Read the Superintendent's Update of COVID-19 cases from 12/9/2020.
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12/9/2020
Dear Gardner Public School Community,
We have been notified that three individuals from Gardner High School have tested positive for COVID-19. Two of the individuals had known exposure to COVID-19 outside the school setting and were quarantined prior to testing positive. The other case did not have known exposure to COVID-19, however, became symptomatic and got tested. These cases are not connected, and none of these individuals were in the school building during their contagious period, (48 hours prior to the day of their symptom onset OR 48 hours prior to the day they tested if they do not have symptoms.) Therefore, no contact tracing or quarantine of individuals at school is required. The individuals are isolating according to the GPS Protocol: Gardner Public Schools Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios in School, on the Bus, or in Community Settings , and will not return to school until cleared by the Board of Health after completing the required isolation period.
It is our goal to be completely transparent and communicate all occurrences of COVID-19 positive individuals in our schools. While we continue to report all COVID-19 cases to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, (DESE), cases do not appear on their report (Positive COVID-19 Cases in Schools) if they have not been in school during the past 7 days.
Please know that confidentiality of our staff and students’ health information is important, and that we are not able to give information that could identify the individual. We will continue to work closely with the Gardner Board of Health and our District Safety Committee in making decisions regarding in-person vs remote learning. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we continue to navigate throughthis pandemic, while keeping the health and safety of our school community as our top priority.
Sincerely,
Mark J. Pellegrino, Ed. D.