Dear WMS Community,

Ahead of the holiday weekend, we are looking forward to Presidents’ Day as well as an opportunity to celebrate the teachers of WMS. We deeply appreciate the hard work they’ve done, especially in a year where so much flexibility is required. Our teachers have been the absolute embodiment of dedication and they are the sturdy foundation of our beloved WMS community.

As we take a few days to enjoy Presidents’ day and support our teachers, we anticipate an increase in travel among our community. Whether you are thinking of taking a car trip to visit family, a plane trip to spend time with friends, or something more adventurous, please be aware of these very important travel and testing protocols. Your diligence and cooperation helps to keep us all healthy and safe.

If you will be traveling to a noncontiguous state, U.S. territory, or CDC level 2 or higher country for more than 24 hours, follow these guidelines for testing as listed by the NYS Department of Health:

• Obtain a COVID-19 test within three days prior to returning to New York.
• Arrive back in New York and quarantine for three full days (travel day does not count as a quarantine day).
• On day four of your quarantine, obtain another test.
• We are requiring you send both negative test results to nurse@wms-nyc.org for your child to return to school. If your child is displaying any symptoms associated with COVID-19, please follow the guidelines on our COVID-19 flowchart.

We are resuming our pool testing next week. Testing kits were distributed earlier this past week and must be returned on Thursday, February 18th when WMS returns to classes. If your child will not be in attendance on Thursday, please return the testing kit on Friday. If your child will not be in attendance Thursday or Friday, please return the testing kit on Monday, February 22nd. Please be sure to take your nasal swab sample either the night before or the morning of returning to school.

Thank you for your cooperation and please feel free to contact us at health@wms-nyc.org should you have any additional questions.

The WMS Response Team