Covid-19 Update
April 6, 2021
Dear Families,
The overall messaging regarding Covid-19 guidelines is a bit confusing as several of our health agencies are offering up varying guidance, but the guidelines we have set in place have not changed. Many of you have questions so we want to update you on what is relevant to schools as the guidelines you might be hearing in the media are somewhat different. Here is one example:
“The updated Boulder County Public Health Order does not require outdoor masking at schools, including at recess and sports, however BCPHE strongly recommends that students and schools continue to mask outdoors at recess and sports as an effective means of preventing the transmission of COVID-19, especially since children under 16 are not currently able to receive a vaccine.”
Here are the current recommendations that we are following:
- The recommendation for both indoor and outdoor masking for children ages 3 and above will continue at Jarrow, at least until the end of the school year. We are monitoring closely for any potential easing up of the masking guidance for the summer and will keep families appraised over the coming weeks.
- Our faculty and staff are now vaccinated, which we are thrilled to report. That said, this does not change any of our practices, and all adults will continue to mask along with the children and maintain social distancing.
- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) reports that variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 can sometimes be more infectious, cause more severe illness, reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, or be harder to detect. There are multiple concerning variants circulating in Colorado, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is following up with all of them.
- The current layered mitigation strategies work against variants. Masking, social distancing, monitoring for symptoms and staying home if you have them, and hand hygiene all work to prevent the spread of variant viruses. Vaccines offer some protection against variants to differing degrees.
- Please note: Each case of COVID-19 is interviewed by public health. As part of this public health investigation, the public health department will do their routine follow-up to offer quarantine guidance with any family who tests positive for Covid-19.
Thank you for your help following Spring Break guidelines and checking in with Maeve as needed. Your cooperation has enabled us to navigate through this year and our children are the beneficiaries of this love and care.
In Peace,
Debbie
