July 8, 2021
Our COVID Resource Page will be updated later this summer as more information becomes available.
May 12, 2021
This communication was provided to STA today:
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of our Seacoast Covid-19 Management Team and all of our volunteers, I write to extend sincere appreciation to you and to your school leaders for having worked to provide access and information in regard to recent inoculation clinics. In an effort to continue these efforts, we take the liberty to provide you with the John Hopkins Medicine article below and encourage you to distribute the information as you deem most appropriate. We hope this information will encourage members of your community to remain safe and to make healthy decisions to protect families and loved ones.
As we approach the close of this school year in what we appreciate have been unusually demanding and stressful 2020-2021 school year, we wish you and your educational communities good health and a fine 2021-2022.
Sincerely for the Covid-19 Management Team,
Rob Leveillee, Ph.D.
School Liaison Officer
Public Health Program Manager
Strafford County Public Health Network
(603) 534-0896
May 8, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine
Any students who have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series are urged to submit a copy of their vaccination card to the Health Office. A photo emailed to medical@stalux.org is a quick easy way to submit!
Some benefits to being fully vaccinated here on campus...
- Fully vaccinated students will not be required to quarantine if a contact tracing investigation reveals they were considered a "close contact".
- Fully vaccinated students are welcome to travel internationally and on a cruise ship if they choose without needing to quarantine upon their return to NH.
In general, people are considered fully vaccinated:
· 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
· 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
April 23, 2021
STA was notified this morning of 2 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing has been completed and all close contacts have been notified.
April 14, 2021
STA was notified Saturday 4/10/21 of two C19 positive cases.
All contact tracing was completed and all close contacts were notified right away.
April 7, 2021
STA has been notified this morning of a student who has tested positive for COVID-19. This student has not been on campus this week, therefore no contact tracing necessary.
March 30, 2021
Sunday evening STA was notified of a student who tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing was completed and all close contacts notified.
March 17, 2021
Educational Setting Quarantine Guidance Change:
NH DPHS will not recommend quarantine for students or staff if a COVID-19 exposure occurs in the classroom setting where students and staff are seated and spaced at least 3 feet apart with consistent and correct face mask use.
Please see update #38 Distributed by the NH Health Alert Network for more detailed information.
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/
March 2, 2021
STA was notified of a student who tested positive for COVID this evening. All contact tracing has been completed, and close contacts have been notified.
February 18, 2021
Today we were notified of a student who tested positive for COVID-19. Due to this student's absence from campus, no contact tracing was necessary.
February 17, 2021
Today, we were notified of a student who tested positive for COVID-19. All close contacts have been notified.
January 29, 2021
We have been notified of an additional covid positive student. All close contacts have been notified.
January 28, 2021
We have been informed that a student has tested positive. All close contacts have been notified.
January 19, 2021
We have identified three more people who have tested positive for COVID-19. All close contacts have been notified.
January 17, 2021
We have been notified that a student who was in quarantine has tested positive. Due to the student already being in quarantine, there are no on-campus close contacts.
January 16, 2021
We have identified a student who has tested positive for COVID-19. All close contacts have been notified.
January 15, 2021
NH DHHS has released COVID-19 Testing Locations with Priority Appointments within 24 hours for STUDENTS and SCHOOL EMPLOYEES who have symptoms of COVID-19.
https://www.nh.gov/covid19/
January 12, 2021
STA received notification today that a student who fell ill tested positive for COVID-19.
Contact tracing efforts were promptly initiated and completed today. All individuals who were considered Close Contacts have been identified and dismissed home and will quarantine per the DHHS guidelines.
January 6, 2021
We have been informed that two students tested positive for COIVD-19 over the break. Due to the holiday break and timeline, there are no on-campus close contacts.
Click here to view COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs as published by the Diocese of Manchester.
December 18, 2020
Update:
St. Thomas Aquinas High School follows the NH government and families are asked to check its website for the most current restrictions on travel.
The New Hampshire quarantine for travel outside of New England applies to all St. Thomas Aquinas High School students.
As of December 3, 2020, People traveling into New Hampshire from surrounding New England states (Maine, Massachusetts, VT, CT and RI) do not have to quarantine. Those coming from non-New England states are asked to self-quarantine for 10 days.
To minimize risk to our school community, St. Thomas Aquinas encourages all families to limit domestic and international travel during the pandemic.
(Please do not ask the school for an interpretation of a specific travel plan. These guidelines are issued by the state and it is the responsibility of each family to interpret/report the guidelines based on the family's travel decisions.)
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/
December 14, 2020
We have been notified that an STA faculty/staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. There are no close contacts associated within the STA community.
