December 10, 2020
Dear Noble Community:
Please be aware that each and every time we receive notification of a positive case within the school district we remain steadfast in our commitment to notify all community members in a timely manner. We will continue that practice moving ahead. With that in mind, we would like to inform you that due to the close proximity of cases at each school: Knowlton School, Noble High School, and Noble Middle School (No. Berwick gr. 4, District grade 5); the CDC has opened an “outbreak investigation” for these three schools. Due to the timing of Thanksgiving Break some of these positive individuals are included in our “count” but were not physically present while infectious. Today we met virtually with representatives from the Maine CDC and the Department of Education as a routine part of the procedure outlined by the state when a school has been identified as having an outbreak. We will continue to follow the health and safety procedures which are currently in place in the district as we monitor the influx of cases within our community.
Additionally, today, we have been notified of four additional cases associated with our district who have tested positive for COVID-19. One individual has not been in any school or district building, one at the Vivian E. Hussey School, one at the Noble Middle School (No. Berwick gr. 4, District grade 5), and one at Noble High School.
The CDC has developed Standard Operating Procedure criteria for case/outbreak investigations and we are working with the state team as they move through their process. The state team has been impressed with our procedures and protocols with each case to date and complimented us on our efficiency and transparency. Of note, during Dr. Shah’s daily update he will mention the investigation naming Knowlton School, Noble High School, and Noble Middle School (No. Berwick gr. 4, District grade 5) specifically either this afternoon or Friday. Again, this is a routine part of the investigation process yet we wanted to bring this to your attention. School districts across York County are grappling with the same challenges we face each and every day. We will continue to remain vigilant throughout this process.
Sincerely,
Audra E. Beauvais
Superintendent of Schools