December 29, 2021

Dear NUSD Community,

We hope this finds you well and staying healthy during the Winter Break.  As you may know, the Covid-19 Omicron Variant is highly contagious and moving through our community.  We have some reminders and updates regarding Covid testing and guidelines below to help keep us all safe:

  • Reminder: Please use the rapid antigen test kit the day before you or your student returns to school.  For most individuals returning on January 4, please test on January 3.  For those NUSD staff members returning on January 3, please test on January 2.
    • Be sure to report the results – both positive or negative results– to Health as NUSD has this reporting system. Please scan the Code below and follow the instructions.  If you are unable to scan the code, please use this link: https://my.primary.health/l/novatounified

  • If you are unable to report the results online, call (650) 275-5419.
  • If your test result is positive, please report this to your school or supervisor.
  • Reminder: Masking is required indoors, and paper masks are preferred over cloth masks.
  • Marin Public Health continues 10 days of isolation for staff and students at Marin County schools ∂(updated 12/31/21).
    • Vaccinated individuals who have been exposed and do not have symptoms will go on modified quarantine** for 14 days and will test on Day 5 (updated 12/31/21).
      • If negative result, individual exit modified quarantine and can participate in activities and must continue to mask.
      • If positive result or symptomatic, isolate for 10 days (updated 12/31/21). 
    • Unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed isolate and test on Day 5, return on Day 8 with negative test (updated 12/31/21).
      • If positive result, isolate for 10 days (updated 12/31/21).

** Modified Quarantine:  Students in TK-12 schools (not childcare settings) may attend school, ride the bus, and attend before-/after-care programs for in-person instruction and child care as long as they do not develop symptoms, wear a mask, monitor for symptoms for 14 days and get tested for Covid-19 5 days after last contact with positive case (or return from out-of-state travel).  If any symptoms develop, students should immediately self-isolate and get tested or be evaluated by a healthcare provider.  Modified Quarantine may be discontinued after 5 days with a negative test completed on Day 5 or later if they remain without symptoms.  During modified quarantine students should refrain from socializing outside of school and going out in public.

  • Marin Public Health is planning to release updated guidance on Friday, December 31, including updated Positive Case instructions, Quarantine Guide and Decision Trees.  Update 12/31/21:  Marin Public Health did not update documents yet.  They released guidance that for Marin County schools to continue 10 days of isolation for students and staff who test positive for COVID-19.  You can find Marin Public Health 12/31/21 update here. 

We hope to provide another update on Friday, at the earliest.

Respectfully,

Leslie Benjamin

Director, Communications & Community Engagement

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.

Superintendent