MGSD Communications Regarding Reopening Plan

July 14, 2020

Hello MGSD Families and Staff,

During today’s press conference, Governor Cooper announced that NC public schools will be reopening for the 2020-2021 school year under Plan B, which requires moderate social distancing and a combination of in-person and remote learning options. Governor Cooper also stated that school districts may choose to operate under Plan C instead, which requires remote learning only. Districts are also encouraged to allow families to opt in to all-remote learning. 

Some requirements under Plan B include:

• Face coverings required for all K-12 students, teachers, and staff (five reusable face coverings will be provided for each)
• Limited number of students, staff, and visitors in a school building to the extent of maintaining six feet distance
• Symptom screenings each day before students enter the school building or load the school bus
• Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces
• No activities that bring together large groups
• Established process and dedicated space for people who are ill

Three questions that are answered in these updated guidelines that we have to consider:

1. What happens if my child’s teacher or a classmate tests positive for COVID-19?

A person who is exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 may not attend school in person for 14 days from the date of their last contact.  Virtual instruction will be available.  This potentially means that an entire class would not be allowed to return to school for 14 days should a classmate or teacher test positive for COVID-19.

2. What happens if my child tests positive for COVID-19 but does not exhibit symptoms?

They may return to school 10 days after the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test, assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test.

3. What happens if a staff member or student exhibits ONE of the following COVID-19 symptoms:  Fever, Chills, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, New cough, New loss of taste or smell?

The person must immediately go home and seek medical care.  If diagnosed with COVID-19 based on a test or symptoms, person may return to school when: 

• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and 
• Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and 
• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. 

If they have had a negative COVID-19 test, the person may return to school once there is no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines and has felt well for 24 hours. Also, a person can return to school, following normal school policies, if they receive confirmation of an alternative diagnosis from a health care provider that would explain the COVID-19-like symptom(s), once there is no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines and they have felt well for 24 hours.

Due to these updated re-opening guidelines that we received at 3:00pm today, we want to study what that means for MGSD and our families as we reopen our schools.  Our team will be meeting to look at the Plan B framework we had released on July 2 and ascertain how these new requirements will affect our previous plan.  By Thursday (July 16), we will send out a survey via Blackboard Connect asking for your feedback regarding opening under Plan B, or alternatively beginning the year under Plan C. This survey will also ask your intentions regarding enrollment in the MGSD Online Academy.  The results from this survey will be shared along with our Plan recommendation to the Board of Education at a called meeting that will be scheduled for next week where a decision for opening schools will be finalized.  We know these are stressful times for all of our families and staff and appreciate your support and patience as we strive to do what is best for our staff, students, and community.

In your service,

Tanae Sump-McLean
MGSD Communications Officer
tmclean@mgsd.k12.nc.us
704-658-2543