January 27, 2021
Dear Families,
This letter informs you that an individual associated with the Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) recently tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19). If you or your child is identified as a close contact of the person who tested positive, we will contact you within 24-48 hours. As part of our school community, we are informing you now out of an abundance of caution. This is not an outbreak. Because of the protocols we have in place (masking, distancing, sanitizing, etc.), we are hopeful that there will not be secondary cases. We are not at liberty to divulge specific information about the person who tested positive. Please be respectful of one another and their privacy.
As a result of the positive case and the possibility of exposure to other students and staff, BRHS will switch to our RED mode of operation (100% remote instruction) for the remainder of this week (January 27-29). Boothbay Region Elementary School will remain open in the current mode of operations. Remote classes/instruction will start for all BRHS students on Thursday, January 27th. BRHS students will be expected to check their school email daily, follow the regular class schedules, and log into their teachers’ Google Classrooms as directed in teacher emails. Students, please reach out to Ms. Burnham in the Guidance Department if you have any questions about your schedule at lburnham@aos98schools.org. Because we will operate remotely, students will not attend Bath Vocational School until we return to our regular operation mode.
School officials will closely monitor this situation in collaboration with the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC). We will decide on the mode of operation for the week of February 1st - 5th by the end of the day on Friday, January 29th. A reminder that when we are operating in our RED mode of operation, there will be no athletic practices or after school activities.
As a reminder, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with symptoms that range from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and those with underlying health 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
Headache Congestion or runny nose
Fatigue Nausea or vomiting
Muscle or body aches Diarrhea
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Please monitor yourself and your children for signs and symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms start, and contact a healthcare facility before you show up for a test in person. You must stay home if you are sick. We insist that you complete your child’s daily health screening each morning. If you are not receiving the RUVNA app notification daily, please notify the school office, and we will assist you.
The CDC recommends preventive 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 are 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. Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 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.
Contact details for more information
● 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.
● For questions about your symptoms, call a healthcare provider. More information available at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
● Questions specific to the Boothbay Region High School can be directed to the school nurse, Mrs. Schwehm, at kschwehm@aos98schools.org or the high school principal, Mrs. Campbell, at tcampbell@aos98schools.org.
I understand this is unwelcome news. The frustration and challenge it presents is understood. Nonetheless, ensuring the safety of all students and staff necessitates this temporary change.
Sincerely,
Keith S. Laser, Ed.D.
AOS 98, Superintendent of Schools