Dear Bells Mill Family:

We are sending this letter to inform you that your student has likely been exposed to an individual at Bells Mill Elementary School sometime between March 19th - March 22nd, 2021 who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).? We wish the individual well and look forward to their safe return once they have been medically cleared.

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines state that if an individual is within direct contact of a person who tested positive, they must?self-quarantine for 14 calendar days. Your student should self-quarantine from March 23,, 2021 and may return to school on April 8, 2021 if individual health guidelines are met.  Students may not participate in any on-site activities, including athletics, during the quarantine period.

Direct contact is defined as: 

being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of an individual with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time (e.g., being in the same office or classroom as a positive and symptomatic individual), or

having direct contact with the infectious secretions from an individual with COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed on).

Note: The definition of “close contact” does not include all other individuals on the same floor or in the same building as a positive individual, unless they also meet criteria (1) or (2).  

Since your student has been identified as a direct contact of the affected individual, they will be placed on full-time virtual learning during this 14-day quarantine period. School administrators will reach out to discuss a plan. If at any time during self-quarantine your student or family member develops COVID-19-like symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you should immediately contact your healthcare provider.

If your student experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath on or after the date they are scheduled to return to school, please notify your school and contact your healthcare provider before returning to the school.

Please contact me if you have additional questions or require assistance in identifying additional supports and resources.  We look forward to the safe return of your student to in-person instruction.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stacy L. Smith

Principal

Bells Mill Elementary School