Thank you for a great start to the school year. It is essential that the school corporation and the community continue to work together to address the ever-changing needs of our students. Throughout the COVID pandemic, Central Noble has worked hard to continue to address the academic, physical and social needs of the students. Throughout the process we have continually looked to improve the quality and effectiveness of everything we do. The support of parents and the community has been critical in this process. Your continued support will help us progress toward the end of this pandemic.
Through the diligent efforts of the nursing staff, administrators, teachers, and support staff, we have been able to provide inperson instruction to our students. While quarantines are difficult for parents and families, they have helped to reduce the spread of COVID within the school environment. To maintain a mask optional environment, contact tracing and quarantines are mandated at this time. Please be reminded that this is not something that the school staff wants to do. Please treat the staff with respect and allow them to work with you to get the students back into the school setting as quickly as possible.
Central Noble continues to evaluate the guidance and recommendation of the state and local health department to determine if changes in current protocol need to be implemented. In a recent memo from the Indiana State Department of Health, Dr. Box authorized the use of clinically administered rapid antigen tests (BINAXNow) to determine quarantine and return to school. This change now allows families 3 options for early return. Early return is not an option for students with a COVID positive patient in their household.
**Day 8 Return (Rapid Test) – This option is available for students who are asymptomatic and do not live in the same household as a COVID positive patient. The BINAXNow antigen test must be administered on day 7 or after in a clinical setting such as a testing site, pharmacy, doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. Home tests may not be used.
**Day 8 Return (PCR) – This option is available for all quarantined students that do not have a COVID Positive patient in the same household. The PCR test must be administered on day 5 or after. All symptomatic students will be required to receive a negative PCR test to return early.
We are looking forward to students and families returning to the building next week. Staff has been working hard to create a learning environment that is designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the students and the community. We have implemented many curricular and facility changes to help enhance the educational experiences of the students. Class lists and schedules for students can be accessed through the PowerSchool portal. If you are unable to access the parent portal in PowerSchool, please contact the office staff at your child’s school.
As we return next week, we will be mask optional for staff and students while in the building. Due to a federal mandate on public transportation, masks are required on the school bus. The administration and school board will continue to monitor state and local levels, while evaluating guidance from the CDC, the State Department of Health and the Noble County Department of Health to help inform decision making as we begin the school year. Central Noble will be contact tracing school exposures and quarantining students who are deemed close contacts. Quarantine requirements will be similar to last school year. The biggest change is that vaccinated staff and students (proof required) will not be required to quarantine. Please be reminded that the department of health mandates quarantines. If you receive a phone call about quarantines form the nursing or administrative staff, please remember that they are not doing it because they want to, they are doing it because they have to in order to keep kids healthy and in school. If you would like additional information about the current status of the pandemic, quarantine requirements, vaccines, or symptoms of COVID-19, please go to the Indiana State Department of Health web site at the link below.
https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2400.htm
If your child is ill, please keep them home. It is important to keep school exposures to a minimum in order to continue in-person instruction. If you have a question about whether or not your child should attend school, please keep them home and contact the school office during regular business hours. Your support through this process appreciated.
Open houses are scheduled for Monday (JSHS - 4:30 to 6:30) and Tuesday (CN Elem and CN Primary – 4:30 to 6:30). Please plan to make a visit to your child’s school. Student devices will be distributed to students on the first day of school. If you wish to purchase insurance on the device, you will be able to do so at the open house. For families that are unable to attend the open house, there will be insurance paperwork sent home with students on Wednesday. The insurance paperwork and payment will due back to the school by Friday, August 20. If families need to make payment arrangements, please contact the school office.
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