2023-2024 Health and Wellness Guidelines

At George School, ensuring the health and safety of our community is our highest priority. While COVID-19 is no longer designated a public health emergency, George School continues to endorse guidelines that help minimize the impact of contagious illness on campus. As recommended by the CDC, George School follows guidance from local authorities, including the Bucks County Director of Health, in establishing best practices for managing contagious illnesses on campus.

Students who feel ill while on campus should report to the Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) for evaluation. Any student with a contagious illness (i.e.: COVID-19, flu, cold) should not attend classes or practices in keeping with school protocol until they are fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours and feel well enough to return to class.

• Boarding students who are experiencing symptoms of a viral illness should report to the SHWC and will be monitored until fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24-hours. Those who live within a 2-hour radius of campus should consider going home if possible.
• Day students who are experiencing symptoms of a viral illness should consult with their family physician and stay home until they are fever-free without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours and feel well enough to attend class. Please remember to notify attendance officer Lauri Moyer (lmoyer@georgeschool.org, 215 579 6593).
• Once a student is fever-free and feels well enough to attend class, we strongly encourage masking while in the presence of others until all symptoms resolve.
• The primary focus of a student who is ill should be on their own health; once they feel well enough, students may check Canvas and complete assignments as they are able. Once a student has been fever-free (without fever-reducing medication) for 24 hours, and feels well enough to return to class, they should communicate with their teachers and advisor to create a plan for any missed learning/assignments. Because prolonged periods of isolation are no longer required, and because virtual learning is disruptive to all students’ learning experiences, virtual learning is not offered.

Testing for contagious disease

• Students may not self-administer COVID-19 tests in the dormitories or elsewhere on campus; any student who feels ill should report to the SHWC to be evaluated by the nurse on duty.

Vaccination Guidelines

• All community members are encouraged to follow the recommendations of their physicians and obtain routine vaccinations.
• If an on-campus vaccination clinic becomes available, information and details will be communicated to students, parents/guardians, and faculty/staff.

Mask-wearing and hygiene practices

• George School is a mask-friendly campus; masks are encouraged as needed for any member of the community and especially when recovering from any viral illness and returning to school or work.
• All community members are encouraged to have a supply of masks on hand. Current guidance suggests that KN95 masks are most effective. The school does not provide students with masks; they can be purchased locally at places Rite-Aid or Giant or ordered via Amazon.
• Vigilant handwashing/sanitizing is encouraged. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout campus.

If you have any questions about George School health and wellness protocols, please contact Student Health and Wellness Center Director Joellen Gillon at jgillon@georgeschool.org.