To better keep parents informed, you will want to see this technical advisory from the New Hampshire Department of Education on Colds/Flu/COVID-19:
The New Hampshire Department of Education (the “Department”) is working diligently to support parents, keep children healthy, and make sure students have the ability to learn in-person and in the classroom. When local school districts plan for school health and safety, it is important that these policies are consistent with state laws regarding compulsory school attendance and ensure that a student’s educational progress and access to a FAPE are not adversely impacted.
NHED offers the following guidance on health and safety policies to public schools, both traditional and charter:
• Staff and students who are feeling ill, have a fever, or have new or unexpected symptoms (cough, running nose, etc.) should stay home until their symptoms have improved, and they are void of any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours without the aid of medication.
• The Public Health division of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Humans Services follows CDC guidelines, which recommend that individuals and families test for COVID-19 if an individual is presenting symptoms. Neither CDC nor Public Health requires testing for COVID-19.
• Staff and Students who test positive for COVID-19 should follow CDC guidelines for isolation and quarantine.
• It is inconsistent with state law and beyond the authority of the local school district to require a student’s exclusion from school as a result of local school district policies that require testing or masking of students (without a positive COVID-19 test).
For questions related to this Technical Advisory, please contact:
Elizabeth Brown, legal counsel for NHED 603-271-6388
Email: Elizabeth.A.Brown@doe.nh.gov
