COVID 2021

Students that have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should stay home from school, regardless of vaccination status. Parents are encouraged to contact their doctor to decide if a COVID-19 test is appropriate. Parents should email the Attendance office (andrew.park@popeprep.org) and Nurse (nurse@popeprep.org) to notify the school of any student staying home.

Our COVID advisory board has instructed us not to accept home COVID test results. COVID tests must be PCR and results must come from a physician’s office or clinic.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 may return to school after the appropriate isolation period per the CDC has passed. As of 12/31/21, the CDC guidance for the general public is to isolate for a  minimum of five days. When symptoms have entirely passed, individuals may leave the house but must mask around others for the next five days. We encourage the 10-day isolation period (with the option of returning after day seven with a negative test). We will, however, work with the parents desiring the shorter period if the student is asymptomatic and dutifully masks for the next five days. 

All students must be cleared by a medical professional for return to school and all activities. This clearance should be documented in a note from a medical professional and submitted to the nurse (nurse@popeprep.org) in advance of the student returning. This is especially important for our student-athletes as they will not be allowed to practice or compete without medical clearance.

No. Students who test positive for COVID-19 may return to school after the appropriate quarantine period per the CDC guidelines. 

If a student is vaccinated and is symptom-free, they can come to school when a family member develops COVID-like symptoms. Unvaccinated students should remain at home when a family member develops symptoms until the family member either obtains a negative test or a doctor's note.

If a student develops symptoms during the school day, they should report immediately to the nurse's office.  Students will be sent home from school.  See above for instructions on returning to school.

Pope Prep will notify parents/guardians by email if an individual in their student's class or sports team tests positive for COVID-19.  The anonymity of the infected student will be maintained.  

A student is only considered a close contact when they are within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.  However, in the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within three to six feet of an infected student if both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time.  Pope Prep will be arranging all classrooms to allow for three feet of distancing, and masks will be required.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, parents are encouraged to reach out to persons of close contact. For example, if your student rides in a carpool and tests positive, we encourage the parent to contact all persons in the carpool. 

If the student is vaccinated: 

Students that are fully vaccinated can still come to school as long as they do not exhibit any symptoms.  

If the student is unvaccinated: 

Unvaccinated close contacts should stay home from school and quarantine in accordance with CDC recommendations.

What if my student had COVID-19 in the last 90 days? 

Students that provide proof of a positive COVID-19 test within the previous three months do not have to quarantine if they remain symptom-free.

We have returned to normal operations for lunch. 

We have returned to normal operations for school-wide assemblies and Mass. 

We have returned to normal operations for athletics. 

We want students to prioritize their health when missing school; therefore, those too sick to complete work at home should concentrate on getting well by drinking fluids and resting to recuperate more quickly. Students with mild symptoms can take steps to make the return to school less stressful and more successful. Below are hints from students who have successfully navigated the return to the classroom after an extended absence. 

Most importantly, students should log into Google Classroom to keep up with class and homework assignments. Keeping track of any homework assignment questions will help students get the most out of tutorials upon returning to school. 

Students are encouraged to utilize online resources to help learn course materials. For example, search for videos on topics covered in the classroom on YouTube to understand the topic and a classmate's notes.  

Ask friends for notes - they often include details beyond those posted on Google Classroom. Also, keeping open lines of communication with teachers helps teachers understand how to support students upon return. 

Work with friends on weekends/evenings virtually on assignments that students have in common (e.g., doing math/Spanish homework with a friend) can also help keep up with work. 

When students return to school, they should first meet with each teacher to figure out the scope of work that needs to be completed to maintain progress in each course. Students will have two weeks to make up those assignments. After meeting with teachers, our counselors can meet with students upon request to help calendar make-up assignments and create tutorial schedules. 

There will be an after-school study hall offered for students on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday to help students schedule make-up work, particularly quizzes, tests, and essays, beginning next week.