December 7, 2020
The State of NH has updated its quarantine guidance and adjusted the period from 14 days to 10 days. The incubation period for COVID-19 is still 2-14 days, but with the largest percentage showing symptoms within 10 days they feel that it is safe enough to end quarantine after 10 days, as long as the person is not experiencing any symptoms. It is stressed that monitoring of symptoms must continue through day 14. If a student is on campus during days 11-14, they will need to be evaluated in the medical office upon arrival.
With all quarantines, the STA Health Office will send a Quarantine Release Waiver prior to the end of quarantine and this must be returned before the student returns to campus.
December 4, 2020
Principal Marquis explains updates to the December Calendar. Please click here to view.
December 3, 2020
We have been notified that a close contact of a positive student has also tested positive. This person has been in quarantine since being notified that they were a close contact, therefore there is no on-campus contact tracing needed. All close contacts have been notified.
December 2, 2020
An STA student has tested positive. This person has been in quarantine since being notified that they were a close contact, therefore there is no on-campus contact tracing needed. All close contacts have been notified.
November 30, 2020 Update
We were notified that a Chartwells' employee tested positive. All close contacts were contacted, no STA employees or students were considered close contacts.
November 29, 2020 Update
We were notified of a student who tested positive while over Thanksgiving break. No contact tracing was needed during the time we were on campus before Thanksgiving. All close contacts have been notified.
November 18, 2020 Update
Please click here to review the STA Safety and Protocol Reminders.
Please click here to review the Return to Campus Communication. This communication shares details regarding arrival times, check-in procedures for those who have been in quarantine, and seasonal adjustments to the dress code.
November 13, 2020 Update
Please click here to view Principal Marquis' message to the community.
October 22, 2020 Update
Please click here to view Principal Marquis' message to the community.
October 7, 2020 Update
Covid-10 Policy Adjustment: Any student who has a sibling or family member who is symptomatic and is being tested for COVID should plan to remain home until those results are available.
Important "Return to School" Information- August 28, 2020
Principal Marquis' "Return to School" Video
Lunch Assignments- see below
Aquinas 20-21 Task Force for Transition: Reopening Guidelines- August 3, 2020
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the current state of travel restrictions as they apply to St. Thomas Aquinas?
St. Thomas Aquinas High School follows the NH government and families are asked to check its website for the most current restrictions on travel.
The New Hampshire quarantine for travel outside of New England applies to all St. Thomas Aquinas High School students.
As of August 19, 2020, People traveling into New Hampshire from surrounding New England states (Maine, Massachusetts, VT, CT and RI) do not have to quarantine. Those coming from non-New England states are asked to self-quarantine for two weeks.
To minimize risk to our school community, St. Thomas Aquinas encourages all families to limit domestic and international travel during the pandemic.
(Please do not ask the school for an interpretation of a specific travel plan. These guidelines are issued by the state and it is the responsibility of each family to interpret/report the guidelines based on the family's travel decisions.)
What will the beginning of the 2020-21 school year look like?
STA will be open five days a week from 8:00am-2:30pm. Students will attend four 80-minute classes a day. Four classes (A-D) will meet on “Blue Days” and the other four (E-H) will meet on “White Days.” The schedule will rotate, which will allow for all students to arrive late and depart early if they do not have a 1st or 4th period class on any given day.
What will happen if a St. Thomas Aquinas student is diagnosed with COVID or is suspected of having COVID?
If a student becomes symptomatic during the day, s/he will be isolated until s/he can be picked up by a parent or guardian.
In case of a suspected or positive exposure within the school, the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will be contacted immediately. The school will support and participate in state and local agencies’ contact tracing. Additionally, the school will identify and communicate with any students who may have been exposed to cases within the community.
Quarantine and isolation will be conducted in accordance with the CDC and state guidelines. Remote attendance will be permitted for any student who is quarantined or isolated.
An individual who tests positive for COVID-19, is suspected of COVID-19, or whose family member (or close contact) test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate from school as follows:
- If a person was/is suspected of having COVID-19 or presents with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 but has a subsequent negative COVID-19 test, s/he can return to school once free of fever or other symptoms.
- If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical professional or a positive test, s/he should remain out of the school community until (a) at least 10 days have passed since the first symptoms, (2) 24 hours have passed since any fever subsided (without fever reducing medications), and (3) the individual’s symptoms have improved. In case of asymptomatic positive diagnoses, the individual must remain out of school until 10 days after their first positive diagnostic test, assuming that no symptoms develop.
