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MPH COVID Updates Archive 2021-2022

Latest update | February 4

The results from Thursday’s (2/3/22) randomized testing of students and employees, as well as those participating in winter athletics, have been returned: no positive cases were detected.

February 2

The results from yesterday’s (2/1) randomized testing of students and employees have been returned: no positive cases were detected.

Positive Home Tests

Since our last report, we have learned of four positive cases that have been caught through testing off campus (e.g., at home, at a doctor’s office, etc.). Each of these individuals is in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Anyone required to quarantine because of close contact with any of these individuals has already been notified.

January 27

Results from on-campus COVID testing on Thursday, January 27 have been returned: one positive case was detected. This individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Anyone required to quarantine as a result of close contact with this individual has already been contacted.
Last week we tested 50 percent of our employees and students including those participating in winter athletics. We will do the same in the coming week.

January 25

Results from on-campus COVID testing on Tuesday, January 25 have been returned: no positive cases were detected.
In the past three days, we have learned that four individuals have tested positive through diagnostic testing off campus. These individual are now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. No one at MPH was required to quarantine because of close contact with these individuals.

January 23

Results from COVID testing on Friday, January 21 have been returned: no positive cases were detected. (Note: On Friday we tested 136 employees and students, including those participating in winter sports.

January 21

We are still awaiting the results of this week’s on-campus COVID testing and will report to the community as soon as we receive them from the lab.
Home Test Kits and Off-site Testing are Helping MPH Stay Healthy – THANK YOU!
A high percentage of MPH’s positive cases have been caught through testing at home, at doctor’s offices, and at pharmacies. This off-campus testing has helped the community stay healthy by catching COVID cases before they can reach school. As home test kits become more available, we strongly encourage everyone to obtain a supply. Please be sure to notify COVIDNurse@mphschool.org of any positive cases outside of school-based testing to help us more accurately monitor the overall health and well-being of the entire MPH community.
Next Week’s COVID Testing Plan
We will resume testing of our students and employees with additional testing for those participating in winter athletics next week. MPH’s Test-to-Stay Plan is going well and will also continue next week.

January 20

The results of our COVID-19 testing of 25 percent of students and employees on Wednesday, January 19 have been returned: one new positive case was detected. This individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. No one at MPH was required to quarantine as a result of this case.
On Friday, January 21, we will test 25 percent of our students and employees as well as those who participate in winter athletics; we will report results as soon as we receive them from the lab. If you receive positive results from testing obtained off campus, please notify COVIDNurse@mphschool.org.
As a reminder, the OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about persons who test positive.

January 19

Preliminary results of our COVID-19 testing of 25 percent of students and employees on Tuesday, January 18 have been returned: two positive cases have been detected. Additionally, three individuals who developed symptoms during the school day today and were tested on campus, were found to be positive and were sent home immediately. All of these individuals are now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Any individuals who had close contact with these cases, and who are required to quarantine as a result, have already been notified.

Covid Testing this Week
We will continue to test 25 percent of our students and employees on campus each day this week and will report results as soon as we receive them from the lab. Please be sure to notify COVIDNurse@mphschool.org of any positive cases outside of school-based testing to help us more accurately monitor the overall health and well-being of the entire MPH community.
MPH Test-to-Stay Program Begins
Last Friday, the OCHD approved MPH’s Test-to-Stay Program which began yesterday. The program allows unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed to a positive case, AND who are asymptomatic, to continue to come to school safely by testing each morning for 5 consecutive school days. Details of MPH’s Test-to-Stay Plan can be found on the MPH website.

January 17

The results of our COVID-19 testing of 25 percent of students and employees on Friday, January 14 have been returned: three positive cases were detected. These individuals are now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Any individuals who had close contact with these cases, and who are required to quarantine as a result, have already been notified.

