Health & Safety

List of 15 items.

• Contact Tracing/Quarantining

  Contact Tracing:  The Department of Public Health recommends (see p. 3) that “routine contact tracing of individual exposures that occur inside schools or during school-organized and supervised activities be discontinued.” St. Luke’s and other schools have shifted resources from contact tracing to managing positive cases to prevent spread. 
  
  Quarantine: Individuals, regardless of vaccine status, do not need to quarantine if exposed to someone with COVID-19, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the encounter and take a test 5 days after exposure.

• Dining Program

  We were delighted to return to full buffet service in the Dining Commons. Hand sanitizer will be required before entering the buffet line. We will continue to offer and encourage outdoor dining when the weather allows.
  
  Partitions will be available for anyone who prefers to eat behind one.

• Dress Code

  St. Luke's dress code was revised in June 2021. Please find a list of permitted and not permitted attire here.

• Face Coverings & Hygiene

  Following Governor Lamont’s announcement and a vote by the state Senate allowing school districts to make masking decisions locally, St. Luke's moved to a mask-optional policy beginning February 28, 2022.

  
  Hand sanitizers are available at entrances to all buildings, classrooms, and dining halls. 
  
  Disposable wipes or similar acceptable cleaners are available in all bathrooms, classrooms, and other shared facilities (e.g., copy machines).

• Facilities Cleaning and Disinfection

  St. Luke’s facilities partner Sodexo enhanced its already significant health and safety protocols with additional training to ensure strict adherence to safety guidelines. Our daily facility care includes the use of Diversey lab-tested surface cleaning throughout the campus—the same system Sodexo uses at Stamford Hospital.

• HVAC: Air Handling System

  With the assistance of New England Energy Controls and based on advice from the Health Task Force, St. Luke’s conducted a comprehensive review and balancing of its entire air handling system following the State of Connecticut’s guidelines. All filters have been replaced, and Merv-13 filters have been installed where possible. Further, all dampers have been opened to allow for increased airflow, the mechanicals have been cleaned and disinfected, and all exhaust fans will be reset to run at all times. Windows and classroom doors stay open as much as possible. This can result in colder temperatures inside the building. Please plan accordingly and dress in layers.

• Lockers/Backpacks

  All students in grades 5-12 have access to a locker. All students may carry backpacks throughout the day.

• Music Programs

  St. Luke’s is committed to maintaining our full music program and will follow State of Connecticut Guidelines.

• Remote Access Medical Accommodations

  Though distance learning will not be available, students who miss school for medical reasons may request a remote access medical accommodation. Remote access will enable students to attend classes via Zoom, with limited participation. Remote access is intended as a short-term solution and, as with all medical accommodations, will require that families contact school nurse Irene Maier to begin a formal accommodation process. 

• School Buses & Transportation

  St. Luke's is following current federal guidelines for mask usage - currently optional - on public transportation, including school buses and vans. For any planned field trips or athletic events, unvaccinated students may need to be transported by their parents.

• SchoolPass Wellness Checks

  Wellness checks are currently not required regardless of vaccine status. Students are required to check in on the SchoolPass iPad upon arrival and check out anytime they leave campus if it is before the end of the regular school day.

• Self-Monitoring & Reporting

  We continue to count on families to help keep the entire community safe by keeping an eye out for COVID symptoms. Please keep students who are not well at home and contact your doctor if symptoms are present. Please notify St. Luke's School Nurse Irene Maier of any COVID-like symptoms and positive COVID-19 test results. 

• Sports and Activities

  Vaccinated Athletes: Fully vaccinated athletes may participate in all sports.

   

  Unvaccinated Athletes: Within the FAA, any unvaccinated student-athlete will need to provide a negative test 24 hours in advance of a contest.

  
  Athletes Exposed to COVID-19: Any athlete who is a close contact of COVID-19 must wear his or her mask for 10 days at all times during indoor practices and games.
  
  

  Contests: St. Luke’s will compete against schools with varying vaccination policies. Some of our competitor schools require vaccination and will only play against a fully vaccinated team. Some opposing schools will have a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated student-athletes. St. Luke’s is committed to playing the most complete seasons possible and will update our approach as conditions warrant.
  
  Athletes Who Test Positive for COVID-19: Athletes who test positive will be contacted by St. Luke’s Athletics Department to determine requirements for return to play based on state guidance.

• Vaccinations

  For the 2022-2023 school year, all eligible individuals must be fully vaccinated (You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the final dose of the primary series). Beginning in July 2022, St. Luke’s strongly recommends but does not require booster vaccines for all students, faculty, and staff. 
  
  Effective with the start of the 2023-2024 school year, St. Luke's will strongly recommend that all families receive COVID-19 vaccinations and maintain an up-to-date booster schedule, but we will no longer require proof of vaccination. See additional information about the policy update here.
  
  Policies will evolve as new information emerges. Boosters may be required in the future and other policies may change as needed.
  
  If you have questions regarding medical exemptions or vaccination requirements, please reach out to school nurse Irene Maier.
  
  While proof of vaccination will no longer be required, for families who wish to have a vaccination status on file, please follow the steps below to upload vaccination cards to Magnus Health.
  
  

  • Please log into the Magnus Health portal.
  • A link is located on the Parent Resource Board (you must be logged in to access the Resource Board).
  • Under Student Health Tracker, find "Immunization Form" and click edit.
  • Upload a picture of your child’s vaccination card. 

• Visitors

  Visitors, including current parents/guardians and prospective families, are welcome on campus regardless of vaccination status. People feeling ill should stay home and should have a negative COVID test before visiting campus.
  
  Individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 should wear a mask for 10 days after the encounter.