Covid-19 Update for Monroe County Schools December 7, 2020
 
Two more positive Covid-19 cases were identified in the Monroe County School System today.  The new cases involved a staff member at T.G. Scott Elementary and a staff member at Central Office.

The T.G. Scott staff member's positive case resulted in student exposures, necessitating some students be quarantined at home. The Central Office staff member was already at home under quarantine, so no additional exposures occurred. 

The school system continues to follow the guidelines of the Department of Public Health which classifies close contact as being within six feet of the person with Covid-19 for 15 minutes or more.  When this is determined, parents of affected students are asked to quarantine their children at home for a specified period of time. Appropriate information from public health is provided to the parents as guidance.

The school system reminds all staff, students, and parents of the following actions to combat the spread of Covid and all other illnesses:
  • Wear masks when at school, on the school bus, or in public areas.
  • Maximize distancing in all public settings. 
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or approved hand sanitizer.

New CDC/DPH Quarantine Guidelines 

Based on recently released guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Monroe County School District is modifying the quarantine period for asymptomatic students that have had direct exposure effective immediately.  Note:  There is NO change to the quarantine period for students that test positive.

The three quarantine options for students that have had direct exposure include: 

1. Quarantine at home for 7 consecutive days. If asymptomatic on or after the 5th day, the student may take a PCR test (not the rapid test). If the PCR test is negative, parents/guardians must provide the test result to the school. After approval is received from the school, the student may return to school and activities on the 8th day. 

OR 

2. Quarantine at home for 10 consecutive days. If asymptomatic, the student may return to school and activities on the 11th day. 

OR 

3. Quarantine at home for 14 consecutive days. If asymptomatic, the student may return to school and activities on the 15th day. 

If you select option 1, please provide the negative PCR test result to your student's school. If you select option 2 or 3, please notify your school. 

If your child is currently quarantined due to a direct exposure and are asymptomatic, please follow the options and notification process listed above.

If you have questions regarding these guidelines, please contact your school administrators.  For more information on testing and Covid-19, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health Covid-19 Hotline at 1-844-987-0099.
25 Brooklyn Avenue, P.O. Box 1308  | Forsyth, GA 31029 | Phone 478.994.2031  | Fax 478.994.3364 | www.monroe.k12.ga.us
Monroe County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, student programs and dealings with the public. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all accompanying regulations. As a result, the following people have been appointed to oversee specific areas. Title II, Adult 504, Adult Title IX  Dr. Mike Hickman 25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029 478-994-2031 Student and Athletic Title IX Jackson Daniel 25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029 Student 504 Jenny Rooks 25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, GA 31029 Copyright 2020. 
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