District student COVID Testing and Quarantine Update

Please review the message below from Interim Superintendent Dr. Norma Fernandez shared by the district on Sunday. 

Information Related to Quarantine for Students

"Hello Parents and Guardians,

We want to let you know that the Jersey City Public School will open Tuesday, January 18, for in-person learning the entire day. Thank you for your support. These two weeks allowed our teachers to recuperate. The number of staff testing positive for Covid-19 is manageable and slightly higher than average. 

Covid-19 Testing will be available for students with parental permission on a regular schedule beginning the week of January 18, 2022. We have contracted with a company to provide technicians to test students by collecting their saliva in a small container. We ask for your patience as we embark on this new procedure to keep your children healthier and present at school. We need your support as we roll out this new process, and we need your collaboration as the school develops schedules and systems that make sense based on the students’ age. Please think how much better the morning process was in December compared to September. Practice makes perfect, and testing in school is a new reality.

The school will provide a unique link to register your child at his or her school. We will expand the program as you become comfortable with the procedures. Once the testing is operational, we will develop a policy to keep students in school as long as they do not exhibit any Covid-19 like symptoms. It is typically referenced as a “Test to Stay” policy.

There are conflicting reports about how long individuals need to isolate and remain quarantined. The information I am sharing with you is a consensus developed by the District in consultation with the local health department. We have considered many factors, and the goal is to keep your child and the staff healthy. 

People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. We will continue daily temperature screening of students and staff. All students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and contact their doctor and the school nurse.

Based on the current circumstances and virus transmission, students and staff who test positive will need to isolate themselves for 10 days even if they are not experiencing symptoms because asymptomatic individuals can spread the virus. Medical clearance from the doctor is required for return to in-person school or work. This decision is based on NJ Code 18A:40-10. Please call the school nurse with any questions. They will be able to provide guidance. We will continue daily and weekly communication with the local health department to determine if any updates to the Covid-19 protocols for isolation and quarantine are warranted. 

Unvaccinated students and staff identified as a “close contact” with a symptomatic COVID positive individual must quarantine 14 days from the last contact day. Unvaccinated students and staff identified as a “close contact” with someone that has no symptoms must quarantine for 10 days. When close contact happens in the home, the isolation and quarantine period is longer. An unvaccinated student or staff member who lives with someone who exhibits symptoms must do 24 days of quarantine. When an unvaccinated person is in close contact with someone who lives with them and has no signs, they need to quarantine for 15 days. Please get everyone in the family vaccinated as soon as possible. 

All this information is available on the JCPS website. 

The JCPS District aims to provide high-quality instruction and support for our students and their families as we continue full-day in-person learning with the COVID-19 limitations. We will keep stakeholders informed as we navigate the Covid-19 related health concerns. Your input and patience during this process have been crucial. Once again, we thank you for our continued partnership and look forward to a wonderful school year. 

Dr. Norma Fernandez

Interim Superintendent"

As noted in her message, we will have in-school COVID testing for students through a partnership between the district and Concentric, a state-approved student COVID testing operation which works in a number of districts in NJ. More information is linked below including an invitation to a webinar this Wednesday 1/19 at 5pm. Families are encouraged to participate and ask any questions you may have. Please note that the testing is strictly voluntary and requires prior consent.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11lJhTx4-WXUo62uYwf3IlOCMTifCVDmb/view?usp=drivesdk

Should you like to sign up your child for testing, please complete this registration at this link:

https://testcenter.concentricbyginkgo.com/minor-consent/ 

Our School Code is: RDJ001

The first testing will happen on Wednesday, January 26th only for those with completed consent forms at the website above. 

The testing is for any student regardless of vaccination status. The district did not make any distinction at this time. If there is a concern for a need, we will adjust as any decisions are made. 

As for students who recently tested positive for Covid, students who have had Covid within the last 90 days are requested not to test until they have passed the 90-day window. However, parents can still consent to testing so that way when they are outside of that window, they can test. The consent form is a one-time consent form. Anyone who wants their child/children to test must have parental consent on file.

We are working hard to keep everyone as safe as possible. Please continue to communicate any and all needs you have and we will do our very best to help you and your child as we always have. Thank you for your cooperation and support!