MCH COVID Policy (as of November 3, 2022)

What if there is a positive case in the classroom? 
  • ​All students in the classroom of the exposed individual may return to campus on the next day other than the individual who has tested positive.
  • We will notify the exposed classroom(s) via email.
  • Families should closely monitor for symptoms; should a child develop symptoms families must follow the guidance below regarding symptoms. Our staff will also be closely monitoring for symptoms.
  • For all students in the classroom, we are strongly encouraging families to have their children tested immediately as well as 3-5 days after the date of their child’s exposure.
  • ​Masking for everyone in classroom may be encouraged in certain situations (ex. when several individuals in classroom have tested positive, or multiple classroom exposures) after exposure. 


When are individuals who test positive usually contagious and potentially exposing others?

People with COVID-19 can spread the virus to other people starting two days before they develop symptoms (or 2 days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms) through 10 days after they develop symptoms (or 10 days after the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms). If a person who tested positive for COVID-19 receives two sequential negative COVID-19 antigen tests 24-48 hours apart when feeling better after at least 5 days of isolation, they are no longer considered to be contagious. If a person’s isolation period is longer than 10 days (e.g., because they are severely ill or immunocompromised), they are contagious through the end of their isolation period.
What if my child develops covid symptoms? 
▪Families should immediately inform the school.

▪Students will need to take a Covid test as soon as possible and the send the results to [email protected]. *PCR tests are no longer required for students under 2 years of age. ​

▪Students may return to school after sending in a negative test result and significantly improved symptoms or resolved completely (including no fever for the past 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medications). If symptoms persist, retest every 24–48 hours through at least five days after symptoms started.) 
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▪If symptoms develop during the school day you will be required to pick your child up immediately and provide a Covid test as soon as possible. Symptoms must improve and another Covid test may be required prior to returning if symptoms persist.
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▪If symptoms worsen after returning to classroom with improved symptoms and a negative test, children will be sent home immediately. Symptoms must improve and another Covid test will be required in order to return.

Ages 2 and Under: 
  • If the child is under the age of two and ONLY has congestion/runny nose with no other symptoms, testing and isolation may not be required. 

What if symptomatic individual has recently been infected with Covid? 

They will still need a Covid test. Due to the prevalence of reinfection from the new variants of Covid, there is no longer a 90 day "exemption" window for testing. The guidance now states that individuals who have been recently infected (within the past 90 days), should use an antigen test, as PCR results may remain persistently positive even if there is not a new, active infection.
What if My child has a covid exposure outside of the classroom? 
For Non-Household Exposure:
  • Families should immediately inform of the school .
  • Your child will not need to quarantine.
  • We strongly encourage your child have a Covid test between days 3-5 of last known date of exposure.

For Household Exposure:
Household exposures (considered an ongoing exposure) unless the individual in the home is able to physically isolate away from the rest of the household.
  • Families should immediately inform of the school.
  • The exposed student is required to send tests in daily for a minimum of 10 days (send the results to [email protected]) and mask indoors in order to return to campus.
  • Students with a known ongoing household exposure will not be allowed on campus with ANY level of symptoms present or if they are unable to mask.
  • If the positive individual is able to isolate away from the rest of those in the household, the student will be required to send in a test immediately and another test between day 3-5.
What if my child tests positive for covid? 
Contact us immediately with positive test notification, so that we can provide timely exposure notification to our community.

A student may return to school/care after 5 full days of isolation if:
  • Their symptoms are significantly improved (including no fever for 24 hours without use of fever reducing-medication)
          AND
  • They are able to provide a negative Covid test

If a student's rapid antigen test is positive after day 5 of isolation, they are likely still contagious, and will need to continue to isolate as well as wait 24-48 hours to test again. They will need to provide two sequential negative tests performed 24-48 hours apart in order to return. If symptoms are improved (including no fever for 24 hours without use of fever reducing-medication), they may return after day 10 without need for further testing.  


If student tested positive for COVID-19 but did not have any symptoms: 
  • They must Isolate for at least 5 days after testing positive for COVID-19. They can return to school after 5 full days if they have not developed any symptoms.
  • If symptoms develop after testing positive, the 5-day isolation will start over. Follow the guidance above for ending isolation if symptoms develop. 


What is the policy on masks? 
▪As of July 11, 2022, we will no longer require masking anywhere on campus for ALL PROGRAMS. The following situations are exceptions:
  • Individuals with household exposures to Covid will be required to wear masks for 10 days from the start of exposure if they are able to do so, as well as provide daily tests to return. Refer to "What if my child has a Covid Exposure Outside of the Classroom" and the Household contact section. 
  • Per CDC recommendation, when the COVID-19 Community Level is high, MCH may require indoor masking.
  • ​Masking for everyone in classroom may be encouraged in certain situations (ex. when several individuals in classroom have tested positive, or multiple classroom exposures) after exposure. 
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We will of course, always support individual decisions to continue to mask.


Does MCH Offer virtual programming? 
We are no longer offering virtual school. In the event that your child tests positive for Covid and is required to isolate, your child's teacher will provide asynchronous work upon request. 

In the event of an outbreak, we may need to close the classroom and move to a temporary School at Home model. 
What is MCH's Travel Policy? 

We currently have no travel policy or requirement for quarantine or testing.

What are the symptoms of Covid? 

​​* Fever or chills
* Cough
* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
* Fatigue
* Muscle or body aches
* Headache
* New loss of taste or smell
* Sore throat
* Congestion or runny nose
* Nausea or vomiting
* Diarrhea

Who should you contact with questions about covid? 
Please direct all questions to [email protected]. Several of our administrative staff members have access to this email address and will answer your questions accordingly.