Dear Storm King Community;
Tomorrow, Thursday, September 17, we will resume in-person instruction on campus. Screening, meals, and classes will resume in the morning according to our daily schedule.
It is important to note that there are no new cases of Covid-19 on our campus. The move to online classes for one day was done out of an abundance of caution when a question about the testing protocols for one individual remained unresolved with the Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) as of yesterday evening.
More specifically, the said person had taken a rapid Covid test one week ago, before the start of school, which had shown a positive result. As required by our Reopening Guidelines, the individual then took the more accurate nasalpharyngeal swab test which gave a negative result. The individual was thus permitted to come to campus this week.
Unfortunately, a discrepancy arose when the OCDOH received late word of the positive rapid test done a week ago. As of the evening yesterday, the issue still had not been resolved, so the decision to suspend classes for a day was made to keep our community members as safe as possible.
As a result, a small number of our students and faculty have been instructed to quarantine at home, or in their dormitory rooms for 14 days as required by the OCDOH when they receive word of any positive test result. These persons were in direct or proximate contact with the said individual, and have already been contacted by our Contact Tracer, Sarah Fulton and/or the OCDOH with instructions.
Please be assured that the decision was taken in good faith with the health of our community in mind, and that the procedures in our Reopening Plan were used appropriately in this case. We are working together with local health officials to address the current scenario and we will continue to do so in the future.
This is not likely to be the only time we have to respond to a possible case on campus, and each situation will be unique. We will continue to ‘work the problem’ as the situation requires, and do what we have to do to maintain the health of everyone.
Please keep in mind that a similar pattern of information flow may occur again and the School may have to move quickly to Red status. I realize every possible incident may create more stress for everyone. Please do all you can to remain flexible and patient in these difficult and trying times. I am open to your questions and suggestions, as always.
