PS/IS 686 | Brooklyn, NY

COVID Information

Last Updated as of 11/11/2020

This page contains information on the steps BSI is taking to reduce the risk of COVID infection. 

ONLINE HEALTH SCREENING TOOL

The DOE is asking that all families use the Online Health Screening Tool for your student each day that your child is scheduled to attend in-person learning; it is online at https://healthscreening.schools.nyc

After this screening is done at home, families can show the results to school staff before their child enters the building, either by showing us the email from your phone when you’re at the door, or by giving us a paper form.

In order to keep everyone healthy and slow the spread of COVID-19, students will not be able to attend in-person classes if they have:

  • Have any COVID-19 symptoms,, including a fever of 100.0 degrees F or greater, a new cough, new loss of taste or smell, or shortness of breath within the past 10 days;
  • Received a positive result from a COVID-19 test that tested saliva or used a nose or throat swab (not a blood test) in the past 10 days;
  • Been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes) with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days; or
  • Traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days. 

As always, please keep your child home if they are sick or showing symptoms.

RANDOM COVID TESTING CONSENT FORM 

If you have not yet granted permission for your child to be tested, we strongly encourage you to do this. You may grant your consent online through your child’s NYC Schools Account HERE. The test is safe, easy and quick. It is a short, small swab (like a Q-Tip) that goes just in the front of the nose. For more information on testing go HERE.

NYS TRAVEL POLICY UPDATE 

Governor Cuomo recently updated the quarantine and testing guidelines for residents who have traveled back to NYS from a non-contiguous U.S. state (outside of the lower 48 states). Residents who travel out-of-state for more than 24 hours can now “test out” of the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine by:

  • Getting a COVID test within three days before they return back to New York.
  • Quarantining for three days once they arrive back to New York.
  • Getting another COVID test on day 4 of their quarantine. If both tests come back negative, the traveler may exit quarantine early once they receive their second negative test result. 


We have been informed that the DOE will also be observing this new policy. We urge any families who are considering holiday travel to help keep our community safe and our school building open by complying with these rules.

For more information on New York State travel requirements, go HERE. 

RETURN TO SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN SHOWING POSSIBLE COVID SYMPTOMS 

If your child has shown any COVID-19 related symptoms they can only return to school when all the following conditions are met:

  1. The child received a positive COVID-19 test AND:
  • Has isolated for 10 days AND
  • Has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.

OR

  1. The child received a negative COVID-19 test AND has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.

OR

  1. The child did not get a COVID-19 test AND:
  • It has been 10 days since symptoms started AND
  • The child has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.

If the NYC Health Department or NYC Test and Trace Program determines an individual is considered a close contact of a positive case, the individual can only return to school when the following are met:

  • The individual has completed a 14-day quarantine regardless of COVID-19 test results since their last exposure to that case.

MASKS

We appreciate you being so conscientious about masks.  Just a reminder that based on DOE guidelines, neck gaiter masks and those with release valves are not permitted. 

EXTRA LAYERS

As the weather gets cooler and less predictable, we encourage you to send extra layers and umbrellas with your child. Our classroom windows will be staying open all winter long in order to provide adequate ventilation to classrooms. 

MAKE TESTING A FAMILY AFFAIR 

While BSI has an in-school random testing program in place, the NYC Health Department recommends that all New Yorkers get a COVID-19 test, whether or not they have symptoms or are at increased risk. Regular testing outside of the DOE process, even when you are feeling fine, will help keep our community safe.

There are many testing sites available around the City that are quick, safe, clean, convenient and…FREE! Check HERE to find a testing site that is most convenient for you. 

If you have any questions about BSI’s COVID-19 plan, please contact Eric Havlik, Principal, at ehavlik@bsi686.org
For more information on schools and COVID-19, visit the NYC DOE’s health and safety page.