Dear Parents and Community Members:

On September 26, 2020, the Preston Board of Education was notified that a member of our school community has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The affected person has been instructed to remain home in self-isolation for 14 days and has been provided with additional instructions to follow prior to returning to school. Family members have also been instructed to self-quarantine and get tested.

The last day this person was in the district was Friday, September 25, 2020. Anyone who is considered a “close contact” with this person has been contacted or will be contacted by school or local health officials and provided with instructions on the appropriate steps to take.

To provide an opportunity to complete all contact tracing, maintain a safe and healthy school environment, and act with an abundance of caution Preston Public Schools will move to virtual instruction for Monday, September 28 and Tuesday, September 29, 2020. We will continue our Wednesday, September 30, 2020 virtual instruction. After we have completed all of our contact tracing process and conferred with Uncas Health District for further guidance we will announce whether additional measures need to be taken.

Every school district has unique circumstances that they respond to in the COVID-19 process. Please be prepared for a possible shift for at least the next 14 days to full virtual instruction. A formal announcement will be forthcoming.

Please find below information about COVID-19 and our mitigation efforts.

COVID-19 is spread mainly via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to discuss the following preventive measures with your children and family members:

Wash your hands frequently, but especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips. When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze inside the elbow of your arm.
As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Wear a face covering (mask) whenever there is a likelihood that you or your family members will be in the presence of others.
Maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) between yourself and others when outside of your home.

Below is the list of COVID-19 symptoms for which everyone should monitor in their family members:

❑ Fever (100.4° Fahrenheit or higher)

❑ Chills or shaking chills

❑ Uncontrolled new cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)

❑ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

❑ New loss of taste or smell

For additional information on COVID-19 symptoms, please see:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Staff and students exhibiting any of the above symptoms, or feeling ill, should remain home and call their medical provider to report their symptoms and ask about testing prior to seeking in-person care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital.

For more information on what to do if you or a family member has possible symptoms, a diagnosis, or exposure to COVID-19, please see Addendum 5: Interim Guidance for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios in Connecticut School Districts, available here:

https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/COVID19/COVID-19-Resources-for-Families-and-Educators/Addendums-and-FAQs

We are closely monitoring this situation and working with the Uncas Health District and will provide you with updates as we know more. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Roy M. Seitsinger, Jr., Ph. D.

Superintendent

Roy M. Seitsinger, Jr., Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

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