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.

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)?

 2 weeks after the second dose

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.

Yes, the can still participate in pooled testing.

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)

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.

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. 

No. Fever is a concerning symptom and the student should have a PCR/NAAT test to return to school with any detected fever. 

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.  

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

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

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. 

Your school nurse will reach out to provide isolation guidance and dates of return.