Important Information Regarding Updated COVID Protocols

Important Information About Updated COVID-19 Protocols

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for your work to support safety protocols as we have begun the year. As we have stated, Serra strongly advocates that all members of the community get vaccinated against COVID. At this time our vaccination rates are very high and climbing, with over 86 percent of our students vaccinated. Vaccinations, in combination with face masks, following health and safety protocols, and COVID testing will increase Serra’s ability to continue operating in person in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.

Serra has updated its COVID protocols in response to changes in mandates and guidelines from the San Mateo County Pandemic Recovery Framework, the California Department of Public Health, San Mateo County Health Department, West Catholic Athletic League and the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Mandated weekly COVID Testing:

Weekly COVID testing will begin the week of August 30 and continue thereafter. Our testing plan requires all unvaccinated students, faculty, staff and volunteers to participate in weekly COVID testing. This testing requirement includes any individuals who declined to state their vaccination status.

Unvaccinated students who have not tested will not be allowed to attend classes and/or participate in activities on campus.

As a convenience to our families, Serra has contracted with Virus Geeks, a testing company, who will provide onsite testing beginning Tuesday, August 31 from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and every Tuesday after that. They will provide testing for faculty, staff and students. These results will be shared directly with the family and the school; therefore, families will not need to share the results with Serra. Virus Geeks has assured us that there will be no costs to families.

Here are both the link and QR code for the students to register for the tests:

If families choose to test offsite, they can go to any of the following: Kaiser, Stanford, or Virus Geeks at the San Mateo Marriott. Please note that all results - both positive and negative - should be shared immediately with covid@serrahs.com. Since unvaccinated students who have not tested will not be allowed to attend classes on campus, we encourage families who choose offsite options to test by noon each Wednesday in preparation for the following week.

What happens if your son tests positive for COVID?

The individual (vaccinated or unvaccinated) who tests positive will be quarantined for a minimum 7 days, and may return to school if they are symptom and fever free.

What happens if your son is a “Close Contact” of someone who tests positive for COVID?

Definitions:

Fully vaccinated: Two weeks have passed since this individual received their second vaccination.
Close Contact: A close contact is someone who was within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for at least 15 cumulative minutes while the case was infectious whether or not face coverings were worn. Cases are considered infectious starting two days before developing symptoms or, for asymptomatic cases, two days prior to the date of their positive test. In some school situations, it may be difficult to determine whether individuals have met this criterion. In this case, an entire cohort, classroom, or other group may need to be considered exposed, particularly if people have spent time together indoors.

Guidelines for Individuals Fully Vaccinated:

Should continue to participate in classes and extracurriculars as long as they remain asymptomatic
Must get COVID tested 3-5 days after the exposure. A PRC test required.
Send results to covid@serrahs.com
Should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after exposure

Guidelines for Individuals who are Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated:

Exposure outside of school - full quarantine:

Must quarantine from active participation in classes, all extracurricular and social activities for 7 days
Need to test on day 6 or 7 to return to activities
Send results to covid@serrahs.com

Exposure at school - modified quarantine:

Must quarantine from active participation in all extracurricular and social activities for 7 days
Can participate in classes and wear a mask both indoors and outdoors (assuming all tests are negative and student is asymptomatic)
Must be tested 2x/week over a 14 day period -- PCR test required (It is important to understand that a negative test result does not shorten the length of the quarantine period.)
Send results to covid@serrahs.com

Thank you for your cooperation and support and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Charlie McGrath

Principal