Total Positive Cases for the Week of January 10-14

As we have reported each day, our school-based testing of 100 percent of students and employees over the course of four days last week caught a total of 12 asymptomatic cases of COVID-19. Additionally we learned of 5 additional positive cases of COVID-among people who were home with symptoms. Please be sure to notify COVIDNurse@mphschool.org of any positive cases detected by either antigen or PCR tests outside of school-based testing to help us more accurately monitor the overall health and well-being of the entire MPH community.

Next Week’s COVID Testing Plan:

We will again test 100 percent of students and employees who are on campus over four days, January 17-20. Those participating in winter athletics will have additional testing.

New Test-to-Stay Plan begins Tuesday, January 18:

Last Friday, the Onondaga County Health Department approved MPH’s Test-to-Stay Plan to begin effective Tuesday, January 18. The plan allows unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed to a positive case, AND who are asymptomatic, to continue to come to school safely by testing each morning for 5 consecutive school days. Details of MPH’s Test-to-Stay Plan can be found on the MPH website.

Vaccine Status Matters in Determining Quarantine and Test-to-Stay Requirements:

Please update Nurse Christine Civello with your latest vaccination / booster status. Accurate records help streamline our contact tracing and test-to-stay efforts.

Proceed with Core Values in Mind: As a reminder, the OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Valuesof respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about persons who test positive.

January 16

The results of our COVID-19 testing of 25 percent of students and employees on Thursday, January 13 have been returned: five positive cases were detected. These individuals are now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Any individuals who had close contact with these cases, and who are required to quarantine as a result, have already been notified.

Positive Results from Testing Outside of School:

Please notify COVIDNurse@mphschool.org of any positive cases detected by either antigen or PCR tests outside of school-based testing to help us more accurately monitor the overall health and well-being of the entire MPH community.

Results from COVID Testing on January 14:

The results from 1/14 are not yet back from the lab. We will report them after we receive them and complete any contact tracing, if necessary. The lab is experiencing delays because of high demand; we appreciate your patience.

Next Week’s COVID Testing Plan:

We will again test 100 percent of students and employees who are on campus over four days, January 17-20. Those participating in winter athletics will have additional testing.

Vaccine Status Matters in Determining Quarantine Requirements:

Please update Nurse Christine Civello with your latest vaccination / booster status. Accurate records help streamline our contact tracing efforts.

Proceed with Core Values in Mind: As a reminder, the OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about persons who test positive.

January 15

The results of our COVID-19 testing of 25 percent of students and employees on Wednesday, January 12 have been returned: two positive cases have been detected. Both of these individuals are now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Any individuals who had close contact with these two cases, and who are required to quarantine as a result, have already been notified.

Positive Results from Testing Outside of School: Please notify  COVIDNurse@mphschool.org of any positive cases detected by either antigen or PCR tests outside of school-based testing to help us more accurately monitor the overall health and well-being of the entire MPH community.

Results from COVID Testing on January 13 and 14:

These results are not yet back from the lab. We will report them after we receive them and complete any contact tracing, if necessary. The lab is experiencing delays because of high demand; we appreciate your patience.

January 12

On Monday, January 10, we tested 25 percent of our students and employees. The results revealed that two individuals have tested positive for COVID-19. Both are now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Any individuals who had close contact with these two cases, and are required to quarantine as a result, have already been called.
Additionally we have been notified of three individuals who have tested positive elsewhere this week. In each of these cases, the contact tracing did not require anyone from MPH to quarantine. Please be sure to notify COVIDNurse@mphschool.org of any positive cases so that we can continue to monitor the health and well-being of the entire MPH community.
Testing Plan for this Week
Today we tested another 25 percent of our students and employees. Tomorrow (Thursday) we will test another 25 percent, and on Friday we will test the remaining 25 percent of our community as well as those who are participating in winter athletic programs. We will report the test results for each day as soon as we receive them.The lab is experiencing delays because of high demand; we appreciate your patience.
As a reminder, the OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about persons who test positive.
Vaccination Status
As the Omicron variant continues to spread, vaccines and boosters are still the best protection against severe illness. They can also determine who does and does not need to quarantine in the case of exposure to positive cases. Please update Nurse Christine Civello with your latest vaccination status.

