YANCEY COUNTY SCHOOLS PRESS RELEASE:
Dear Yancey County School Students, Employees and Parents,
It has been great to see all of you back on our campuses this school year. After reflecting on the last two weeks, we have been able to gather facts and information as we deal with
COVID – 19 issues once again in our schools.
The principals, directors, the YCS Health Team and our partnership with Toe River Health have reviewed various situations and here is what we have learned from the week based on our data and the guidance provided by the NCDHHS NC Healthy Schools ToolKit Updated August 26, 2021. (https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/media/164/open):
- We have active coronavirus cases in our schools.
- Students are able to recover at home so far.
- The quarantine numbers continue to grow due to exposures and positive cases.
- Based on the NCDHHS Tool Kit, during the school day if a masked student is exposed to another masked student who tests positive, a quarantine is not necessary.
- Based on the NCDHHS Toolkit, at an after school event or activity if a masked student is exposed to another masked student who tests positive, a quarantine may be required.
- A fully vaccinated individual or an individual with a lab confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 within the past 90 days who is exposed to a positive, does not have to quarantine as long as they remain symptom free.
- If a student is exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, a COVID test or a note from your physician will be required to return to school based on the state regulations. If COVID testing is necessary, the school nurses or Toe River Health Department will request for the student or adult to be tested at a local testing facility (your family doctor, Health Department, MCHP at Celo or Bakersville, Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care etc). An at home test or “presumed positive” cannot be accepted based on state guidelines.
- For any one who has been exposed to a positive, you may be released from quarantine on day 8 after the exposure with a negative test on day 5 or later with the approval of the Toe River Health Department. Parents please share the negative test result with the school nurse and the Toe River Health Department.
- If a test is not conducted on day 5 or later, you may return to school on day 11 after the exposure with approval from the Toe River Health Department.
- We have directions for parents concerning antibodies testing on the back of this sheet.
- Principals and teachers are working with students and families who are in quarantine. Work packets, materials, supplies, and assignments will be posted in Google Classroom or on Moodle, as they have been in the past when students are absent due to health issues.
- We thank you for being honest and staying at home if you are not feeling well. The school nurses will help you through this process and help answer any of your questions.
Thank you for working with us as we pull together once again to mitigate the spread of the virus in YCS. We sincerely hope your children and families have a great school year.
Kathy Amos, YCS Superintendent
Diane Creek, Director of Toe River Health
Shea Laws, YCS Lead School Nurse
Jessica Hensley, Public Health Nurse Supervisor II
