Dear Parents,
In a time of much confusion and ambiguity, I wanted to take this time to offer clarification of our policies and procedures regarding confirmed positive COVID students and exposures. Please note that over the course of the last month, much has changed and will continue to change. I ask for your patience, grace, and understanding during this time. As it stands right now, please note the following:
If we have a student that has been confirmed COVID+, the following will go into effect regarding close contacts and determining the quarantining of students.
The definition, as it relates to the school environment, of a close contact is as follows:
- Being within 6 feet of the COVID+ person for a cumulative of 15 minutes or more IF ONLY ONE OF THE STUDENTS is masked.
- Having had any direct physical contact with the COVID+ student (such as tackling, hugging, sneezing, coughing).
If a student is considered to have been a close contact with the COVID+ student, they will be required to quarantine at home UNLESS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY:
- Student is fully vaccinated.
- Student has been COVID+ in the last 90 days.
- Student has been and will continue to (for the next 2 weeks) participate in weekly screening at home. See below for details.
- BOTH the COVID+ student and the exposed student were masked.
If your child is required to quarantine, please monitor signs and symptoms and let the office know as soon as possible if they do become COVID+. The following will be used to determine when your child can return to school.
- Your child has quarantined for 14 days after date of last exposure.
- Your child has a negative COVID test 3 – 5 days after date of last exposure.
- Acceptable tests include PCR, molecular, and antigen tests.
If participating in the weekly screening at home, please use the following questions to help determine if your child is and continues to be healthy.
- In the past 24 hours has my child had a fever?
- In the past 7 days, has my child had a cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing that’s new or getting worse?
- In the past 3 days, has my child had any of these symptoms?
- Fever or feeling feverish (chills, sweating)
- Fatigue (feeling tired all of the time)
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of smell or taste
- Sore throat
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Please let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification. I ask that you ceaselessly keep STM Catholic in your prayers and ask for St. Michael’s protection as we proceed through the school year.
Peace and blessings,
Mrs. DeWolfe
Principal