October 12, 2022
Updated guidelines/recommendations for K-12 schools.

September 29, 2022
Updated guidelines/recommendations for K-12 schools.

March 2, 2022
Updated guidelines/recommendations for K-12 schools. The document was updated on February 22, 2022.

February 28, 2022

Dear Parents and Faculty:

Vineland Public Schools has worked hard to offer an exceptional learning experience to all students throughout the pandemic while providing a safe and healthy environment. Since the pandemic's start, VPS closely monitored active cases in the region and additional data specific to our schools. As the data changed, we remained flexible with protocols to manage what we believed were the most reasonable methods for our faculty and students.

Throughout January 2022, we tracked a significant reduction in active cases among our faculty and students. These data are available on our web page for your review. In addition, we observed a considerable decrease in active cases in our community. With these data as a guide, the Vineland Board of Education intends to approve the revised "Road Forward" plan at its March 2 board meeting to reflect the following:

- VPS will no longer require masks for students and staff members. As of March 7, pending board approval, the decision to wear a mask is left to the staff member or our students' parent(s).

- VPS will support and implement the "optional" use of face coverings in school buildings and buses. Parents who wish their child not to wear a mask need to communicate this to them. Parents who want their child to continue to wear a mask may do so; if you need any support in this endeavor, please feel free to contact your child's school.

- Contact tracing of positive cases of COVID-19 will continue for March. The administration shall review all pertinent data to decide whether to pause contact tracing in April linked to the level of infection found in our community. Therefore, for March, in-school close contacts will continue to be identified.

The administration will continue to monitor data and adjust protocols as appropriate during the weeks ahead.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Road Forward Presentation

February 3, 2022

Updated guidelines/recommendations for K-12 schools. The document was updated on January 19, 2022.

January 18, 2022

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, the following letter was shared (in English and Spanish) with parents, staff, and the community via website, email, text message, and social media posting regarding the updated guidance and protocols for COVID isolation.

January 18, 2022

Dear Staff and Families:

Recently, schools received updated guidance from the New Jersey Department of Health that provides recommended isolation and quarantine guidelines. The isolation and quarantine guidelines have been updated based on several factors associated with Covid-19. The shortened timeframes for isolation and quarantine focus on the period of time when an individual is most infectious, followed by continued masking for an additional five (5) days. In addition to outlining isolation and quarantine timeframes, the updated guidance continues to stress the importance of wearing a well-fitted mask.

Isolation

Isolation is used to separate individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19. An individual who tests positive or is presumed positive based on symptoms, should isolate for a full five (5) days.

More specifically, individuals who test positive AND are symptomatic or individuals who are symptomatic but have not tested or individuals awaiting test results:

Isolation Timeframe

Stay home and isolate from other individuals for 5 full days
Day 0 is the first day symptoms appeared
If symptoms resolve, isolation ends after 5 full days
If symptoms persist, continue to isolate until fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved

Additionally, for individuals who test positive but are asymptomatic:

Isolation Timeframe

Stay home and isolate from other individuals for 5 full days
Day 0 is the day of the positive viral test
If no symptoms develop, isolation ends after 5 full days
If symptoms develop within one week of the positive test, the isolation timeframe starts over with Day 0 being the first day symptoms appeared

Quarantine Timeframe

Individuals required to quarantine should stay away from other individuals for 5 days from the last close contact of a positive case
The date of last contact is considered Day 0
If COVID-19 symptoms develop, follow isolation guidelines
Continue to wear a well-fitted mask around other individuals through Day 10
Continue to monitor for symptoms

We believe that the revised guidelines for contact tracing will substantially reduce the number of days students and staff are expected to quarantine and isolate. Our administrators are prepared to implement these changes as appropriate. At times, based on guidance from the health department and our medical professionals, adjustments may be made to the isolation and quarantine timelines.

We will implement the updated isolation and quarantine timeframes immediately. Please note that our nurses are well-versed on the guidelines and can help you with any isolation or quarantine questions. We are pleased that these new guidelines will significantly reduce the need for students to quarantine as a result of being a close contact. This is good news.

I want to thank you all for your continued patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

Mr. Alfonso Llano, Superintendent

At a Glance: January 2022 Updated Quarantine/Isolation Protocols Table

Link to English letter

Link to Spanish letter

January 11, 2022

Updated guidelines/recommendations for K-12 schools. The guidelines were updated on January 10, 2022

January 10, 2022

Updated guidelines/recommendations for childcare/preschool programs. The guidelines were updated on January 6, 2022

December 20, 2021

Updated guidelines/recommendations for K-12 schools. The guidelines went into effect on December 17, 2021.

November 22, 2021

Steps for determining close contact and quarantine in schools

October 1, 2021

Helpful information:

September 27, 2021

Attention parents and guardians: please note that Gators and vented masks are NOT considered acceptable for use in school.

September 17, 2021

Chart showing exclusion criteria for persons with COVID-19, COVID-19 symptoms, or close contact

August 25, 2021

Update to VPS: The Road Forward, presented at the August 25 Board of Education Meeting

Spanish

August 24, 2021

District administration provided updates to The Road Forward to align with rececent state mandates regarding the safe return to schools in the fall.

Click here for the letter in English and Spanish: Safe Return Plan Update

August 6, 2021

Per Governor Murphy's mandate, announced today, all students, educators, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face masks indoors for the start of the 2021-22 school year. More information can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/20210806b.shtml

VPS: The Road Forward

Presented at the August 4, 2021 Vineland Board of Education Meeting

English Version

Spanish Version