Arts Middle Health Updates
Health Updates as of 11/29/20
Hello Arts Middle Families,
This Health Update will be refreshed as new information is available.
Testing for COVID
Masks
The CDC, and DPH have issued a new guidance for wearing masks.
- Masks with valves, bandannas and “neck gaiters” are ineffective in stopping the spread of Covid-19.
Students and staff are not allowed to use these types of masks.
Masks that are too loose or big slip down over a students nose. Please make sure the mask your child has is an appropriate size.
A mask will be provided if a student or staff come with a mask that is not allowed or not fitting properly..
Information from Superintendent Sullivan
Cohorts - All students who attend school in person are assigned to a cohort. That cohort will be treated as a unit in the event that there is a positive case in the school. In general (not always) if a member of the cohort test positive for COVID, the entire cohort will be sent home to participate in distance learning for up to 14 days. Students have at least one cohort for their academics, but may have others that include their bus or carpool, their before/after care group or their sports team. You should be prepared to have your child sent home for up to 14 days if someone in their cohort tests positive.
Department of Public Health (DPH) - Each town in Connecticut has an identified director of public health. Some towns share them, others have their own. That individual is responsible for making the health decisions in their community. They are the ones that we look to for decisions about COVID in our schools. They will tell us to open or close. They will decide who goes home for quarantine, and for how long. They do not give us a formula to follow, they want to explore the circumstances behind each case and make a decision based on that set of facts. What makes it tricky for CREC is that our schools are in 11 different towns and we have to consult with multiple DPH offices. While there is great consistency, it is possible that we will get different guidance from two directors given a similar set of facts.
Direct Contact - A direct contact is anyone who has been in direct contact with someone who has a positive test for COVID that has been confirmed by DPH. A consultation with a health professional will determine who is considered a direct contact. Generally people who were within 6 feet of someone for more than 15 minutes are considered a direct contact.
Contact of a contact - Other individuals may come in contact with someone who has not yet tested positive for COVID, but is a direct contact of someone who has. People who are around direct contacts are considered a “contact of a contact”. In many cases these individuals are not quarantined but are asked to monitor their symptoms.
The below graphic illustrates the relationship between a person who has Covid-19 (a “confirmed case”), a person who is a direct contact, and a person who is a “contact of a contact.”
Quarantine - Some members of our school community may be asked by health officials to quarantine. This request will require that those individuals not come to school. If a student who is supposed to quarantine arrives at school they will be isolated and they will need to be picked up and brought home. Staff and students who are home on quarantine should limit their exposure to everyone else (including family members) to the greatest extent possible.
I hope this information is helpful. We are partners in keeping our schools safer places for our students to learn.
Please keep your child home if any of the following occurs:
- Your child exhibits any symptoms of COVID-19;
- An immediate family member residing in your home has tested positive for COVID-19;
- You had your child tested for COVID-19 and you are waiting for the results;
- Your child has had closed contact with a person outside of your home who tested positive for COVID-19.
In each of these cases, please notify your child’s school and contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
Cold and Flu Season information
The start of the cold and flu season is upon us as we are learning to live with the Covid-19 virus. We are recommending that all children receive the influenza (flu) vaccine. To prevent widespread flu in the school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:
Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
- Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough
- Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
- Headache
- Stomach ache
Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:
- Fever (greater than 100 degrees and your child may return to school only after his or her temperature has been consistently below 100 degrees, by mouth, for a minimum of 24 hours)
- Vomiting (even once)
- Diarrhea
- Chills
- General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
- Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough
To help prevent the flu and other colds, teach your children good hygiene habits:
- Wash hands frequently
- Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
- Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, use a paper tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child who has a fever should remain at home until "fever free" for a minimum of 24 hours. Often when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin) it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether or not to bring to school. Your child should be physically able to participate in all school activities on return to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.
As a school, we have our custodians and the night time cleaners disinfect surfaces, door knobs, and banisters on a daily basis. We are also ensuring that there is soap and hand sanitizer in all dispensers and encouraging everyone to remind students about the importance of hand washing. Please also take the time to click on the links below for flu guides for parents from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Middle School
ALL students will achieve at high levels both artistically and academically. ALL means ALL!
Email: aamsoffice@crec.org
Website: http://haams.crecschools.org/
Location: 75 Van Dyke Avenue, Hartford, CT, United States
Phone: (860) 724-0685
Facebook: facebook.com/crecartsmiddle
Twitter: @crecartsmiddle1