January 9 | No positives

The results of our COVID testing on Friday, January 7 for those participating in winter sports have just been returned: no positive cases were detected.

Our overall objective is to ensure that our students have the benefit of in-person, on-campus education while doing so as safely as possible for all students and employees.

January 7 | Testing Plans Update

For the week of January 10-14, we will continue in-person learning on campus with our enhanced protocols in place:

  • Strict face covering enforcement; please bring your own mask and a spare
  • Separation of individuals during lunch and snacks; bring your own refillable water bottle
  • Continued screening and diagnostic testing of students and employees
  • This coming week, we will test 100 percent of on-campus students and employees over the course of five days. We will report each day’s results as we receive them.

After-school and Weekend Activities for the week of January 10-14:

  • Lower School Extended Day will remain closed.
  • Middle School After Hours will be open.
  • Athletic practices and games will resume on Sunday, January 9. We will require a negative test result for our students’ participation.

We understand that, during the current surge in the virus, some will be reluctant to send their children back to in-person learning next week. Therefore, simulcast access to classes will be offered to students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who are kept home due to family choice, as well as to those who are home under isolation or quarantine. Simulcast access will follow the on-campus schedule in all three divisions. This temporary option will be reevaluated as we proceed.

As we continue to move forward cautiously, we will monitor the health, safety, and well-being of our entire school community. We will adjust and communicate our procedures and policies accordingly.

Test Results and In-Person Learning Plan | January 5, 2022

The results of our community-wide Covid-19 testing on Monday, January 3 have been returned with 25 positive cases spread across all divisions. These individuals are now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department and CDC guidelines. Throughout the day, the Health and Safety Team has conducted initial contact tracing to identify any close contacts within our MPH community.

Our overall objective is to ensure that our students have the benefit of in-person, on-campus education while doing so as safely as possible for all students and employees.

We are going to return to in-person learning on campus Thursday, January 6. We will take a cautious stance by putting some extra layers of protection into place, and we will depend – as always – upon the understanding and partnership of our students, employees, and families. These include:

  • The CEL will be open from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Cancelation of Extended Day and After-Hours programs for Thursday and Friday
  • Cancelation of athletics games and practices for Thursday and Friday
  • Strict face covering enforcement; please bring your own mask and a spare
  • Further separation of individuals during lunch and snacks; bring your own refillable water bottle
  • Continued screening and diagnostic testing of students and employees

We are aware of the reluctance that some will have about sending children back to in-person learning during the current surge in the virus. Therefore, simulcast access to classes will be offered to students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who are kept home due to family choice, as well as to those who are home under isolation or quarantine. Simulcast access will follow the on-campus schedule in all three divisions.

As we go forward cautiously, we will continue to monitor and reevaluate the health, safety, and well-being of our entire school community. We will adjust and communicate our procedures and policies accordingly.

For questions, concerns, and reporting, please contact the following:

Community-Wide Testing | January 3, 2022

We are pleased to announce that 96 percent of our community participated in COVID testing at MPH and elsewhere (for those who were unable test on campus) this morning. If you have tested elsewhere, please forward your results to Nurse Christine Civello at CCivello@mphschool.org as soon as possible.
Special thanks to students in our Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class and Ms. Palmer, who conducted this morning’s testing in frigid temperatures; to our facilities team for clearing the roads and sidewalks and directing traffic; to Chef Christine Lowe for providing hot coffee and cocoa for the testers; and to the team of volunteer employees who entered data as the tests came in so that we could deliver our tests to the lab as quickly as possible this morning.
With the rise in COVID cases coinciding with the return to schools, we expect the lab to be inundated. Ordinarily we receive initial results from our PCR testing within 24 hours, but delays are likely. Please be assured that we will be watching for results and will report to the community via email as soon as we receive them, though it may be Wednesday before we hear back from the lab.
As a reminder, classes in Kindergarten – Grade 12 will resume classes remotely tomorrow according to distance learning schedules. We anticipate being able to return to on-campus learning on Thursday, January 6, depending upon test results and the status of overall health in our community.
Your continued participation and patience are crucial to keeping MPH’s social compact strong. Our steady, measured, collective response – even in the midst of an ever-changing virus – is allowing us to continue educating our students with minimal disruption. We sincerely appreciate your partnership in safeguarding the health and well-being of the entire MPH community.

