Good morning CPS Community:
We hope that you are enjoying February break. We are writing with 4 brief COVID reminders before schools reopen on Monday.
- TAKE YOUR RAPID TEST THIS SUNDAY
- NEW WEEKLY AT-HOME TESTING PROGRAM BEGINS NEXT WEEK
- UPDATED COVID TESTING AND QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS
- CPS MASK PROTOCOLS REMAIN IN PLACE
1. TAKE YOUR RAPID TEST THIS SUNDAY
CPS expects that every student and staff member will take their CPS-provided rapid test this Sunday morning, the day before school reopens.
- If the test result is positive, notify your school/supervisor and isolate at home for 5 days. Reporting a positive test result is critical in continuing to keep our schools safe.
- Individuals who tested positive in the last 90 days should only use these CPS-provided tests if they are symptomatic, per the state’s guidance (page 2).
2. NEW WEEKLY AT-HOME TESTING PROGRAM BEGINS NEXT WEEK
CPS will begin the new at-home testing option this week. Students and staff who opted-in will receive testing supplies to rapid test at home every Friday.
- ANY student or staff member can participate regardless of vaccination status.
- The testing program is VOLUNTARY. Opt-in through the CPS Family Portal.
- Every 2 weeks, participants will receive 1 box containing 2 tests and instructions.
- For more information, including instructional videos, visit www.cpsd.us/covidtesting.
- CPS will continue with weekly pooled testing, which means participants will be able to test twice a week, once in school (Monday or Tuesday) and once at home (on Friday).
3. UPDATED COVID TESTING AND QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS
We recently updated our COVID Testing & Quarantine Protocols (additional translations here) to align with the latest from the CDC. It includes two important changes:
- This update aligns with the CDC to distinguish between vaccination statuses. According to the CDC, “to be optimally protected, a person needs to get a booster shot when and if eligible.
- Vaccinated and boosted (up to date)
- Vaccinated and less than 5 months from final dose (fully vaccinated)
- Vaccinated and more than 5 months from final dose (less well protected)
- We have discontinued contact tracing and “Test and Stay” for in-school close contacts of positive cases. This means that close contacts of in-school positive cases will no longer be identified and close contacts do not have to be quarantined.
Questions? Contact your school nurse.
4. CPS MASK PROTOCOLS REMAIN IN PLACE
CPS has not made any changes to our mask protocols and masks continue to be required indoors in all CPS facilities. As we learn more about what the recently announced City of Cambridge Mask Requirement for Indoor Public Places means for CPS, we will let you know.
See you Monday!
Sincerely,
The CPS Team