November 14, 2020
Dear Millstone Families,
This letter is to inform you that a staff member at Millstone Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member was present in school on Thursday and Friday before experiencing symptoms and testing positive today. We have worked throughout the day today to conduct contact tracing and identify close contacts among the staff and students. Every staff member and parent whose son/daughter has been identified to be a “close contact” has been notified.
Unfortunately, this situation has brought our district to the point of community outbreak. Specifically, we have had “two or more cases within fourteen days that have occurred across multiple classrooms and a clear connection between cases cannot be easily identified.” In addition to this outbreak, we are now faced with a significant shortage of teachers available to deliver in-person instruction in our schools. A substantial number of teachers are now under mandatory quarantine as a result of “close contacts” in school as well as situations they are facing in their private lives.
After numerous phone calls with the Monmouth County Department of Education, members of our administrative team, and Board of Education leadership, an emergency Board of Education meeting was held at 4:00 pm this evening. As a result of these circumstances and discussions, I have decided that all Millstone Township Schools will begin fully virtual instruction starting Monday, November 16, 2020. This decision was made with the safety of our staff and students as my top priority along with consideration for the most effective way to provide quality and equitable education for all.
This change in our plans now puts all district schools on fully virtual schedules until December 4, 2020. At this point, it is our goal to return to in-person instruction, for those who have chosen it, on Monday, December 7, 2020. During the next three weeks, local metrics and the health of our community will be monitored closely; and frequent updates will be provided as our planning evolves.
I am certain that this news will be met with mixed emotions. For those who are disappointed and/or upset, I kindly ask you to refrain from looking to place blame on any of the individuals who are sick or those who assist me in making these difficult decisions. We are facing a pandemic that could affect anyone of us at any time; and we are making the best decisions we can following the guidance we are provided. I also apologize in advance for the timing of this email, but as a parent myself I would like to receive this type of notification as soon as possible regardless of the day and time.
As always, we appreciate your support and understanding as we navigate these uncharted waters and difficult circumstances.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Huss
Superintendent of Schools
#Proud2bMillstone
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