COVID-19 Policies & Procedures
Last Updated: September 23, 2021
All Religious School staff, including educators and administrators, are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Click here to view a list of local COVID-19 testing resources. We only accept PCR test results.
This page covers the following topics:
Definitions
Close contact: Someone who was within six feet of a person who tested positive for COVID-19for at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, while that person was infectious.
Infectious period: The time period during which someone is able to spread their infection to others. The infectious period for COVID-19 starts two days before symptom onset and typically ends 10 days after symptom onset (or test date for people who don't have symptoms).
Incubation period: The time period between when someone is exposed to an infectious agent and when the first symptoms may appear. The incubation period for COVID-19 can be as short as two days or as long as 14 days.
Fully vaccinated: An individual is considered fully vaccinated at day 14 after completion of a COVID-19 vaccination series (after the second dose of a two-dose series, or after one dose of a single-dose vaccine).
Quarantine: The process of separating individuals who have been exposed to an infectious agent (like COVID-19) before they develop symptoms of infection or test positive for an infection, for the duration of time that covers the incubation period for the pathogen. Quarantine is a powerful tool for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Masks/Face Coverings & Physical Distancing
- Universal masking is required for everyone at all times, regardless of vaccination status.
- For more information about what constitutes an appropriate face covering, please see this guidance from DC Health.
All students should have a supply of clean masks with them while at Religious School. Student's face masks should be clearly labeled with their names to avoid confusion or swapping. Physical distancing will be implemented in classrooms to the greatest extent possible.
Daily Health Checks
The daily health check is the essential health and symptoms screener that will keep all members of the Adas Israel Religious School community as healthy and safe as possible. All students and staff must complete a daily health check before arriving at Adas each morning. Completing accurate and thorough Health Checks enables us to keep our entire community safe and healthy.
The Daily Health Check process is completed through the MyMedBot app. All enrolled families will be sent an invitation to download the app and instructed in how to complete the health check each day your child is scheduled to attend Religious School.
When completing the form, you will be asked about any symptoms your child may have had in the past 24 hours, if your child has had close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, and if anyone in your household is awaiting test results for COVID-19. Please note that these questions may change based on the most recent guidance from DC Health.
Click here to view a decision tree for the daily health check.
Exclusion Criteria
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has been instructed to isolate and quarantine due to COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure may not attend Religious School.
Any ONE of these symptoms:
- New or worsening cough
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste or smell
- Fever (100.1° or higher)
- Vomiting
Any TWO of these symptoms:
- Chills
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Abnormal fatigue
- Nausea
- Runny nose or congestion
- Diarrhea
If your child has a pre-existing health condition that presents with any of the above symptoms, a note from their pediatrician documenting that those specific symptoms are not due to COVID-19 will be required and your child will not be excluded based on those specific symptoms.
Required Notification of Positive Tests
As an institution with Jewish values, we follow Pikuach Nefesh, which states it is each person's duty as a member of society to protect all of its members. This is especially important during our current public health crisis. To protect the health and safety of all members of our community, it is essential that the Religious School administration be informed if any member of your family tests positive for COVID-19.
To report a positive test result or close contact with an individual who has tested positive, please email Director of Education Rabbi Kerrith Solomon and Director of School Operations Jocelyn Dorfman. Jocelyn is our point-person for COVID-19 and is a certified contact tracer; she is in regular contact with both DC Health and OSSE. Jocelyn will provide guidance as to next steps and when your child will be able to return to school. It may be necessary for Jocelyn to inform other families about a potential exposure risk; this notification will not reveal any names or personal information about the child or adult involved.
If you have questions about potential exposure risks or whether or not your child should participate in an activity, please be in touch with Jocelyn. We strongly encourage you to err on the side of caution to protect our entire community.
Travel Outside the National Capital Region (DC/MD/VA)
DC Health has updated their Travel Guidance on August 6, 2021. The new requirements are separate for individuals who are fully vaccinated and individuals who are not yet fully vaccinated, including young children who are not yet able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Fully Vaccinated Individuals may travel within the United States without the need for post-travel COVID-19 testing or travel-related quarantine, as long as they do not have symptoms of COVID-19.
For partially vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals (including children under the age of 12) traveling outside of the area must get a PCR COVID-19 test three to five days after returning from their trip OR self-quarantine for ten days after returning home. Your child may return to school after they receive a negative PCR result or after the ten day quarantine period.
