January 30, 2021
Dear Staff, Students, and Families,
This letter is to inform you that an individual associated with Mountain Valley Middle School recently tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a possibility that staff or students in the 8th Grade Blue hybrid in person model came in contact with this individual and therefore may be exposed to the virus. We are informing you out of an abundance of caution. Please monitor yourself/your student for signs and symptoms. Call a health care provider if symptoms start. It is important that you call a health care facility before you show up in person. Stay home if you are sick.
If your child has been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 the school nurse will be in contact with you with information about quarantining. Quarantine will end at end of day on Friday, February 5, 2021.
MVMS has multiple 8th Grade Team staff members on quarantine and will not be able to meet the CDC guidelines for safety in the coming week. Therefore, ALL 8TH GRADE HYBRID IN PERSON LEARNERS will be REMOTE for the week of February 1 - 5, 2021. School will resume in person for all students Monday, February 8, 2021. Students will be expected to check in and attend school remotely. Teams will reach out to students via email, Google Classroom and Team Face Book pages with more information.
Any students NOT quarantining due to exposure can participate in winter sports practices.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying 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 • cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • fatigue
• muscle or body aches • headache
• new loss of taste or smell • sore throat
• congestion or runny nose • nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
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.
Maine CDC or a school representative will contact you directly if you are identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive. Close contacts will be asked to quarantine for 10 days from last exposure to the positive individual. A negative test result does not get an individual out of quarantine.
Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include proper hand washing 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 is 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.
Questions for the school can be directed to Caitlin Beardsley (School Nurse) at cbeardsley@rsu10.org or the school office at (207)364-7926 on Monday. 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. Call a health care provider for questions about your symptoms. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Sincerely,
Ryan Casey
Principal