Dear Little Bennett Family,

This letter is to inform you that we were notified that 4 students tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). Details are below.

There was one fourth grade student from Mrs. Hamrick’s class who received a positive rapid test result in our health room today, December 22, 2021.

There was one second grade student from Mrs. Chilton’s class who received a positive rapid test result in our health room today, December 22, 2021.

There was one fifth grade student in Mrs. Majkrzak’s homeroom who is also in Mr. Deeb’s math class who’s parent reported a positive, at-home, rapid test today, December 22, 2021. 

There was one fourth grade student in Mrs. Askew’s homeroom who’s parent reported a positive, at-home, rapid test today, December 22, 2021. 

Following Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines, we notified individuals who were known to have close contact with these individuals and have informed them to get tested and monitor for symptoms, per CDC guidelines. Additionally, we have notified close contacts directly and informed them of whether they need to quarantine based on current DHHS requirements. 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 define and identify 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.