Positive Covid-19 Case 01/20/2021

Posted Date: 01/20/2021

Date: January 20, 2021

Dear JES Parents/Guardians,

In keeping with JISD’s practices to respond to COVID-19, we are notifying all student families and staff members associated with the elementary school campus that a elementary school student/staff member, who was lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 on January 20th, was last present on the elementary school campus on January 19th.  Due to privacy requirements, we will not be releasing the name of the individual or details that may identify him or her. 

We are working closely with the local health department on this matter, and an investigation is underway to identify any individuals who may meet the criteria of having been “in close contact” with the infected individual.  All students and staff who are determined to have been in close contact will be directly notified by the health department and/or a JISD official as soon as possible.  Those who were in close contact must remain off campus for at least 10 days to help mitigate additional spread.  We will keep you apprised of further updates, as appropriate. 

At this time, it would be difficult to determine whether or not your child has been within six feet of specific individuals for 15 cumulative minutes throughout the course of the day.  However, we have been taking the following measures to ensure sanitation and social distancing is achieved as much as possible each day:

• Procedures have been monitored and altered from previous years to avoid large gatherings of students as much as possible; 

• Allowance for empty seats around students during lunch time when possible; 

• Frequent restroom/sanitation breaks for hand-washing and other sanitation opportunities; 

• High traffic areas are routinely cleaned/sanitized throughout the day; 

• An expectation regarding the wearing of face coverings.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this situation, please contact an administrator at your child’s campus.  

Also, please remember that all students should be screened by parents/guardians EACH DAY.   This screening should take place before allowing your child/children to attend school, ride a bus, or attend a school-related activity.  The screening questions are below: 

An answer of “YES” regarding ANY of these following questions dictates further mitigation procedures to be followed.  

1. Have you, your children, or anyone in your household received a lab-confirmed, positive test result for the Covid-19 virus?

2. Within the past 14 days, have you, your children, or anyone in your household been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus?

3. Is your child/children exhibiting the following symptoms?

• Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit 

• Loss of taste or smell 

• Cough 

• Difficulty breathing 

• Shortness of breath 

• Fatigue 

• Headache 

• Chills 

• Sore throat 

• Congestion or runny nose 

• Shaking or exaggerated shivering 

• Significant muscle pain or ache 

• Diarrhea, Nausea or vomiting

If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, please contact an administrator at your child’s campus before allowing him/her to attend school, enter a school bus/vehicle, or attend a school-related activity. You should also contact a school official/administrator before you come into school facilities or attend a school-related function if any of the criteria above applies to you.  We certainly appreciate your consideration regarding this subject.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at this number:  903-665-2461.

Sincerely, 

Zachary Venable

Elementary School Principal