18 November 2020

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

This letter is to inform you that, today, we learned four (4) individuals at the T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School have tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Health Department has been consulted, and all close contacts, which included staff and students, were identified and notified. Those identified have been instructed to quarantine for a specified period of time. If you have not been notified, then your child has not been determined to be a close contact. As a District, we respect the privacy of individuals, and we ask that you do the same.

In total, there are six (6) known positive cases of COVID-19 in our schools. Five (5) of the cases are associated with different classrooms at T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School. One (1) of the positive cases is that of an individual in the District and is not able to be connected with the other positive cases. Our schools have already shifted to remote instruction through 25 November, and we are still planning to re-open the District on Monday, 30 November, with both buildings being fully disinfected and sanitized for our staff and students.

If your child develops one or more COVID-19 related symptoms while learning remotely at home or during the Thanksgiving holiday, please contact your doctor and the school nurse.  It is important to inform the school nurse if your child was tested for COVID-19, as well as to share the results. Please contact Ms. Lehmann (TBD) at 201-664-7176 ext. 1104 / [email protected] or Ms. McCarthy (CDW) at 201-664-1475 ext. 2103 / [email protected].

During this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, we encourage you to follow the health protocols and procedures in place for the safety of your family, which, in turn, will allow us to safely return to in-person instruction. If you are planning to travel to a location on the travel advisory list for Thanksgiving, please call the school to arrange for your child to remain on remote instruction for the quarantine period upon return.

We understand the level of concern regarding COVID-19. We encourage parents/guardians and students to continue to follow the CDC-promoted safeguards, such as:

• Staying home when you are sick;
• Washing hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds;
• Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;
• Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks, and utensils;
• Practicing social distancing;
• Wearing a face covering while in school; and
• Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms.

Below are some resources that might be helpful.

1. NJDOH COVID-19 Information for Communities and the General Public
2. Get the Facts about Coronavirus  
3. Symptoms of COVID-19
4. Testing
5. How to Protect Yourself
6. What to Do if You Are Sick

You can assist us by remaining vigilant and sensible in your approach to dealing with this public-health situation. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our school nurses, Ms. Lehmann (TBD) at 201-664-7176 ext. 1104 / [email protected] or Ms. McCarthy (CDW) at 201-664-1475 ext. 2103 / [email protected].

As always, we appreciate your support and cooperation.

Respectfully,

Danielle M. Da Giau, Ed.D. 
Superintendent of Schools/Acting Principal, CDW
Old Tappan Public School District