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Dear Franklin Sherman Families,
I want to take the time today to address comments and concerns that we are receiving regarding the duration of a student pause after a positive COVID-19 case here at Franklin Sherman ES.
I understand the frustration that you are feeling as the investigations necessary to close a case and end a pause are taking longer than we originally expected, and emotions are running high.
It is important to recognize that our health partners are working hard in collaboration with our school staff to ensure that contract tracing - a key part of our layered prevention strategies - is completed with a focus on student safety.
One of the new steps that we are taking in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department will speed up the return to the classroom for fully vaccinated, asymptomatic students. While this is aimed at middle school and high school students who are eligible for vaccination, it will also benefit elementary age students, who are not yet eligible for vaccination.
Because contact tracers do not have to call students who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, they will now be able to focus more resources on elementary school investigations. This will allow elementary school students to return to the classroom sooner.
Pausing, quarantining, and isolating are important tools we use to keep schools safe when a positive COVID-19 case is reported. This short video explains more about what each of these terms means and how they impact students.
Following these processes and waiting for the Health Department's direction are critical to ensuring that we are doing everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. As we have learned since the start of the pandemic - grace, patience and flexibility will help us to manage the stresses that we feel during these difficult times.
Please be assured that your child’s teacher and I are here to provide any additional support that your child may need when they are able to return to the classroom, whether it is academic or social-emotion. We will get through this together.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Quigley
Principal
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