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COVID-19 Senesh Information

Hannah Senesh Community Day School is monitoring the COVID-19 situation carefully and taking proactive and prudent measures to try to ensure the health and safety of every member of our community in accordance with the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York City Health Department, the New York State Health Department, and other health officials.

This section will provide timely updates specific to the school’s response and planning efforts. This page will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

Recent Communications:

Useful Resources:

Senesh Staff Contacts:

Health and Facilities:

Distance Learning:

Click here to see highlights from our Distance Learning Program.

COVID-19 FAQs

Q. How do I avoid COVID-19?

A. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 

Q. What steps has Senesh taken to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19?

A. Our school has taken the following steps to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19:

  • Maintenance and housekeeping staff have increased the frequency of sanitizing during school, after school, and on the weekends.
  • Faculty have been reminded to take steps to reduce the spread of germs and illness including making time in the day for students to wash their hands with soap and warm water and/or hand sanitizer throughout the day and especially before eating.
  • Teaching children to avoid touching their eyes, noses, and mouths.
  • Reminding children not to share personal items.
  • Encouraging children to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues and to dispose of tissues in the trash.
  • Partnering with parents to keep children home if they are sick.

Q. What do I do if I feel sick?

A. If you feel sick, please:

  • Stay home and call your doctor if you have symptoms including but not limited to coughing, shortness of breath, fever, or sore throat.
  • If you do not feel better in 24–48 hours, seek care from your doctor.
  • Avoid going out in public. Do not go to school or work until you have been fever-free at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing drugs like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
  • If you need help getting medical care, call 311.

Q. What should I do if I have traveled recently?

A. Anyone who has traveled to Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan, or China and returned on or after March 4, 2020, must stay home from work or school for 14 days after their last day in that country and minimize contact with other people.

  • If returning travelers from affected countries develop fever, cough, or trouble breathing, they should call their medical provider and tell them about their symptoms and history of travel.
  • For those self-monitoring at home, DOHMH has developed a supporting doctor’s note and FAQ available at nyc.gov/coronavirus under “Returning Travelers.”

Q. Should I inform Senesh staff if I suspect exposure to COVID-19?

A. Yes! Please contact Senesh Director of Operations Nathalie Cabot at ncabot@hannahsenesh.org immediately should you or a family member have symptoms, test positive, suspect exposure, is in self-quarantine due to exposure, or been quarantined by the health department or your place of employment for COVID-19. If you need to contact someone over the weekend, please contact Annette Powers at apowers@hannahsenesh.org.

Additionally, if you or any member of your family is in self-quarantine, please do not allow visitors into your home or schedule playdates with your children who are not in quarantine. 

Q. What happens if a student feels sick in school? 

A.  In the event a student is sick, complaining of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, that child will be taken to the school nurse. The nurse will ask the student to wear a face mask, call for parental pick up, and recommend calling a medical provider for instructions. Any student with respiratory symptoms and fever will wait in a supervised setting with a closed door, away from other students.

Q. How will the school decide if it should close?

A. The NYC Health Department requires schools to contact them if a student, staff, or family member are under watch due to symptoms of COVID-19 or if anyone in the community has a family member who has tested positive for COVID-19. If this happens, the NYC Health Department would make the decision to close school. If school leadership determines that it would be safer for our children to be home, we will make that decision independently. In either case, we will notify parents immediately. 

Q. What if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in school?

A. In the event that Senesh determines that there is a need for investigation, closure, or other action at a school, you will immediately be notified. Per New York State, if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a school by a staff member or student, the school will be closed for at least 24 hours while the Department of Health investigates and determines whether additional closure is needed.

Q. What will the school do in the event of an extended closure?

A. We have distance learning plans in place. See these letters for details:

Q. Will absences related to COVID-19 impact attendance records? 

A. Student absences related to COVID-19 and general sickness will not impact attendance records. This includes student applying to other schools for the 2020–2021 and 2021-2022 school year.

Q. Has the school cancelled any trips?

A. As of now, we have cancelled all upcoming field trips. 

Q. What kinds of support can students receive to address anxiety?

A. Given the level of attention that COVID-19 has attracted, students may understandably become anxious and have concerns about the virus and its transmission. Please remember that our counselors are available to meet with students and their families to address questions and concerns. Our Lower School Counselor Carolyn Lyons can be reached at clyons@hannahsenesh.org. Our Middle School Counselor Julie Arner can be reached at jarner@hannahsenesh.org.

Support resources: