Dear Staff, Students, and Parents/Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that an individual in our Colegrove Park Elementary School community has tested positive for COVID-19 as a result of our pooled testing program. The individual was tested through the pooled testing program and identified through the rapid results test on Friday, March 26, 2021. The pooled testing program helps us to identify and rapidly respond to asymptomatic individuals and limit the contagious spread of the virus.
The new case impacts Colegrove Park Elementary School and requires that a limited number of students and staff move to remote learning for this week beginning on Monday, March 29, 2021 through Friday, April 2, 2021 for quarantine. Students and staff can return to school for in-person learning on Monday, April 5, 2021. Remote students will be able to obtain a “grab and go” meal service at Brayton and Colegrove Park Elementary Schools on Tuesday and Friday from 11:00 am to noon.
Unless your student was notified for further testing, your child can return to school on Monday, March 29, 2021 for the hybrid learning model.
Though we cannot provide specific information about the individual who tested positive, North Adams Public Schools has implemented our protocols for notification, disinfection, and quarantine for staff and students who may have been exposed. Staff and students identified through contact tracing were notified by School Nurse Leader Lauren Gage regarding testing. Parents of students who were in close contact with the individual were notified privately. We are also following all Department of Health protocols, including collaborating with our local board of health to complete contact tracing. Additionally, we are asking those parents whose students are tested for COVID-19 at their health care provider’s office or at the Stop the Spread Center located at 97 Church Street, North Adams to please report the results to the school nurse.
The pooled testing program assists us in determining if there is potential of community transmission of COVID-19. If you would like your student to be tested please complete a consent form. To complete a Pooled Testing Consent Form, go to: https://www.napsk12.org/page/pooledcovid19testing. If you have any questions about the pooled testing program, please email the school nurse Lauren Gage at lgage@napsk12.org.
We will continue to be vigilant in adhering to all of the protocols that have been put in place in an effort to continue in person learning. We are also providing remote learning for all students required to quarantine at home. We are committed to continuous communication with, and support of, our families. If there is additional transmission as a result of this case or a separate case, we will send out another message immediately. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Barbara Malkas, Ed.D.
Superintendent of North Adams Public Schools