Health Team shares policy changes, holiday reminder

Learn about our Test To Stay protocol to decrease interruptions in learning and other updates on USN’s COVID-mitigation strategy. As we approach the holiday season, please be aware of how your family’s activities and travel plans can impact the USN community.
By Health Team Co-Directors Margee Brennan, M.D. and Jenn Aaron, N.P. 

It's hard to believe we are in our 11th week of school and heading into the holiday season. This time last year we had only been in person for a couple of weeks, were actively creating our swiss-cheese approach to COVID-mitigation, and holding our breath while we waited to see if those layers would actually protect our USN community. Fast forward through 100+ cases, close to 1,000 quarantines, vaccine availability for many, and a Delta variant surge. We continue to increase our high vaccination rate as more students reach the eligible age, and we are ever closer to getting the next age group approved for the vaccine. 

Here are a couple of the biggest adjustments we have made this school year. We are using CDC guidance to allow vaccinated close contacts to come to school as long as they are asymptomatic and to get a PCR test three to five days after their exposure. We continue to see breakthrough cases, but our quarantine numbers have plummeted. For our unvaccinated students in Grades K-6, we have implemented a Test To Stay protocol. This method allows students with an in-school exposure to continue attending if they are asymptomatic throughout the seven-day modified quarantine, undergo daily rapid antigen testing, and have a negative result before entering the building. PCR tests are reserved for symptomatic students and/or positive rapid tests. The quarantine still applies to afterschool and weekend activities, but students are not missing school during this time. We are fine-tuning our protocol as we gain experience with the process but our experience so far makes us optimistic. 

We tended to see an increase in cases and exposures during and after school breaks last year, so as we approach Halloween, Thanksgiving, and beyond, we ask that you continue to be mindful of how your family activities can impact our school community upon your return. National case numbers, while on the decline, are still close to the level we were experiencing in February of last year. Here are recently updated CDC travel guidelines to help with planning for the holidays. We are happy to help coordinate rapid and/or PCR testing (primarily on school days) or talk you through your family’s COVID-prevention plans. The best way to contact us is to email covid-alert@usn.org.
Back

More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies

    The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
    Read More
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success

    For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
    Read More
  • The team poses for a photo after competing in the Middle School Quiz Bowl National Championships.

    Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship

    The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.
    Read More
Archive

Contact

Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
Fax:       615-321-0889 
Email:    info@usn.org

River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218

Resources

USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.