September 9, 2021 7:45 PM
Dear HUUSD Families,
On September 9, we learned about a person in our learning community with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Warren School within the kindergarten classroom. We are beginning the process of contact tracing. We are asking that all Warren kindergarten students stay home on Friday, September 10 while we complete contact tracing. Families at Warren School will be notified once the calls have been completed. HUUSD School busses are not affected by this case.
We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms.
The most important things you can do:
People who may have been exposed will be notified:
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated and was in close contact with the person who tested positive may have been exposed to the virus and will be asked to quarantine, which means staying home and away from other people for up to 14 days. Read more about what it means to quarantine.
Anyone who is fully vaccinated or has recovered from COVID-19 within the past 3 months and was in close contact with the person who tested positive does not need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms.
If you are identified as someone who may have been exposed, someone from Warren School will notify you and will provide information and guidance on quarantine and other recommendations. If the Health Department calls, make sure to answer the phone or call them back.
Learn more about what happens when there is a case in a school.
Supporting our learning community
In order to maintain everyone’s privacy, we cannot disclose who in our community has tested positive. Remember that we are all at risk of getting this virus. These “COVID-19 cases” are our friends and family, and we need to be understanding and supportive. People with COVID-19 often experience uncomfortable symptoms and emotional stress. Instead of participating in speculation or gossip, offer to help community members who are affected by quarantine. With creative action from all of us, we will get through this period of anxiety and disruption. We thank you for your investment in the health and wellbeing of our school community.
What is COVID-19?
A coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which is an illness that was discovered in 2019. Coronaviruses are a type of virus that are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface. There are many kinds of coronaviruses including some that cause respiratory illnesses, like the common cold. The specific symptoms of COVID-19 include:
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 spreads when a person infected with COVID-19 breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus when they cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe. People who are closer than 6 feet (or 2 meters) from the person with COVID-19 are most likely to get infected. You can get COVID-19 if these droplets or particles are breathed in, land on your eyes nose or mouth, or get on your hands, and then you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Vaccines are the best way to protect your child against COVID-19. When your child is fully vaccinated, they are much less likely to get sick and less likely to spread the virus to others. Everyone who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine should get vaccinated. It’s free, quick and easy. Talk with your child’s health care provider if you have questions or find a vaccine site near you at healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine. Everyone, including children who can’t be vaccinated, can take prevention steps to protect themselves and others. Learn more at healthvermont.gov/StaySafeVT.
How can parents and guardians help prevent COVID-19 from spreading?
We are working with the Health Department to keep our community safe.
Learn more about getting tested in Vermont.
The following testing times are available this week at the Waterbury Ambulance Service located at 1727 Guptil Rd.
Food Service
Free meals to all students 18 and under are available during quarantine and/or closure. Please find more information and sign up for meal pick up in our HUUSD Food & Nutrition website food.huusd.org.
We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you.
Many thanks,
Allison Conyers, HUUSD COVID Coordinator