Vermont COVID-19 School Testing Program Information for BFA/NCTC
Due to the high number of cases, it can be assumed you or your child may have been exposed to COVID-19 at some point. If your child is experiencing symptoms of any illness, please keep them home.
Anyone with possible exposure to COVID-19 may continue to attend school according to the following guidance:
If the exposed person had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days and has recovered from COVID-19:
They do not need to quarantine or get tested if they remain asymptomatic.
Wear a mask around others for ten days after learning of their exposure.
If the exposed person is fully vaccinated (and have received a booster for adults):
They do not need to quarantine if they remain asymptomatic.
It is recommended that they test, in the morning before school, on the 4th and 5th day after learning of their possible exposure*
Wear a mask around others for ten days after learning of their exposure.
If the exposed person is not fully vaccinated:
It is recommended that they test every morning before going to school for the next 5 consecutive days after learning of the possible exposure*
Wear a mask around others for ten days after learning of their possible exposure.
If the exposed person has a continuous household exposure:
If the exposed person is fully vaccinated (and have received a booster for adults), it is recommended that they test every 3 to 5 days while their household contact is in isolation and for 5 consecutive days after the household contact ends isolation*
If the exposed person is unvaccinated, it is recommended that they test daily while their household contact is in isolation, and for 5 consecutive days after the household contact ends isolation*
Students with possible exposure to a person with COVID-19 in school do not need to otherwise quarantine during their testing periods. Individuals who are close contacts to a case outside of school are recommended to quarantine according to Vermont Department of Health guidance but may attend school according to the above protocol.
* Take home tests can be picked up by parents/staff in the BFA connector or at the nurse’s offices during school hours. Students may pick them up in these locations at the end of the day.
Instructions on how to use the antigen tests can be found on the Health Department testing website.
If you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19 regardless of vaccination or exposure status:
Students and staff who are sick should remain out of school until their symptoms improve, they are feeling better, and they remain fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine.
It is recommended, but not required, that they have 1 PCR/LAMP test or 2 antigen tests (as close as possible to 24 hours apart) prior to returning to school.
If a student stays home with symptoms, a parent/guardian may pick up 2 rapid antigen tests at school
If symptoms begin while at school, the student may be tested for COVID-19 with parent permission and sent home with a second test kit.
If you or your child tests positive for COVID-19:
Stay home and follow the steps in What to Do if You Test Positive for COVID-19
We would appreciate it if you would notify the school nurse of the positive test using the BFA/NCTC COVID Positive test report form or by calling or emailing per contact info below.
Please report positive home antigen tests to the Vermont Department of Health using the COVID-19 Self-Test Reporting Form.
Stay home and isolate for 5 days.
You can leave your home after day 5 if:
You never had symptoms, or your symptoms have improved and you feel better
AND you have had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers
AND you wear a mask around others through day 10.
It is strongly recommended, but not required, that you or your child have two negative antigen tests performed at least 24 hours apart beginning no earlier than day 4*
Notify your close contacts that you have tested positive.
Contact the school nurses at BFAnurses@maplerun.org or individually:
Val Lipka (for students whose last name ends in A-K), vlipka@maplerun.org, (802) 527-6405
Janessa Deal (for students whose last name ends in L-Z), jdeal@maplerun.org, (802) 527-6594
Report student absences to BFAattendance@maplerun.org or call (802) 527-6555. Please include your student’s name, contact number, the reason for absence, and expected date of return.
Please call the Vermont Department of Health at 802-863-7240 (option 8) if you have questions about COVID-19. More information is available at the Health Department website: healthvermont.gov/COVID-19.