Efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at our school include a couple of new procedures and many important reminders. Please review the following as you prepare to return for in-person learning. 

1. During this time of higher transmission rates at school, we are modifying our lunch service. Beginning 1/11/22, students will have the choice of a hot or cold boxed lunch available from the serving lines.  All meals will be prepared on-site but students will not be serving themselves.

2. Additional seating/dining areas are available for students to increase social distancing opportunities during lunch. 

3. During the month of January, all students and employees are required to take a PCR COVID test each week. Our on-campus vendor, LabTechMD, will offer testing between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM to people with last names A-L on Tuesdays and M-Z on Thursdays in the Fine Arts Building. For people who are not completing testing with LabTechMD, a negative PCR result must be emailed to covidtest@bmhs.org no later than midnight each Thursday.  

4. Students who do not have a negative PCR test on file by the Friday before, will not be permitted on campus the following week.  

5. Students who are quarantined because of COVID-19 have access to virtual learning links through Maccess. These links will provide students with a live camera feed into the classroom. This provision is temporary. “Hybrid teaching” - teaching both in-person students and virtual students, is extremely challenging for faculty and is not nearly as successful for students.   

6. Until further notice, there will be no spectators, visitors, or guests permitted on campus, all athletic events will be spectator free. Live-stream access is available free of charge for all on-campus athletic events. 

7. The State of Maryland has updated its required quarantine times for schools. Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for a minimum of 5 days (previously 10 days).  Updated guidance can be found on this link.  

8. Beginning February 1, 2022, all students, employees, and contractors at our school are required to be fully vaccinated. For currently non-vaccinated students, the first dose must be administered by today, Monday, January 10, 2022, to be fully compliant on February 1, 2022. Additionally, employees and students are required to wear at least a 2 layered mask and are encouraged to wear a well-fitting KN95/N95 mask.

9. The CDC recommends that people aged 16 years and older get a booster shot for the COVID-19 vaccine if at least 6 months have passed since their last dose. 

Our school is making every effort to stay open and continue providing in-person instruction. We are grateful for our close collaboration with other regional private schools, our medical advisory team, and state and local health officials, which has helped to ensure the mitigation efforts deployed at Bishop McNamara are successful. Our school retains the right to adjust our school operations, including going back to virtual, should rising cases in our school or region, or directives from health officials, require such action.  

Important COVID Testing Dates to Remember: 

• January 9 (Sunday): COVID testing A-L 9-11 a.m., M-Z 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• January 13 (Thursday): COVID testing M-Z, 7:00-9 a.m.
• January 18 (Tuesday): COVID testing A-L, 7:00-9 a.m.
• January 20 (Thursday): COVID testing M-Z, 7:00-9 am.

Not Feeling Well? If your student is not feeling well and exhibits any ONE of the symptoms below they should stay home. Those students who report to the Health Room complaining of any of these symptoms will be sent home per current Department of Health protocols. When a student may return to school depends on several factors. Please contact Dr. Jessica Nash, Director of Student Health Services with any questions (jessica.nash@bmhs.org) 

• fever of 100.4° or higher
• sore throat
• cough
• difficulty breathing
• diarrhea or vomiting
• new onset of severe headache (especially with fever)
• new loss of taste or smell

*For persons with chronic conditions such as asthma, the symptoms should represent a change from their baseline.

Magnus Health Daily Screening: All students and employees who are on campus must continue to complete the Magnus Health screening through the Magnus Health app. If you/your student still need help setting it up or need to reset your login info please follow these directions. If you have questions or issues with the Magnus Health app please reach out to Dr. Jessica Nash, our Director of Student Health Services. 

Bishop McNamara High School reserves the right to adjust policy and procedure as needed to safely respond to the global health pandemic. Thank you for your continued support of our school and your efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on our campus.

Our school is making every effort to stay open and continue providing in-person instruction. We are grateful for our close collaboration with other regional private schools, our medical advisory team, and state and local health officials, which has helped to ensure the mitigation efforts deployed at Bishop McNamara are successful. Our school retains the right to adjust our school operations, including going back to virtual, should rising cases in our school or region, or directives from health officials, require such action.