24 Hour School Building Closure

3/5/2021 2:26 PM

Subject: 24 Hour School Building Closure

Dear I.S. 24 - STATEN ISLAND - R024 at 750 DURANT AVENUE Families:

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the NYC Test + Trace Corps (T2) determined that two or more members of our school community have tested positive for COVID-19 within seven days of each other. As a result, the school building will close for an initial 24 hours to investigate the source(s) of transmission.

Below you will find information on next steps to protect the health of you, your child, and the school community. This guidance reflects the expertise of DOHMH, T2, and the New York City Department of Education (DOE).

What Happens Now?

● Effective 3/8/2021, the school building will close for an initial 24 hours. All students will transition to fully remote learning for this period. During this time, T2 and DOHMH will complete their investigation and the school will be cleaned and disinfected.

● All students and staff in the affected room(s) with the individual who tested positive are considered “close contacts” and have been notified of the need to quarantine for 10 days from their last contact with the person who tested positive. These students and staff will transition to fully remote teaching and learning for this period.

● Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test will not return to the building until they are no longer infectious.

● T2 and DOHMH will identify and notify any other close contacts in the building, who will also need to quarantine for 10 days.

● Based on the status of the investigation, I will communicate with you each night about the status of opening the next morning for everyone who is not a close contact.

How do we stay healthy?

Please remember to follow these important “Core Four” actions to prevent COVID-19 transmission:

1. Stay home if sick (except to get essential medical care, including COVID-19 testing).

2. Practice social distancing: Stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not members of your household.

3. Wear a face covering to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

4. Practice healthy hand hygiene: Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoid touching your face; and cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hands.

How can I stay updated?

We will continue to closely follow directions from public health experts and proactively update you on any measures we are taking. To ensure we can reach you via text and email, please create a New York City Schools Account (NYCSA) as soon as possible by visiting schools.nyc.gov/nycsa.

To help New Yorkers quarantine, the NYC Test + Trace Corps partners with community-based organizations to connect individuals to resources like food, medicine, and health care. To connect with these resources, you can call 1-212-COVID19 (212-268-4319). For additional information on COVID-19, visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus or call 311.

Sincerely,