Dear Maddux, Ivymount School and Outreach Families and Staff,
 
For the past two years, I have been continually amazed at how our community has adapted to expectations and made modifications to respond to the challenges of each phase of the pandemic. As we now enter a new phase of the pandemic where restrictions are easing, this too will also require our community to work together to ensure everyone feels safe and respected in the workplace and school environment.

As we begin to fade components of our layered mitigation, based on CDC’s COVID-19 community levels, our community will be asked to continue to show compassion and kindness to one another. We will continue to remain agile and ready to respond quickly to changes in community health metrics and public health guidance together.

On Monday, March 7th we removed some of our layered mitigation strategies including temperature checks, Operoo morning screening, and masking outdoors and in small offices when students are not present. 

Starting Monday, March 14th for Maddux, ECC, and Business Office and on Wednesday, March 16th for Ivymount School, we will update our mask policy. Staff, enrolled students, and their families may choose to wear a mask at any time but will no longer be required to mask indoors or outside on campus. Individuals returning to campus after a positive test or exposure to someone with COVID-19 will be required to wear a mask through Day 10. Visitors that enter the building beyond the main office will continue to be required to wear a mask. Please see below for more specific information about the new mask policy.

These decisions are based on CDC 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 evidence that supports that individuals wearing mask to protect themselves (one way masking) is effective. See below for resources.

Other mitigation strategies will remain in effect such as frequent hand washing, COVID screening testing, vaccinations and boosters, ventilation measures and use of outdoor space, physical distancing when possible, and contact tracing. We will also be expanding the use of rapid testing at home for certain scenarios.
 
We recognize that our community has unique needs and are prepared to support our students, staff, and families as we make this change. Program Leadership will work with individual families on exceptions, requests, and concerns related to each unique situation.

I am confident that we will all work together to ensure appropriate support and programming for our students, clients and staff as well as navigate any challenges that arise. We are hopeful that this new guidance and change to our policy is reflective of the positive changes we expect as we move forward.
 
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. We understand that this will look different for each person and family and we appreciate your support in sharing and exemplifying this throughout the community.

Useful resources:





Thank you, 
Susan Holt
Updated COVID -19 Mitigation Strategies
* See updates below*
Maddux, ECC and Administrative Office as of 3.14
Ivymount School as of 3.16
 
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).

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. 

Please report symptoms, exposure, and positive cases immediately -


 
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. * NEW * Masks will be required for visitors inside the building that go beyond the main office when students are present. Masks will be optional for families entering the building if dropping off or picking up items. 
 
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. PLEASE NOTE: * CDC’s new COVID-19 Community levels recommendations do not change current travel requirements, including the requirement to wear masks on public transportation and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs.
 
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 Mask Policy*NEW* 
  • While in the low COVID-19 Community Level, face masks are optional for staff, students and families both indoors and outdoors on the Ivymount campus unless returning from quarantine or isolation for days 6-10 post-exposure or positive case.
  • We encourage students and staff who are not eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to continue to wear masks while indoors
  • Staff and students should continue to bring a clean mask to school each day in case is it needed (e.g., desire to wear it, new onset of symptoms, community outings) 
  • Ivymount will continue to provide masks as requested
  • Masks will be required for visitors that enter the building beyond the main office when students are present (including Ivymount Outreach participants)
  • Individuals that are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness should talk to the healthcare provider about precautions, including wearing a mask at work/school
  • Students are still required to follow mask guidelines set by their LEA for transportation.
  • When participating in community outings, we will follow all masking guidelines set by public transportation, local businesses, and other community partners.
  • In situations where masks are required or recommended (returning from quarantine or isolation, visitors), individuals should wear a surgical, KN95, or N95 mask that fits correctly
  • We reserve the right to request masks at any time for events or trainings when physical distancing may not be feasible

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 the 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) OR have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 90 days AND can wear a mask consistently 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.