Covid-19 Information

BMS is guided by the Public Schools of Brookline COVID-19 Protocols and the CDC Guidelines. It is of utmost importance that staff, faculty, and students do not come to work/teach or a lesson/group class if they have tested positive for COVID, are awaiting results of a COVID test, or are experiencing signs of illness.

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for a minimum of 5 days and must test negative to return to BMS. Individuals must be fever-free (without needing fever-reducing medication) and symptoms must be improving to end isolation and return to BMS. If fever or symptoms persist, continue to isolate until improved. Individuals leaving isolation must wear a high-quality mask at school, and when around others, for the next 5 days (days 6-10).

Asymptomatic individuals exposed to someone with COVID-19 do not need to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status or exposure setting, as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10, and it is recommended to test on Day 6 of exposure.

Before entering Kennard House or any other BMS teaching space, faculty, staff, students, families, and visitors should self-screen and stay home if they are ill. If someone exhibits symptoms that raise concern, they must isolate until they can safely leave the building.

Any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face a higher risk from COVID-19, will be supported in that choice. Masks are strongly encouraged during recitals regardless of vaccination status.

The CDC emphasizes that vaccination is the most effective way to protect against severe illness or death from COVID. BMS strongly encourages everyone who is eligible to be up-to-date with their COVID vaccine.

Hand sanitizers are located on each floor of Kennard House and should be used by everyone entering Kennard House. In addition, students and employees will be instructed to wash hands frequently, especially before and after lessons and group instruction. Piano keys will also be wiped down regularly.

BMS installed a new HVAC system during the 2020-2021 school year which includes an air purification system running through the ducts of our building. This system is active all of the time.

If a student exhibits symptoms, we will isolate the student until a parent/guardian can pick the student up. In order to minimize these occurrences, we implore students to stay home if they have missed school or work on the day of a lesson due to illness. The same is true for faculty and staff.

If a student or faculty member needs to continue learning/teaching remotely, they should contact the BMS Director of Education for assistance. For health and safety reasons, BMS may revert from in-person to remote lessons for some or all students depending on the status of the pandemic.

This policy is subject to change based on local, state and federal advice and directives on how to safely operate the school during the COVID pandemic.