Sunday Message
Sunday, January 2
Principal's Message
Happy New Year to all PUE Families! I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable holiday. We are excited to welcome Track 1, 2, & 3 back tomorrow. WCPSS sent out new guidance regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance over the holiday.
I have put the highlights below regarding district guidance for COVID-19. For additional information, visit https://www.wcpss.net/WhenToReturn.
WCPSS Guidance for Students/Staff Diagnosed with COVID-19
You may return if it has been 5 days since your first positive COVID-19 test AND you have not developed any symptoms. If you develop symptoms, you should isolate from others until fever-free and symptoms are improving. Individuals should isolate for at least 5 days since symptoms began. Email your test result to Kayla Perry at kperry@wcpss.net
Students/Staff Experiencing a Symptom of Illness
The NC Department of Health and Human Services requires additional health precautions if you have one of these symptoms often associated with COVID-19:
- 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
- Diarrhea
NO MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR COVID-19 TEST?
You may return if It has been at least 5 days since you first had symptoms AND it has been at least 24 hours since you had a fever (without the use of fever reducing medicine) AND symptoms are improving, including cough and shortness of breath
ALTERNATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS?
You may return if you have a confirmed diagnosis other than COVID-19 (like a stomach virus, ear infection, etc.) from a healthcare professional to explain the COVID-19-like symptoms AND it has been at least 24 hours since you had a fever (without the use of fever reducing medicine) AND you have felt well for 24 hours. The health care provider is not required to detail the specifics of the alternate diagnosis. Email your alternate diagnosis to Kayla Perry at kperry@wcpss.net.
NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST?
You may return if you have a negative PCR/Molecular* COVID-19 test AND it has been at least 24 hours since you had a fever (without the use of fever reducing medicine) AND you have felt well for 24 hours NOTE: If you have a negative rapid antigen** test, you must receive a follow-up negative PCR/Molecular test. Email your test result to Kayla Perry at kperry@wcpss.net
Exposed to COVID-19
EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19 WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS?
Staff and students who are exposed to someone with COVID-19, and
- Not vaccinated – stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if they test negative, return to school.
- Vaccinated and eligible for a booster, but not yet been boosted – stay away from others for 5 days, get tested on day 5 after exposure, and if they test negative, return to school.
- Vaccinated, and have either received a booster or are not yet eligible for a booster – individuals do not need to stay away from others.
EXCEPTIONS
If face coverings were worn appropriately (over nose, mouth, and under chin) and consistently by both the person with COVID-19 and the potentially exposed person. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated after a close contact in a classroom or other school setting if masks were being worn appropriately and consistently by both the person with COVID-19 and the potentially exposed person do NOT need to quarantine. This is based on StrongSchoolsNC: Public Health Toolkit (K-12) Interim Guidance. Updated studies that have shown low risk of COVID-19 transmission in classroom settings when face masks were being used appropriately by both the person with COVID-19 and the potentially exposed person, as well as multiple layers of prevention measures in place to prevent transmission in school settings. This applies to exposures in classrooms, other in-school settings, and school transportation but does not apply to exposures during extracurricular, including athletic activities.
Safety Measures
WCPSS also provides this guidance regarding face coverings:
Face coverings should:
- Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
- Fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaps
- Be reasonably comfortable
- Allow you to breathe easily
- Be secured safely over nose, mouth and under your chin and completely cover your nose and mouth
- Be changed if it becomes soiled or wet
- Cloth face coverings should be washed as needed
- Wash face covering in washing machine using soap and water
- Dry face covering in a dryer or allow to air dry
Face coverings should not:
- Have exhalation valves or vents which allow virus particles to escape.
- be constructed of mesh fabric.
Layering Face Coverings
You have the option of layering face coverings, but it is not required.
The CDC provides two options for layering face coverings:
- Use a cloth face covering that has multiple layers of fabric. All cloth face coverings provided by DPI and WCPSS to students and staff have multiple layers.
- Wear one disposable mask underneath a cloth face covering. The cloth face covering should push the edges of the disposable mask against your face.
- Surgical masks are acceptable.
Do not combine two disposable masks. Disposable masks are not designed to fit tightly and wearing more than one will not improve fit.
Do not combine a KN95 mask with any other mask. Only use one KN95 mask at a time.
Handwashing
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. The CDC recommends everyone wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Teachers will be teaching handwashing in the classroom, incorporating handwashing breaks into the school day, and reinforcing handwashing during key times throughout the school day such as before eating, using the restroom, and touching shared objects.
Healthy spaces
Buildings will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the day and every evening. Disinfecting supplies will be provided to each classroom.
Well-maintained HVAC systems are also important in reducing risks associated with COVID-19. Our school’s HVAC systems have been designed in accordance with the NC mechanical code and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations. In response to the pandemic, we’ve upgraded to MERV 13 air filters, an important risk-reduction strategy for COVID-19.
Mark Your Calendar
Monday, January 3
Students on Track 1, 2, and 3 return to school
Friday, January 7
Report Cards Go Home for Tracks 1, 2, & 3
Tuesday, January 25
PTA Meeting at 8:00