Dear Walt Whitman High School Community,

This letter is to inform you that we were notified that seven (7) students in Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12, who were last present at Walt Whitman High School on December 17 and 20, tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on December 20. We were notified on December 20 and 21 of the positive tests. 

Health & Safety Guidance

As a result of our contact tracing process, we are notifying close contacts directly and informing them of whether they need to quarantine based on current CDC and DHHS guidelines. Please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/appendix.html#contact for additional information on how the CDC, MCPS and DHHS, defines and identifies close contacts.

We encourage you to closely monitor your child for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, headache, and shortness of breath. If your child develops any of these symptoms, do not send them to school. You should contact your healthcare provider and have your child tested for COVID-19. Please contact the school if your child develops COVID-19-like symptoms. Students who develop symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19, will not be able to return to the building until they are medically cleared.

As a reminder, here are the steps that we can all take to keep ourselves, families, and school community safe:

Get vaccinated when eligible

Wear a mask, or appropriate face covering, at all times when in school and other public spaces.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before and after eating.

Cover your cough and/or sneeze and immediately wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Stay home if you are sick or have any COVID-19 symptoms.

Please visit https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus and https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/ for additional information on COVID-19 resources, including free COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccination sites.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain a safe and healthy school environment.