January 5, 2022
Dear Fort Edward Parents and
Guardians.
The following is an important
update regarding the district’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic.
The top priority of the Fort Edward Union Free School District is to offer a safe and secure environment where
students can attend in-person learning 100% of the time.
As shared
with you last week via a robocall and our social media accounts you may be
aware, that throughout the holiday recess, the NYS Department of Health,
Governor Huchol and state health commissioner Dr. Bassett all released guidance
memos that address potential new protocols related to school districts and
COVID 19. Included within these messages was a statement that over 37
million rapid tests had been ordered by the state and that these tests would be
delivered to each school district for use and distribution.
This
morning we received 390 test kits. These tests come with instructions
for use that must be followed whether given at home or at school. (Directions
and a video on how to utilize these tests are posted on our website.) Please be
aware that tests given at home by a parent will be considered advisory to the
family and cannot be accepted by the school as an official test result. If
you would like a test kit to use at home for your child, tests are available
for pick up and sign out in the district’s nurses office. Tests will be
available Thursday, January 6, 2022. We are only able to issue one test per
student.
The
district is in the process of planning to offer a test to stay program. This
requires the district to apply for a Limited Lab License with the NYS Health
Department. Once we receive
permission to engage with testing we will provide you with more information
regarding the test to stay program. We
have been told the process takes approximately three to four weeks until
approval is granted.
Test
to stay will allow us to screen, for asymptomatic unvaccinated school-based
close contacts of a COVID positive individual to avoid school exclusion
(but not other restrictions of quarantine) by testing negative through serial
testing using the rapid NAAT tests we have been provided during a seven-day
period following exposure. When approved -The exposed person will be required
to test before school in the nurse’s office a minimum of three times during a 7
day period following exposure. The person must have a negative test and be
asymptomatic to return, but can do so while under county quarantine under this
guidance. With the exception of attending school, the student/person is still
quarantined for all other activities, including extracurricular. Besides
acquiring a lab license, having an adequate testing supply will eventually determine
our ability to implement and sustain this program.
It
continues to be critically important that if your student is displaying any
COVID-like symptoms or is not feeling well, students, faculty and staff are
still required to follow the NYS DOH algorithm for return to school.
As
always, I continue to appreciate your patience and support as we work through
this challenging time together.
On behalf of the district
administration, faculty, staff, and Board of Education I would like to wish
everyone a safe, healthy, and Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Mark
Bessen
Interim
Superintendent