May 7, 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 other staff or students 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 healthcare facility before you show up in person. Stay home if you are sick.
MVMS (Whole School) will be remote learning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 -12, 2021, due to multiple symptomatic students who are awaiting test results. We will provide more information as we receive it, and we will make a school wide decision about returning to in person learning on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
Mrs. Boucher-Ladd and Mr. LaPointe’s students will be remote learning May 10-12, 2021. More information about the end of the week will be coming.
5th Grade will be fully remote for the entire week and will return to in person learning on Monday, May 17, 2021. Students who are in quarantine have been contacted.
8th Grade RED Cohort will be fully remote for the entire week and will return to in person learning on Monday, May 17, 2021. Students who are in quarantine have been contacted.
Fully Remote students will continue to attend online classes as usual.
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 14 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 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 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 at Caitlyn Beardsley by calling cbeardsley@rsu10.org. 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, MVMS