
District COVID News & Updates
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Free Telehealth for COVID-19 Treatment With Paxlovid
Massachusetts has launched a new free telehealth program to help residents easily access COVID-19 treatment. The COVID-19 telehealth program is a quick, easy and free way for individuals to see if Paxlovid is an appropriate treatment for them. The program, open to MA residents 18 or older, is available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese.
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ESSR III: Implementation Plan
The purpose of the ESSER III fund is to support the safe reopening and sustaining safe operations of schools while meeting students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about DPS plans for utilizing these funds.
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NEW At-Home COVID Rapid Testing Program
This new at-home testing opportunity is voluntary. To participate and receive tests, you MUST complete the form and opt-in. Only those who opt-in will receive tests. We strongly encourage you to fill out the form by February 2nd to opt-in. Student tests will be distributed for the first time the week of February 7th. Each school has a separate opt-in form for organization purposes, so please be sure to complete the correct form for each of your students. Click here for form links and to learn more.
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2022 Latest Quarantine Guidelines
On Thursday, December 30 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) revised their guidance for isolation and quarantine for COVID-19.
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Can My Student Go To School? COVID Symptom Checker
Winter is coming! Please refer to the COVID-19 symptom list and keep students home if they are sick. Click here for a symptom checklist for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated students.
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CDC now recommends that children between the ages of 5 and 11 years receive the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine.
On November 2, the CDC recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. DPS encourages all eligible students to register and get vaccinated.
WEB UPDATES
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DPS continues to monitor Federal, State, and Local COVID guidance. We will continue to provide updates to this COVID page with new information when it becomes available.
WHAT IS A CLOSE CONTACT?
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Close contacts are defined as individuals who have been within 6 feet of a COVID-19 positive individual while indoors, for at least 15 minutes during a 24-hour period. Please note that the at-risk exposure time begins 48 hours prior to symptom onset (or time of positive test if asymptomatic) and continues until the time the COVID-19 positive individual is isolated. (DESE 12.30.21)
COVID SYMPTOMS LIST
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- Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle aches or body aches
- Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
- Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
- Headache when in combination with other symptoms
- Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
- Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
Dept of Education & State Updates
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Updated Mask Guidance: Sept 27, 2021
Extends the mask requirement through at least November 1, 2021.
Jan 2022 -Most Recently Asked Questions
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My child tested positive. Do they need to test again on Day 5 before returning to school?
Posted by:No, the DESE/DPH guidance does not recommend repeat testing prior to returning to school, so long as individuals are asymptomatic and/or their symptoms are improving. Individuals must mask when around others for an additional five days after the isolation period.
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My child has a hard time keeping a mask on while at school. Can they return on Day 6 after COVID?
Posted by:My child has a hard time keeping his/her/their mask on while at school. Will s/he/they still be able to go back to school on Day 6 after being home with COVID (or as a close contact)?
Students who are coming back from isolation/quarantine are required to wear masks at all times when around others, except eating/drinking, even when out doors for the additional 5 days.If a child is unable to wear their masks at all times they would need to complete their 10 day quarantine at home.If a student athlete is positive for Covid-19 they need to get a medical clearance letter form their primary care provider and then complete a Return to Play Covid Protocol with the athletic trainer prior to being able to practice or play in games. -
My child just had his second dose of the vaccine. When is s/he/they considered fully vaccinated?
Posted by:2 weeks after the second dose
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Do kids need to wear masks outdoors at recess?
Posted by:Wearing masks outdoors is not required at this point. That said, the omicron variant is highly contagious, so if you would like your child to wear a mask during recess, please remind him/her/they to do so.Students who are coming back from isolation/quarantine are required to wear masks at all times when around others, except eating/drinking, even when out doors for the additional 5 days.If a child is unable to wear their masks at all times they would need to complete their 10 day quarantine at home. -
Are classrooms going back to 3 feet of distancing at all times and using desks?
Posted by:At this time there is no mandate for the 3ft, it is recommended. However, Dedham schools and classrooms will be looking at ways to provide ample spacing between students wherever possible.
