The health and safety of our students, teachers, staff, and families remain our top priority as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic is informed by current pandemic conditions in our area and across Pennsylvania as well as guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. This page will serve as the central location for all pandemic-related updates.

This page was last updated on Monday, March 28, 2022

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently updated their guidance on isolation and quarantine as it relates to COVID infections and exposures.  Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) reiterated this guidance for Pennsylvania Schools.  This message is intended to provide additional information and help you make the best decision about your child.  
In summary, the new guidance states:

• Individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days. 
• Individuals may return to school after 5 days of isolation if they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and have improvement in symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals may return after 5 days of isolation from the date of their test. A face covering should be worn around others for an additional 5 days after the 5-day isolation period ends.
• Individuals who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and who have received a booster vaccine or are within 6 months of receiving their primary vaccine series should wear a mask around others for 10 days, but do not need to quarantine.

In response, AACMS has updated its policy regarding symptom screening and reporting.  Please review the attachment for complete guidance on what to do if your child falls ill or is diagnosed with COVID-19.  Symptom Screening Tool and Exclusion From and Return to School Guidelines.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time.  

Andrea L. Angstadt, RN BSN CSN
School Nurse
 

This chart reflects students and staff who have physically been present in the building and will continue to accrue during the 14-day time period listed at the top of the chart. 

The AACMS dashboard will be updated biweekly. Data included on the dashboard is not indicative of a COVID-19 case being contracted in our building. The Health Room works in collaboration with the PA Department of Health to arrange contact tracing, quarantine instruction, and nursing support to affected individuals. If you are not considered a close contact, you will not hear directly from our Health Room or the PA Department of Health. To ensure student and staff privacy, AACMS will not provide any further information regarding affected individuals.

Dashboard Date: 3/6/22- 3/19/22
 

Category	Number of Confirmed Cases	Date Cases Confirmed
Students	0
Staff	0

As the 2021-2022 school year continues, please remember to check this page and the resources below for the latest information on our COVID-19 Response.

Indoor Face Covering Decision Matrix
Current Tier: Level 1 
Updated Friday, March 28, 2022

The Arts Academy Charter Middle School has developed an evidence based decision-making tool to assist when a change may be needed to our face covering policy. Our goal is to have AACMS remain open for five days a week of in-person instruction.

Indoor face covering requirements are a priority mitigation strategy across the tiers. The school may transition between tiers depending on the metrics set forth. Movement among tier levels will be considered after two consecutive weeks from the indicted change of the criteria. Immediate changes may be necessary as a result of outbreaks within the building.

The CDC announced Friday that it is no longer requiring people to wear masks on buses or vans operated by public school systems. Therefore, districts providing transportation to AACMS no longer require K-12 school bus passengers and their operators to wear face coverings on school transportation vehicles, including school buses and vans. Please follow your home district’s masking requirements while riding school transportation vehicles.

The full CDC announcement can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/masks/mask-travel-guidance.html

Thank you for your continued patience as we make steps toward moving to a more normal environment in school while keeping the health and safety of our entire community at the forefront of our decision-making efforts.

Andrea L. Angstadt, RN BSN CSN, School Nurse

AACMS holds the right to mandate universal masking which may be considered at any time for all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, based on CDC guidance and the level of community and/or building transmission of COVID-19. 

Students and faculty are asked to maintain a minimum 2 to 3 feet distance from one another at all times. All classrooms are set up in accordance with this guidance.

Classrooms and high traffic areas are disinfected and cleaned throughout the school day. In addition, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned at the end of each school day. Hand sanitizing stations are available to students and staff in each classroom and throughout the building. Disinfecting wipes are provided in each classroom for use throughout the day.

Students are required to wear face coverings on all school buses and vans, per the Federal government order on masking on public transportation. 

Transportation Request Forms are due immediately.  AACMS cannot guarantee transportation for your child without the necessary paperwork.  You can download the Transportation Request Form for your local school district from our Transportation & Busing page.

AACMS will continuously monitor COVID-19 conditions in our local community and may make changes to these procedures at any time during the school year. Information on changes to these procedures and requirements will be communicated to parents and families via email, social media, and the school website. Please continue to check each of these channels for updates.

Please email the Principal, Mrs. Hersh at principal@arts-cs.org.

Download the Transportation Request Form for your local school district and return it to AACMS to secure your child's transportation.
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AACMS is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all students, teachers, staff, and families. 
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View our school's Board-approved Health & Safety Plan and other related documents.
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