About
COVID-19 Information
2022–2023 COVID-19 Protocols
These plans may be updated to comply with evolving applicable government health mandates. We will continue to follow the recommendations from the CDC and Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education.
Health Protocols
Given the ever-changing nature of public health guidance, regulations, and other circumstances related to COVID-19, these protocols are subject to change without notice.
Our goal, as always, is to provide a healthy and safe school environment for all our students, faculty, and staff. We are excited that we will be able to do many things on campus this year that were not possible during the last two years. As we start the school year, we will be operating with the following mitigation measures.
Our goal, as always, is to provide a healthy and safe school environment for all our students, faculty, and staff. We are excited that we will be able to do many things on campus this year that were not possible during the last two years. As we start the school year, we will be operating with the following mitigation measures.
Please read the full health protocols below:
List of 3 items.
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Symptom Screening
Families are expected to self-screen their students at home each day. Students, faculty, and staff, regardless of vaccination status, must stay home if they experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and contact their healthcare provider for further evaluation and testing.
The following are COVID-19 symptoms according to the CDC and Allegheny Health Department:- One of the following: fever of 100.4F or above, a new cough or shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.
- Or two of the following: unexplained fatigue, body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
As always, if students or faculty/staff have any infectious illness, they should stay home until they are 24 hours free of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. They may return to school at that time, without documentation, if symptoms are not consistent with COVID-19. Please inform the School Nurse of any infectious illness. -
Mask Policy
The Ellis School will be using a mask-optional approach for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors for the 2022–2023 school year.
As recommended by the CDC, we will continue to require individuals with COVID symptoms to stay home, seek testing, and isolate as advised by our School Nurse. We will expect anyone with a known exposure to COVID to wear a mask at all times at school for 10 days post-exposure. Students who test positive for COVID must wear a mask anytime they are around others for five days upon returning to school. Please note that students traveling on public transportation or public school transportation will need to follow those entities’ mask guidelines. -
Lunch
Students in kindergarten through grade 12 will have lunch in Alumnae Hall. Pre-kindergarten students will eat lunch in their classrooms.
COVID-19 Exposure Protocols
In alignment with CDC guidelines as of December 27, 2021, regarding isolation when someone tests positive and quarantines for close contacts:
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Anyone who tests positive, regardless of vaccination status, must stay home for five days. They can return to school on the sixth day if they have no symptoms, but must wear a mask anytime they are around others for an additional five days.
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Close contacts should wear a mask around others for 10 days but may come to school. All close contacts must get a COVID-19 test on day five. PCR tests are preferred, but rapid or at-home tests are acceptable if PCR tests are unavailable.
School Communications
- Recent CDC Protocol Changes
- A Message to Ellis Families: July 1, 2022
- A Message to Ellis Families: May 12, 2022
- A Message to Ellis Families: March 4, 2022
- A Message from the Head of School
- Important COVID-19 Updates
- Important COVID-19 Reminders
- A Message to Ellis Families: November 15, 2021
- COVID-19 Protocols for the Start of School 2021–2022
- A Message to Ellis Families: July 23, 2021
