11/16/2021
Dear I.S. 024 Myra S. Barnes at 750 DURANT AVENUEFamilies:
Today I am writing to share an important update about our school. The NYC Test + Trace Corps (T2) and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) have completed a thorough investigation into COVID-19 cases in our school. They have determined that the school may remain open for regularly scheduled activities.
Here is guidance from DOHMH, T2, and the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to help clarify next steps:
● Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test will not return to the school until they are no longer infectious.
● Close contacts of the person who tested positive have been notified and will continue their 10-day quarantine period unless they are fully vaccinated and have no symptoms of COVID-19. If additional close contacts are identified, they will also be instructed to quarantine for 10 days.
● Students and staff who are not fully vaccinated and considered close contacts may test out of quarantine to return to their classrooms on the eighth day of quarantine. In order to do so, individuals should take a lab-administered COVID-19 test on or after their fifth day of quarantine to re-enter class on the eighth day if they receive a negative test result. All must submit proof of a negative test through the COVID-19 Vaccination Portal, or by submitting the result to the school on paper or electronically.
● The NYC Test + Trace Corps partners with community-based organizations to connect quarantining New Yorkers to resources like food, medicine, and health care. To connect with resources, you can call 1-212-COVID19(212-268-4319).
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 prevent 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.
As a reminder, all New Yorkers age 5 or older are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19. If someone is fully vaccinated, they do not have to miss school, sports or work if there is a case in their classroom. People who are between 5 and 17 years old are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine only; all older ages are eligible for all three vaccines. Find a vaccine site today at https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/. There is no cost to be vaccinated.
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.
For additional information on COVID-19, visit schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus or call 311.
Sincerely,
Lenny Santamaria
Principal