1.20.2021
Dear Brewer Schools’ Families & Staff,
Brewer Community School (BCS) grades 3 and 4 will return to in-person learning at the school on Thursday, January 21 (cohort A) and Friday, January 22 (cohort B).
A case based in the grade 3 and 4 wing was resolved as being negative for COVID-19 through the Maine Center for Disease Control which has released staff and students from quarantine and allowed a return to in-person learning.
Grade 8 will continue with remote learning through the end of the week, as was announced several days ago. Cohort A will work with their teachers through remote learning on Thursday, January 21; and cohort B will have their remote learning day on Friday, January 21. The 8th grade cohort A will return to in-person learning on Monday, January 25; and cohort B will return on Tuesday, January 26.
A reminder that bag lunches are available for any students out on quarantine or who are learning remotely this coming week. Here is the request form: Lunch Request Form. Families can pick up the lunch by driving up to the front entrance at Brewer Community School between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on the day it is needed. Please submit your form by 9:00 a.m.
Please continue to diligently monitor students for any symptoms before sending them to school. The same is true for Brewer School Department staff. Individuals should call a health care provider if they develop symptoms. It is important to call a healthcare facility and/or contact our school nurses before showing up in person if symptoms appear.
People should stay home when they are sick. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older and in those with underlying conditions. The virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Signs and symptoms include the following:
- fever or chills
- cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- fatigue
- muscle or body aches
- headache
- new loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- congestion or runny nose
- nausea or vomiting or diarrhea
Please keep in mind that many things can cause respiratory illness, so students and staff should be up-to-date on influenza and routine vaccinations.
A negative test result does not get an individual out of quarantine. Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have incorporated these into our Keys to Safety in the Brewer Schools.
While it is rare for cases to spread inside a school setting due to diligent masking and the observance of other safety practices, we are thoroughly investigating and will communicate with you if there is any new information.
Questions for the school should be directed to Carol Warmuth RN, BCS school nurse or K-4 Principal Allison Kahkonen; 5-8 Principal Jason Richards; or Assistant Principal Sam Pangburn (all at 404-5700). For BHS please call school nurse Cathy Sherman RN, Principal Brent Slowikowski, or Assistant Principal Scott Walker (all at 989-4140); or Superintendent Gregg Palmer (at 989-3160). Email addresses include first initials and last names followed by @breweredu.org
It is good to bring grades 3 and 4 back earlier than we had anticipated and reinforces that we will continue to follow the science of this pandemic. When we need to have remote learning to be sure we are following all safety guidelines then we’ll do that, and when we can safely have in-person learning we will be open.
And we will also continue to share all pertinent information with you as we move cautiously through this winter season.
Sincerely,
Gregg Palmer, Superintendent of School
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