Dear North Bethesda Community,

This letter is to inform you that we were notified today that an individual who was last present at North Bethesda Middle School on August 31st, 2021, has tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) on August 31st, 2021. Following guidance from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) it was determined there has been no risk of exposure to other students or staff on-site.

Based on contact tracing guidelines, staff and students do not need to quarantine as they were not in close contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19.  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 for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other coronavirus signs of illness. If any of these symptoms develop, please stay home and do not report in-person to the school building. You should contact your healthcare provider immediately for advice. Please contact the school if there is a development of  COVID-19-like symptoms. Staff or 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://montgomerycountymd.gov/COVID19  for additional information on COVID-19, including free COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites.

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

Sincerely,

AnneMarie Kestner Smith,

Principal