Nursery School

After discussing our policies with our pediatric consultant, we have determined that it is appropriate at this time to make two changes, which we hope will be a positive shift for children and parents alike:

• Effective immediately, individuals identified as close contacts will no longer be required to mask OUTSIDE during the 10-day post-exposure period
  • If your child is identified as a close contact, please reach out to your child’s teachers to let them know if you would like your child to remain masked when spending time outside at TSNS
  • If your child’s teachers do not hear from you, they will assist your child in unmasking outside and re-masking when returning indoors

• Effective immediately, post-exposure testing will no longer be limited to PCR tests
  • Parents may choose whether to have their child PCR tested (no earlier than Day 6 after exposure to the covid-positive individual) OR to follow a two-time antigen testing protocol (with tests administered 48 hours apart on Day 5 and Day 7 after exposure)
  • As usual, information about specific testing dates for each type of test will be shared in future close contact notifications
  • NOTE:  There is no change to our policy regarding required PCR tests or doctor’s notes when a child exhibits any symptoms of COVID-19

As we begin the 2022-2023 school year:

• Vaccination of children under age 5 available; while not required at TSNS at this time, COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended.
• TSNS will be mask-optional except when community levels in DC or Montgomery County are “high”, or when we note significant trends in our TSNS community that warrant a return to masking.
• Masking will not be required outside.
• No covid fees are being assessed at TSNS.
• Antigen tests are widely available at no cost; we are requesting that families use their own tests when requested to provide antigen test results.
• The playground is open and ready for fun!
• Children from different classes will be able to mix for activities such as Rainbow Days and the Temple Sinai Early Birds Program; if it becomes advisable from a public health perspective to return to strict cohorting indoors we will evaluate how these programs may continue to operate based on staffing and other factors.
• Children will be able to enjoy proximity to one another now that we will not be implementing physical distancing as a mitigation strategy.
• Snack and lunch may now be enjoyed indoors.
• There is no requirement to quarantine or test after traveling for any members of our community, regardless of vaccination status.
• We will follow OSSE and DC Health guidelines for Child Care Programs and will also be guided by CDC recommendations for best practices (where not in conflict with OSSE and DC Health guidelines).  We will consult with our COVID-19 Advisory Group and TSNS Pediatric Consultant as needed.
• No daily health screening form will be required of staff or children; HOWEVER, rules about attending school with any symptom of covid remain the same – in order to attend school after experiencing any symptom of covid, all members of the community (faculty, staff, child, regardless of vaccination status) must have either a negative PCR test or a doctor’s note clearing them.
• Vaccinated close contacts may return to school, masked for 10 days (KN/KF)  following the close contact.  They should be PCR tested for covid at least five days after exposure.
• If there is a covid-positive individual in their household from whom they cannot isolate, a vaccinated close contact may return to school, but must remain masked (KN/KF) for the isolation period of that individual (at least five days, or until that individual tests negative/Day 11), plus remain masked for an additional 10 days.
• Unvaccinated close contacts may return to school following a one-time contact; HOWEVER, they must submit a negative antigen test every morning before arriving to school for 5 days (“test to stay”) and remain masked (KN/KF) for 10 days following the contact.
• If there is a covid-positive individual in their household from whom they cannot isolate, an unvaccinated close contact must remain HOME for the isolation period of that individual (at least five days, or until that individual tests negative/Day 11), plus remain home for an additional 5 days. They may then return after a negative PCR test, remaining masked (KN/KF) for another 5 days.
• We will return to regular cleaning protocols as required by OSSE and NAEYC, with special attention still paid to high-touch surfaces around the building.
• Bathrooms will be able to be used freely (and not based on gender); it is recommended that only one class be in the bathroom at a time as feasible.

Dear Families,

Our shared commitment to keeping our community safe and healthy is what will allow us to enjoy these last weeks of the year together with the fewest interruptions.  As you know, there are several elements of our ongoing Covid protocols, including daily health screening and surveillance testing.  While community levels of Covid were low, we were able to relax our masking requirement and offer the option of unmasking outside and indoors.

Unfortunately, community levels in DC are now at medium, so we will be returning to required masking indoors, and recommended masking outside.  You may still send your child to school in any well-fitting mask you prefer, unless community levels increase further, in which case we will also return to a requirement that all children, faculty, and staff wear KN95 or KF94 masks.

• Please ensure that you send your child to school with additional masks in case they need to be changed during the day.
• Please also let your child’s teachers know if you wish to change your preference for outdoor masking in light of the uptick in Covid community levels.

The increase in Covid cases in our area also means that our surveillance testing and daily health screening are more important tools to control Covid spread in our community than ever.  As you prepare for your child to return to TSNS next week, please note the following:

• All children, faculty, and staff must complete a two consecutive day antigen testing protocol before they return to TSNS for the first time after break
  • The first test must be completed the day before returning to school, and the second must be completed the morning of the return to school;
  • Each test must be labeled by name and date; and
  • A photo of the labeled and dated test results must be sent the day they were administered to nurseryschool@templesinaidc.org (please do not send photos of both tests on the same day).
• If your child was not at school before the break you may not have received your next set of antigen tests; please use your own tests and you’ll receive two new antigen tests in your child’s tote bag when they return to school.
  • Please note that we will be unable to permit attendance at TSNS without the submission of two properly administered and labeled antigen tests showing negative results.
• Please be on the lookout for any symptoms of Covid including, but not limited to, runny nose, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nausea, fever, coughing, aches and chills, and otherwise feeling unwell.
  • We recognize that there is a significant overlap between Covid symptoms and seasonal allergies, and that several families have submitted doctor’s notes about allergies as an underlying condition that causes these symptoms.  Please err on the side of caution and, if any of the symptoms of Covid arise, get a PCR test to clear yourself or your child rather than assuming that allergies or other non-Covid illnesses are the cause of these symptoms.
  • Similarly, if someone in your household is exhibiting symptoms, please consider having everyone in the household PCR tested.
• Please let us know immediately if any member of your household tests positive for Covid so that we can inform you of the most up-to-date DC Health requirements for isolation and quarantine.

