Important MBS Memo
January 9, 2022
COVID-19 Information
A huge thank you to you all for your efforts in assuring that the spread of COVID-19 is not occurring at school! We had a lot of students absent last week, and expect to have absences next week as well as this virus storms through.
As you probably know, Omicron is behaving in a different manner than the prior strains of COVID-19. It is much more infectious, so most people in a household will end up getting it. It also is taking a longer infection period to identify positive cases. We are being advised by CDPH to encourage people to test on the second or third day after symptoms start--as testing the first day is providing false negative results.
Symptoms are also different with Omicron. In general, first symptoms are a dry, sore throat, followed by a cough, drippy nose, muscle aches and slight fever. Many individuals are completely asymptomatic.
What does this mean for you? Please keep your children home if they have any symptoms of illness. We are asking you to keep them home, and then test on day 3 to rule out the possibility of COVID. If you have any questions, please call the school office and we will be glad to assist you.
Absent student work is gathered daily for you to pick up and have your student complete and return when back at school. Your child's teacher will reach out to you to coordinate pick up of materials. Thank you for assisting your child in completing this schoolwork to assure your child won't fall behind in instruction. As well, COVID-19 absences will not be considered absences for your child if the completed work is turned in in a timely manner (we provide 1 day to complete and return work for every day absent).
We offer COVID-19 testing for students, and have also tested family members in the same household as well. We are slated to receive more at-home tests for our students in the near future. We will alert you when we receive these materials. We do not require tests for school re-entry, but have found that it has brought peace of mind to students and families to know they are not spreading the virus.
Please know that the information you provide on the test information platform Primary Health meets HIPPA compliance for confidentiality. We do ask that you complete all information as it is required by the Federal Department of Education (this is new information--we thought you could opt not to answer certain questions).
We continue to follow the CDPH Guidance for Schools to determine procedures for isolation and quarantine. We anticipate that this guidance will change in the near future, and will alert you of any changes when that occurs.
Due to the highly infectious nature of Omicron, we continue all of our spread mitigation measures. Please make sure your children come prepared for school with a properly fitted mask. Paper masks with at least three layers are now being recommended over cloth masks. Adult masks with the loops twisted leaves large gaps on younger children and do not provide adequate protection.
Thank you again for your support and cooperation in keeping our students and staff healthy!
We are all looking forward to getting through this surge.
With gratitude,
Nancy Sirski
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Care Solace
Mt. Baldy School has partnered with Care Solace to support our community’s mental health.
Our school's students, staff members and their families can use Care Solace to quickly find verified mental health, behavioral health, and substance use treatment options matched to their needs regardless of circumstances or insurance coverage.
Care Solace’s team is available 24/7 and can support you in any language.
If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
● Call 888-515-0595 24/7
● Visit https://www.caresolace.com/site/baldyfamilies/ and either search on your own , OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
● Email weserve@caresolace.org with the following information:
● Your name and contact information (cell phone number)
● Your preferred language
● A good time for Care Solace to contact you
Care Solace will assign a personal Care Concierge to support you through the process of finding mental health care. Your Care Concierge will identify available providers who accept your insurance; private, Medi-Cal, sliding scale or cost-free options. They will help you book an appointment and check in afterward to see if you like the provider or need additional support.
Student/Parent Handbook and COVID-19 Amendment
Please review safe mask handling with your child or children. You may want to provide your child with a breakaway lanyard to assist with keeping track of masks while going inside and out, for those who choose to take their masks off outside.
Reminder: check your cell phones weekly and make sure your voice mail isn't full!
Mt. Baldy School
Email: info@mtbaldy.k12.ca.us
Website: mtbaldy.k12.ca.us
Location: 1 Mt Baldy Rd, Mount Baldy, CA, USA
Phone: 909-985-0991