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COVID Safety Strategies
Dear Franklin Sherman Families,
Many of you have understandably been confused about the situations your children may be in if exposed to someone who reports a positive COVID-19 case. I would like to help explain not only what these situations involve, but how they help keep us all safe and Franklin Sherman ES open for in-person learning.
First, it is important to note that since the beginning of August 2021, the majority of COVID-19 cases have been acquired through community spread, OUTSIDE of school buildings. This means layered prevention strategies are working to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our schools.
Pausing, quarantining, and isolating are also tools we use to keep schools safe when a positive COVID-19 case is reported.
Pause
A pause to in-person instruction is a short-term safety measure used by FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to allow time to investigate and determine the safest way to address a positive case within our school community. The pause will be initiated by the FCHD for anyone who interacted with an individual who reported a positive COVID-19 case.
- A pause typically lasts between 24-78 hours while FCHD verifies vaccination status and completes contact tracing.
- If your child is both fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, please complete the COVID Contact Vaccination Verification form included with the pause letter. Sharing your child’s vaccination status will help the FCHD expedite your child’s return if your child meets the criteria.
- The FCHD does not accept a negative COVID-19 test to release an individual from the pause.
- You will be contacted by the FCHD with a date they can return to school or work.
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This flowchart best explains what happens when there is a pause.
Close Contact
A close contact is any person, regardless of vaccination status, who is within 6 feet of a COVID-19 positive individual for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) K-12 Exception indicates that students will not be identified as close contacts if they are at least 3 feet apart and are consistently wearing masks in the classroom setting. Adults are not included in this exception.
Quarantine
When a student is identified as a close contact, there are two things that may occur as a result:
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Not fully vaccinated students who are identified as a close contact with someone with COVID-19 must remain home for 14 days after their last exposure. FCPS will notify a student of their return date.
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Fully vaccinated students must remain home until their vaccination status is verified. Upon verification of vaccination status by the FCHD, and if the student/staff is asymptomatic, they may return to in-person learning and activities once notified by FCPS of their return date.
Isolation
Isolation is the response when someone tests positive for COVID-19. Students who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, may not return until:
- It has been at least ten (10) days since the student first had symptoms AND
- The student must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND
- The student’s symptoms are getting better
Your student will continue to learn during any temporary interruption to their time at school. Franklin Sherman teachers are committed to keeping students engaged in learning so they return to the classroom seamlessly. This chart outlines the ways students receive instruction and materials.
You can watch this video for a summary of how COVID-19 case notifications occur.
One other term we often hear is “outbreak.” An outbreak is defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with onset within a 14-day period who are epidemiology linked (a case in which the person has been exposed to a confirmed case in a way that a known transmission can occur), do not share a household, and were not identified as close contacts of each other in a setting outside of school during the health department investigation. When more than one case is reported by a student, staff, or visitor to a particular school or building, it does not always mean there is an outbreak.
We want your children in [SCHOOL] learning and enjoying their activities every day. That’s why we are doing our part by implementing layered prevention strategies and working with FCHD to address positive cases and potential exposures. Your family can do their part by wearing masks, getting vaccinated when they are eligible, practicing healthy hygiene, and staying home when sick.
Thank you for continuing to be a partner in your child’s education and health.
Kathleen Quigley
Principal
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Mask Guidance
We are making use of our outdoor spaces as much as possible for snacks and breaks. We have noted that many students remove their masks while outside. Masks are not required outside, but they are strongly encouraged. We ask you to consider talking with your child about keeping their masks on when outside for recess and gathering in larger groups if they can comfortably do so.
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Advanced Academics Information
Fairfax County Public Schools offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-8th. Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Program of Studies (POS). An Elementary Parent Information Night will be held virtually at Franklin Sherman on Tuesday, October 5th from 6-7 pm. The Advanced Academic Resource Teacher at Franklin Sherman, Carrie Reinders, will provide a general overview of the levels of services offered. Please see the attached info sheet for additional information and important dates related to the program.
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News From the PTA
PTA Meeting Thursday 9/23
Please join us for the first PTA meeting of the school year this Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. We'll be discussing the PTA's planned activities, reviewing the proposed budget and having a Q&A with Principal Quigley. To help us prepare and manage time, please submit questions for Principal Quigley in advance.
Join Zoom Meeting Here
Meeting ID: 882 4777 9472
Passcode: 102599
Monster Mash Dash
Kick off Halloween at the Monster Mash Dash 5K and Fun Run! The race will take place on Sunday, October 31 at 8am. Registration is now open! REGISTER – Monster Mash Dash
The PTA is looking for sponsors of the race. If your business is interested, please contact Melissa Vayra at 646-467-3506 or mdavistwh@yahoo.com.
For other questions and information about Monster Mash Dash contact Paige Paridon 703-887-5229 or ppidano@gmail.com.
Family Photo Sessions
The PTA has partnered with PMK Photography to offer family photo "mini" sessions in lovely McLean Central Park. The cost is $125 for a 20 minute session and includes digital downloads of all photos taken. There are several dates/times available in October. Sign up via the link below. Contact Melissa Vayra at 646-467-3506 or mdavistwh@yahoo.com with any questions.
Franklin Sherman Elementary School Fall Mini Sessions - 2021
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Thank You for Sharing Your Pictures
Please share your school related pictures with us. Use the webform found here.
Please follow FSES_Pandas on Twitter. You can also tweet you pictures @FSES_Pandas.
Because of FCPS Policies in place for the 2021-2022 school year, we can only share new pictures where appropriate masking and social distancing practices are in evidence.
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