- To the fullest extent possible, schools will maintain physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk.
- All classes will keep seating charts to assist with contact tracing.
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If my child was a close contact (but not showing symptoms) can they participate in pooled testing?
Posted by:Yes, the can still participate in pooled testing.
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My child was identified as a Close Contact. Can they still get their COVID vaccine?
Posted by:If you child was identifed as a Close Contact, they are NOT considered eligible to get their COVID vaccine until the Quarantine period is over and they are cleared to return to normal activities.
(11/5/2021)
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My child got their COVID vaccine yesterday and has a fever today. Do they need a test to return?
Posted by:It depends. Normal side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine can include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, which can begin soon after the shot. Others include tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea, which typically begin 8-12 hours after the shot and do not last more than 48 hours. If your student has side effects and has no recent COVID-19 exposures they may return to school without testing. For any other symptoms such as loss of smell/taste, shortness of breath, cough, runny nose, sore throat in addition to a vaccine side effect symptom, they should stay home and get a PCR/NAAT COVID-19 test.
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My child has 1 symptom from “when in combination with other symptoms” - Can I send them to school? ?
Posted by:Yes, but please make an effort to ask your student about other symptoms and monitor very closely. If any other symptoms develop alongside nasal congestion and runny nose, they should stay home and get a diagnostic PCR/NAAT test to return.
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My child had a fever of 100.1 for a few hours. They feel better now. Can they return to school?
Posted by:No. Fever is a concerning symptom and the student should have a PCR/NAAT test to return to school with any detected fever.
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My student has 2 symptoms on the list. An at-home rapid test was negative. Can they go to school?
Posted by:NO. Per DESE and DPS policy, all students with symptoms that warrant testing should have a diagnostic test (PCR or NAAT) done at a health office to return. We DO NOT accept home rapid tests for return to school. We also do not accept rapid antigen tests done at health offices for symptoms. It should be a PCR/NAAT test.
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I did an at-home rapid test for my child and it was positive. What should I do next?
Posted by:If your student tests positive by a home rapid test, they should stay home, begin isolation, and have a follow-up PCR/NAAT test to confirm the results.
Additionally, please complete the following DPS Positive COVID19 Test Result Form
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Where can I get a diagnostic PCR/NAAT COVID-19 test?
Posted by:We always recommend calling your student’s pediatrician when they have symptoms. The provider may want to test for Strep Throat or Influenza, or evaluate for other medical issues. Most pediatricians offer relatively quick PCR/NAAT testing. In addition to the pediatrician's office, you could try one of the Project Beacon, City of Boston, or Transformative Healthcare sites for a free test (their results are coming in pretty quickly). Other options include:
- CVS Pharmacy: appointment required, 19 Eastern Ave Dedham, MA 781-326-7104
- PM Pediatrics: appointment not required, 719 Providence HWY Dedham, MA 781-461-6767
- ConvenientMD, appointment required, 983 Boston-Providence Turnpike Dedham, MA, 781-819-6400
- AtCare Central Stoughton
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Ok, I got a PCR/NAAT test for my student. What should I do next?
Posted by:If your student is symptomatic, please keep them home while awaiting test results. Please send all testing results to the school nurse. If the test is negative, your school nurse will provide clearance to return to school.
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What if the PCR/NAAT test is positive?
Posted by:Your school nurse will reach out to provide isolation guidance and dates of return.

DPS COVID Webinar Recordings
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9/14/21 ECEC Specific COVID Safety Checks Webinar
Overview of the COVID-19 testing program, with a specific emphasis on how we will orient our littlest learners to Routine COVID Safety Checks ("pooled testing") and the operations and logistics of pooled testing at the ECEC.
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9/9/21 District-Wide COVID Safety Webinar
Webinar from 9/9 provides overview of testing program, with an in-depth look at Routine COVID Safety Checks ("pooled testing") and a brief overview of the Symptomatic Testing and Test and Stay programs. Hosted by Superintendent Welch & Testing Coordinator Emily Kadehjian. PASSCODE REQUIRED: 1B=dVBPn