Special Message from the Superintendent about COVID Protocols


Posted: January 12, 2022

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff,

As we returned to classes in the new year, we closely monitored the increase in positive cases of COVID-19, which has been compounded by the Omicron variant. What we know from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is that this variant has a high potential for transmission but may not present a greater threat of hospitalization for vaccinated and boosted individuals.

The CDC and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) have updated isolation and quarantine recommendations with shorter isolation and quarantine periods of 5 days followed by continued masking for an additional 5 days based on suggested criteria. This change was recommended because the likelihood of spreading the virus is much higher in the days just before and just after symptoms appear.

This information is provided to further clarify the actions that NNPS will take in the immediate future to maintain a safe school environment for our students and staff. We ask that you review this information and assist us by complying with the guidance provided should you or a member of your household develop any symptom of COVID-19, test positive, or have close contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19.

New COVID-19 Protocols

What do the new guidelines mean for you and your family?
It depends on your vaccination status, whether you have symptoms, and whether you have been exposed to someone with a verified case of COVID-19.

The VDH guidance for K-12 schools outlines who is considered up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccination status impacts the length of time for COVID isolation and quarantine:

Vaccination status impacts the length of time for COVID isolation

As an example, a student or employee would be considered "up-to-date" on vaccinations if the individual has completed the entire primary shot sequence and received their booster within the time specified for the booster. An individual who completed the entire shot sequence and has not received their booster as recommended at the designated time is NOT considered "up-to-date."

NNPS encourages all students and staff to get vaccinated and boosted, when eligible, to avoid time away from school and work.

Individuals with Any COVID-19 Symptom
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, who has any symptom of COVID-19 must STAY HOME FOR 5 DAYS after symptoms begin. However, an individual may choose to test for COVID-19 and/or see a medical provider. Students or staff may return sooner after providing proof of a negative test, alternative diagnosis or note from the provider indicating they are cleared to return, provided symptoms are improving and the individual has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Individuals with Pending or Positive COVID-19 Test Results
Individuals, regardless of vaccination status, who have any COVID-19 symptoms and have been tested for COVID-19, must STAY HOME until results are received. Individuals with positive test results must STAY HOME for 5 days and then return to school or work wearing a well-fitting mask for the next 5 days. Those returning on day 6 may do so only if symptoms are improving and they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. If the individual is unable to consistently and properly wear a mask, they must isolate for 10 days.

Individuals with Potential COVID-19 Exposure/Close Contact

  • No quarantine is required for individuals who are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations or have had COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
  • Individuals who are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations or have NOT had COVID-19 in the last 90 days, and have had close contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 (including household members who have tested positive) must STAY HOME and quarantine for 5 days beginning the day after close contact and then continue to wear a well-fitting mask for the next 5 days. They may return on day 6 if symptoms have not developed. If the individual is unable to consistently and properly wear a mask, they must isolate for 10 days.

Daily Health Screening
Due to an increase in positive cases, we ask that all families and staff perform the daily health check before leaving home.

In the event a student exhibits any COVID-19 symptom at school, the student will be isolated from other students, and the parent/guardian will be contacted for pick up. While supplies last, the parent will be offered an at-home COVID-19 test kit. In the event the test is negative, the student may report to school when symptoms subside or have improved and the individual has been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

How Do You Avoid Interruptions in School Attendance?
We encourage all those eligible to get vaccinated or boosted to do so. Individuals who are up-to-date with vaccinations and booster, if eligible, are not required to quarantine at home after close contact with a positive individual. The best way to protect yourself and to reduce interruption of instruction or work is to be fully vaccinated and boosted, when eligible.

All of us are eager to see the virus and the complications it creates disappear. Vaccination and vigilance provide our best defense against COVID-19. Let's have compassion for each other and continue to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Will NNPS Consider Moving to Virtual Instruction?
There are two factors that may lead to a classroom, school or the school division moving temporarily to virtual instruction: A high number of staff absences leading to a severe reduction in operational capacity; or a high rate of community spread of COVID-19 in our schools. This criteria is in compliance with Senate Bill 1303, which requires schools to offer in person instruction this school year.

While we have seen reported cases rise since our return from winter break, we are monitoring cases on a daily basis and, in collaboration with the Peninsula Health District, are assessing reported cases to determine whether a greater risk of community spread exists. If we determine there is a need based on this data, we may temporarily assign a classroom or school to virtual learning at that time.

We are using the following criteria (transmission within school, student absenteeism and staffing) to assess the level of impact that COVID-19 transmission may have on a particular school or location.

Assessment Levels

If this move to virtual learning becomes necessary, we will provide as much prior notice to parents as possible. We understand the impact that this decision would have on families; therefore, we will ensure that decisions are made on a case-by-case basis should the need arise.

Thank You
I hope this information is helpful for you and your family moving forward. I would be remiss if I did not express my sincere gratitude to certain members of our team for their efforts this school year.

Tremendous thanks to our teachers for their professionalism and commitment to our children. This year, teachers have taken on additional responsibilities when needed, maintained safe class environments and tackled the complexities of learning loss with high expectations and quality instruction. Please join me in thanking our teachers and teacher assistants for all that they are doing for our students.

A thank you is also extended to our support and operations staff (nurses, bus drivers, bus assistants, and our cafeteria, custodial, maintenance and technology employees). This has been a challenging year from an operational perspective. We owe a great deal of gratitude to these hard-working teams who support our school division on the front lines and behind the scenes.

Finally, thank you parents and guardians for your patience and support throughout this pandemic. Our mission of educating children can only be accomplished in partnership with you.

We will continue to provide timely updates as information becomes available.

Yours in Service,
George Parker, III, Ph.D.
Superintendent