January 4, 2022
Greetings;
Based on recent national CDC guideline shifts, the Maine CDC along with the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services have responded to those changes by modifying the Maine Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the school setting.
Quarantine Changes:
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 may return to school after five (5) days of isolation if symptoms are resolving or no longer present and must wear a mask around others for an additional five (5) days.
Close Contact Changes:
Students who ride the bus are no longer considered close contacts.
Due to the fact that all district schools implemented universal masking early in the school year, students and staff are eligible to remain in school and school based activities even after being exposed to a positive COVID-19 case regardless of the location of the exposure.
While these changes will be implemented moving forward, please be aware that we request your continued cooperation as we address positive COVID-19 cases. Below is a list of responsibilities we are continuing to implement to mitigate positive case results in the schools:
Family Responsibilities:
Use the daily screener to check for symptoms. Do not send your student to school should symptoms be present.
Keep your symptomatic student home should they be awaiting test results.
Send positive COVID-19 lab results to the school nurse.
Speak with your school nurse regarding “at-home” test results for further guidance.
Follow isolation criteria per the U.S. CDC.
School/district Responsibilities:
Seating charts and daily attendance checks on all buses.
Continued utilization of seating charts in classrooms.
Identification and tracing of close contacts.
Notification to families regarding close contact status-students still may attend school but the notification will serve to alert families of the close contact status.
Notification of a confirmed case to Maine CDC.
The Maine CDC, Department of Education and Department of Human Services are continuing to refine the guidelines for schools. All updates we receive will be communicated to families and staff in a timely manner.
Thank you for your continued support and diligence as we head into the winter months.
Sincerely,
Audra Beauvais
Superintendent of Schools