Return-to-School Plans | December 31, 2021

Below are the plans for returning to school after the winter break. As you will recall, Head of School Dave McCusker, in his video message in an email on Wednesday, December 29, announced that these plans would be forthcoming.
Monday, January 3
  • All Pre-K-12 classes are suspended for the day.
  • All Pre-K-12 after-school activities and programs are cancelled.
  • All Pre-K-12 students and employees should report to the drive-through testing clinic on campus any time between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. See details below.
Tuesday and Wednesday, January 4 and 5
  • Classes for Kindergarten-Grade 12 will be conducted via distance learning while we await and process results from the lab.
  • All after-school activities and programs are cancelled.
  • Middle and Upper School Distance Learning Schedules are posted on the MPH website.
  • Lower School Distance Learning Schedules and instructions to connect for K-5 classes will be shared by advisors on Monday, January 3. All Lower School classes will begin at 9 a.m. via Zoom.
  • Lower School Students who may need to borrow a device should contact Amy Abdo at aabdo@mphschool.org.
Thursday, January 6
  • Our current plan is to return to campus for regular classes and to resume after-school activities and community programs on Thursday. This will depend upon the results of our testing and the overall health status of our community.
  • Please monitor your email for updates from MPH. As we learn more, we will continue to communicate promptly and transparently.
Next Week, January 10-14
  • Currently we plan to be back on campus where we will test 100 percent of our students and employees over the course of four days (approximately 25 percent each day) with minimal disruption to the academic schedule.
  • Pre-K families will be contacted separately by Amy Abdo about return-to-campus plans for the Center for Early Learning.
Instructions for On-Campus, Drive-Through Testing on Monday, January 3
  • Before you arrive on campus for testing, make sure you (MPH employee)/your child are registered with the Quadrant lab via the Clarifi app. (To register/set up an account, please use this COVID-19 Testing Registration link.)
  • Testing stations open at 8:00 a.m. and will end promptly at 11:00 a.m. Come any time within this timeframe; there are no specific time slots.
  • As you enter campus, you will be directed to a drive-through testing station. Please stay in your car; our testers will conduct the tests from your car window.
The tests we will be using are not rapid (antigen) tests. They are the PCR tests that we have been using all year: self-administered, cheek swabs (not nasal swabs).
Help Keep Us Safe
Our strong social compact has served us well during this prolonged pandemic. Please continue to do your part to safeguard the health and well-being of the entire MPH community during the current, rapidly changing situation by:
  • Positive Cases: If you (MPH employee)/your child have tested positive over the winter break, please notify Nurse Christine Civello.
  • Vaccination Status: We encourage every member of the MPH community to be vaccinated and boosted, as these still offer the best protection against severe illness. Update Nurse Christine Civello with your (MPH employee)/your child’s latest vaccination and booster status.
Please direct any questions to HealthandSafety@mphschool.org.

December 21, 2021

We have learned that an individual in our community has tested positive for COVID-19. This person is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines.
Positive Cases During Winter Break: Please notify COVIDNurse@mphschool.org of any positive cases over the winter break so that we can continue to monitor the health and well-being of the entire MPH community.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the person who tested positive.
Vaccination Status: As the Omicron variant continues to spread, vaccines and boosters are still the best protection against severe illness. Please continue adhering to best health practices and protocols to safeguard our community, and update Nurse Christine Civello with your latest vaccination status.

December 16, 2021

On Thursday, December 16, we tested those involved in winter sports and our weekly, randomized selection of 10 percent of students and employees. We have just received the final results. One individual in our community has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the person who tested positive.
As the Omicron variant continues to spread, vaccines and boosters are still the best protection against severe illness. Please continue adhering to best health practices and protocols to safeguard our community.

