Dear parent or guardian,
As we head into the winter months, and the traditional cold and flu season, I wanted to share with you some of what we’ve learned operating our schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first thing we’ve learned is that, when it comes to COVID-19, we are not in charge. As a school district and as individuals and families in the community, we must do what we are directed to do by contact tracers and by the state and local health departments. This is understandable because they are the experts and they are using their expertise to protect the health of everyone in our community.
The second thing we’ve learned is that it’s OK – and encouraged – to ask questions. Our amazing nursing team is in daily contact with multiple county health departments, as well as our district physician and state officials. We also encourage you to ask questions of your family’s healthcare provider, our school nursing team, and school and district leaders. If you or your child is identified as a close contact of an individual with a confirmed or positive case of COVID-19, please don’t hesitate to contact to ask questions of the contact tracer who calls you, or of the local health department.
As a member of the B-P community, please know that if your child is ever identified as a contact of an individual suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19, you will first receive a message from us via ParentSquare. The Fulton County Public Health Department has asked us to do this in all situations because they recognize it can take 48 hours or longer for contact tracing calls to be made – and because of the nature of COVID-19, it is imperative for individuals who may have been exposed to stay at home to help slow the spread. Through these messages, we will provide you with as much information as we can, including which of your children may be affected, if you have more than one child.
This letter was also mailed home to all families with several resources that I believe you will find helpful. Among these resources are excerpts from New York State Department of Health guidance issued to schools on Sept. 30, 2020; you can view the complete guidance document on the DOH website. I hope that these resources provide you with some clarification regarding how things are working behind the scenes.
Last but certainly not least, I want to address the issue of trust. Over the years, I have worked hard to gain your trust as the leader of your child’s school district. Maintaining your trust means everything to me. Although COVID-19 has taken some decisions out of my hands, I promise to always provide you with as much information as I can, in as timely a manner as possible, through the duration of this pandemic and beyond.
Thank you for continuing to do your part by completing the daily health screening tool on ParentSquare, and reinforcing mask wearing, social distancing, and hand hygiene with your children at home.
Sincerely,
Stephen M. Tomlinson
Superintendent of Schools
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