Area schools set pandemic health policies

With the COVID 19 delta variant on the rise, educational institutions in Washington and Charlotte counties are implementing various policies regarding masking, remote learning and a new process called pool testing as they get ready to welcome students back to the classroom. All plans are subject to change given the nature of the virus. Mask wearing is required on school buses regardless of the school policy about wearing masks on school premises.
A process called pool testing may be used by some schools to lessen the need for schoolwide quarantine. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education have implemented a pooled PCR testing program, which is available to any K 12 school administrative unit, public or private. Pool testing is a more efficient way to test large groups of students and staff in schools on a weekly basis and would change the quarantine times of those students exposed to another with the virus. Pooled testing involves collecting swabs from small groups of students, usually students in a class cohort or homeroom. If a pool's results are positive, the individuals in that pool will need to be tested using a rapid antigen test. The positive individuals would then be sent home to begin their isolation period. Student participation in pool testing is optional, and parents or guardians must submit opt in paperwork in order for their child to participate.

Washington County's elementary and high schools
Edmunds Consolidated School will require students and staff to wear masks indoors, with masks off for meals and while outside. Physical distancing will be reduced to three feet. There will be scheduled breaks for students to be outside, and the school will use outdoor space for learning as much as possible. Pool testing is being explored as an option, but its use would not change the masking policy.
The new Sipayik Elementary School is requiring masks for staff and students while indoors with plenty of scheduled breaks outside, where masks are not required. Physical distancing will be reduced to three feet while indoors, although any staff person not vaccinated will need to keep a six-foot distance and will be tested weekly. Pool testing will be available. The school will not be offering remote learning options this year. A grand opening for the new school will be held on Friday, September 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
The Calais School Department will not require mask wearing but supports anyone who wishes to wear one. The department will be using pool testing. There will be no virtual learning unless pandemic conditions significantly change.
All AOS 77 schools -- Eastport, Lubec, Perry, Pembroke, Charlotte and Alexander -- will be reopening with masking optional for students and staff. None of the AOS 77 schools are offering remote learning, except Shead High School, which will only offer it within administrative guidelines. None of the AOS 77 schools are offering pool testing, except Lubec, which is checking with parents first, and Eastport, which will be implementing pool testing. AOS 96 schools -- Cutler, East Machias, Jonesboro, Machias, Machiasport, Marshfield, Northfield, Roque Bluffs, Wesley, Whiting and Whitneyville -- have determined their own mask wearing policies at the individual board level. Parents and guardians will need to check with their child's school on mask wearing and pool testing guidelines.
Washington Academy will not require students and staff to wear masks at this time but supports mask wearing by anyone who wishes to do so. The school will use pool testing if there is a spike in cases.

University and community college requirements
On campus students within the University of Maine System will be required to be fully vaccinated this fall against COVID 19. Starting this fall, the Maine Community College System (MCCS) will require all students attending classes in person to be vaccinated against COVID 19, due to the recent surge in cases attributed to the delta variant. The new protocol, which will be in effect for the 2021 22 academic year, applies to any student taking classes or training at any MCCS facility, including off campus learning facilities.
All university campuses require face coverings indoors for all persons -- students, staff, faculty and visitors -- regardless of vaccination status. The policy is effective through September 30 and will be reviewed and updated at that time. For now, the University of Maine System strongly recommends face coverings outdoors for all students, staff, faculty and visitors when the event or activity involves larger gatherings or crowded circumstances.
The Maine Community College System and Maine Maritime Academy have joined the University of Maine System in announcing their COVID 19 vaccination mandate. Over 650 universities and colleges, including many of Maine's private institutions, are requiring vaccination this fall. The community college system requires a face covering in all public and shared indoor spaces by students, staff and visitors. Face coverings are not required outdoors, except when in a dense crowd. Physical distancing is not required indoors or outdoors on MCCS property.

New Brunswick schools
The New Brunswick Department of Education outlines the following policies its schools are implementing.
Kindergarten to Grade 8 will no longer have small class sizes or be grouped into classroom bubbles. However, since COVID 19 vaccines for students under 12 have not yet been approved, additional protections will be implemented. These include wearing masks in indoor common areas; reducing congestion in hallways; conducting virtual assemblies or concerts; limiting visitors and community use of schools; encouraging outdoor activities when weather permits; and students regularly disinfecting their desks.
High school students will return to full time, in person learning. While assemblies will be permitted, students and school personnel must be masked and will host smaller assemblies and use outdoor spaces when possible. Visitors will be limited, and students will regularly disinfect their work spaces.
As vaccination rates vary around the province, additional layers of protection will be put in place by health region based on youth vaccination rates. These include students and staff using masks in common areas and limiting community use of schools to youth based groups and organizations. These measures will be lifted by region once 90% of those in the 12 to 19 age group have received two doses of an approved vaccine.
Masks have been an important layer of protection in reducing the spread of COVID 19, as well as other respiratory illnesses. Students of all ages will be required to wear a mask on school buses, in addition to other requirements set out by age group.
If students or school personnel have one symptom, they should wear a mask. In the event of an outbreak, Public Health may require students and staff to wear masks throughout the day. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 will be required to leave a clean mask at school. Schools will have a supply of masks in case of an outbreak.

Vaccination required for healthcare workers
Healthcare workers in Maine will be required to be vaccinated against COVID 19 by October 1. The new emergency rule, issued by DHHS and MCDC, was put in place in mid August to protect the health and lives of Maine people, safeguard Maine's healthcare capacity and limit the spread of the virus. This time frame provides healthcare workers the next five weeks to receive their needed shots.
Healthcare workers are defined as including any individual employed by a hospital, multi level healthcare facility, home health agency, nursing facility, residential care facility and intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities that is licensed by the State of Maine. The emergency rule also requires those employed by emergency medical service organizations or dental practices to be vaccinated for COVID 19.
The State of Maine has long required the immunization of employees of designated healthcare facilities to reduce the risk of exposure to, and possible transmission of, vaccine preventable diseases. These immunizations include measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis B and influenza. This existing rule has been amended to include the COVID 19 vaccine. The organizations to which this requirement applies must ensure that each employee is vaccinated, with this requirement being enforced as a condition of the facilities' licensure.
Maine is the third best state in the nation in the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated, with more than 64% of all residents -- including children under 12 who are not yet eligible for a vaccine -- fully vaccinated against COVID 19. Maine also continues to make progress in vaccinating younger people, with more than 50% of youth ages 12 to 19 being fully vaccinated.
The COVID 19 vaccine is available at no charge at sites across the state. For information on getting a COVID 19 vaccine, visit www.Maine.gov/covid19/vaccines or call the Community Vaccination Line at 1 888 445 4111.