December 15, 2021

We have learned that an individual in our community has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Contact tracing has been completed; no further action is required.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the person who tested positive.

December 11, 2021

Here are the results from last week’s randomized testing of 10 percent of students and employees as well as from the twice-weekly testing of those involved in winter sports: no positive cases were detected.

December 2, 2021

Yesterday we tested students and employees who are involved in winter sports as well as those who requested post-Thanksgiving-break screening tests. No positive cases were detected in our on-campus testing.
However, one individual in our community who tested for COVID-19 elsewhere, has tested positive. This individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Anyone required to quarantine as a result of exposure to this individual has already been contacted.
We will continue weekly, randomized testing of 10 percent of our students and employees, as well as twice-weekly testing of students and employees involved in winter sports.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the person who tested positive.

December 1, 2021 

Yesterday we tested students and employees who are involved in winter sports as well as those who requested post-Thanksgiving-break screening tests. No positive cases were detected in our on-campus testing.
However, one individual in our community who tested for COVID-19 elsewhere, has tested positive. This individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Anyone required to quarantine as a result of exposure to this individual has already been contacted.
We will continue weekly, randomized testing of 10 percent of our students and employees, as well as twice-weekly testing of students and employees involved in winter sports.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the person who tested positive.

November 29, 2021 

Today we have learned that two members of our MPH community have tested positive for COVID-19. Each individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Anyone required to quarantine as a result of having been exposed to these individuals has already been contacted.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the person who tested positive.

November 29, 2021 

We have been made aware that a member of our MPH community has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. Anyone who is required to quarantine as a result of having been exposed to this individual has already been contacted.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the person who tested positive.

November 22, 2021

What are the rules about food at MPH? The MPH Social Compact and Plan for the 2021-2022 School Year has been updated with this year’s Food Safety protocols. The two major health concerns related to food at MPH are:

  • Allergies, because there are members of our community who can have life-threatening allergic reactions even to trace amounts of allergens from food brought in from outside the School.
  • Uncovered faces, because COVID-19 is spread by airborne droplets. Any time faces are uncovered, there is greater opportunity for the virus to spread among both our vaccinated and unvaccinated populations.

Note about COVID-19 Transmission: Research has shown that COVID-19 is NOT a foodborne disease. It is a respiratory disease that spreads through airborne transmission. The main concern from a pandemic perspective is that any time people are eating or drinking, their faces are uncovered and their mouths are open. When they are also talking and laughing, there is additional opportunity for the virus to spread. Therefore, any time people are eating or drinking, they should limit the time their masks are down.

 Allergies: The safety of our community is our collective responsibility. Everyone in our MPH community is responsible for protecting the safety of those with food allergies.

  • Allergic reactions can be life threatening. This is especially important when it comes to our youngest learners who are depending on the adults to keep them safe.
  • A high percentage of our MPH community requires dietary modifications, including foods to which they are allergic.
  • Although our community’s allergies are not limited to nuts and eggs, these are among the most severe. Even small traces of these allergens can lead – and have led – to dangerous health consequences. MPH strives to be a nut-free and egg-aware campus.
  • All community members should review information on the Food Allergy Resources and Education (FARE) website  to become educated and aware of food allergies so that everyone can help keep the MPH community healthy and safe.
  • All snacks and meals provided on campus by MPH are prepared by our Brock dining services staff who are aware of students’ and employees’ food allergies.
  • Students may not bring their own snacks or meals to eat during school unless they share a note from their doctor with the School Nurse and their Division Head.

Snacks, Special Foods, Treats, and Food Outside of the School Day:

  • During morning and afternoon snack breaks, students and employees are encouraged to take extra snacks from their designated snack table if they feel they may be hungry later in the day.
  • Whenever possible, food and drink should be consumed outdoors.
  • Any food brought in for personal (employee) consumption should always be nut-free. Employees should not have food, candy, or snacks (from outside of MPH) in their classrooms/offices that is shared with students or other employees.
  • Any request for extra food or drink outside of what Brock Dining Services provides must be cleared in writing from the Division Heads. Please email these requests to divisionheads@mphschool.org at least one week prior to event.

