Good Afternoon Staff and Families,
There was one individual at East Granby High School who recently tested COVID-19 positive. Contract tracing was completed with support of the Farmington Valley Health District.
From contact tracing interviews throughout the Farmington Valley districts, the most common symptoms are congestion, runny nose, post nasal drip and GI issues including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. We will not assume these symptoms are allergies, and this is why students are being sent home and asked to be assessed by their medical provider or get a COVID-19 test. Thank you for understanding and please remember that our decisions are based on the guidance of our health department. We are tasked with protecting all students and staff and our responses, coupled with the follow through from our families, has allowed us to continue with in-person learning. This past week, we did have a number of individuals test positive post travel. The good news is that individuals followed the recommendations to get tested upon return, and isolated if needed.
There is still plenty of virus circulating and we are told over and over again by local and state health departments to not let up on our mitigation strategies. It is extremely important to be vigilant about mask wearing, hand washing and social distancing. We hear a lot about Connecticut "reopening" on May 19th. Please recognize that our school parameters look different, as they have all year. Administrators and teachers are currently discussing and planning for end of year events. Our students will enjoy activities, but we will follow what we "should do" rather than what we "can do"; we are not back to typical times and will continue to operate under caution. More information will be communicated by the schools in the coming weeks.
The FVHD is having two vaccine clinics in May (1st and 15th for first Pfizer shots) for students in the Farmington Valley who are 16 and older. The first clinic on May 1st is reserved for those with Senior status and the goal is to have any high school senior, who chooses, the opportunity to be fully vaccinated prior to graduation. A separate communication with more detail was sent out this afternoon by East Granby High School Administration to those who qualify.
If you have any questions about your student exhibiting symptoms, please stay home and monitor / seek testing or medical advice. If someone in a household has symptoms, even minor, please be proactive and keep all members of the household home to check/monitor for symptoms and/or seek testing.
Thank you for your diligence and commitment in following all of the recommendations and guidelines from our health department. Together we will FINISH STRONG!
From the Connecticut State Department of Education and the Department of Public Health:
Finish Strong https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/Digest/2020-21/FinishStrong.pdf
At school
Anyone reporting to a school building to learn or work should be aware of the current school procedures in place to protect their school community and preserve in-person learning. These include:
• Correct and consistent wearing of a multi-layer cloth or similar material mask at all times while inside school buildings and outside when in close contact with others.
• Frequent hand washing or sanitizing, especially when sharing materials.
• Maintaining distance from others to the extent possible and avoiding large groups.
• Staying seated, masked, and not interacting in close contact with others when on the bus.
• Being aware of any symptoms that develop and stay home or leave school if symptoms develop, whether or not you think they are related to something other than COVID-19.
• Get tested if you are experiencing any symptoms or if you have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 (whether at school or elsewhere) and stay out of school until you get a negative test result back.
Outside of school
• Employ all the same mitigation strategies that you use in school when you are in public or around individuals outside of your household, especially during sports or other group activities.
• Do not assume that because someone has no symptoms or because you know and trust them that they are not a risk for COVID-19 infection.
• Avoid unnecessary public interactions and consolidate errands into fewer trips to the extent possible.
• Move activities outdoors to the extent possible to allow for additional spacing and dilution air, especially if activities involve gathering with individuals outside of your immediate household.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Best to you,
Missy Bavaro-Grande