2022-23 COVID-19 FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are classes at Williston in person?

  Yes, all classes are in person. There will not be any option to attend classes by zoom.

• What are testing protocols at Williston?

  • After our first reentry week, we will continue to monitor cases of COVID-19 through Health and Wellness Services and our rapid antigen testing capabilities for symptomatic or unvaccinated individuals.
  • Before coming to campus, all students must take a rapid antigen COVID-19 test 24 hours before they travel. If your result is negative, you do not need to report it; if it is positive, report it to Health and Wellness before traveling and follow the instructions you receive. You may not come to campus until you are cleared to travel.
  • At this time, we anticipate that campus will be mask-optional and that testing will be for symptomatic cases only, but we reserve the right to change these policies as conditions dictate and CDC recommendations change. Students may be asked to wear masks as part of a protocol following a positive COVID test.
  • The school will be doing only symptomatic testing. Antigen tests and PCR tests are available on campus if needed.

• What happens if my child tests positive for COVID-19 while on campus?

  • Any student who tests positive, and lives within driving distance, must be picked up by a parent or guardian within 12-24 hours. All others will isolate in the Health Center and other COVID-specific locations on campus for the requisite five days as recommended by the CDC. Please see our flow chart for more specifics on our process for individuals who test positive.
  • We ask that all families who are not within driving distance think about a plan for a domestic contact or guardian who can pick up a student within 48 hours if needed. If you have questions about this, please contact the Deans Office.
  • For any student required to isolate, we will offer flexible and robust support for learning. Williston continues to have no formal remote-learning option this school year. Teachers will support students as they typically have, relying on OneNote, other digital resources, and extra help. In addition, please know that we are committed to supporting the mental well-being of students who must isolate. Our counseling staff will be checking in frequently on students in isolation, and developing plans for making the time pass as pleasantly as possible. If faculty members test positive, but are asymptomatic, classes will still be held in person with the teacher participating from home via Zoom, and students in the classroom.

• What happens if my child is a close contact of someone who tests positive at school?

  Our close contact process follows CDC recommendations.

  Students who are close contacts will wear a mask for at least 5 days and monitor their symptoms.

• Are vaccine and booster shots required for my child?

  • Yes, in addition to requiring vaccines, Williston is now requiring booster shots for eligible community members. According to the CDC, everyone ages 5 years and older is recommended to get a booster. Students should get a booster shot, then upload proof into the Magnus Health Portal under immunizations.

• What are the masking procedures for students on campus?

  • Williston has moved to a mask-optional policy on campus.
  • Any community member should feel empowered and supported in continuing to wear a mask for any reason. A reminder that KN-95 masks have been shown to protect the wearer as well as others around them. If students have concerns about their masks, please know that they can go to Health and Wellness to get a mask or get help with proper mask fitting.
  •  It is extremely important for students who are symptomatic to continue report your symptoms and be tested at Health and Wellness. If students or employees are symptomatic for anything (flu, cold, coming out of isolation), receive guidance from Health and Wellness Services, which may require the need to wear masks to keep spread of sickness down in general.

• What is the school’s policy for athletes returning to play after a COVID infection?

  The American Academy of Pediatrics has a return-to-athletics policy for athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19. Williston, along with many of our peer schools, has updated our protocols to follow the AAP’s return-to-play timeline to ensure the safety of players who are recovering from the virus.

  Once a student comes out of isolation (approximately on day 6 after testing positive), Health and Wellness Services will direct the student/athlete to meet with either Head Trainer Ansel Garvey or Associate Director of Athletics Melissa Brousseau to discuss a return-to-play process and any symptoms to look out for. The protocol will differ based on whether the student had been symptomatic or asymptomatic.

  Most asymptomatic students will follow this protocol.

  • First day out of isolation (usually Day 6): Light Practice
  • Second day out (usually Day 7): Full Practice
  • Third day out (usually Day 8): Clearance from Health and Wellness to return to full unrestricted play (including competitions)

  Most symptomatic students will follow this protocol.

  • Light exercise during days 6 through 10.
  • On day 11, students should check in at Health and Wellness for a symptom screening and a brief exam by the nurses. If all is well, then students may return to full athletic practices and game play. If a student has any persistent symptoms or abnormal vital signs, then they must seen by the physician before returning to play.

• What happens if my child's roommate tests positive?

  Because students sharing a dorm room do not mask at all times, a student who has tested positive must have a double negative test (two tests, 24 hours apart) to come out of isolation and return to their dorm room. The earliest this would happen is day 5 and 6.

• What are the policies for visitors to athletic events?

  If you are symptomatic or have tested positive, we ask you to not attend sporting events, particularly indoors.

• What are the policies for travel off campus?

  With weekend permissions, all boarding students, regardless of vaccination status, will be able to leave on weekends for outside sports leagues, college visits, or trips home.

• What are the COVID-related protocols for visitors to campus?

  Williston is continually evaluating our COVID-19 policies, so we can ensure the safest possible environment for all our students. Based on the most current information, we are asking visitors to monitor their own health and if symptomatic or have tested positive, we respectfully ask that you do not visit campus.

• Will campus be open for boarding students during school breaks?

  Please note that the campus is fully closed during November, Winter, and March breaks, and during those times, students are not allowed to stay on campus. International students should have received an email earlier this summer about opportunities for students living abroad who will be unable to travel home for school breaks. Students may stay in the dorms for one night after the break begins to catch early morning flights.

• Are there any COVID-related restrictions for day students?

  We ask students to monitor their own health and if symptomatic, please be in contact with Health and Wellness Services.