Kindness Matters: Thank you for your partnership and we extend our gratitude to our Brock Dining Hall staff for their incredible efforts to keep our community nourished and healthy!

October 30, 2021

No positive cases were detected.
Weekly randomized testing will continue until further notice.

October 29, 2021

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 years old. The MPH Health and Safety Team has been anticipating this news, and we would like to address some initial questions and concerns.
Where and when can my child get vaccinated?
We anticipate that soon the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) will make vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 years old widely available as they did for children ages 12 to 17. Vaccines could be available as soon as the end of the first week of November. As we receive more information, we will share it with the community.
Will MPH sponsor an on-campus vaccine clinic for children ages 5 to 11?
Based on our School’s small population, it is unlikely that the OCHD will offer to host a vaccine clinic on our campus. Our School’s size was the reason we were not able to offer a clinic for the 12- to 17-year-old age group.
Does MPH require my child to be vaccinated for COVID-19?
There are no current state mandates requiring students to be vaccinated. However, we are grateful that 97 percent of students and employees who are thus far eligible to receive the vaccine are fully vaccinated, and we would like to see that number increase.
Once vaccinated, will my child continue to be tested for COVID-19?
Yes. A COVID test will not return a positive result because of the vaccine. Therefore, your child will continue to be included in our weekly randomized testing of 10 percent of our students and employees.
Where I can find more information about vaccine availability?
We believe that you will soon be able to find pediatric vaccines according to your zip code by checking www.vaccines.gov or www.Covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.

October 23, 2021

Having completed our weekly, randomized testing of 10 percent of our students and employees on Friday, October 22, we have learned that one member of our MPH community has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. According to the most recent OCHD Quarantine Guidance for School Exposures, there is no need for anyone in the MPH community to quarantine in response to this positive case.
For reasons of privacy protection, MPH does not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to practice our Core Values of respect and kindness by honoring the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the individual who tested positive.

October 16, 2021

No positive cases were detected.
Until further notice, weekly randomized testing of 10 percent of our community will continue.

October 11, 2021

We have learned that a member of our MPH community has tested positive for COVID-19; this individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines.
Those who were potentially exposed to this individual have already been contacted; no action on your part is required unless you received separate email messages from us earlier this evening.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the person who tested positive.

October 9, 2021

No positive cases were detected.
Until further notice, weekly randomized testing of 10 percent of our community will continue.

September 23, 2021

We have learned that a member of our MPH community has today tested positive for COVID-19; this individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. This person has been in self-quarantine since learning last week that they might have been exposed to an infected individual. As a result of their caution, they have not been on campus or in contact with anyone from MPH; therefore, no contact tracing in the MPH community is needed.
We are grateful to this individual for acting with care and caution by self-quarantining before it was officially mandated. Our Social Compact is a trusty safeguard when each of us chooses actions that prioritize the safety, health, and well-being of the whole community.
The OCHD and MPH do not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We expect all members of our community to honor our Core Values of respect and kindness by protecting the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the individual who tested positive.

Update | September 22, 2021

We have learned that a member of our MPH community has tested positive for COVID-19, and this individual is now in isolation per Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) guidelines. According to the latest OCHD Quarantine Guidance for Schools (9/16/21), there is no need for anyone in the MPH community to quarantine in response to this positive case.

For reasons of privacy protection, OCHD and MPH does not share the names of individuals who test positive for COVID-19. We strongly encourage all members of our community to honor our Core Values 0f respect and kindness by safeguarding the privacy of fellow community members. Please do not speculate or share, via social media or in conversation, information that you may learn about the individual who tested positive.


