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Dear Newmarket parents, students, teachers, and community members,
The core of this email was sent earlier in the year as a reminder of COVID protocols. We have seen a slight uptick in COVID cases in the schools over the last week or so. I am writing to encourage everyone to work with our school health offices to manage the situation.
As I have explained previously, Newmarket schools are trying to shift the paradigm of how we manage COVID issues. As a system we have moved from an operational model driven by strict school policies and procedures to a model that promotes and depends on individual responsibility. For this model to work effectively it is essential that we all work together to prevent the spread of COVID in the community.
I am writing today to ask all in the Newmarket school community to please adhere to current CDC guidance about positive COVID cases and close contacts. Adhering to CDC guidance is our best way to keep schools fully open and functioning normally throughout the school year.
CDC Guidance
- Positive COVID: The CDC currently recommends that a person who tests positive for COVID should isolate for 5 days. If that person is fever free for 24 hours(off of all fever reducers) and having improved symptoms for 24 or more hours on day 6 they may return to school wearing a well-fitted mask through day 10.
- Close Contact: If a person is in close contact to a positive COVID case it is recommended that they immediately start wearing a well-fitted mask and begin self-monitoring for symptoms for 10 days.
- Close Contact Testing: If a person is a close contact to a positive case but doesn’t develop symptoms it is recommended to wait to test until day 6 for the most accurate results.
- Negative Result: Continue taking precautions through day 10. Wear a high-quality mask when around others at home and indoors in public.
- *You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed.
- Positive Result: Isolate Immediately
Below are links to the CDC website
CDC Guidance for people testing positive for COVID.
Guidance for close contacts.
Use and Care of Masks
Diane McCormick at NES and Jen Farnese at NJSHS are great resources for families. I work closely with Diane and Jen to monitor community COVID numbers to make sure we operate on the best health guidance available. Parents, students and staff are encouraged to work closely with our nurses to make sure we keep everyone safe and healthy.
If you have school-related health questions, please reach out to the nurse in your building. If you have questions related to school operating procedures, please feel free to reach out to me or one of our building administrators.
Be well everyone,
Todd Allen, Newmarket Superintendent