Dear Watkins Mill Elementary School community, 

This letter is to inform you that an individual at Watkins Mill Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19.

All students and staff in the classroom or grade-level with the student who tested positive are advised to enter quarantine for 10-days, or until they test negative for COVID-19 and have not been identified as a direct contact of an individual positive for COVID-19, whichever comes first.  Students whose parents were contacted directly by WMES should not return to school tomorrow or Friday.

Right now, there are no known additional cases of COVID-19 at Watkins Mill Elementary School.  Those who did not have direct contact with the person or classroom do not need to get tested for COVID-19 or quarantine at this time.

Per the Center for Disease Control, direct contact is defined as:  

1. being within 6 feet or less for 15 or more minutes (within a 24-hour period) of an individual with COVID-19, or 
2. having direct contact with the infectious secretions from an individual with COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed on). 

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

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

• 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.
• Practice physical distancing and keep 6 feet away from others when possible.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Visit https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus
•   and https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COVID19 for additional information. 

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain a safe and healthy school environment.  If you have questions, please contact me at the school.

Sincerely,

Deborah R. Higdon, Acting principal