MPH Mitigation Strategies for Slowing the Spread of Infectious Disease
Ongoing COVID-19 Testing
 Weekly randomized testing of 10 percent of our students and employees will continue until further notice. Note: On any given Friday, there is a chance that your child may be selected for a self-administered cheek-swab test. If your child has been selected, you will receive an email notification with your child’s barcode number from the lab. You may track the progress of your child’s test by logging in to the clarifi app.
On-Campus Flu Clinics
Representatives from Kinney Drugs will be on campus to administer flu shots:
  • Tuesday, September 28, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for MPH employees and Middle and Upper School students
  • Saturday, October 2, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for all MPH students, employees, and family members

Register here.
Review the CDC FAQs on the 2021-2022 Flu Season.

Helpful Resources

Update | September 9, 2021

Good news for Opening Day
We opened the school year with a truly successful testing day: 99 percent of our students and staff participated, and there were NO POSITIVES.

Ongoing Weekly Testing

In partnership with the Onondaga County Health Department and Quadrant Laboratories, MPH will begin weekly, randomized testing of 10 percent of our students and employees on Friday, September 17.

Consent for Ongoing Weekly Testing
Please remember that by your having set up a profile for yourself (MPH employee) or your child(ren) with Quadrant laboratories, you have given MPH consent to test you (MPH employee) or your child(ren) as part of a randomly selected 10 percent of students and employees who will be tested at school on a weekly basis.

The self-administered saliva testing will take no more than 5 minutes and will be conducted at the beginning of snack time (to make sure no one has eaten or drunk anything for 30 minutes before the test). Testing during snack time will ensure no disruption to the academic schedule. Our youngest students will always be accompanied for testing by a familiar teacher.
If you do not wish to give your consent to MPH to participate in randomized weekly testing, you must opt out by sending an email

to COVIDNurse@mphschool.org by Wednesday, September 15.

To Prepare for testing
Do not eat, chew gum, drink, use mouthwash or use any tobacco products for 30 minutes before testing.

Hydrate well earlier in the day before you test to prevent dry mouth.

If you (MPH employee)/your child(ren) are vaccinated, bring a copy of your vaccination card(s).

If you (MPH employee)/your child(ren) are not vaccinated, bring nothing.

If You Did Not Participate in On-Campus COVID-19 Testing September 7
Thank you for testing elsewhere and sending us your results in time for the start of school. Because randomized, on-campus testing of students and employees will continue weekly for the foreseeable future, we need everyone to set up a profile with the testing laboratory.

If you have not already set up a profile for yourself (MPH employee) or your child(ren) with the testing laboratory, please do so here no later than September 15. For detailed instructions, please watch this minute and a half video.
Thank you for your partnership in safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of our whole community.

Update | September 3, 2021

MPH 100% Testing Day | September 7, 2021

The Onondaga County Health Department will be providing the Clarifi COVID-19 Saliva Test and has scheduled our COVID-19 testing for the morning of Tuesday, September 7. This test will take no more than 5-10 minutes. We are aware that some of us may be out of town, observing Rosh Hashanah, or honoring other commitments that day. If you will NOT be able to come to school for testing on September 7, please see the section below entitled, “What if I cannot be on campus for COVID-19 testing on September 7?”

For those who will be able to come to campus for testing, please note the following schedule and plan to arrive according to your child(ren)’s designated time slot if possible. Families with children in multiple divisions may arrive together irrespective of their particular division’s designated timeframe.

  • 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Pre-K students and any others who may need extra support
  • 8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Lower School
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Middle School
  • 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Upper School (arrive no later than 10:45 a.m.)

MPH employees may come whenever it is convenient between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Update | September 2, 2021

Dr. Shannon Magari Leggat Community Conversation

Epidemiologist and former MPH Board member and parent Dr. Shannon Magari Leggat share her expertise through a new presentation, The Science of COVID-19, the Delta Variant and What Lies Ahead on September 2 at 7 p.m. Watch the conversation below.

Update | August 20, 2021

Watch the MPH Community Conversation from August 19

Head of School Dave McCusker was  joined by Lower School Head Amy Abdo, Middle School Head Matt Spear, and Upper School Head Fred Montas to discuss COVID-related procedures and guidance for the upcoming year.