Good evening students, staff, families and community,
I wanted to reach out to you tonight as community transmission rates are on the rise, and we are aware that more of our students, staff, and families may be impacted by COVID. We want to partner with you in ensuring good communication when you have questions about what to do. Most importantly, if your student is ill, please keep them home from school until someone from the district’s COVID team has communicated with you regarding a safe return date.
If your student is ill we ask that you communicate the following information via your school’s attendance line:
Your student’s specific symptoms
Start date of symptoms
Last day your student was at school
Have they been around anyone who has tested COVID positive in the last 14 days?
Has your student ridden the bus to or from school?
Do you have other students in your household, and are they having symptoms?
By gathering this information we will be able to assist you in determining the next steps for you and your family, including when your student may return to school. One component of a return to learning program the Blaine School District is participating in is the state sponsored COVID testing procedures. For those parents who may wish to participate, this can include rapid antigen testing for asymptomatic close contacts and PCR testing for students who are having symptoms, but do not have a known exposure to COVID. This is all done with parental permission and collaboration to provide access to testing and a safe return to learning.
As case numbers in our area continue to rise, contact tracing has become a large part of our safety protocols. At this time, due to the need for seating charts and contact tracing, we are unable to issue bus passes for students to ride home on a bus other than the one they are assigned to. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our families, but at this time it is necessary to keep everyone safe. We greatly appreciate the cooperation and communication from our families to help us in this process.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to your student’s teacher, campus administrators or district office.
It is a great night to be a Borderite, and, as always, a great night to be your superintendent.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher Granger
Every Student. Every Day. In a New Way!