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 30 days ago are not recommended to test unless they have symptoms.

OPTIONS

Families are urged to consult with their doctor for testing guidance.  Massachusetts residents have a number of options to get tested for COVID-19. For more details, visit www.mass.gov/gettested.  Other options may be found by entering “COVID test near me” in Google.

MASKS

At this time, masking is not required for children or adults under normal circumstances, regardless of vaccination status.  Anyone who wishes to wear a mask – child or adult – will be supported in that decision. Please know that we may need to make an adjustment to reinstate the mask protocol if things change with regard to the prevalence of the virus.

At this time, masking is welcomed for a brief period of time after exposure for all those who can do so to protect themselves and those around them.  Masking is required for a brief time when returning after testing positive for COVID-19.

*An individual is up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination if they have received all recommended doses in their primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and a booster dose when recommended.

COVID-19 VACCINATION

Our EEC licensing agency and the MA Department of Public Health strongly recommend that all educators and children receive the COVID-19 vaccine primary series and all boosters, as they become eligible for them.   All GCS staff are strongly encouraged to be up-to-date* for COVID-19 vaccination, and we gladly welcome vaccination for children.

COVID-19 vaccination status for staff and children is maintained with other immunization records in staff and children’s files.

*An individual is up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination if they have received all recommended doses in their primary series COVID-19 vaccine, and a booster dose when recommended.

VISITORS

We welcome visitors to our programs as long as they have no symptoms of any kind.

During the pandemic, GCS Teachers and Staff warmly greeted children in the lobby, and escorted them to their classrooms.  With a downward trend in close contacts and cases early spring 2022, GCS took the next step toward gradually opening up the school to GCS families, and has been open to the public since the fall of 2022.

CLASSROOM GROUPS

Classroom groups are now permitted to interact freely with each other indoors and outdoors.

Previously, children remained with their classroom group (cohort) throughout the pandemic, and did not intermingle with other groups.  However, classroom groups could gather together outdoors if adequate distancing was maintained between each group.

HAND HYGIENE

Our normal practice requires children and staff to wash their hands with soap and water at arrival time, and we have procedures in place throughout the day for handwashing, as well.  Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers and manual pumps are also available for adults, in addition to adult and child sinks in every classroom.

DISTANCING

At this time, there is no need for physical distancing.

During the pandemic, we preferred using the phrase “physical distancing,” instead of “social distancing,” as we were still very social together!  Children and staff interacted with one another, engaged in great conversations, and shared in activities together.  Teaching strategies, gentle guidance and structuring the environment accomplished physical distancing.

CLEANING & DISINFECTING

As a children’s center, cleaning and disinfecting is something that we naturally do, and we have continued our enhanced efforts due to COVID-19 beyond the pandemic.  We clean and disinfect in classrooms each day.

FRESH AIR & SUNSHINE

Our newly renovated and expanded school has a state-of-the-art HVAC system.  Each classroom is equipped with an efficient air purifier that runs 24-7 in addition.

Groton Community School has always valued outdoor play each day. In addition to unstructured playground time (swings, climbing structures, trike track, sand area, balancing logs, pretend play, music experiences, gardening, grassy areas), nature “hunts”, “story walks” and other outdoor games and activities provide structured experiences.

SNACKS AND MEALS

We have returned to sharing family-style snacks (instead of children bringing their own food exclusively due to COVID-19).  Families are asked to provide a healthy snack for their child’s classroom on a rotating basis.  Teachers provide a snack calendar at he bginning of each month.  Children in Full-Day classes bring a lunch and also their afternoon snack from home.

Children are invited to bring their own water bottle, and Teachers will happily refill them.

We ask all families to avoid peanut and nut products due to the prevalence of food allergies to these items.  An Individual Health Care Plan is created in partnership with families and medical professionals for children with allergies or specific nutritional needs.