updated 4/11/22

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe, but it has been almost exactly two years since COVID-19 first began impacting our community. As the pandemic loomed in March of 2020, we were facing the unthinkable – a scary time where we could not gather together in person, see familiar faces surrounding us in support, or hug one another to offer comfort. During our period of on-site closure, we deeply missed the joyful presence of each child and their family, and it took the concerted efforts of many to determine a path toward reopening that provided the safest environment possible while also offering the loving, playful, supportive, and engaging learning experiences that are the hallmark of Temple Sinai Nursery School.

I have often said that my crystal ball became especially cloudy back in March of 2020, and while it is still not providing a perfectly clear view into the future, we have come remarkably far together. And as circumstances continue to evolve, we will continue to forge ahead – together. This beautiful community of families, faculty, and staff has shown tenacity, creativity, resilience, commitment, and flexibility as we responded to the demands of the pandemic, and it is those qualities that will support us as we continue forward.

As we consider how we will proceed, we are informed by the recent changes in DC Health’s revised policies, which now align prevention measures to “community levels” of covid transmission and link to the CDC’s guidelines for many protocols. We will be measured and intentional as we review how these changes will be reflected in our policies at TSNS, and will continue to be fully transparent with you about shifts in protocols that are planned or under consideration.

Many factors are part of the mix as we consider our path forward, including, but not limited to:

• DC Health guidelines and requirements, and any clarifications provided by DC Health and/or OSSE for early childhood programs;
• CDC recommendations, including those linked directly to the DC Health Guidance;
• Recommendations from our COVID-19 Advisory Group and pediatric consultant;
• Discussions with faculty, staff, Nursery School Committee members, and Temple Sinai leadership;
• Family feedback (including conversations initiated by our Parents’ Association Co-Chairs, who continue to organize and share parent feedback and questions with me); and
• The children’s experience at TSNS, including how we support their ongoing development, acknowledge their resilience, and maintain our focus on their health and safety.

As we proceed incrementally, we adopted some changes beginning Monday, March 14, and made additional shifts in policy on Monday, April 4. While any policy shifts we make now may change as conditions evolve, we want to assure you that we recognize that this is not a race to return to “normal.” We will continue to approach any protocol changes with the same care we used when shaping our response to the pandemic, and the voices of all members of our community are valued sources of input.

Here’s what changed beginning on Monday, March 14:

• The playground became a shared play space! With the removal of the subdividing fencing, children are now able to enjoy the full breadth of our wonderful outdoor resource every day. Please note that this means that children are now mixing with other class cohorts in their age group while outdoors.
• Isolation periods for those who test positive for covid are reduced to five (5) days for mild or asymptomatic cases. A return to school on Day Six is permitted for those who are asymptomatic for 24 hours, provide a negative antigen test, and are able to consistently wear a properly fitted KN95/KF94 mask at TSNS for five (5) additional days.
• Quarantine periods for individuals who are not up to date in their vaccination status and are close contacts of an individual who has tested positive for covid are also reduced to five (5) days, and a return on Day 6 is permitted with a negative antigen or PCR test. Due to increased accuracy, PCR tests are preferred but no longer required.
• We will accept home antigen tests following travel outside of the DMV (PCR tests preferred); tests should be administered the day before or the day of a child’s planned return to TSNS. No quarantine period will be required.
• Children and staff members may wear a mask of their choice provided that it remains closely fitted to the sides of the face and covers the nose.
• Two adults may attend our school events, including Purim Parades, Family Shabbat Sings, and our All-School Passover Sing Along.
• All visiting adults must be up to date in their vaccinations.

Here is what changed beginning on Monday, April 4: 

• Masks are optional both outdoors and inside for children, faculty, and staff. Masks will only be optional at TSNS when community levels are LOW.

• This shift to a mask-optional policy is accompanied by weekly surveillance testing for all children, faculty, and staff, using antigen tests provided by TSNS.  The duration of this weekly surveillance testing protocol is yet to be determined.
• All children and adults will be required to wear masks for all-school indoor events such as Shabbat Sing.

• Children whose families elect to have them participate in school programming unmasked will be required to wear a properly fitted KN95/KF94 mask at TSNS to return on Day 6 following a positive covid test.

Many policies will remain unchanged:

• Support for all families’ and teachers’ choices to remain masked.
• Use of the MyMedBot daily screening app (which will be updated to reflect shifts in policies).
• Attention to air circulation in indoor spaces through continuing use of our air filtration units and opening windows as weather permits.
• The expectation that those who are sick stay home:
  • This includes any symptoms of covid listed on our daily health screening that are not attributable to an alternate diagnosis (in which case a negative PCR test and/or doctor’s note is required to be cleared);
  • Families must also follow our regular TSNS illness policy set forth on page 19 of our Parent Handbook and in the DC Guidelines for Communicable Diseases provided in the Appendix on pages 30-32.
• Our faculty members and facilities staff will continue to keep our materials and spaces clean, following sanitation and disinfection guidance from both OSSE and NAEYC.

As we look toward the possibility of additional changes in our covid policies, please know that we recognize that this is a challenging time of transition and a recalibration of mindsets and approaches. We also understand that we will likely not be able to make everyone happy with the decisions that we make; however, we hope that everyone feels that all decisions are made with the care, attention, and informed approach that they deserve, and that we will continue to place our children, families, faculty, and staff at the center of our decision-making process.

Shabbat Shalom and be well,

Ali Hurewitz