SR Forward - Covid-19 | Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

Our plan, SR Forward, is based on three key principles:

Our priority is our community's safety and health. Above all, we ask our community members to be sure to take care of your health and wellness. We also continue to pray for those who have passed, who have suffered from COVID-19, and who stand on the front lines of serving our citizens by keeping us healthy and safe. Whenever possible, Stone Ridge intends to follow CDC and Maryland school guidelines. Feel free to email covid@stoneridgeschool.org with any questions or concerns. Please view our weekly reporting page to keep track of cases that arise on campus.

Ventilation

Stone Ridge continues to emphasize the importance of ventilation and fresh air. In 2020, the School invested in HEPA air purifiers for all classrooms and most common spaces. Since then, the School has worked to update and upgrade HVAC systems, keep filters clean and refreshed, and ensure that systems circulate the maximum amount of fresh air. In advance of the 2022-23 school year, the Facilities Department completed the following:

HEPA filters were replaced in all air purifiers
Window mounted circulation fans were checked to ensure proper operation
All window mounted AC units filters were cleaned and checked for proper operation
Central air building systems were all equipped with new MERV rated filters

Starting in the summer of 2022, the School invested in CO2 detection equipment to evaluate the level of fresh air in each classroom. Spot testing occurred throughout the summer of 2022 in spaces utilized by Stone Ridge Summer CampUS, and in the fall of 2022 all classrooms will be tested at least once while fully occupied in order to confirm adequate fresh air circulation. Any identified ventilation concerns will be shared with the Facilities Department for prompt mitigation.

Vaccination

Stone Ridge does not require COVID-19 vaccinations for students, but the School strongly encourages everyone to stay Up to Date with vaccinations. The vaccines are safe and remain the best protection against severe illness. Though imperfect in preventing transmission, the vaccines continue to reduce the risk that one can catch and transmit COVID-19. Please submit all updated vaccine cards to Magnus. Please also stay up to date with influenza (flu) vaccines.

Here is the latest FAQs regarding boosters for our community.

Masking

Optional, both on campus and in Stone Ridge buses and other forms of transportation. Those who wish to wear a mask will be supported, and the School maintains a supply of KN95 masks for those who need them. The School may implement temporary mask requirements for specific events or for specific grades or cohorts, should an outbreak or other conditions warrant precaution. Off-campus activities, such as Social Action or field trips, will follow guidelines for the organization or location visited. Masks may be required for individuals following a positive case or for exposure to a positive individual (see section on Isolation, for COVID-19 Positive Cases).

Testing

Isolation, for COVID-19 Positive Cases

In accordance with the CDC, anyone testing positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days. Stone Ridge does not require a negative test result to return to campus after Day 5. However, those with Moderate or Severe symptoms should follow CDC guidance regarding the appropriate return date and protocols. Anyone who was positive should mask for 10 days or until they have tested negative twice, with tests 48 hours apart (per CDC updated guidance).

Quarantine

Additional Information

Communications from Stone Ridge

In accordance with Maryland guidelines, Stone Ridge will communicate at the Grade or other cohort level when the School is notified of a positive case. Specific contact tracing, to identify and notify close contacts of a positive case, will not be conducted by the School except in the case of outbreaks, as specified and defined by Maryland guidelines. Families are asked to directly notify any known or suspected close contacts if they or their student test positive.

Livestreaming

Live streaming accommodations are currently provided only for Grade 1-12 students who require it when they need to isolate due to a COVID-19 diagnosis (if they are sufficiently healthy to participate) or in exceptional circumstances that are approved in advance by the Division Offices. If you have an exceptional circumstance, please contact the appropriate Divisional Office so that Division Heads can discuss your circumstances with you.

Early Childhood Program

The Little Hearts classrooms will follow the same policies as the rest of the School with two exceptions for children in the Infant and Toddler classes, who are too young to wear a mask: 1) A negative antigen test will be required to return after 5 days of isolation following a COVID-19 infection if returning before a full 10 days. 2) While there is no quarantine required, Infants and Toddlers who have been exposed to COVID-19 will be asked to test 3-5 days after that exposure.

Flu Vaccines

Stone Ridge strongly encourages all students and families to receive the flu vaccine each fall or winter.

Monkeypox

Updated September 7, 2022: The CDC recently released school-specific monkeypox guidance. It does not suggest any changes to Stone Ridge programming or policies. As of this writing, relatively few cases have been documented in children. However, families should be aware that a pustular rash could be monkeypox and should be reported to Stone Ridge Health Services; you may be advised to report the case to the applicable local health department and directed to have a diagnostic evaluation.

Other Illnesses

Please always notify Health Services and stay home if you have any illness or significant symptoms. COVID-19 questions may be directed to covid@stoneridgeschool.org .