Stuy Health & Safety

The 2020-21 Stuyvesant Parent Association Health and Safety Committee has compiled this list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to share with our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Table of contents

What if my child feels sick?

What if my child feels sick?

If my child feels sick at home:

• If a child feels sick at home, stay home and do not come to Stuy.
• If a student (or teacher) is feeling sick, they are required to stay home and, if their symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, they are asked to get tested. 

If my child feels sick at school:

• If a student feels sick at school, they must immediately notify the adult in the room.
• Any student showing symptoms of COVID-19 will be escorted to the nurse’s office or Isolation Room by a designated staff member wearing appropriate PPE.  An isolation room is a place where a student with suspected COVID-19 symptoms can be safely isolated in the building until they can be picked up by a guardian. 

What if my child has been exposed to COVID?

• If your child or anybody in your household has been exposed to COVID, your child needs to stay home and not come to Stuy.
• See the flow chart below.

When must my child stay home from school?

Students and school-based staff cannot report to school based on the results of the following four questions in the NYCDOE’s daily health screener:

1. Have you experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever of 100.0 degrees F or greater, a new cough, new loss of taste or smell, or shortness of breath within the past 10 days?

• No. Go to the next question.
• Yes, and I have received a negative result from a COVID-19 test since the onset of symptoms AND have not had symptoms for at least 24 hours. Go to the next question.
• Yes, and I am not in the category above. No further screening is needed. The employee/guest may not enter the building.

2. In the past 10 days, have you gotten a positive result from a COVID-19 test that tested saliva or used a nose or throat swab? (not a blood test)

• No. Go to the next question.
• Yes. No further screening is needed. The employee/guest may not enter the building.

3. To the best of your knowledge, in the past 14 days, have you been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes) with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 or who has or had symptoms of COVID-19?

• No. Go to the next question.
• Yes. No further screening is needed. The employee/guest may not enter the building.

Have you traveled internationally or from a state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 per the New York State Travel Advisory in the past 14 days?

• No. The employee/guest may enter the building.
• Yes. No further screening is needed. The employee/guest may not enter the building.

What is required for my child to come to school?

Before arriving to school, all students must complete a daily health screen form online.

Health Screening for DOE Buildings Information 

Daily Health Screening Form

Returning to School After Showing Symptoms 

Any individual (student or staff member) showing signs of COVID-19 can only return to school when all the following conditions are met:

• Received a positive COVID-19 test AND
• Isolated for 10 days AND
• The individual has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.
  OR
• Received a negative COVID-19 test AND
• The individual has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.
  OR
• Never got a COVID-19 test AND
• At least 10 days since symptoms started AND
• The individual has been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication and overall symptoms are improving.

If DOHMH or NYC Test + Trace determine the individual is considered a close contact of a positive case, the individual can only return to school when the following are met:

• The individual has completed a 14-day quarantine regardless of COVID-19 test results since their last exposure to that case.

Students in quarantine should participate in remote learning as possible.

Health and safety protocols at Stuyvesant

What is the process for arriving at Stuy?

• The day prior to their scheduled in-person day, blended learning students and their families in blended learning will receive email details on the latest protocols.  Please review the Fall Term Calendar on the school website for the updated schedule.  A Permission Slip to leave the building is required when a student inadvertently comes to school on the wrong day (NOTE: Without this form, a parent or guardian will need to come to Stuyvesant to pick up the student)
• School doors open at 8:30 AM.
• All students enter the building using the 2nd Floor Bridge Doors at West & Chambers Street.  Staff will direct students to the pod locations.  (Students should check their Talos student dashboard for their Group/Pod location and Seat Assignment.)
• Students must show their completed DOE Health Screening to enter the building.
• Students will scan their student ID upon entering the building. (NOTE: Freshmen will show either a printed copy of their schedule from Talos or show their Talos page on their phones if they have not yet received a student ID.  Freshmen will have their photographs taken for their ID when at school)
• Students can take a Grab-N-Go breakfast before heading to their pod location.

Will there be temperature checks when my student arrives at school?

Yes, Stuyvesant is conducting temperature checks of everyone who enters the school building.   Any student exhibiting fever from the temperature check must be evaluated by the nurse or health professional in the Isolation Room. The student must stay in the building’s Isolation Room until picked up.  (NOTE: Schools are prohibited from recording or tracking student and/or staff temperatures or other health information.)

Must my child wear a mask at school?

Yes, masks are required at Stuy. At all times, students and staff must wear a mask protecting their nose and mouth while on school property or on DOE-provided transportation, unless they cannot medically tolerate a face covering. 

CDC Information on How to Select, Wear and Clean Your Mask

Masks Work. Really. We’ll Show You How (NYTimes article with graphics)

Is my student allowed to leave the building during a free period?

No, students must remain in their pods during their free period.  If a student has a free period for their first class of the day, they do not need to arrive at school until shortly before their first class begins.  Students may leave the building after their last class of the day.

What is the protocol for using the bathroom?

One student per pod may use the bathroom at a time.  Bathrooms are located outside of each pod location.

How does breakfast and lunch work?

Students can pick up a grab-and-go breakfast when they enter the building.  Bagged lunches are delivered to students in their pods between 11:30 and 12:00pm. Students may also bring their own lunch.  Students eat breakfast and lunch at their assigned seats in their designated pod location.  

What PPE and safety supplies are provided for students?

Masks and hand sanitizer are available at the school entrances.  Wipes and hand sanitizer are available in all spaces.  Disposable gloves are also available in school and thermometers for home are available for students.   

