1.18.2021
Dear Staff and Brewer Schools’ Families,
This letter is to inform you that an individual associated with cohort A at Brewer High School (BHS) tested positive for COVID-19 this weekend. That information was received at 4:00 p.m. today, Monday, January 18, 2021. As a result we will go to remote learning Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Brewer High School so we can have the time to contact trace.
The person believes they contracted the virus outside of the school but was in the building before they realized it and then got tested on Thursday before the long weekend. That test was just returned as positive.
Students should look for an email from teachers that will give instruction on how to log into classes no later than the start of the first block on Tuesday morning. Students who are not able to connect for their classes will be able to make up the work.
We have been in contact with the Maine Center for Disease Control (MCDC) and will fully enact all protocols before the end of the day on Tuesday.
As we identify close contacts they will be notified by phone and/or email with additional information during the day on Tuesday. Should anyone need it, this is a link on COVID-19 testing in Maine.
Grades 1,2,5,6, & 7 will be in session at Brewer Community School (BCS). The community was already notified that grades 3,4, & 8 are remote this coming four day week.
A reminder that cohort days are as follows this week:
Tuesday…………………………………...cohort A
Wednesday………………………………cohort B
Thursday…………………………………..cohort A
Friday……………………………………......cohort B
Any remote student who needs it can have a bag lunch available. Here is the request form: Lunch Request Form. Families can pick up the lunch by driving up to the front entrance at Brewer Community School between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please submit your form by 9:00 a.m. on the day the lunch is needed.
As always we continue to ask all families to monitor students for any symptoms. The same is true for Brewer School Department staff. Individuals should call a health care provider if they develop symptoms. It is important to call a healthcare facility before showing up in person if symptoms appear.
People should stay home when they are sick. 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 the following:
- 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 or 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.
A negative test result does not get an individual out of quarantine. Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have incorporated these into our Keys to Safety in the Brewer Schools.
While it is rare for cases to spread inside a school setting due to diligent masking and the observance of other safety practices, we are thoroughly investigating and will communicate with you if there is any new information.
Questions for the school should be directed to school Principal Brent Slowikowski, Assistant Principal Scott Walker, school nurse Cathy Sherman RN at BHS (all at 989-4140) and Carol Warmuth RN at BCS (at 404-5700), or Superintendent Gregg Palmer (at 989-3160). Email addresses include first initials and last names followed by @breweredu.org
Our recent remote learning days have been very well done by staff and attendance has been good. Please emphasize to your student(s) that they should log in and attend their classes this Monday.
I am sorry for the timing of this notification, but we are getting this information out as soon as we are able. We are determined to exercise excellent safety hygiene and also to be open for in-person learning at every available opportunity as we look forward to the vaccines reaching schools.
I am hoping that the past few days of lower case counts continue in Maine and that we have fewer disruptions to remote learning in the coming days and weeks. Regardless, we will continue proving our students with consistent education day in, day out whether remote or in-person. Thank you for helping us and for your support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Gregg Palmer, Superintendent of School
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