Update guidelines 1-2-22

Dear BEA Community:

Last Monday, the CDC came out with new guidelines and requirements.  Here are the new guidelines/requirements the district will implement beginning immediately:

1.  Persons who test positive for COVID must quarantine for 5 days from the start of symptoms.  If after 5 days, the patient is asymptomatic or has minor symptoms, their quarantine period is over, however, they should wear a mask around others until Day 10 while at school.  (Note:. The CDC is now counting the first day of symptoms as Day 0).

2.  Persons who are exposed to someone outside of school that are not in their household must quarantine for 5 days and can be tested on Day 5.  If the test is negative, they may return to school/work immediately upon receiving their negative results.

3.  Persons who are exposed to someone in their household must quarantine for 10 days and can be tested on Day 10.  If the test is negative, they may return to school/work immediately upon receiving their negative results.  (Note: if multiple people are positive in the same household, the 10 days starts over.  Please contact the school nurse if it is a student and contact me if a staff member if you have questions regarding this).

In all three cases, quarantine times are cut in half.

4.  Those individuals who were vaccinated more than 6 months ago and have not received a booster shot must quarantine for 5 days and then wear a mask for an additional 5 days at school.  (This is a new requirement under CDC guidelines).

5.  Vaccinated individuals who were vaccinated in the past 6 months and/or received their booster shot are not required to quarantine provided they wear a mask for 10 days (previously it was 14 days).

*Note:. This is a constantly changing situation.  Should anything change, I will notify you immediately.  Please be patient as we incorporate these new changes.

 We continue to not accept home testing results.  If you have a unique situation, please contact your school nurse.

All other guidelines remain the same.  If you have any questions, please contact your school nurse for students and contact me if you are an employee.
 
The most important thing everyone can do to help prevent the spread of the virus is to stay home if you are sick.  There is always the chance of having to go to remote learning, especially if we have many of our staff absent or an outbreak of cases.  Working together gives us the best chance to get through this and remain open for business.


Sincerely,
Scott V Graham
Superintendent