ALERT: Remote Learning
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I write to let you know that South Side Elementary School will be working remotely from Tuesday, October 13, 2020 through Tuesday, October 20, 2020. This is for Kindergarten – 4th grade students who attend South Side only; 5th grade students will continue to report to CD Middle School on October 13th.
BACKGROUND
Yesterday, October 10, 2020, the Central Dauphin School District was notified that a staff member at South Side tested positive for COVID-19. The District understands that this staff member’s COVID exposure likely occurred at an event outside of work hours. This individual was last present in the school building on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.
We have engaged in tracing this employee’s exposure to others. Prior to exhibiting symptoms, the individual may have had close contact (i.e., less than 6 feet for 15 minutes or greater) with both staff members and students. More specifically, we have determined that, prior to exhibiting symptoms, this individual had close contact with a limited number of students at South Side. The individual also had close contact with staff members in that building, including members of the administrative staff in the school. In total, 10 staff members at South Side have been affected.
Adults and students who were specifically identified as having close contact with this staff member are being personally notified. If you have not received a personal notification, then we have no present basis to conclude that your student was in close contact as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Shared common spaces and equipment the individual used are immediately being cleaned and sanitized. The District will follow the CDC guidelines to limit further spread and maintain a safe learning environment. It is recommended that you consult and follow the advice of your healthcare providers or public health department if your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19.
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY TO WORK REMOTELY THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2020
In order to make sure that there is no additional community spread, all students that attend South Side Elementary School students will work remotely from Tuesday October 13, 2020 through Tuesday, October 20, 2020. This is for Kindergarten – 4th grade students who attend South Side only; 5th grade students will continue to report to CD Middle School on October 13th.
While temporarily moving South Side students to remote learning certainly is not our preferred outcome, the District has no alternative. Pursuant to the DOH guidelines and the advice of the District physician, the COVID-19 positive individual’s close contacts with staff members at South Side will require 10 staff members, including administrators at that school, to quarantine. South Side’s administrative staff plays a critical role in the operation of the school, including leading the critical functions of scheduling, student discipline, assisting staff and coordinating arrival and dismissal. The loss of in-person work from the members of that administrative staff essentially prevents the school from offering in-person instruction.
We are very disappointed that South Side will not be joining our other elementary schools that are returning to full time in-person instruction on October 13, 2020, and regret the inconvenience caused by this unpredictable situation. However, the District simply cannot offer South Side students with in-person classes given the unique circumstances we are now facing. Accordingly, South Side students will work remotely from now through October 20, 2020. During this time, your child is required to participate in remote learning, unless unable due to illness or absence excused under school board policy.
While there were only a small number of students who had close contact with the staff member who tested positive, we ask that you continue to monitor your child for symptoms of COVID-19 in accordance with the Central Dauphin School District’s daily self-screening process. Students who are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, may return to in-person learning on October 21, 2020.
Please also remember that all of our choices impact our ability to continue to offer in person classes. The choices you make affect others so please continue to observe masking and social distancing guidelines
The health of the Central Dauphin School District students, staff and community is our top priority. Each potential situation involving close contact with COVID-19 is highly fact-specific and may differ from the general provisions of the District’s Health and Safety Plan or other publicly available guidance. The District will examine the particular facts of each potential exposure and take action as directed by the DOH and the District’s physician.
Please remain in regular communication with the school and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jeff Beeman – South Side Principal
jbeeman@cdschools.org
Norm Miller - Central Dauphin School District Superintendent
