Decisions regarding mask wearing will depend on local data, current guidance, and availability of vaccinations. Oakhill will continue to strongly encourage unvaccinated people to wear masks for their own protection. 

• Masks are not required outdoors. Caution should be maintained if crowded. 

• Some form of disposable surgical mask, commercial face mask, or cloth face mask can help reduce risk of contagion. Parents should prioritize comfort and appropriate fit so students can wear the masks for a length of time. 

• Students and adults do not need to wear masks outdoors. Caution should be taken if it is crowded.

• Students and adults are not required to wear masks indoors during active PE or athletics, yet will be an option for students based on level of comfort.

• (Updated 10/25/21) 7th and 8th grade students have the option to situationally mask within the classroom as the situation allows. Teachers have the freedom to set expectations such as wearing a mask during group work or close proximity projects. We will remain mindful of distancing when masks are not in use to reduce the need for quarantine if/when contact tracing is necessary. 

• In an instance when a medical condition restricts a student or staff member from wearing a mask, they should contact the administration. 

For Faculty and Staff regardless of vaccination status:

• masks should be worn at all times while with students and colleagues 

• masks do not have to be worn if alone in classroom/office/space 

• masks do not have to be worn outside

Accommodations
If a student has medical or developmental needs with regards to masking, please contact Nurse Cathy or Head of School to discuss. 

For the School Community and students regardless of vaccination status: 

• Situations where it is acceptable to be unmasked would be: outside, during active PE/athletics, or in instances where students can spread out sufficiently.

• Situations to be cautious if unmasking would be: outside if crowded; during practices when huddled with a team or idly waiting/standing. 

• All visitors will be encouraged to wear a mask indoors.

Isolation (COVID Positive)
Students, teachers, and school staff who test positive should self-isolate at home and not return to school until the following criteria are met regardless of vaccination status.

• Stay home for 5 days from the first day symptoms appeared; AND

• 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; 

• Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. 

Quarantine 
Vaccinated students, teachers, and staff identified as a high risk contact do not need to quarantine if they: 

• Are fully vaccinated and remain asymptomatic OR

• Had COVID-19 illness (a positive viral test such as PCR or antigen tests) within the previous 90 days, and remain asymptomatic

It is recommended fully vaccinated persons get tested 5 days after exposure and wear a mask around others for 10 days. If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.

Unvaccinated students, teachers, and staff identified as a high risk contact

Option 1:

• Stay home for 5 days, wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days.

• Recommended to test on day 5

If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.

Option 2:

Test to Stay: Stay in school and participate in extracurricular activities. 

Students, teachers, and staff identified as a high risk contact  can continue to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities, if the following “test to stay” criteria are met:

• Remains asymptomatic  
• Wears a mask consistently and correctly at all times during their quarantine period while at school. 
• Receive 3 rapid antigen tests during the first seven days following exposure.

Active monitoring of persons participating in the “test to stay” for symptoms is conducted by the school throughout the duration of the 5-day quarantine period, and persons should self-isolate at home if symptoms develop.
 

Adjustments to 20/21 COVID protocols for the current school year include:

• Not requiring individuals to wear masks while outdoors although encouraged when in a crowded situation

• Removal of all plexiglass except from main building kitchen serving window

• Discontinuation of mandatory temperature taking at the entrances

• Elimination of single class cohorting

• Classrooms are allowed to be set up similar to the way they were prior to COVID 

• Visitors will be allowed on campus and are expected to follow protocol

• Remote Learning will not be offered this school year unless a student is quarantined

• Not requiring masks during active indoor PE or athletics

Protocols that will remain in place from 20/21 to keep a healthy school include:

• Frequent hand washing and the encouragement and availability of hand sanitizer stations

• Continued use of two full-time cleaning staff for daytime cleaning of high touch surfaces

• Classroom (supply and surfaces) and office sanitizing

• Continued usage of upgraded air filtration and ventilation

• Encourage all sick students and staff to stay home 

• Use of water bottles for each student

• Lunchroom spacing - instead of 8 at a round table, only 4; instead of 16 at a long table, only 8-10

• Contact tracing as necessitated within our community