COVID-19 POLICY
It is our policy to align with NJ State, CDC, and Jersey City Guidelines and be informed by JCPS and neighboring private schools as the global COVID-19 pandemic evolves for the safety of our community and compliance for the continued operation of the school. As a private Coop school we adapt to changes in the pandemic by adjusting policy as a community to create the safest environment possible at GPC.
*To amend this policy, 5 or more community members must submit a clear policy change request to the board and the community will discuss and vote on the policy change at the next board meeting unless deemed more urgent.
Our policy has been developed around Hudson County Case Rates (7-Day average) into 3 tiers:
Tier 1- Under 200 Cases/day
Tier 2- Between 200 Cases/day and 600 cases/day
Tier 3-Over 600 Cases/Day
TIER 1- Under 200 Cases/day
COVID-19 Vaccination requirements
Vaccination is required among all who are considered staff (including parents, teachers, substitute teachers, aftercare teachers, custodial staff)—any staff who steps foot into the building must be fully vaccinated. This is in accordance with NJ requirements, as of August 23, 2021, for all teachers / staff working in education in NJ to be vaccinated prior to Oct 13, 2021. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required from all staff.
To be considered fully vaccinated means that you are up to date on all booster shots and provide proof at each new phase of vaccination. If you are boosted, please provide a photo of your updated vaccine card Health + Safety coordinator and Secretary.
Responding to COVID-19 Community Exposures at GPC
We require full transparency from everyone within the GPC community regarding possible exposure to COVID-19. Notify the Board and Health + Safety coordinator via email and Co-Presidents via Slack of the specifics around the exposure, so that the community can be informed. When an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the Board will immediately notify local health officials, staff and families of a possible or confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.
Symptom Monitoring:
Keep your child HOME if they present any of the following new onset symptoms. Your child must test negative the following day to return to school, even if it is a non-testing day:
- Coughing, Runny nose, Fever, Loss of Taste or Smell, Vomiting/Diarrhea, Sore Throat
1. If a vaccinated member of the community has a direct exposure, then they are not required to quarantine but should take a PCR test 5 days after exposure and continue to monitor for symptoms. This person must wear a KN95/N95 mask at all times around any unvaccinated or vulnerable member of the GPC community until 5 days passes and a Negative Test is provided.
2. If an unvaccinated member of the community has a direct exposure, then they must quarantine and take a PCR test at least 5 days after exposure and test negative to return.
3. If a vaccinated member of the community tests positive, then they must quarantine and take a PCR test 5 days after testing positive and test negative or get a doctor's note saying they are no longer contagious to return.
4. If an unvaccinated member of the community tests positive, then they must quarantine for 10 days and have a negative PCR test or get a doctor's note saying they are no longer contagious to return.
5. If there is a positive case determined at home, and that person has been in the classroom in the last 24/hrs:
- Unvaccinated community members will be sent home. They must quarantine and take a PCR test at least 5 days after exposure and test negative to return.
- Vaccinated community members are not required to quarantine but should take a PCR test 5 days after exposure and continue to monitor for symptoms.
If a contact tracer contacts anyone within the household, parents should withdraw their child for the period of time as recommended by the state. We require that the Board be kept informed throughout the entire process. The school will be kept open, but all families should be made aware of possible exposures in case they want to make other arrangements.
Procedure for Responding to Suspected COVID-19 in School
Children and staff with fever, occasional cough, or difficulty breathing should be placed at least 6 feet away from others and asked to wear a face mask until they can be sent home. Parents should observe their child’s symptoms at home and consult with their child’s pediatrician for further guidance. The child must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours without any medication before returning to school.
Children who meet the following criteria should be promptly isolated and ultimately excluded from the facility for 10 days from symptom onset, or until they receive an alternate diagnosis from a healthcare provider, or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result.
● At least two of the following symptoms: fever (measure or subjective), chills, rigors (shivers), myalgia (muscle aches), headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose; OR
● At least one of the following symptoms: persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new olfactory disorder, new taste disorder.
At Garden Preschool, if a child meets the criteria above, parents will be called to collect the child as soon as possible, and within the hour. The child will be dressed for the weather and immediately taken outside to the front steps. The child will be supervised by the POD at a safe distance. Both the child and the POD will utilize PPE. If the weather makes outdoors an unreasonable option, the library room will be used instead. The child should be made as comfortable as possible and given quiet activities. The remaining staff and students should go outdoors. All families in the cooperative will be notified.
Policy on Masking
In accordance with Governor Murphy’s March 7, 2022 directive, the GPC community has determined that when case rates are below 200/day in Hudson County (7-day average), masks are optional for students and certain teachers (at least one staff member at a time will continue to mask to model for students whose families prefer masking).
Travel policy
Fully Vaccinated Student/Staff after domestic travel outside of NJ, NY, CT, PA, and DL or any international travel: No quarantine; contingent upon proof of full vaccination status. For international travel, students/staff may return to school and Rapid or PCR testing must be done within 3-5 days after returning to New Jersey.
Unvaccinated Student/Staff after domestic travel outside of NJ, NY, CT, and PA or any international travel: Parent/guardian of a student must provided proof confirming that the student, within seventy-two (72) hours of his/her return from traveling domestically, has obtained a professionally administered Rapid or PCR negative COVID-19 test, the student shall be admitted to the school.
No measures are required for travel within the five-state region (NJ, NY, CT, and PA) agreed upon in spring 2020.
Tier 2: 200-600 CASES/DAY
Follow all Tier 1 policy with the following change:
Policy on Masking:
When case rates are between 200 and 600 cases/day in Hudson County GPC will return to strongly encouraging masking indoors for all children. All teachers, POD’s and guests will be required to wear masks when indoors. Parents who are serving as POD will help the teachers in encouraging our children to keep their masks on when not eating or napping.
Tier 3: OVER 600 CASES/DAY
Follow all Tier 1 and Tier 2 policy with the following changes:
Elevated Procedure to be applied any time case rates exceed 600 cases/day in Hudson County (7-day average):
1. Rapid Testing Procedure for in-class participants will go into effect when Hudson county 7-day-average case rates exceed 600 cases/day:
- 2x week testing while case rates are above 1000 cases/day
- 1x week testing while case rates are above 600 cases/day
2. Masking
- Masks will be strongly encouraged indoors and outdoors for all children. Teachers/PODS/Subs will be required to wear masks both indoors and outdoors and will be provided N95 masks
3. Outdoor Activity and Social Distancing
- Outdoor time will be increased and all weather-appropriate opportunities will be taken to eat meals outdoors. When meals occur indoors, children will be spaced in groups and seating in the same groups each day.