Dear White Oak Community, 

This letter is to inform you that we were notified today that an  individual who was last present at  White Oak Middle School on 9/9/21 has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Following Montgomery County  Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines, we notified individuals who were  known to have close contact with this individual and have informed them to quarantine and monitor  for symptoms, per CDC guidelines.  

Per current DHHS guidance and our contact tracing process, unless you are notified directly, your  child does 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 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. 

Sincerely, 

Principal