Dear HUUSD Families,
Here is the latest update regarding our district management of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established geographic criteria for the purpose of issuing travel health notices for countries with coronavirus transmission. Currently, the following four countries are identified as having “widespread sustained (ongoing) transmission”:
If your child(ren) traveled to one of these countries over the February break, and you haven't already notified the district, you must complete this Google form immediately. In addition you must provide the Vermont Department of Health with your contact information so they can follow up with you on your health status. Please note that the Department of Health is directing that returning travelers whose last day in China, Italy, South Korea, or Iran was March 4 or afterwards should stay home and monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the United States. Travelers returning from Japan should monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the United States
HUUSD is following the Vermont Department of Health guidance. If you self-quarantine during the 14 days, which begins when you return from the destination, no medical certification shall be required during this incubation period. Children will be excused for these days absent. Staff will be permitted to use sick leave for these days. Direct any questions regarding leave to the building administrator.
If a child or staff has traveled to one of the countries mentioned above (prior to March 4 return) and returns to school, they will be required to check in each morning before school with their school nurse throughout the 14-day incubation period. This monitoring accompanies daily monitoring done by the Vermont Department of Health.
Any student, regardless of travel history, who presents with the symptoms of coronavirus (fever, cough, AND difficulty breathing), shall be isolated and parents/caregivers will be asked to pick up their child and contact their health care professional for an evaluation. Staff presenting with these symptoms are asked not to come to work and to contact their health care professional for further guidance.
The district cannot mandate staff who have traveled and are asymptomatic not to come to work or students not to come to school. Following the direction of the Vermont Department of Health, we are monitoring all students and staff for symptoms of coronavirus. You can find our working response plan here; we will update it as new guidance is provided.
If you have any questions, please reach out and let me know.
Sincerely,
Brigid Nease
Superintendent of Schools