Covid

November 2, 2021

Dear Staff, Students, and Families:

This letter is to inform you that RSU #38 has had staff members test positive test positive in the following buildings, 1 staff at  Maranacook Community High School, 1 staff member at Readfield Elementary and 1 staff member at Manchester Elementary School.  All staff were in school on Monday, November 1. Notification of close contacts for students and staff has been completed. 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.

We highly recommend any designated close contacts linked to these cases consider getting a PCR COVID-19 test per the guidance outlined by our school nurses. 

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 Dr. Dwayne Conway, the principal of Maranacook Community High School,  Jeff Boston, the principal of Readfield Elementary School and/or Abbie Hartford, Principal of Manchester Elementary school or the school nurses by calling the following number 685-4923 (High School), 685-4406 (Readfield Elementary), and/or 622-2949 (Manchester Elementary). 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,

James Charette, Superintendent