Important message regarding COVID-19 protocols and winter weather


Posted: January 2, 2022

en espanol

NNPS Families and Staff,

I hope each of you had an enjoyable and relaxing winter break. We are looking forward to the reopening of schools and offices on tomorrow, Monday, January 3. This communication has been prepared to provide guidance as students and staff return to classes this week.

Over the winter break, we have continued to monitor COVID-19 positivity rates both for the City of Newport News and across the country. As positivity rates increase, it is important that we revisit our safety protocols which have enabled NNPS to maintain a safe environment for students and staff.

The NNPS leadership team has reviewed the recent updates to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quarantine and isolation guidelines. At the recommendation of the Peninsula Health District, beginning Monday, January 3, 2022, NNPS is implementing the new CDC guidelines.

The revised CDC guidelines recommend a shortened isolation time for people with COVID-19 from 10 to 5 days if they are asymptomatic or with symptom improvement, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. Additionally, individuals who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are unvaccinated should quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days. People who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure. For all those exposed to COVID-19, the CDC recommends COVID-19 testing at day 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately isolate until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

As a community, we all must do our part to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and protect our learning and work environments. All students and staff are required to wear properly-fitting face masks at school and work and on the school bus.

Self-Assessment/Health Screening

All students and staff are required to conduct a self-assessment/health screening each day before reporting to school and work. Students and staff members should stay home if they are exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status:

  • Temperature of 100 degrees F or higher
  • Sore throat
  • Cough/shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
  • Fatigue
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Muscle/body aches
  • Loss of appetite in children
  • Headache

Students and employees who are not exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 may report to school or work.

COVID-19 Dashboard

NNPS will continue to update the COVID-19 Dashboard once a week to reflect the confirmed cases reported during the preceding week.

Winter Sports

As an additional prevention strategy, NNPS has adjusted the attendance guidelines for home basketball games and wrestling matches at our high schools. Beginning January 3, each student-athlete, cheerleader and coach will receive two spectator wristbands to give to family members for each game or match. The spectator will be required to show the wristband to the ticket official before purchasing a ticket. More information will be available on our high school websites.

Winter Weather Advisory

As of 5 p.m. Sunday, January 2, 2022, the City of Newport News is under a Winter Storm Advisory. Because of a potential for poor road conditions later in the day, NNPS will operate on a half-day schedule on Monday, January 3. All afterschool activities and athletic events are cancelled for Monday.

Thank you for your support and I wish you all the best in 2022.

Best wishes in the new year!

George Parker, III, Ph.D.
Superintendent