Dear Parents/Guardians:
This communication is to provide a summary of the positive COVID-19 cases within our school community since before winter recess (as a reminder, we paused positive case notifications during the winter break). In each of these unrelated cases, we worked with the Columbia County Department of Health as soon as we were notified to immediately contact any families or staff directly impacted:
- A staff member at Hudson Junior High School (last in school on February 4th)
- A staff member at M.C. Smith Elementary School (last in school on February 5th)
- Two elementary school students (last in school on February 5th and February 12th)
If you were not contacted by a representative of the school district or DOH, there is no further action needed on your part.
Please continue to do your part in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the community by monitoring your family’s health, wearing masks or face coverings, practicing social distancing, washing your hands, avoiding gatherings, and staying home if you are sick or awaiting test results. If you need to report a COVID-19 related health issue, please contact your child’s principal or school nurse.
We would like to remind families and staff to be prepared to go remote at any time, out of necessity, for one or more of the following reasons:
- Staff shortages due to mandatory quarantines
- Time needed for contact tracing
- County, regional, or statewide mandates
- Widespread infection
- Precautionary measures to prevent widespread infection
Our goal is to remain open for students and staff as long as we are able, as this is the best environment for learning. We thank you for your continued assistance in making this possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Maria Lagana Suttmeier, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools