The Tiverton Public Schools COVID Protocols for 2022 – 2023
We are all eager to declare that we now live in a post-COVID world, as the pandemic
continues to wane. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control announced
revised operational guidelines for K-12 schools to support safe in-person learning.
Most States are relaxing many of the protocols that have been in place related to
masks, testing, quarantining, and vaccines, as is Rhode Island. Across the country,
there is a collective sigh of relief that the school year can begin without the constant
disruption of COVID mitigation strategies.
At the same time, we know that COVID has not been eradicated. While the data
about decreases in illness and hospitalization are encouraging, the U.S. is reporting an
average of more than 100,000 infections per day, and 300-400 COVID-related deaths
every day.
With this context in mind, Tiverton has developed the following COVID Protocols
to start the school year. Please keep in mind these protocols may change at any time
due to outbreaks.
1. Our first and best line of defense is for parents to understand the symptoms of
COVID-19:
Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath, Fatigue, Muscle or Body Aches,
Sore Throat, Loss of Taste or Smell, Congestion or Runny Nose, Nausea,
Vomiting or Diarrhea.
If these conditions exist, that student should remain home and get tested. If a student
comes to school with any of these conditions they will be sent to the nurses office
and tested with a rapid test if a parent has consented. We ask all parents to consent
to testing their child if they are symptomatic. If we are not given permission to test
the student will be sent home and asked to say home until they are symptom free. If a
student tests negative they will be allowed to stay in school at the discretion of the
school nurse.
2. We are employing the following Mitigation Strategies in our Schools to keep
them as safe as possible:
• Optimizing ventilation (air purifiers in every room)
• Promoting hand and respiratory hygiene
• Diligent cleaning and disinfection of all areas
• Integrating stay at home when sick, isolation and managing exposure protocols
• Offering school-supported diagnostic testing
3. If a student is symptomatic and sent to the nurses office they will be required
to wear a mask until a negative test result is obtained (tested in school) or the
child is picked up by a parent.
4. Positive Cases – If a student tests positive they will be required to isolate at-
home for five full calendar days. They may return to school on day six (6) if
he/she is willing to wear a mask for days 6-10. If a mask is unable to be worn,
the individual should isolate at home for a full 10 calendar days.
It is our intention to keep our schools open for the entire school year providing all of
our students with an outstanding education. To do so, we need to rely upon the
cooperation of our parents and caregivers to support the above protocols.
With our students in mind,
Dr. Sanchioni