- If an individual has been determined to have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 during the prior 48 hours before symptom onset or has participated in high-risk travel, s/he must quarantine for 14 days and must attend remotely. A positive test would require the individual to follow the criteria for diagnosed cases in the section above. A negative test does not exempt an individual from these requirements.
It is important that any student who tests positive follow-up with a cardiologist as the Coroniavirus can result in cardiac issues.
Parallel steps will be taken if an adult case of COVID occurs within the school.
If a student is ill at home (not COVID-related), what is the protocol for their return to school?
If students are at home because of illness and/or symptoms, they will require a physician’s note of clearance before returning to school. Negative test results (for COVID) will not be accepted as a physician’s note.
If a student becomes quarantined or isolated due to an exposure or illness outside of school, how should the parent report it?
Some students may be quarantined for a period due to circumstances beyond their control.
If a student is quarantined for a period of time, it should be reported by a parent to the medical office at STA on the first day of quarantine.
In both cases, assuming the student attends classes, the student will be classified as “present/remote.”
If the student may have exposed others in the school, the parent should contact the School Nurse to report the case.
What type of screening should be expected?
STA students and adults will be screened daily before entering the school according to the public health criteria in effect at the time.
Each day, all faculty, staff, and students will be required to complete an assessment before coming to campus. We are using an application called HealthTrac. This assessment will include a temperature as well as symptom questionnaire. We are asking that families take responsibility for this to ensure patient privacy. The application concludes with a green light to come to campus, or a red light to stay home. Red-lighted individuals will be asked to follow up with their Primary Care Provider.
Currently, attendees at school must meet the following criteria:
- No fever in excess of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- No COVID symptoms, including: respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath; general body symptoms such as muscle aches, chills, and severe fatigue; gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; changes in sense of taste or smell.
- During the past 14 days, individuals must not have spent ten (10) or more minutes within six feet of someone who is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19.
- Individuals must not have traveled during the prior 14 days outside of New England (NH, VT, ME, MA, CT, RI).
Specific guidance for isolation and quarantine will be provided for individuals who are unable to meet the above criteria. In most cases, a negative test result does not exempt an individual from these criteria. (Eg. In accordance with New Hampshire’s guidelines, a student who traveled to Florida and obtained a negative test result would still not be cleared to return until 14 days have passed. )
In general, many individuals will need to isolate at times over the course of the school year. Our remote learning infrastructure will support the ability of these individuals to do so without losing academic progress.
How will classrooms be arranged?
St. Thomas Aquinas has reduced the number of desks in each classroom to maximize the distance between them. Plexiglass barriers have been installed at high traffic counters and in the cafeteria.
Are masks required?
Masks are required at all times indoors, including before/after school. When physically distanced and outdoors (during breaks) students may remove masks for brief periods. (Masks are required at outdoor scheduled events, programs, assemblies, meetings, etc. in accordance with Governor Sununu's new order.)
STA encourages cloth or surgical masks. Gaiters with ear loops are permissible. Students may not wear old-style bandanas. Masks must fit well (poor fitting masks result in slipping, readjusting, touching and discomfort.) Masks must fall within dress code guidelines (no graphic or vulgar wording/images).
What are the distance protocols?
Students will follow distancing protocols in the hallways with one-directional traffic flow and stairwells designated for up/down traffic flow to limit cross traffic.
Will there still be Jumpstart/Orientation Day for Freshmen and Transfer Students?
Yes. On August 26th and 27th, freshmen and transfer students will participate in Jumpstart and Orientation.
Will microwaves and vending machines still be available for use?
To reduce touch points, the Cafeteria vending machines and microwaves will be closed until further notice.
What is the current status of STA Athletic Programs?
STA athletic teams are operating under the same social distancing and sanitation/cleaning protocols as the rest of campus (at a minimum). Sporting events will follow the guidance of the NHIAA.
As of August 2020, the NHIAA has moved back the start of all sports. Fall athletic seasons will officially begin on September 8th for all teams. On that date, tryouts and practices will begin.
STA coaches are working individually with their own teams to coordinate training and programming.
Sports physicals and Impact Tests should be conducted asap. Any questions may be directed to Ashley Leighton at aleighton@stalux.org.
Fidelity to Mission
How will St. Thomas Aquinas High School maintain fidelity to its mission and commitment to excellence?
The global pandemic has been a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and reflection on that which matters most to and at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Our faculty and staff have been presented with an opportunity to reimagine education in 2020-21. We see this not as a challenge but as an opportunity.
While remaining loyal to the virtues of our founding School Sisters of Notre Dame, we are learning to adapt and be flexible in ways never before considered.