Dear Families and Staff,   

First, let me begin by thanking each of you for your extraordinary efforts in keeping our community healthy and safe throughout these last two years during such unprecedented times. We have been given many opportunities to practice flexibility and collaboration and should be applauded for approaching every situation with care and perseverance. 

As we move into the next phase of this pandemic, I ask that we continue to show compassion and kindness to one another. Ivymount, including The Maddux School, Ivymount School, Endeavors Early Childhood Clinic, and Outreach Programs, respects every individual’s and family’s choice to act in a safe and comfortable way. However, we understand that this will look different for each person and family. 

As COVID-19 transmission and severity decreases, we are all cautiously optimistic and excited for our students and clients to experience our programs without restrictions. Based on the updated Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Montgomery County, and Maryland Department of Health/Department of Education guidance, we are preparing to begin the process to ease some of the mitigation strategies that have been in place. The CDC community level framework provides recommendations based on community impact and health levels. We will continue to monitor our community health metrics closely and will update guidance when advisable, while remaining cognizant of the unique needs of our students, staff, and families. We will proceed cautiously and immediately respond if the situation changes.
Effective Monday, March 7 
 
Vaccination - COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be an expectation for eligible individuals. We ask staff and students to receive the recommended vaccination doses and boosters in order to be considered Up to Date. Quarantine procedures have been updated for vaccinated staff who are not Up to Date, which means they have not received eligible boosters. See below under Isolation and Quarantine. 
 
Screening and monitoring - Daily symptom screenings remain one of our top strategies to keep COVID-19 and other illnesses off our campus. 
  • Individuals should continue to monitor symptoms each morning and stay home if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, which include: fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea or vomiting, new onset of severe headache, or new loss of taste or smell. If individuals exhibit any of these symptoms, a lab PCR test continues to be required before returning (after fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and symptoms resolved). Families should continue to email studentcovidreport@ivymount.org, and staff should email staffcovidreport@ivymount.rog to report symptoms, exposure, and positive cases immediately. 
  • Morning temperature checks on campus will no longer take place for staff and students. Staff may enter the building using the most convenient entrance. 
  • Staff and families will no longer be required to complete the daily Operoo health screening form. 
 
Visitors in the building - Along with essential visitors, tours, and visits necessary for admissions, hiring and routine partnerships will be allowed. To manage the number of people in the building, we will continue with our current drop-off and pick-up procedures. 
 
Travel - Unvaccinated individuals who travel internationally should notify the Health Team in advance, complete a PCR test taken 5 days after returning to the US, and submit negative results before returning to campus. Vaccinated individuals no longer need to report international travel to the Health Team. 
 
Contact Tracing and Notification - We will continue to identify close contacts and notify the program and cohort level (e.g., classroom level or grade level as appropriate). We will also send notifications of cohort or school outbreaks. However, we will no longer send isolated case notifications to the entire Ivymount, Maddux, and Outreach Community.  
 
Social Distancing - Physical distancing will continue to be implemented throughout the building between individuals to the extent possible (3 feet between students, 6 feet between staff/students). 
 
Testing - Weekly COVID testing screening will continue as usual for staff and students. Fading schedules are being discussed. 

Face Masks - Given CDC updates and Maryland Department of Health/Education Interim K-12 School and Childcare COVID-19 Guidance which only recommends universal masking at high community levels, combined with CDC and related information on one-way masking, we are reviewing our policy while continuing to keep our community’s vulnerabilities at the forefront: 
  • Masks will no longer be required outdoors.  
  • Masks continue to be required indoors at all times for all individuals when not actively engaged in eating or sleeping. 
  • Staff are no longer required to wear masks in offices or small meetings if physical distance can be maintained, and when students are not present. 
  • Staff returning from a positive case of COVID-19 or exposure must wear masks at all times until the 11th day with increased distancing at meal times. 
  • Individuals should continue to wear surgical, KN95, or N95 masks that fit appropriately.  
 
Isolation and Quarantine - In alignment with CDC, MDH, and Montgomery County Department of Health, we will move from a 10-day isolation and quarantine period to a 5-day isolation and quarantine period if specific health and mitigation conditions are met. See guidelines below for more information. 
 
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to: 
  • Stay home and isolate for at least 5 days AND until the individual has no symptoms or symptoms have resolved AND the individual has been fever-free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours. Day 1 is considered the first full day after symptoms started or the first full day after the positive test date if asymptomatic. 
  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days indoors and outdoors. Unmasked times should be minimized as much as possible, and physical distancing/ventilation maximized during these times. Masks should only be removed during eating and naptime. 
  • Individuals who can mask consistently may return to campus on day 6 after submitting a negative *rapid test taken the morning of day 6. If the *rapid test is positive, they may repeat it again the following day and return when they receive a negative result. 
  • If an individual does not wear a mask consistently, they can return to campus on day 11. No test is required.   
 
Anyone identified as close contact to an individual with COVID-19 is required to: 
  • Self-monitor for symptoms for 10 days. If the individual develops symptoms, begin isolation immediately and get tested. 
  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days after the exposure. Unmasked time should be minimized as much as possible, and physical distancing/ventilation maximized during these times. Masks should only be removed during eating and naptime. Submit a rapid* or PCR test to the Health Team at least 5 days after the last close contact. 
  • Vaccinated students and staff who are up to date with vaccinations (received all eligible boosters) may return to the building and do not need to quarantine. 
  • Unvaccinated individuals, staff who are not up to date with their vaccinations, and individuals who do not mask consistently and appropriately around others must stay home for at least 5 days after the last close contact with the person with COVID-19. These individuals should complete a rapid* or PCR test on day 5 and can return to campus on day 6, if the test is negative.  
  • Cases of prolonged and/or close household exposure where individuals cannot isolate themselves from positive cases will continue to be handled on a case-by-case basis.  

*Individuals should follow recommendations for rapid test use. Contact Ivymount if you are unable to locate a rapid test from your county health department, health provider, or pharmacy. 

Together, we will take these steps forward while remaining agile due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic. I hope that our students, clients, and families can soon experience the full benefits of being a part of Ivymount School, The Maddux School, and Outreach community without restrictions and that our staff can provide their expertise in a more consistent and relaxed environment.
 
Thank you,  
Susan