By DR. DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
Quite a bit has transpired since last Wednesday’s update. The past week’s positive cases of COVID-19 among our high school students, two positive cases at the middle school, and the subsequent quarantine of over 260 of their classmates resulted in the suspension of in-person classes and extra-curricular activities and the shift to e-learning at the high school, a first since we opened in August. There are no changes to the daily in-person schedules and activities at our middle and elementary schools.
We know these steps are necessary. We also know the heart of the high school experience is the exchange of ideas and level of learning that occurs in our classrooms and on our campus every day. We are disrupting this process only in an effort to keep our Heights community safe.
In terms of students who are required to quarantine, they are identified through a thorough and detailed process indicating a level of exposure risk by being within six feet of proximity for more than 15 minutes to an individual who tested positive for the virus (as per the Hamilton County Health Department).
In addition to being spread by individuals who are symptomatic, the virus can also be spread by those who are asymptomatic and/or feel just fine. The quarantine period for those with COVID-19 and those potentially exposed is essential to stopping the spread among our student body and throughout the community.
Click here to read more about our process and protocols for all things COVID-19.
We know this highly-transmittable virus mainly spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. We know it does not sleep, it does not discriminate, and no one is immune. We know the temptation to socialize can be irresistible. We know some activities and choices outside of school created vulnerabilities and opportunities ripe for this virus and our ability to hold in-person classes.
Our ability to keep our schools open is dependent on our families and the entire community strictly adhering to the recommendations and guidelines from the Hamilton County Health Department, Indiana State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. We know that wearing masks, combined with physical distancing where possible, avoiding large gatherings, and frequent handwashing are critical elements to reducing the spread.
Our local health department has even launched an important public service campaign – Show Some C.L.A.S.S. – to help keep everyone in our county informed on what they can do to help us keep our buildings open and kids in school. Our children need to be in school. Our teachers and staff need to be safe. Knowing that our parents and community are partnering with us to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 by following the mitigation strategies every day, keeping sick children home, and notifying us when they are aware their child or a family member has COVID-19 is critical to our ability to remain open.
I know that this temporary transition in our school community continues to add stress to an already difficult situation. We remain vigilant and steadfast to take steps to protect the health of our students, school personnel, and the Heights community. Thank you for doing the same.
#WeAreHuskies