Please note that Far Hills Country Day School's 2022–23 COVID-19 Protocols outlined below are based on infection rate and current CDC and NJ DOH recommendations. Recommendations may change when parameters change.

As of September 6, 2022, Far Hills Country Day School will:

• require students/faculty who test positive for COVID-19 to quarantine at home for five (5) days [they may return after day five (5) if they are symptom/fever free for 24 hours, excluding loss of taste/smell, wearing a mask for days six (6) to ten (10)];
• require a negative COVID-19 test for students to return to school after being ill with COVID-compatible symptoms (they must be fever- and symptom-free for 24 hours); 
• require that students/faculty produce a doctor's note with an alternate diagnosis to return to school if they've been absent for three (3) or more days; and
• allow siblings of positive COVID-19 cases to attend school, regardless of vaccination status.
  • If the county is in GREEN status, these students will be encouraged to mask for five (5) days. 
  • If the county is in YELLOW or RED status, these students will be required to wear a mask for a full ten (10) days.

The Health Office will be in touch with families as needed. 

Updated COVID-19 Return to Play Protocol

As of September 6, 2022:

• Students under 12 years of age may resume normal activities unless they develop symptoms.
• Students 12 years of age or older may return to sedentary activities and Physical Education/Athletics practices as follows:
  • Students who had asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 infections may return to play with two days of light activity to be determined by the Physical Education staff or coach. By day three (3), they can resume normal activity or play in a full practice if they have no symptoms. A facemask needs to be worn for ALL physical activity—including practices—until ten (10) days have passed from the time of the first symptoms or positive test.
  • Students who have had moderate infections need to be at minimum one (1)-day symptom-free (excluding loss of taste/smell) and need a minimum of four (4) days of gradual increase in physical activity with no games before day five (5). A face mask should be worn for ALL physical activity—including games or scrimmages—until ten (10) full days from the positive test or symptom onset have passed.
  • Students who experienced severe infections will need a doctor's note to return to play.

For nearly two years, we have gathered critical information from public health experts to guide us through the pandemic. Considering all of the important factors in going mask optional as of March 7, 2022, has been no different. The experts we spoke to agree that moving to a mask-optional policy starting March 7 makes sense at this time, given the precipitous decline in positivity locally, as well as the decrease in the severity of the infection. Understandably, the move in this direction is welcomed news for many but concerning to others. There may be members of our community who will prefer to remain masked, and of course, we will respect that decision. Students will be instructed to treat one another with respect regardless of their family's decision regarding masking.

The Governor’s announcement about lifting the mask mandate in schools as of March 7 is one more indication that schools are moving toward more normal operations while continuing with other common-sense measures to keep our communities healthy. If you have any questions, please contact our Health Office.

We continue to be cautiously optimistic as we head into the third trimester of the year. The safety and health of Far Hills Country Day School’s students, employees, and families will continually be our top priority. We appreciate our entire community’s efforts and dedication during this time. 

New Jersey’s school mask mandate is lifted, effective Monday, March 7, 2022.
CDC eased its masking recommendation as of the last week of February 2022.
On February 22, 2022, the New Jersey Department of Health updated its recommendations for COVID-19 protocols in schools. 

The spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve quickly in the United States, with new information and new cases confirmed daily. Far Hills continues to vigorously monitor and respond to these developments and recommendations from our school physician, the New Jersey Department of Health, the Somerset County Department of Health, and the Bernards Township Health Department. The school also continues to review the public health and travel advisory guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. State Department. In the face of this rapidly developing global health emergency, our highest priority remains the health and welfare of our students, faculty, and staff.

• How to Manage Stress During the COVID Crisis (FH School Psychologist Dr. Steve Tobias)
• “Fear and Anxiety” fact sheet PDF (ODH/U.C. Berkeley)
• Talking to Children About COVID-19 PDF (National Association of School Psychologists)
• What Kids Want to Know About Coronavirus (NPR)