January 3, 2022
Dear R.S.U. No. 67 Community,
The Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Education has released an updated version of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for how to respond to positive COVID-19 cases in schools. These changes are intended to keep more students in school while continuing to protect the overall health and safety of our students and staff.
Significant highlights include:
· Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 may return to school after five (5) days of isolation if symptoms have been resolved and continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five (5) days.
· Students who are close contacts do not need to quarantine and may participate in school activities in schools with a mandatory masking policy. However, they must quarantine in the community.
· Students on the bus and outside activities are no longer considered close contacts if exposed, and therefore will not require contract tracing or quarantine.
· Students and staff are eligible to attend school, even if the exposure took place in the community, if asymptomatic.
· The definition of a school outbreak has changed. An outbreak investigation will be opened when greater than 15% of the school population is absent.
This is very exciting news for our school community as these changes will allow for less quarantining and more opportunities for students and staff to remain in the classroom setting. We ask that staff and students continue to monitor symptoms and stay home when ill.
Happy New Year!
Jean Skorapa, Superintendent of Schools