NYCDOE COVID 19 Response Plan

COVID-19 Quarantine Protocols and Remote Instruction

If There is a Positive COVID-19 Case at Your Child’s School

We know how important it is to keep our schools and classrooms open for learning, and we are committed to the health and safety of our school communities and reducing disruptions in your child’s education. There may be times when your child is asked to quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19. If there is a positive case in a classroom: 

Elementary Schools: if all students in the class are instructed to quarantine, they will receive remote instruction while they quarantine.  Schools will be closed only when it is determined by the DOHMH that there is widespread transmission in the school. With the health and safety measures in place, we expect that school closures will be limited.

 

Remote Instruction

In the event of an emergency school or classroom closure, whether due to health or weather related emergencies (for example positive COVID-19 cases, or a snow day), classes will shift to remote learning for a period of time.  When an entire classroom or school is closed, teachers will conduct lessons remotely and in real-time (synchronous instruction).

       

Technology Support

In the past year, the DOE has distributed over 500,000 digital learning devices with more on the way. Families should work with their schools to ensure their child has the device that works best for them. For information on devices, including how to get them repaired and how to return them to the DOE, please see the DOE website: schools.nyc.gov/DOEdevices.

To login to DOE systems, including Zoom, Google, and other learning platforms, each student has a OneAccount4All account (DOE account): schools.nyc.gov/studentaccounts.

Families that need technical assistance should fill out the online form at nycenet.edu/technicalsupportforfamily or call the Help Desk at (718) 935-5100 and select option

COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing

Vaccination

Vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect you and your family from COVID-19, and all New Yorkers ages 12 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have a child who is at least 12 years old and not yet fully vaccinated, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the DOE strongly encourage you to make a vaccination appointment for them as soon as possible by visiting vaccinefinder.nyc.gov. For the latest DOE vaccination information, visit schools.nyc.gov/covid19. Students ages 12 and older participating in high-risk extracurricular sports and other high-risk extracurricular activities are required to be vaccinated in order to participate in those activities during the 2021-22 school year. For more information, please visit our website: schools.nyc.gov/2021health

School Visitor Policy Reminder: All visitors aged 12 and older must show proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination to enter a school building. Visitors do not include students attending school in a DOE building.

 

Department of Education (DOE) Vaccination Portal

Using your child’s DOE account information, you can upload an image of your child’s vaccination card or NYC Excelsior Pass to the DOE’s vaccine portal at vaccine.schools.nyc. Submitting that information will support New York City’s pandemic response and recovery efforts, helping to ensure that our school communities remain safe and healthy

COVID-19 Testing in Schools

Continuing the safety measures introduced in the previous school year, we will be conducting regular COVID testing of unvaccinated students grades 1 through 12. That way, action can be taken right away to protect the school community if there’s a positive case. In order for your child to participate in the in-school testing program, you must submit an updated testing consent form for your child to your school. You can fill out the form using your NYCSA account (schoolsaccount.nyc) or download the form online at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting.

Important Forms

Health Screening Tool

Before entering school buildings each day, every student and staff member must complete the Health Screening Form to confirm that they are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, have not recently tested positive, and are not currently required to quarantine based on close contact with an infected person.  We recommend bookmarking healthscreening.schools.nyc on your device so you can quickly and easily complete the form before sending your child to school each day.

 

Submit an Updated Testing Consent Form for Your Child.

In order for your child to participate in the in-school COVID testing program, you must submit an updated testing consent form to your school.
       • You can fill out the form using your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA): schoolsaccount.nyc.
        • Download the form online at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting.

 

Stay Connected with the New York City Schools Account

Stay up-to-date on important announcements from the DOE, including school closures, policy updates, and events happening in your district or citywide! There is a new way for you to stay connected to your student’s education and more in the new NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) Portal. One sign-in will allow you to:
        • See your student’s grades, test scores and more
        • Take classes in Parent University
        • Access forms for your child
        • Reset your child's DOE account password