September 14, 2021
Dear Staff, Students, and Families,
This letter is to inform you 3 positive student cases have been identified within RSU #38. One student at Readfield Elementary School has been identified but has not been in school this week so no contact tracing is necessary. Two students at Maranacook Community High School have tested positive and were in school creating an exposure to students and staff. Contact tracing is currently in progress. You will receive a message from High School staff if your child is considered a close contact. We are informing you out of an abundance of caution. Please monitor yourself/your student for signs and symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms start. It is important that you call a healthcare facility before you show up in person. Stay home if you are sick.
Included in this letter is a chart that is helpful in understanding how quarantining is determined using the Standard Operating Procedures released by the Department of Education. Note where the exposure occurred on the top line and then look for the exemption application at the left side of the chart. This determines on an individual basis the necessary protocols. Note that expedition #4 speaks to masking AND distancing AND it being a student exposure.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms include:
fever or chills • new loss of taste or smell
cough • sore throat
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • congestion or runny nose
fatigue • nausea or vomiting
muscle or body aches • diarrhea
headache
Please keep in mind that many things can cause respiratory illness, so students and staff should be up-to-date on influenza and routine vaccinations.
Close contacts who are unvaccinated will be asked to quarantine from school for 10-full-days from last exposure to the positive individual. All unvaccinated close contacts will be asked to quarantine from non-school activities as well. A negative test result does not get an individual out of quarantine.
Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include proper handwashing with soap and warm water, which is especially important after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. When soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others. Wear a cloth face covering in public indoor spaces, especially if you are not vaccinated. Cloth face coverings are recommended in schools and childcare settings for people over 5 years of age. Get a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you. When in public, avoid social distances of less than 6 feet and direct physical contact.
Questions can be directed to Dwayne Conway, the principal of Maranacook High School or the school nurse by calling the following 685-4923. Questions can be directed to Jeff Boston, the principal of Readfield Elementary School or the school nurse by calling the following 685-4406. For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695). You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. Call a health care provider for questions about your symptoms. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Sincerely,
Jay Charette
Superintendent of Schools