COVID-19 Updates
Updated on January 4, 2022 at 4:15 p.m.
Match Charter Public School will continue to operate in a 100 % in-person learning model.
At this time, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the federal government are committed to keeping schools open; there is no remote learning option available to us. All students are expected to attend school in-person unless they are sick or quarantined.
most recent communication to the Match community from the executive director
COVID VACCINes & BOOSTERS
Vaccines are safe and effective. Especially with the onset of cold weather and more indoor gatherings, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect your child and your family from getting COVID-19 and to prevent the spread of the disease in our communities. The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective against infection, serious illness, hospitalization, and death. For this reason, we encourage all eligible members of the Match community, including students ages 5 years and older, to get the COVID-19 vaccine. While receiving a vaccine does not eliminate the possibility of infection, data show that the Omicron variant is not spreading as much amongst vaccinated and boosted individuals as it is in those who are not vaccinated.
Use this website to find a vaccination site and appointment times near you: VaxFinder.mass.gov
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is administered in 2 doses 3 weeks apart. Please speak to your child’s doctor if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine and your child. As a reminder:
The COVID-19 vaccine is free for all, and no ID or insurance is needed to be vaccinated.
You can get vaccinated even if you are undocumented. Getting a vaccine will not impact your or your family’s immigration status. The Public Charge rule does NOT apply to getting the vaccine.
Your child may get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including the flu vaccine, at the same time.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine for children and teens, please visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html
COVID-19 Testing
Along with vaccinations, regular testing is a critical part of our school’s safety plan and allows us to detect asymptomatic cases and isolate them early to limit the spread of COVID-19. If your child is not currently signed up for Match's weekly testing program, you will receive a direct message about signing a consent form.
COVID QUARAnTINE procedures
As of December 31, 2021 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance related to quarantine for people who test positive for COVID-19.
For anyone who tests positive (student or staff), the following guidance applies:
Self isolation for COVID-19 positive cases is a minimum of FIVE (5) days after symptom onset or after a positive PCR or antigen test, if asymptomatic.
A student or staff may return to school after FIVE (5) days of quarantine once they have:
Been without a fever for 24 hours (and without taking fever-reducing medication); AND
Experienced improvement in other symptoms (eg. reduction in cough frequency)
Following a 5-day quarantine period, individuals must mask for FIVE (5) additional days when around others.
INFORMATION ABOUT the coronavirus (COVID-19)
What is COVID-19, or the coronavirus?
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 (formerly referred to as 2019 Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV) is a new respiratory virus that was first identified in Wuhan, China in December of 2019.
How is the coronavirus spread?
The coronavirus can spread when: (1) an infected person coughs or sneezes on another, and (2) that other person then touches their own mouth, nose, or eyes and becomes contaminated with the virus. Coronavirus is not an airborne virus. It is spread through direct contact or through close contact with someone who is infected (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more).
What are the common symptoms of the coronavirus?
Most people infected with the virus have relatively mild symptoms similar to the flu including fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Much rarer and generally only for people with compromised immune systems, experience a severe case of infection which can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
What to do if you think you have coronavirus?
If you think that you may have coronavirus, stay at home from school and work. Call your health care provider immediately.
Where can I find more information about the virus?
More information is available from the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BPHC also has COVID-19 factsheets available in the following languages:
English (information about the coronavirus)
Spanish (información sobre el coronavirus)
Portuguese (informações sobre o coronavírus)
Haitian Creole (enfòmasyon sou coronavirus la)
Chinese (关于冠状病毒的信息)
Vietnamese (thông tin về coronavirus)
Other resources
Information about COVID-19 in Boston (Boston Public Health Commission)
Information about COVID-19 in Massachusetts (Massachusetts State Government)
Update-to-date statistics, a map and other resources (Johns Hopkins University)
COVID-19: Protecting our families and communities (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition)
Guidance for talking with children about COVID-19 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Mental Health Resources (National Alliance on Mental Health in Massachusetts)
Massachusetts Application For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance - if you lost your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can apply to receive state benefits, and this link will also automatically submit your application to federal unemployment.
How to file for unemployment (Department of Unemployment Assistance)
This process can be done online at the DUA website. There is no need to physically go into the office.
For anyone who doesn’t qualify for unemployment benefits, direct them to Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
