GCCS will comply with CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance for illness, symptoms and
suspected cases of COVID-19 for both students and staff. GCCS will comply with CDC and New York State
Department of Health guidance for the return to school of students and staff following illness, diagnosis of a
confirmed case of COVID-19, or quarantine due to contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
General Guidelines:
The CDC continues to recommend that people stay home when sick. Any student or staff member who has symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat,vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home.If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, it is recommended that you get tested as soon as possible.
GCCS refers students and staff to seek diagnostic testing through the Erie CountyDepartment of Health when such individuals are either (1) symptomatic; or (2) asymptomatic with an exposure to someone with COVID-19. Individuals in Erie County can contact the local health department for information on testing dates, locations, times, and to schedule an appointment by calling 716-858-2929. Additional information on COVID-19 testing is available by contacting the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
If a student develops symptoms related to COVID-19 while at school, the student shall be assessed by the school nurse, who will determine if the student may remain in the building or will be sent home to follow up with a health care provider. The student will remain in the nurse's office or designated isolation room until picked up by their parent or guardian. At no time will the student be permitted to go home on the bus. Students may walk or drive themselves home with parent consent.If a student or staff member is suspected of having COVID-19 and are waiting to go home, they will wear a well-fitting mask and distance themselves from others until they are able to leave the school grounds.
Quarantine:
Per CDC and NYS guidance, quarantine is no longer recommended for people who are exposed to COVID-19.
The CDC recommends that those exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or history of prior COVID-19 infection, wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days in public indoor settings -- including school settings -- and test on or after day 5 or sooner if symptoms develop.
Isolation:
Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 5 days at home. Day 1 of isolation is the first full day after symptom onset. Day 0 is the day of symptom onset. If you are asymptomatic, day 0 is the day you were tested. Day 1 is the first full day after you are tested. If you develop symptoms within 10 days of testing, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day the symptoms start. Students and staff may return to school after day 5 if they never had symptoms OR their symptoms are improving and they are fever free for 24 hours (without use of fever reducing medicine); AND They are able to wear a well-fitting mask through day 10. If, after ending isolation, symptoms recur or worsen, restart isolation at day 0. Students and staff should isolate if they are sick and suspect that they have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If the test results are positive, follow the isolation protocol above. If the results are negative, isolation may end.
Contact Tracing:
Pursuant to the most recent NYS guidance, routine contact tracing is no longer recommended for schools. When known close contact with someone who tested positive for or has symptoms of COVID-19 occurs at GCCS, GCCS will notify parents and guardians of affected students to the extent practicable. GCCS may, in its discretion, implement more stringent contract tracing and other mitigation strategies (for example, screening testing), during an outbreak.
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