August 27, 2021
Dear Trojan Family:
During the past week we have had one positive case in our building. This brings our total positive count through the first 17 days of school to three. We will continue to be transparent each week concerning COVID-19 cases within our community.
At this time we are still operating with a masks-optional policy. Masks are strongly recommended for unvaccinated students and staff, vulnerable individuals who may be at increased risk of illness, and anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask. Wearing a mask is still a choice; however, if Bishop Chatard begins to see a high positivity rate, and student quarantine numbers increase, the decision to wear masks might become necessary in order to continue with an in-person learning and extracurricular experience.
It is important to remember that contact tracing is still required by the Marion County Health Department. Vaccinated students and staff members do not have to quarantine due to close-contact exposure. Additionally, individuals who have had a positive COVID-19 test within the previous 90 days (3 months) do not have to quarantine.
Current COVID-19 guidelines define a close contact exposure to an individual that has tested positive as:
In a classroom setting in which any individuals are unmasked, any person who is within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period will be considered a close contact.
In a classroom setting in which all individuals are masked, any individual who is within 3 feet or less from the person who tested positive for COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period will be considered a close contact.
Without a universal masking mandate, an unvaccinated, masked student runs the risk of being contact traced and being quarantined for 10 days. If parents desire for their child to not be subject to quarantines due to close contact, please consider getting your child vaccinated. The Holy See and U.S. Bishops have determined that the reception of the vaccines is morally acceptable and responsible. Additionally, the Office of Catholic Schools (OCS) recommends that all eligible parties should be encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As stated earlier, vaccinated students will not have to quarantine due to close contact exposure.
A daily self-screen is still required of students and staff. Students and staff who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 without being otherwise explained are prohibited from coming to school. Please see our website for updated COVID-19 symptoms.
If your child or any member of your household has a pending COVID-19 test, please email medical@bishopchatard.org and keep your child at home until contacted by a member of our COVID-19 committee.
If any additional questions remain, please feel free to contact me at (317-251-1451, ext. 1900) or via email at jhansen@bishopchatard.org.
Please continue to pray for the success of Bishop Chatard High School!
