Marcellus Community Schools

October 29, 2020       

Dear Marcellus parents, staff and community members:

Today, we received notification that a middle/ high school support staff employee tested positive for COVID-19. While we must protect the privacy of the person involved, we believe it is best to communicate transparently with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family.

There is nothing more important to Marcellus than the safety and health of our students, our staff and their families. We are working directly with county health officials to address this situation.  At this time, we do not anticipate any student or additional staff will be quarantined.

COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person contact and through the exchange of respiratory droplets. As more cases are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, it is important to be sensible, but to also be vigilant. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Marcellus will continue to clean and disinfect surfaces inside all district schools. As more cases are being confirmed across the state, it is important to remain vigilant. The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of this global pandemic:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home, if possible.
• If you must go out, practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Avoid gatherings that include more than 10 people.

If you would like to learn more about COVID-19, the following links are reliable and accurate sources for information:

CDC COVID-19 Information
Talking to Children About COVID-19

Michigan.gov/coronavirus

Vbcassdhd.org/coronavirus

Our greatest priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members. Please continue to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you. It is important to remember that children are greatly influenced by the reactions of adults when facing difficult circumstances

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your family, especially as we face this challenging situation together.  

Sincerely,

Nanette Pauley,
Superintendent

October 26, 2020       

Dear Marcellus parents, staff and community members:

Over the weekend, we received notification from a parent that her high school student tested positive for COVID-19.  The student has not been in school since October 13; thus, the district anticipates no other students (except household members) or staff will be asked to quarantine. 

While we must protect the privacy of the person involved, we believe it is best to communicate transparently with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family.

COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person contact and through the exchange of respiratory droplets. As more cases are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, it is important to be sensible, but to also be vigilant. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Marcellus Community Schools will continue to clean and disinfect surfaces inside all district schools, including the middle/ high school.  As more cases are being confirmed across the state, it is important to remain vigilant. The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of this global pandemic:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home, if possible.
• If you must go out, practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Avoid gatherings that include more than 10 people.

If you would like to learn more about COVID-19, the following links are reliable and accurate sources for information:

CDC COVID-19 Information
Talking to Children About COVID-19

Michigan.gov/coronavirus

Vbcassdhd.org/coronavirus

Our greatest priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members. Please continue to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your family, especially as we face this challenging situation together. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Nanette Pauley
Superintendent

October 19, 2020

Dear Marcellus parents, staff and community members:

Late this afternoon, we received notification from the Van Buren/Cass County Health Department that someone associated with our school district – a student from Marcellus Elementary – has tested positive for COVID-19. While we must protect the privacy of the person involved, we believe it is best to communicate transparently with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family.

There is nothing more important to Marcellus than the safety and health of our students, our staff and their families. We are working directly with county health officials to address this situation. They have recommended we share the following with you:

An elementary student was exposed to a family member who tested positive for COVID-19.  The student subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.  The student has not been in school since October 15, is asymptomatic, and is quarantining at home.   The district is working with the health department to determine close contacts-   students or staff who were within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more.   Those close contacts will need to quarantine as a precaution. 

The district shared a list potential close contact names and phone numbers with the Van Buren /Cass Health Department who will follow up with any impacted individuals.  Marcellus Elementary Principal Mrs. Spaulding and Transportation Director Dave Vanderbosch have already reached out to the parents of students who are considered close contacts.  In addition, one elementary teacher will be quarantined through October 29, as a precaution.

As a reminder- COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person contact and through the exchange of respiratory droplets. As more cases are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, it is important to be sensible, but to also be vigilant.  Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Marcellus Community Schools will continue to clean and disinfect surfaces inside all district schools, including Marcellus Elementary. Since the beginning of the school year, Marcellus Community Schools has seen four confirmed COVID-19 cases.  As more cases are being confirmed across the state, it is important to remain vigilant. The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of this global pandemic:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home, if possible.
• If you must go out, practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Avoid gatherings that include more than 10 people.

If you would like to learn more about COVID-19, the following links are reliable and accurate sources for information:

CDC COVID-19 Information
Talking to Children About COVID-19

Michigan.gov/coronavirus

Vbcassdhd.org/coronavirus

Our greatest priority is the safety of our students, staff and community members. Please continue to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you. It is important to remember that children are greatly influenced by the reactions of adults when facing difficult circumstances. I encourage everyone to remain calm and to be empathic and respectful to those affected.

