ILLNESS POLICY 

During the COVID-19 pandemic period, our Illness Policy (both COVID and Non-COVID provisions) applies to all staff, children, and their household members.* The final decision on whether to exclude an individual from the program due to illness will be made by The Bridge Academy Leadership Team.

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For your child's comfort, and to reduce the risk of contagion, children must be picked up within 1 hour of notification of illness. Until then, your child will be kept comfortable and will continue to be observed for symptoms.

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* HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS includes anyone living or present in the household on a regular basis (e.g. houseguests, nannies, caregivers, home health workers, contractors, etc.) and includes anyone with pick up or drop off privileges at the center.

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COVID POLICY

Mask policy: 

Any center employee who is not vaccinated must wear a mask inside the building. Masks are not required for outdoor playground supervision. This policy may be revised based on local vaccine rates and regional conditions.

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Daily health check

All staff, families, children, and their household members must conduct a check before coming into the center. Should you or any household member have any of the following COVID-19-like symptoms during the preceding 36 hours, we ask you to remain out of the center and notify us:

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• Cough

• Sore Throat

• Muscle Aches

• Difficulty Breathing

• New Loss of Taste or Smell

• Fever at or above the threshold temperature of 100.4° F (or would have, but for the use of fever-reducing medicine). The threshold temperature is 100.4° F, unless a LOWER threshold temperature is imposed in the local jurisdiction or by the Academy.

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It is critical that students remain at home if sympotmatic.

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All unvaccinated staff, families, children, and their household members must submit to a temperature check upon arrival at the center and must provide complete and accurate responses to the Daily Health Check. Anyone refusing to comply will not be permitted entry. The Daily Health Check questions and the temperature threshold may be updated from time to time.

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close contact

Please report all cases of Close Contact* to the office regardless of vaccination status.

• Unvaccinated households: If any unvaccinated member of your household has (or has been in Close Contact* with anyone who has) a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, your household must remain out of the center for 5 days. Household members with no symptoms may return after 5 days if they receive a negative COVID test. 

 

• Vaccinated households: Individuals who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms.

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* CLOSE CONTACT is defined as being within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic individuals, 2 days prior to test date).

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A positive household test

If you or any member of your household has received a positive COVID test, the positive family member must remain out of the center. He or she may return provided these three things have happened:

   • At least 7 days have passed since he/she first experienced symptoms; and

   • Symptoms have improved (for example, cough or shortness of breath has improved); and

   • Your household has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.   

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In the case of a household member testing positive, fully vaccinated family members must have a negative COVID tests to return before the 7-day quarantine is up. Unvaccinated family members are subject to the 7-day quarantine period described above. Please note, depending on the circumstances, we may require any household members to obtain clearance from a medical provider before returning to the center.

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clearance to return

Consistent with our COVID-19 Policy, a symptomatic household will be required to remain out of the center for at least 7 days, unless the member receives a negative COVID test or clearance to return is provided by a physician.

Clearance to return will be acceptable if a medical provider confirms either of the following in writing:  (i) that there is an alternate diagnosis causing the COVID-like symptoms (e.g., an ear infection is causing a fever), or (ii) the individual has tested negative, has been fever-free for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicines) and symptoms are resolving.

In the case of clearance for an alternate diagnosis, an Upper Respiratory illness is not considered a satisfactory alternate diagnosis, and if the medical provider cannot affirmatively identify an alternate diagnosis that causes the presenting symptoms, any unspecified diagnosis is presumed to be COVID, and the exclusion will continue.  Clearance to return cannot be provided by a family member, can only be provided to clear an exclusion for symptoms, and is not sufficient to clear an exclusion for exposure. All Clearances to Return must be reviewed and approved by the Academy Leadership Team. Clearance to Return requirements may change from time to time based on current conditions.

 

reporting suspected or confirmed case in household 
Notify us immediately if you become aware of any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in your household occurring within 14 days prior to or 48 hours after any member of your household has been present at the center.