As we move into the next phase of the pandemic, RIDOH and DHS continue to update their protocols. One important change for our Little School and not yet vaccinated Early Childhood families is that we will be shifting to a “monitor to stay” policy for children who are exposed to a COVID-positive individual who is not part of their household. This policy will go into effect as of March 14, 2022.
Instead of quarantining at home after an exposure, students who are non-household close contacts can return to school if parents:
- screen their child thoroughly for symptoms of COVID-19 for a period of 5 days following their exposure and attest daily that they are symptom free HERE
- have their child wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when possible if the student is 2 years or older;
- have their child tested on day 5 after exposure; and
- closely monitor for symptoms for 10 days (Nurse Diane or Nurse Carla will also be checking up on the children at school).
If your child develops any one symptom of COVID-19 during this time, they must stay home, isolate, and get tested. Your child may resume Monitor to Stay/return to school if:
- They have a negative PCR or antigen result
- their symptoms are resolving and
- they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication
Please note that should the transmission rate in Rhode Island change, adjustments will be made to this guidance.
Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools
Recent RIDOH changes have prompted some changes to our process since we last communicated, so please read this message fully.
Testing
RIDOH recently suspended state-run testing for individuals who are asymptomatic, including K–12 students returning after breaks. We recognize the challenges of post-break testing requirements without this resource available to families, so we will not require a COVID test to return to school.
We do, however, strongly recommend that students test at home if possible prior to returning on March 28, particularly if your family has traveled over break. (Students who have been diagnosed with COVID within the 90 days prior to March 27 are exempt from testing.)
We will conduct pool testing of all students (except those who are exempt) on Tuesday, March 29.
Masks
As we shared in our previous communication, Lincoln will shift to optional masking beginning on Monday, April 4, for students, faculty, and staff. Advisors and classroom teachers will facilitate conversations around the different factors that may influence whether a member of our community chooses to wear or not wear a mask after April 4.
We want students to be able to recognize that decisions around masking are not black and white, and there may be a variety of factors—some of which may be known to us and some which are private—that influence an individual's decision. Additionally, the decision to wear a mask or not is one that many people will revisit continuously based on changing circumstances, rather than a one-time decision.
Thank you for your continued support of Lincoln’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of everyone in our community.
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break!