Dear John Poole Middle School Community,
This letter is to inform you that we were notified that a staff member who was last present at John Poole
Middle School on Monday, November 22, 2021 tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) on
Tuesday, November 23, 2021. We were notified on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, of the positive test
result. 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-tracingplan/
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 and get tested for COVID-19. 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, our families, and the 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.