Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue announced on November 2, in a letter to parents and staff, that individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 at three of Newtown’s public schools:

Dear Parents and Staff:

We were notified that individuals at three locations in our school community have tested positive for COVID-19: Hawley Elementary, Newtown Middle School, and Newtown High School. Through contact tracing in partnership with our Director of Health, those who had close contact will remain quarantined. The Connecticut [Department of Health (DPH)] defines close contact as spending at least 15 minutes (within one day) within 6 feet of a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 during their infectious period, or having direct contact with an infected person’s droplets (e.g., cough, sneeze). Anyone who is considered a close contact with these individuals has been or is in the process of being notified by local health officials and provided with instructions for the appropriate steps to take.

Out of an abundance of care, members of the office and leadership team at Hawley Elementary School (including the building principal) have been asked to quarantine. In their absence, Anne Uberti, Assistant Superintendent and secretary, Donna Norling, will be stationed there to ensure ongoing building operations. Any quarantined staff member or administrator will be able to work remotely.

As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to continue to discuss the following preventive measures with your children and family members:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to wash your fingertips. When soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.

• Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze inside the elbow of your arm.

• As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

• Wear a face covering (mask) whenever there is a likelihood that you or your family members will be in the presence of others.

• Maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) between yourself and others when outside of your home.

Below is the list of COVID-19 symptoms for which everyone should monitor in their family members:

• Fever (100.4° Fahrenheit or higher)

• Chills or shaking chills

• Uncontrolled new cough (not due to other known cause)

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• New loss of taste or smell

For additional information on COVID-19 symptoms, please see:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

As always, staff and students exhibiting any of the above symptoms, or feeling ill, should call their medical provider to report their symptoms and ask about testing prior to seeking in-person care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital.

For more information on what to do if you or a family member has possible symptoms, a diagnosis, or exposure to COVID-19, please see:

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/COVID-19/Addendum-5-Interim-Guidance-for-Responding-to-COVID-19-Scenarios-in-CT-School-Districts.pdf

Please be assured that Newtown Public Schools continues to sanitize and disinfect all buildings and classrooms throughout the week, with a deep cleaning on Wednesdays to mitigate the spread of any infection.

We will continue to provide you with updates to keep you informed.

Sincerely,

Dr Lorrie Rodrigue, Superintendent