Dear Beresford School District Students, Parents, and Staff:
As you are aware, due to the number of positive COVID-19 cases and identified close contacts in our middle school and high school, there is NO SCHOOL for students and staff in grades 6-12 on Friday, January 29. Our District is very concerned about the current spread of positive COVID-19 cases amongst our grades 6-12 student body and staff. We are also concerned about the spread on one of our high school athletic teams and the potential of spread on another high school team.
Our District has suspended all athletic practices and competitions for the time being in the sports of girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, and wrestling until this is under control. It is our hope that with no school at the middle school/high school today and having the weekend, we will have a cooling off period to help decrease the likelihood of additional spread amongst our students, staff, and teams.
Unfortunately, we have seen an increase of children being sent to school with COVID-19 and/or Influenza related symptoms. We need our parents’ help in screening their children at home for symptoms of both COVID-19 and Influenza. Please keep your children at home and consult your child’s medical provider if your children are experiencing any of the following symptoms.
Please be watchful for symptoms of COVID-19, including:
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· Fever or chills |
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· Cough |
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· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing |
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· Fatigue |
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· Muscle or body aches |
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Please be watchful for symptoms of Influenza, including:
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· Fever |
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· Malaise (discomfort) |
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· Headache |
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· Runny nose |
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· Postnasal drip · Body pain or muscle pain |
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Following are two tables that summarize the current positive COVID-19 cases in the Beresford School District, as well as the total number of cases throughout the 20-21 school year.
Positive COVID-19 Active Student/Staff Cases, Total Cases, and Recovered Cases
As of
Friday, January 29, 2021 @ 9:00 a.m.
|
School |
Active Cases |
Total Cases |
Recovered Cases |
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Elementary School |
1 |
25 |
24 |
|
Middle School |
1 |
12 |
11 |
|
High School |
5 |
27 |
22 |
|
District Total |
7 |
64 |
57 |
Our District has had seven (7) positive COVID-19 cases this week amongst our student body and staff. Based on those seven (7) positive cases, eighty (80) close contacts have been identified and are required to quarantine based on our District’s Close Contact Quarantine Practices (https://5il.co/nuw2). Had there been school today for students in grades 6-12, over 20% of our students in grades 6-12 would not have been present in school due to isolation and quarantine.
Positive COVID-19 Student Cases, Staff Cases, and Total Cases
August 19, 2020 through January 29, 2021 @ 9:00 a.m.
|
School |
Positive Student Cases |
Positive Staff Cases |
Positive Total Cases |
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Elementary School |
10 |
15 |
25 |
|
Middle School |
11 |
1 |
12 |
|
High School |
19 |
8 |
27 |
|
District Total |
40 |
24 |
64 |
Over 20% of our District’s JK-12 grade staff members and over 5.5% of our JK-12 grade students have tested positive for COVID-19 throughout the 20-21 school year.
If students display any COVID-19 and/or Influenza related symptoms at school, they will be required to wear a facial covering/mask in school until picked up by a parent/guardian, or until the student receives a negative COVID-19 test result, or until a medical provider states in writing that the student is healthy and can be in school.
Parents will be notified when their child has COVID-19 and/or Influenza related symptoms during regular school hours. Students are able to have a COVID-19 Rapid Test administered by our school district nurse and/or trained school official. Parental consent is required prior to any Rapid Test. Following is the link to our District’s Pre-Authorization COVID-19 Rapid Test Consent Form: https://5il.co/macp.
The Influenza and COVID-19 virus are spread from person-to-person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Spread is more likely to occur when people are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).
Following are precautions to avoid illness:
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
· Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
· Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
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Individuals at higher risk for severe
COVID-19 illness, such as older adults or people who have chronic medical conditions
like heart, lung or kidney disease, should take actions to reduce their risk of
exposure. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html)
We have been very fortunate thus far to maintain in-person learning throughout the school year and for the most part, we have been able to keep all of our activities ongoing as well. Your adherence to the guidelines in this letter will help us to continue our collective efforts in maintaining in-person learning and activities for all students.
Thank you for your assistance and support in helping to keep all of our students and staff healthy.
Sincerely,
Brian Field, Superintendent
Beresford School District