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and your family, especially as we face this challenging situation together. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Nanette Pauley
Superintendent

If an individual suspects they have COVID-19 symptoms, they should stay home and take one of the following steps: 

1. Call their primary care provider (PCP) via telephone
2. Do a virtual visit with their health system/provider
3. Contact one of the three Care Advisor Phone Numbers or Web Pages provided by our local health systems.  *these numbers are helpful for individuals who do not have a PCP.

*If your symptoms are life-threatening call 9-1-1

Care Advisor Phone Numbers and Webpages

Bronson

(269) 341-7788

www.bronsonhealth.com/coronavirus-covid-19

Ascension Borgess

(833) 978-0649

www.healthcare.ascension.org

Spectrum Health Lakeland

(616) 391-2380

https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/covid19

*a Chatbot is available online

*Drive-up testing is available but all patients require a physician's order to be tested.

InterCare Health Network
(855) 869-6980
https://www.intercare.org/covid-19.html 
Drive-thru testing is available. Individuals do NOT have to have a lab order (does NOT have to be InterCare only)

October 15, 2020

Dear Marcellus parents, staff, and community members:

Today, we received confirmation from the Van Buren/Cass County Health Department that someone associated with our school district – a student from Volinia– has tested positive for COVID-19.  We are working directly with county health officials to address this situation, and they have recommended we share the following with you:

 A Volinia student tested positive for COVID-19 on October 13.  This student has not been in school since October 8 when s/he was initially quarantined after learning a family member tested positive for COVID-19.  Currently, there are two confirmed COVID-19 cases, both at Volinia.   The two cases have both a family, as well as a school relationship.

In addition, earlier today, two middle high school teachers each reported that one of their family members tested positive for COVID-19.  Both teachers are asymptomatic, but are quarantining in an abundance of caution, pending health department investigation. 

COVID-19 is transmitted through person-to-person contact and through the exchange of respiratory droplets. As more cases are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, it is important to be sensible, but to also be vigilant. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Marcellus will continue to clean and disinfect surfaces inside all district schools, including Volinia. As more cases are being confirmed across the state, it is important to remain vigilant. The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of this global pandemic:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home, if possible.
• If you must go out, practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Avoid gatherings that include more than 10 people.

If you would like to learn more about COVID-19, the following links are reliable and accurate sources for information:

CDC COVID-19 Information
Talking to Children About COVID-19

Michigan.gov/coronavirus

Vbcassdhd.org/coronavirus

The safety of our students, staff and community members continues to be my highest priority.   Please continue to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you.

Thank you for your support and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Nanette Pauley
Superintendent

Positive Case of COVID-19 in District

October 13, 2020

Dear Marcellus parents, staff and community members:

On October 10, I notified parents and staff that a Volinia student was quarantined as a result of being a non-school-related "close contact" to a COVID-19 case. That student has not been in school since October 7. Today, the Volinia student's parents notified the district that their student's test results came back positive. In consultation with the local health department, the district ascertained school-related close contacts. Two employees and seven students were quarantined through October 21, as a precautio n. As of this writing, this is the only positive COVID-19 case in the school district.

In addition, this morning, a parent notified the district that an elementary students  was a "close contact" to a family member who has tested positive for Covid-19. The student is quarantined and has not been in school since October 8. District officials have been in contact with the local health department and, at this time, no other students or staff are under quarantine.

While we must protect the privacy of the people involved, we believe it is best to communicate transparently with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family. There is nothing more important to Marcellus than the safety and health of our students, our staff and their families. Marcellus Community Schools will continue recommended safety, cleaning and mitigation protocols related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 is transmitted through person-t o-person contact and through the exchange of respiratory droplets. As more cases are being confirmed across the state, including in our community, it is important to be sensible, but to also be vigilant. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you or any member of your family exhibit these symptoms, please stay home and contact your medical provider for advice immediately. Symptoms usually appear 2-14 days after exposure.

The CDC recommends the following best practices to help prevent the spread of this global pandemic:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay at home, if possible.
• If you must go out, practice social distancing, leaving at least six feet between you and other people.
• Avoid gatherings that include more than 10 people.

If you would like to learn more about COVID-19, the following links are reliable and accurate sources for information:

CDC COVID-19 Information

Michigan.gov/coronavirus

Vbcassdhd.org/coronavirus

Please continue to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and those around you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Nanette Pauley
Superintendent

District/PSA Template for the Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan as Described in Public Act 149, Section 98a - August 27, 2020 September 3, 2020 Clarifications