Spartans,
Today the CDC released new guidelines relative to quarantine protocol. In short, the recommended quarantine period is now ten days from the date of last close contact or seven days with a negative test (BPS will require PCR test collected on day 5, 6, or 7 OR a rapid test on day 7 of quarantine ) a reduction from the previous recommendation of 14 days.
Additionally, as we have made the transition to distance learning district-wide many of our procedures have changed, of course!
However, the most critical pieces of our COVID protocol remain the same. A few of utmost importance are our reporting, quarantine, and isolation practices and we would like to take this opportunity to remind all families and staff members of the importance of reporting COVID cases to our response team.
Keeping accurate data at the district level is essential to the health and safety of our students and staff. Additionally, making data-driven decisions based on accurate numbers is a critical part of our response.
For families, this means notifying your school nurse or site principal immediately upon knowledge of a COVID infection. This can be completed via phone call or email at any time whether we are in school, on break, or in an at-home learning period.
For staff, this means communicating with your site or department administrator immediately upon knowledge of a COVID infection.
Furthermore, we want to once again encourage kindness and understanding within our community as you are made aware of COVID cases and possible associated quarantines. Being forthcoming with this information is simply the right thing to do and as Supt. Miller has mentioned previously, it is very disheartening to hear of families experiencing unkind treatment when reporting cases to BPS.
This is a time for honesty, grace, kindness, and respect. We ask for your participation and cooperation in all of these areas.
BPS has already contacted currently quarantined students impacted by this newly recommended guidance with their updated return to activity dates.
Should you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our district office at 918-366-2200.
Thank you,
BPS