Ellsworth Schools to Return to Hybrid Learning Model December 2

Ellsworth Superintendent of Schools Dan Higgins sent out the following letter to staff and parents on Tuesday, December 1st, announcing that Ellsworth Schools would return to the Hybrid Learning Model effective December 2nd. Working with the CDC they have revised numbers downward and determined that there are a total of 5 students and 8 staff members who are confirmed close contacts with the individual infected with COVID-19.

Dear ESD Staff Members and Parents of ESD Students:

Ellsworth Schools will return to the hybrid instructional schedule effective Wednesday December 2, 2020. The Maroon Learning Group will be in session for in-person learning on Wednesday.

Our custodial and maintenance staff have completed a deep cleaning of the rooms and areas of the school where the infected individual was present and administration has completed additional contact tracing and verification with the CDC.

From our additional contact tracing work, updated information, and follow up with the CDC this morning, we have revised numbers downward and determined that there are a total of five students and eight staff members who are confirmed close contacts with the individual infected with COVID-19. Those close contacts have been directed to quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to the individual who tested positive. A negative test result does not eliminate the quarantine requirement.

As we return to the hybrid schedule, it is important to know there is no evidence that the positive cases associated with our schools originated within the school nor is there evidence of community spread within our schools resulting from those cases. The safety measures implemented in our schools are working as intended and have helped keep our students and staff safe while in the building. We will continue to be
vigilant with those measures. We ask for all of you to please help us in keeping our schools safe by following all health and safety requirements and recommendations.

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that is spread mainly via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include:

Most Common

• Fever (100.4 F/38 C or higher)
• Chills
• Sore Throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty
  breathing

Less Common

• Muscle pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Congestion/Runny Nose

Staff and students (with assistance from parents) are required to monitor themselves daily for these signs and symptoms and stay home and contact your health care provider if symptoms appear. Students or staff exhibiting any of the above symptoms, or feeling ill, should contact their medical provider to report their symptoms and inquire about testing prior to seeking in-person care at a clinic, physician’s office, or
hospital.

The Maine CDC recommends measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include wearing a face covering, proper regular handwashing with soap and warm water, maintaining physical distancing, use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water is not available, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and avoid close
contact with those who are sick.

If you have any questions, please contact EES Principal April Clifford or EMS Principal Erica Gabbianelli at 207 667-6241 or me (Dan Higgins) at 207 664-7100