Welcome Back to Campus, CGPS!

The COVID-19 vaccines are remarkably effective and are the critical factor enabling CGPS to operate at full capacity in person. Because influenza symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19, inoculating against the flu is an additional step we will require to promote health and safety.

COVID-19 vaccine

All eligible community members — students, faculty, staff and contractors — are  required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. If a student’s birthday makes them eligible for the vaccine, they will be expected to receive the first dose of the vaccine within two weeks of the birthday.

In order to monitor community spread and contain any outbreaks, CGPS will engage in ongoing surveillance COVID-19 molecular testing.

Acceptable test types

• Only molecular tests (PCR, RT-PCR, NAAT, etc.) are accepted.
• Antigen tests are not accepted.

Gateway testing

• All community members, regardless of vaccination status, are required to have an acceptable COVID-19 test administered no earlier than Thursday, September 2 and submit results of that test by noon on Tuesday, September 7.
• Similar gateway testing will be required after the winter and spring recesses.

Ongoing surveillance testing

• All students in Grades Pk-5 are required to be tested every two weeks, on campus or off campus.
• All unvaccinated students in Grades 6-12 and all unvaccinated adults are required to be tested every week, on campus or off campus.
• All vaccinated students in Grades 6-12 and all vaccinated adults are required to be tested on a rotating schedule, such that one third of this group is tested every 2 weeks.
• The School will notify students, faculty and staff when they are due for testing.
• All community members are considered unvaccinated until they reach full vaccination status and will be held to the weekly surveillance testing schedule described above for unvaccinated individuals.
• Given the differentiated testing schedules, community members will be notified at least one week before they are due to be tested.

Process

• Community members who are tested off campus should send their results to:
  • Grammar School: gstestresults@cgps.org
  • Middle School: mstestresults@cgps.org 
  • Prep School: pstestresults@cgps.org
  • Faculty and staff: facstafftestresults@cgps.org
• Community members who are tested on campus will have their results sent to the School directly by the testing provider and consequently do not need to send in their results.
• Employees who wish to be tested on campus may register via this link.
• Parents and guardians who wish to have their children tested on campus may register via this link.
   

When community members consistently and correctly wear masks, they protect themselves and each other.

• Face coverings that cover the mouth and nose are to be worn by all community members indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
• Exceptions include while eating or drinking or when working alone in a segregated space, such as an office.
• Guidance on mask type, fit and care is available at this link.

Physical distancing limits the spread of COVID-19.

• Per CDC guidelines, we will maintain at least 3 feet of distancing between community members in indoor spaces and at least 6 feet for unvaccinated community members.
• Because it can be more challenging to maintain physical distancing among younger children, cohorting will continue to be implemented in the Grammar School, in addition to other safety measures.
• Because masks are not worn during meals, maintaining physical distance, especially among unvaccinated community members, is critical.
  • The Grammar and Middle Schools will configure cafeterias with six feet of separation between seats.
  • The Prep School’s cafeteria allows for three feet of separation for vaccinated students. Prep School students who are unvaccinated will eat lunch in designated spaces with six feet of separation between seats. Vaccinated students may also choose to eat lunch in those separate areas, as space allows.

Monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms on a daily basis and staying home when sick prevents outbreaks at School.

• We will resume daily symptom screens via the Ruvna app.
• Upon entering campus, all community members will display their Ruvna clearance screen to the receptionist.
• Nurses will compile lists of community members who fail the daily screen and supply them to the appropriate divisional staff. They will also follow up with the families of students who fail the screening, providing counsel on whether to get tested for COVID-19.
• Employees who fail the screening should contact their direct supervisor immediately.

When positive or suspected cases of COVID-19 are identified, we will take swift action to contain the potential spread.

• After a case is reported, a COVID Response Team (one per division) will meet immediately to coordinate the appropriate response.
• Every case is different and will require a specialized response. Measures may include: 
  • transferring the individual who tested positive (or is suspected positive) to an isolation area 
  • administering a rapid molecular test
  • arranging for the individual to go home immediately 
  • cleaning and disinfecting impacted areas
  • consulting the DOH
  • tracing contacts
  • communicating with contacts and potential contacts
  • mandating quarantines.
• Quarantines
  • Community members, whether fully vaccinated or not, who test positive for COVID will be quarantined for 10 days while they recover, and must have a clearance form filled out by their primary care physician in order to return to campus.
  • Community members who are identified as close contacts and who are unvaccinated, as well as community members who are vaccinated and symptomatic, will be quarantined for up to 10 days while they monitor for symptoms and will be required to take a molecular COVID test 3-5 days after the exposure or potential exposure. A negative test result will be required to return to campus.
  • Community members who are identified as close contacts, but are vaccinated and asymptomatic, will not need to quarantine but will be required to take a molecular COVID test 3-5 days after the exposure or potential exposure as a precaution.
  • In the Grammar School, teachers will work with families to develop a learning continuity plan for students who are required to quarantine.
  • In the Middle and Prep Schools, students who are required to quarantine will be able to participate in class via remote learning. This option will not be made available to students who are absent from School for other reasons.
     

The use of cohorts can limit the spread of COVID-19 between cohorts.

• Cohorts will be implemented in Pre-K to Grade 5.

• Cohorts are not feasible in Grades 6-12 due to the academic program and schedule for those students. We will rely on other mitigation measures, including vaccinations, to maintain as safe an environment as possible for students and employees in those divisions.

Well-ventilated spaces and clean surfaces make a difference in keeping CGPS safe.
Ventilation

• We will continue existing measures to ensure all spaces are well ventilated, supplementing with stand-alone units as needed.

Cleaning and disinfection

• We will continue existing measures to clean and disinfect all areas on a daily basis.
• We will employ hypostatic spraying and deep cleaning as needed.
   

Regular hand washing and good respiratory etiquette prevent getting and spreading not only COVID-19 but other infectious illnesses.

• We will promote frequent hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially before and after meals. Hand washing stations will remain available throughout campus.
• We will promote covering sneezes and coughs.
• Hand sanitizing gel and wipes will be available throughout campus.
   

By controlling who has access to campus, we can minimize exposure to COVID-19.

• Until further notice, only students, staff,faculty and approved contractors are allowed on campus. Parents are not permitted to enter the buildings, except in rare cases and with explicit permission.
• Essential visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination upon entry.
   

The choices we all make before and after school hours and on weekends and holidays have an impact on the general safety of our community.

We will promote personal responsibility among all community members and their families.

The level of community spread both at CGPS and in the wider New York City metropolitan area informs the regulations and guidelines we must follow.

• We will track the number of cases, linkages among cases and test positivity rate among CGPS community members.
• We will track key COVID-19 metrics for the NYC area, such as positivity rate and vaccination coverage.
• We will follow all applicable health regulations and guidelines and stay in close contact with local public health agencies.