McCaskey High School students who have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine can return to school onsite five days per week beginning the week of April 26.
Students may attend onsite every school day, five days per week, as early as two weeks after their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, pending occupancy limits. Students will only be approved for full-time status if there is space for social distancing in their classrooms.
Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is approved for teenagers as young as 16. The CDC found the vaccine to be 80% effective two weeks after the first dose. Students should also receive their second dose as scheduled. (The CDC considers individuals fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose.)
“People who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19,” superintendent Dr. Damaris Rau said. “That’s a big benefit to students who do not want to miss out on school, sporting events, commencement and prom and fun this summer due to quarantining. We hope all families consider being vaccinated against COVID-19.”
Other students who are attending fully virtually may opt to return as part of a cohort attending onsite two days per week, if they wish. Students do not need to be vaccinated to attend part-time.
Finally, high school students struggling with at-home learning, particularly those younger than 16, may request extending the number of days they attend school onsite, pending space.
Any interested student or parent/guardian should contact their school counselor to make this change. Contact information for McCaskey counselors is available at the link below.