COVID Update Oct. 13, 2020

COVID Notification Letter Oct-13-2020 (PDF)

10/13/20

Early this morning, Parchment High and Middle Schools learned of three cases of COVID-19. Parchment High School was informed of one staff and one student confirmed case. Parchment Middle School was notified of one staff confirmed case. The individuals are in isolation, and their close contacts have been identified, notified, and are in quarantine. We made the decision to close these buildings, in collaboration with the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department, to ensure that we can fully conduct thorough contact tracing to mitigate transmission risk in our schools. The health and safety of our students and staff remain our priority.

This information will be noted on our COVID-19 Dashboard, which is updated every day at 4:00 pm on the main page of The Parchment School District website.(www.parchmentschools.org) The Parchment School District is reporting the following for COVID-19 cases and outbreaks:

High School

2 positive cases

0 outbreak

*Campus remains CLOSED at this time.  Campus reopening will be re-evaluated and communicated on Thursday afternoon after contact tracing procedures are finalized. (10/15) Wednesdays are pre-scheduled virtual days and buildings will send out further information for Thursday virtual learning. There will be no in-person instruction on Thursday for Group B.

Middle School

1 positive case

0 outbreak

*Campus remains CLOSED at this time. Campus reopening will be re-evaluated and communicated by Thursday afternoon after contact tracing procedures are finalized. (10/15) Wednesdays are pre-scheduled virtual days and buildings will send out further information for Thursday virtual learning. There will be no in-person instruction on Thursday for Group B.

All Elementary Campuses (Central, Northwood, PELC and North)

0 positive cases

0 outbreak

*Campus’ remain OPEN.

The Parchment School District works closely with Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department on all public health recommendations for the district, the specific school buildings, and those identified as affected individuals.

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. Those individuals who are identified as close contacts will be contacted by their schools, in conjunction with the health department. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. With your participation, we believe we can maintain a safe environment while also providing quality education.

A reminder to parents and guardians:

  • If your child does develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19, they should be kept home, and the parent or guardian should contact their child’s Primary Care Physician.
  • COVID-19 is a contagious viral illness that can occur 2-14 days after exposure to an individual with the virus. Exposure, also known as close contact, includes being within six feet of an infected person for 15 minutes or longer. The virus is spread by droplets in the air and sometimes on surfaces that come inside a person’s mouth, nose, or eyes. Based on available evidence, the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children generally show no symptoms or mild symptoms. Reported symptoms include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, muscle pain, chills, new loss of taste or smell, feeling out of breath, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported.
  • We recommend taking action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if staff members or students are not experiencing symptoms:
    • Wear a mask (covering mouth and nose) while in public places or if people who do not live with you must visit your home.
    • Practice social distancing (maintaining a distance of 6 feet apart).
    • Practice frequent handwashing (using soap for 20 seconds or hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol).
    • Follow capacity restrictions of social gatherings.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or with the inside of your elbow and immediately wash your hands.
    • Stay home if you are sick; you can also get tested.

We thank you for your continued trust, support and collaboration in our school district.

Respectfully,

Jason P. Misner

Superintendent