NSCI COVID-19 Guidelines
Revised March 28, 2022
Click Here for Specific Guidelines for Goodman Center Families
These guidelines are designed to protect the health and safety of all those visiting, working, or participating at an event at North Shore Congregation Israel.
Self-Screen Checklist
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Masks
Effective March 14:
Masks are optional for:
- All indoor and outdoor programs and activities.
*For the time being, there will be a dedicated section in the sanctuary that is reserved for congregants wishing to wear a mask.
Testing Positive (employees)
If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, the employee shall promptly notify the Director of Operations of the positive result. The Director of Operations will maintain the confidentiality of the employee’s identity but reserves the right to notify individuals that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. NSCI will notify, to the extent allowable by applicable privacy laws, persons who were close contacts as soon as possible after we are notified that someone has tested positive.
Testing Positive (students)
If a student in the religious school tests positive for COVID-19, the family shall promptly notify the Director of Education of the positive result. The Director of Education will maintain the confidentiality of the student's identity but reserves the right to notify families that a classmate has tested positive for COVID-19. NSCI will notify, to the extent allowable by applicable privacy laws, persons who were close contacts as soon as possible after we are notified that someone has tested positive.
Returning to NSCI after testing positive:
The employee or student may return to NSCI after the following:
At least 5 full days since symptoms first appeared, at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation. Employees may continue to work remotely if their health permits.
If you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19:
You should quarantine for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after your last close contact if you are in one of the following groups:
- People who are ages 18 and older and completed the primary series of recommended vaccine, but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible.
- People ages 5-17 who have not completed a primary vaccine series.*
- People who are not vaccinated.
*Youth participating in a “Test to Stay” program in their school do not need to quarantine unless they present symptoms of COVID-19.
You do NOT need to quarantine if you are in one of the following groups:
- People who are ages 18 and older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
- People who are ages 5–17 years and completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
- People who had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (tested positive using a viral test).
Everyone should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of their last close contact with someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered day 0). They should get tested at least 5 days after their last close contact with someone with COVID-19, unless they had confirmed COVID-19 in the last 90 days and subsequently recovered. For 10 days after their last exposure to someone with COVID-19, they should watch for fever (100.4◦F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms. Those who test positive or develop COVID-19 symptoms should isolate themselves from other people and follow recommendations for isolation.
Quarantine
Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after your last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of exposure is considered day 0. Wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home, if possible.
For 10 days after your last close contact to someone with COVID-19, watch for fever (100.4◦F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms.
If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate until you receive your test results. If you test positive, follow isolation recommendations.
If you do not develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
If you test negative, you can leave home, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home and in public until 10 days after your last close contact with someone with COVID-19.
If you test positive, you should isolate for at least 5 days from the date of your positive test (if you do not have symptoms). If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days from the date your symptoms began (the date the symptoms started is day 0). Follow recommendations in the isolation section.
Travel (for staff and program participants)
- Participants need to be fully vaccinated in order to participate in programs that involve overnight travel.
- Wearing a mask over a nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
- Staff who are not fully vaccinated and must travel for personal reasons should get tested after their trip.
- Program participants who are traveling should abide by the guidelines established by their county health department.
Currently, individuals do NOT have to quarantine after returning from domestic travel. However, unvaccinated individuals should get tested 3-5 days after returning from their trip and should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days. Local government guidelines should be referenced and followed.
Proof of Vaccination
NSCI is requiring signed attestation of vaccination from all employees. This will be administered by the Executive Director.
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Specific Guidelines for Goodman Center Families
If a child feels ill while at school, we will contact you immediately to pick them up.
If the positive test result is known before the start of class, that person should remain at home. All positive tests should be reported to Dr. Roberta Goodman, Education Director who will share the information with Joel Miller, Director of Operations. He will determine, in consultation with our medical consultants, how to proceed based on the most current local health department guidelines.
Items to Bring to School and those to leave behind
We will provide all learning materials throughout the year. 3rd-6th grade students only need to bring their Hebrew binders back to class week-to-week.
Please leave at home any toys, blankets, or stuffed animals.
Social Distancing: Proper social distancing will be maintained.
As of Monday, March 14, parents will be allowed in the building.
Parents with questions can contact Jennifer McKeag, school administrator, at 847-835-7258 or:
Food and Drink:
No food is to be served or eaten in the building during school hours. Please consume all snacks before arriving at school.
Chewing gum is not allowed.
Students and teachers may bring a water bottle to class. No drinks other than water will be allowed.
Drop Off - General Instructions
On Sundays...
Preschoolers - 1st graders will arrive and depart from the North Door on the school wing.
Teachers and safety/traffic guards will assist them into the building and to their classes.
On Sundays and all other days...
Students in 2nd - 12th grades will enter and depart from the school entryway – “Education Entrance” on the West side of the building.
Dismissal and Departure from NSCI - General Instructions
On Sundays...
2nd - 6th graders will pick up preschoolers - 1st grade siblings at the classroom and proceed to the traffic circle.
All other 2nd - 6th graders will go directly to the traffic circle for pick up where they will wait outside.
Families who only have children in Preschool through 1st grade will pick up their children at the North entry. Students will wait in their classrooms ready to leave. They will be called when their car is at the front of the carpool line.
On all other days students will go directly to the traffic circle for pick up.
Early Dismissal
- Parents should inform the school administrator, Jennifer McKeag, either by email or phone that they will be picking up their child early; 847-835-7258 or:
- Parents will call the school office informing the school administrator that they are in the traffic circle waiting for their child.
- Students dismissed early will wait in their classroom until their name is called on the intercom or the teacher texted. Then they will leave through the door near the school office to be picked up in the traffic circle.
