1.10.2021
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 today, Sunday, January 10, 2021. As a result we will go to remote learning Monday, January 11, 2021 at Brewer High School so we can have the time to contact trace.
Students should look for an email from teachers that will give instruction on how to log into classes. 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 Monday.
Brewer Community School (BCS) will be in session.
As we identify close contacts they will be notified by phone and/or email with additional information no later than Monday at noon. Should anyone need it, this is a link on COVID-19 testing in Maine.
BHS will 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 on Monday between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please submit your form by 9:00 a.m.
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 Sunday 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.
There will be an update of our plan for the rest of the week by end of day tomorrow, Monday, January 11, 2021.
Sincerely,
Gregg Palmer, Superintendent of School
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