Coronavirus Updates

Information on COVID-19

All information presented here was prepared with the assistance of the COVID-19 Task Force of Saint Joseph High School and the Diocese of Pittsburgh. It also includes any orders, directives, and/or clarifications from the CDC, Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education, the Governor’s Office, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, and the Allegheny County Health Department. It is understood that this is a fluid site that will be edited as necessary as circumstances and/or government or diocesan directives change.

*last updated February 15, 2022

View the Protocol Update from the Diocese of Pittsburgh Director of Catholic Schools.

Mask Policy

Mask Update from Diocese of Pittsburgh

Michelle Peduto, Director of the Diocese of Pittsburgh Catholic Schools, announced that the Diocese of Pittsburgh is updating the COVID -19 protocols for our schools and parishes:

Beginning in parishes on Saturday, February 26 and in diocesan schools on Monday, February 28, masks will not be required, except in limited circumstances.
For schools, limited circumstances include current quarantine protocols.

This applies to all students and staff in diocesan elementary schools and high schools, to everyone involved in diocesan faith formation programs, and to clergy and parishioners during Mass and other activities.

Masking will continue on school buses, as required by federal law. Masks will also be required for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, for five days after their return to work or school.

For maximum effectiveness, masks should be washed daily and never shared.

The careful practices of hygiene, frequent hand washing, wearing masks, and minimizing touching of the face significantly reduce the risk of transmission and will be regularly reinforced throughout the school day.

Quarantine Procedures

What happens after exposure depends on your COVID-19 vaccine status.

If you are fully vaccinated and do not have any symptoms of COVID-19 you do not need to quarantine. However, you should get tested 5-7 days after exposure and wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until you receive a negative test. If the test comes back positive or you develop symptoms, you should isolate for 10 days from the date of your test or 10 days from onset of symptoms.
If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you must quarantine for 14 days after your last exposure. Quarantine may be ended early if the following conditions are met:
- 1. After 10 days, if no symptoms develop
- 2. After 7 days, if no symptoms develop AND you receive a ‘negative’ result from a test performed 5 or more days after the last exposure. (PCR tests are recommended)

Quarantine means that because you are now at high risk of developing COVID, you need to stay in your home and away from people. We recommend that you seek COVID-19 testing. If your test result is positive, you will be contacted by a health department case investigator and provided isolation guidance.

Procedures and Protocols When an Individual is Sick, Exposed to COVID, or Positive for COVID

The individual who is ill or who informs a member of administration or a member of the school office that they have been exposed to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be sent to/retained in the office and sent home immediately. If the individual is exhibiting shortness of breath, a high fever, or other distressing symptoms, 911 will be alerted so that the individual can be transported to a healthcare facility.

The area occupied by a sick individual will be closed off so that respiratory droplets can settle, and then thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. All areas that the sick person may have used, such as offices, bathrooms, and common areas, will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Close contact tracing and quarantine procedures will be followed according to the flowchart noted on both the CDC and ACHD websites. The COVID-19 flowchart clarifies the steps that will be followed, depending on whether an individual is vaccinated/unvaccinated, how close and how long an individual was in contact with an infected person, and whether an individual is experiencing symptoms or tests positive for COVID in the days following exposure.

The Assistant Principal will be responsible for making decisions regarding quarantine or isolation requirements of faculty and staff.

Conditions to be met prior to the return to school for a staff or student with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 are outlined on the flowchart.

View the COVID-19 Flowchart.

Virtual Learning

VIRTUAL LEARNING
While we realize that in-person instruction is the most conducive environment for student learning and well-being, the need for virtual learning may become necessary due to school required COVID-19 quarantine. These are the only instances whereby virtual learning will be utilized. Virtual learning experiences will be initiated and coordinated by the Administration and Faculty of SJHS and will consist of a combination of asynchronous and synchronous learning, recorded video instruction, online resources, and Zoom opportunities.

Information on COVID-19

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