Happy Halloween!

                                    

                                                               

Hello Cozy Lake Families!

We are all so excited for Halloween 2021!  We have exciting activities planned for the kids.  Our goal, of course, is to ensure all our students remain healthy, happy and safe this Halloween!   Food will be shared at our Halloween classroom parties.  The list is very limited and, as always, the parties will be activity-based rather than food-based.  If you have any concerns related to the following food list, please reach out to me as soon as possible. This year's food list will include;  

• Salty snacks: Snyder's of Hanover Mini or Snaps brand pretzels, Rold Gold Tiny Twists, Thins or sticks or Pop Chips- sea salt ONLY
• Sweet snack- OREOs-double stuffed or original ONLY
• Water or 100% fruit juice box  

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me at (973) 697-4777 ext. 5535.  

COVID UPDATE: 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR

It is hard to believe we are still dealing with COVID after so many months!  

How can I help? 

The best I can do is provide you the most up-to-date information and answer your questions as needed.  Although much of this info was shared in previous posts, the following is a quick review of the most important COVID information.

   

COVID Symptoms

COVID symptoms include the following:

• At least TWO of the following symptoms: fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion/runny nose OR
• At least ONE of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or loss of smell. 

If your child exhibits the above COVID symptoms, please contact your doctor for further evaluation & a COVID test prior to return to school. 

If a family member has COVID symptoms and is waiting for a COVID test result, please keep all family members home from school while awaiting the test results.  

Quarantine vs Isolation

Quarantine is what you do if you have been exposed to a positive COVID Case and/or have been  identified as a close contact of a positive case.  Incubation period for COVID infection is 2-14 days and, therefore, exposed individuals should quarantine for 14 days post exposure with day #1 being first day after exposure.  

14 days can be a significant hardship for many and, therefore, the CDC offers an acceptable alternative.  The alternative option, if 14 days is not feasible, is 10 days without a covid test OR  7 days with a negative test between day 5-7.  

Isolation is what you do if you have COVID symptoms or test positive.  Isolation is 10 days from start of symptoms or test date (whichever comes first).  Day #1 being test date/symptom start date. 

Who Needs to Quarantine?

"Close contacts" to positive cases are required to quarantine.   Individuals who are fully vaccinated (received final dose at least 2 weeks prior) or individuals who tested positive in last 90 days do NOT need to quarantine.

What does "Close Contact" mean?

Close contacts are considered persons who were within 6 feet of a positive case for 15 min or more within a 24 hour period during the positive cases "infectious period".   

A positive COVID case is considered infectious 2 days prior to start of symptoms or test date (whichever comes first) until 10 days post test date/symptom start date.                                              

"Close contacts of close contacts" (ie. family members of close contacts) are not at risk for infection unless the close contact exhibits symptoms or tests positive. 

• CHANGE FOR 21-22 SCHOOL YEAR:
• In the K-12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student where both students correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time.  

Why Do Some People Need to Quarantine for 17 days or more?  

If a family member (i.e. parent/caregiver) tests positive for COVID and can not isolate from other household members (ie. their children),  the other household members must quarantine during their positive household member's isolation period (10 days).  Since the 10th day is the last day of exposure for the fellow household members, they will then still need to quarantine an additional 10 days post last day of exposure (OR 7 days with a negative test between day 5-7). 

If you have any COVID related questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me

 at (973) 697-4777 ext. 5535 or jluisi@jefftwp.org

***Medical Records Due October 30***

 Pre-K Families, 

Today, I sent home a letter to inform you if your child's medical records are incomplete.  If requested, please provided me with the information requested as soon as possible. 

In addition, please remember to be sure your child receives the flu shot and you provide me documentation of such prior to December 31.  This is required in order for your child to attend school after winter break.  

Kindergarten and First Grade Families, 

Two weeks ago, I sent home a letter to alert you if your child's medical medical records are incomplete. If you received a letter and have not yet responded, please reach out to me to inform me of the status of your child's medical documentation. Paperwork is due by October 30.  

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at (973) 697-4777 ext. 5535 or at jluisi@jefftwp.org 

COVID SYMPTOMS...to test or not to test?!?

Hello Cozy Families, 

As we navigate the COVID pandemic, many of you have questions about your child's symptoms and if their symptoms warrant a COVID test prior to attending school.  

If your child has a chronic illness (ie. asthma, seasonal allergies, etc.) and their symptoms are "normal" for your child this time of year, than you do not need to have your child tested for COVID prior to coming to school.  That said, your child should still stay home until their symptoms are improved and they are able to fully participate in school activities.  

(Please make sure your child's chronic illness/medical concern is documented in their medical file at the school.  It may be necessary for your doctor to send in a note to confirm that the symptoms are due to your child's chronic illness/medical concern.) 

If your child does NOT have a chronic illness/medical concern and is exhibiting symptoms, see below: 

Students who have... 

TWO of the following symptoms:   fever, chills, shivers, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion/runny nose  

OR

ONE of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell

should NOT attend school.  

A negative COVID test (rapid or PCR) is required along with symptom improvement prior to returning to school.

It is understandable that students may have cold symptoms (residual cough, runny nose, etc.) for a week or more after a common cold.  Students, with a negative covid test, may return to school as long as they are feeling better, their symptoms have improved and they are able to fully participate in school activities. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me at (973) 697-4777 ext. 5535 or email me at jluisi@jefftwp.org.