Message from Superintendent

Dear Monroe-Woodbury families and staff,

As we begin a new school week - and a new calendar year - I am writing to share revised isolation protocols recently implemented by the Orange County Department of Health. The following changes will be in effect immediately in all M-W schools and district offices. 

Students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, will be permitted to return to school or work after five calendar days, depending on date of symptom onset or date of positive COVID-19 test. 

These updated protocols help support the district’s goal of sustaining in-person instruction and foster a sense of normalcy for all members of our school community. 

Isolation Protocols: Positive COVID-19 Cases

As of January 11, 2022, if students or staff test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, individuals should:

  • Please call your school nurse during regular school hours to report a positive COVID-19 case. After regular school hours and on weekends, complete the online COVID-19 Reporting Form. Please share positive test results with the district as soon as possible.

  • Isolate for 5 calendar days, following the onset of symptoms or, if asymptomatic, from the date of the test.

  • If asymptomatic at the end of 5 calendar days or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends and individuals may return to school. They must wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days. 

  • Students and staff must meet the following criteria to return to school following a five-day isolation due to being COVID-19 positive:

    • No fever for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication

    • Resolution or reduction of symptoms

    • Students and staff must wear an appropriate face mask at all times, other than when eating or drinking.

  • Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should isolate for 10 days.

  • A doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is not required to return to school

Isolation Protocols: COVID-19 Exposures

If exposed to COVID-19, isolate as follows, after the last date of exposure:

  • If not fully vaccinated, individuals should isolate for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days when they return to school. 

  • If fully vaccinated, no isolation is required, but these individuals should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days after the last date of exposure. 

  • Individuals who feel ill should stay home, take a test and call your medical provider.

Reminders

Masks must be worn inside district buildings at all times, other than when eating or drinking. Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and should fit snugly against the sides of the face with no gaps. A nose wire to prevent air from leaking out the top of the mask is preferable. 

As always, individuals who are not feeling well should stay home. 

We recognize that these changes may be confusing. I will present a detailed explanation at tomorrow night’s Board of Education meeting. We appreciate your support of our efforts to keep all students and staff safe and in school. 

Warm regards,

Elsie Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools