August 30, 2020


Republic School District Families and Employees,

We were notified a short time ago that a student at RHS and a Tiger STRIPES employee at McCulloch have tested positive for COVID-19. Our thoughts are with these individuals as they navigate this illness, and we wish them an easy and quick recovery. 

Our goal in sending out this notification is to be as transparent as possible in providing information our families and employees need to remain as healthy as possible during this uncertain time. 

At the direction of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department all students and employees who were exposed to the individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 have been individually contacted by phone call. Those needing to self-isolate and quarantine to help stop the spread have been directed to do so. If you did not receive an individual phone call about this situation, no action is needed. District sanitation practices were immediately implemented as well.

The RHS student who tested positive was not symptomatic, but was contagious while at school on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week (August 25 and 26). Also, the student was masked while at school.

The employee was not symptomatic, but was contagious when working on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week (August 25 and 26). The employee was masked. Because of the small, stable groups implemented for Tiger STRIPES the potential spread is isolated. Therefore, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department feels that programming can continue as scheduled for those not in quarantine or isolation.

As a reminder, we would like to share the following information in regards to what steps we can all take to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:
  • Monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and report any to your student’s doctor and school.
  • If an employee or student has been directly exposed to someone positive for COVID-19, please report that to your school.
  • When social distancing is not possible, wear a mask or face covering unless a medical condition does not allow for it. 
  • Wash your hands and sanitize frequently. 
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for updates about COVID-19.

It is very important to us that we reiterate our firm commitment to implementing practices and procedures that will help keep students and employees healthy and safe at school. We will continue to implement these practices and to learn from this situation how we might be able to improve our efforts in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Information in regards to the district's response to COVID19 can be found at https://www.republicschools.org/healthupdates.

Josey McPhail
Director of Communications
Republic School District