3.20.2021
Dear Brewer Schools’ Families and Staff,
A person associated with the Brewer Community Middle School (BCS) has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result the 7th & 8th grade cohort A will learn remotely tomorrow, March 22, 2021.
This case is not related to the case in yesterday's email. As we just learned about this new case we need time to complete our contact tracing and to reach those people who should quarantine. Notifications will happen as we learn more about this case, but all calls should be made by noon on Monday.
To be safe both the 7th & 8th grade will have their classes remotely on Monday. Please encourage your students to tune in, but anyone who is unable can make up any missed work.
Grades pre-K through 6 will have their normal in-person learning day on Monday and Brewer High School (BHS) will also continue with its regular Monday for in-person learning as well.
For any family who needs it, this is a link on COVID-19 testing in Maine.
Any student who needs to go remote can have a bag lunch provided by the district. 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. Please submit your form by 9:00 a.m. on the day the lunch is needed.
As always we continue to ask all families to monitor students for any symptoms. 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 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.
Questions for the school should be directed to school Principals Jason Richards and Allison Kahkonen, Assistant Principal Sam Pangburn, school nurse Carol Warmuth RN (all at 404-5700) or nurse Cathy Sherman RN (at 989-4140) at BHS or Superintendent Gregg Palmer (at 989-3160). Email addresses include first initials and last names followed by @breweredu.org
We have not seen any evidence or spread of the virus in our schools, but we remain vigilant and ask families to do the same. This certainly serves as a reminder that we are not fully out of the woods yet. While there have been fewer cases reported in Maine a few weeks ago, we are seeing another resurgence of the virus recently and so we are watchful.
These are our first cases coming into the schools for some time, but it reminds us that the virus has not gone away. We will deal with this and have everyone back at school as soon as possible.
We all look forward to better days ahead.
Sincerely,
Gregg Palmer, Superintendent of School he/him/his