What is the HVAC/ventilation, window, and air filter situation?

Before the start of the school year, the DOE conducted ventilation surveys of all school buildings.  Here is the ventilation survey of the Stuyvesant building.  Only rooms and spaces with approved ventilation are currently being used at Stuyvesant.  

With regards to the school’s HVAC system, all exhaust fans and supply fans are working, and the dampers are open 100% and bringing fresh air into the building.  

In addition, window repairs have been made in the school building and every classroom now has two working windows that open.

What cleaning protocols are in place? 

All non-porous, frequently contacted surfaces are wiped down and disinfected throughout the day, including handrails and door knobs/handles.  Bathrooms are cleaned throughout the day.  School spaces are cleaned using antiviral disinfectant and cleaning products, following the respective cleaning product’s labels. A standard 2% bleach solution is also acceptable for cleaning. 

Custodial Engineers implement nightly disinfecting of all spaces used by students and staff.  Electrostatic backpack sprayers use a chemical called “Smart Touch” which was sent to the school by DSF (Dept. of School Facilities).

Everyone is encouraged to wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer during the day.

What is the protocol for leaving the building?

Students need to leave the building no later than 3:30pm each day.  Students exit the building following the same path they used to enter the building.

Where can I find the DOE health and safety information?

DOE Health & Safety Information 

DOE School Reopening Family Guide

COVID Cases and Testing

Does Stuyvesant have any COVID positive cases?

For the most up-to-date information, please check the NY State report card:

NY State school COVID report card for Stuy

How many COVID cases are in other NYC public schools?

For the most up-to-date information, please check the DOE COVID case map:

DOE Daily COVID Case Map

What is the protocol for closing the school?

School buildings will close if the percent of positive tests in New York City is equal to or greater than 3% using a 7-day rolling average. 

The DOE is working in tight coordination with DOHMH and the Test + Trace Corps to identify, isolate, and prevent spread of COVID-19. In the event that there is a laboratory-confirmed case in a school, all students and teachers in that class are assumed to be close contacts and will be instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days since their last exposure to that case.

The chart below explains scenarios for when a classroom is closed and when an individual school is closed:

Conclusion of Investigation	During Investigation	Post Investigation
A. 1 confirmed case	Close Classroom	Classroom remains closed for 14 days; students and staff in close contact with positive case self-quarantine for 14 days.
B. At least 2 cases linked together in school, same classroom	Close Classroom	Classroom remains closed for 14 days; students and staff in close contact with positive cases self-quarantine for 14 days
C. At least 2 cases linked together in school, different classrooms	Close school	Classrooms of each case remain closed and quarantined, additional school members are quarantined based on where the exposure was in the school (e.g., the locker room);
D. At least 2 cases linked together by circumstances outside of school (i.e., acquired infection by different setting and source)	Close school	School opens post investigation, classrooms remain closed for 14 days
E. At least 2 cases not linked but exposure confirmed for each one outside of school setting	Close school	School opens post investigation, classrooms remain closed for 14 days
F. Link unable to be determined	Close school	Close school for 14 days

Where to go for COVID testing?

COVID-19 Testing for Students and Staff

DOE Employee Priority Testing – Coronavirus

COVID-19 Testing – Coronavirus

COVID-19: Rapid Testing

NYC Health & Hospitals Covid-19 Testing Sites Free testing is available at all NYCH+H Testing Sites – with or without an insurance card, there is no cost to get tested.

What is the Best Way to Protect Myself and Others from COVID?

Use this link to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for information about:

• How COVID-19 spreads
• People who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19
• How to wash your hands and why it is important 
• Avoiding close contact / social distancing
• Wearing a mask
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Cleaning and disinfecting your home
• Monitoring your daily health
• The importance of getting the flu vaccine

Where can I find food resources for remote learners and all New Yorkers?

Take out Meals for Remote Learners

• Remote Learning Students may pick up free breakfast and lunch at select locations.  The parents/guardians of those students may also pick up the take-out meals.
• Take-out meals for students and other NYC children will be available on school days from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. No registration, ID, or documentation required.
• Find a take out meal location near you here

Community Meals for All New Yorkers

• Any New Yorker can receive free meals available at more than 200 locations across the city. 
• Meals can be picked up from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
• Meals are not available to the general public at any other time
• No registration or ID required
• Multiple meals can be picked up at once
• Kosher and Halal meals are available at select locations – click here for more information
• Find a community meal site near you here

Coronavirus NYC Neighborhood Food Resource Guides

Emergency Food Assistance Programs

Where can I find mental health resources?

NYC Well

• NYC-Well is a confidential mental health information and referral line with access to mobile crisis teams. Staffed by trained social workers 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
• Interpretation services are offered for 200+ languages.
• NYC Well services are provided through ThriveNYC, which is a comprehensive public health approach to mental health in NYC. The program works to shift the culture, remove stigma around mental health, and make help-seeking normal.
• Text “WELL” to 65173, call 1-888-NYC-WELL (692-9355), or chat now

Telehealth Services

Mental health services are being offered remotely to support children and family during these difficult times. The School Mental Health Program is working with our community providers to offer Telehealth services which utilize health insurance, medicaid or offer a sliding scale for billing. Please reach out to each agency by phone or email for more information:

Mental Health Telehealth Contacts for Covid-19

Additional Support

Hite Site offers a citywide online search for mental health, social services, and healthcare agencies.