BRHS Families,
It is hard to imagine last summer when we were researching, designing, and informing our community of our reopening plans, that it would take half a year for the virus to arrive as it has, now in January. The precautions we outlined in August, remain above and beyond those required by the CDC/DOE for safe in-person education. In addition we have increased our staff adding a 2nd school nurse, as well as additional custodians. We remain vigilant and have prepared for this time to 1. Keep our school and community safe and 2. Have a continuity of learning for our students.
Most recently, our school community has identified individuals who tested positive for the virus. We have been in close contact with the CDC and given the specifics of each of these cases, (which we are not at liberty to share as it is protected medical information under HIPPA), they have not advised the need to close our school to in-person learning. Here is the rationale and facts:
The timeline of the positive cases indicates they are not related and the spread didn’t occur on our campus
Those who tested positive followed the guidelines directed by our school medical team and other health professionals
Contact tracing and quarantine was immediately completed for those identified as a close contact
The BRHS staff/students who were considered close contacts of the person who tested positive are now quarantining, following CDC guidelines and our procedures
Physical distancing, mask wearing and hand washing/sanitizing continue to be procedures in place to decrease the transmission of COVID-19
We have deep cleaned the area that the positive person was in at BRHS
Given the facts and following CDC guidance, it does not merit school closure at this time. The health and safety of our students and staff are of utmost importance and we do not take that responsibility lightly. If at any time we felt that the student/staff population were at a greater risk by keeping our doors open we would not hesitate to go to virtual learning until that threat passed.
As a parent, school leader and community member, I understand the emotion and worry we have all been experiencing. I can say without question that we would never be dismissive of Covid in our school. Our School Reopening Committees were tasked with developing plans that kept safety, learning, and the mental health of our students, staff, and community at the heart of decision making. As these plans are carried out, we remain focused on those goals. We are proud to have been able to create the opportunity for students and families to have the choice to participate in in-person or remote learning. We are unwavering in our commitment to the education and safety of our students.
Our parents and staff are completing their daily health screenings and families are keeping their students home when they are feeling unwell. The community has shown a strong commitment and done an outstanding job following safety guidelines! Our job is to swiftly respond to any cases that appear, following the set protocols of the CDC and DOE and be transparent every step of the way. We will continue these practices as we move forward.
Please contact Nurse Kate Schwehm (kschwehm@aos98schools.org, Nurse Taylor Chasse tchasse@aos98schools.org or Principal Tricia Campbell (tcampbell@aos98schools.org) with any questions.
I thank you for your continued support.
Tricia Campbell, Principal BRHS