Dear Parents, Families, and Community Members,
We want to make you aware that St. Helena Parish School District has received reports of COVID-19 cases at each of our schools. At this time, the reported cases are:
Early Learning Center (ELC): 8 cases
St. Helena Arts and Technology Academy (SHATA): 16 cases
St. Helena College and Career Academy (SHCCA): 5 cases
We understand that this information may cause concern for our families. Please know that we are monitoring the situation and will continue taking reasonable precautions to maintain a healthy learning environment.
It is also important to understand that the pandemic-era COVID-19 protocols are no longer in effect. Schools are no longer operating under the isolation, quarantine, and other requirements that were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now includes COVID-19 within its broader respiratory virus guidance. The CDC no longer recommends a fixed five-day isolation period. Instead, individuals experiencing a respiratory illness should stay home and away from others until their symptoms are improving overall and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. (cdc.gov)
Once normal activities are resumed, the CDC recommends taking additional precautions for the next five days because an individual may still be able to spread the virus. These precautions can include practicing good hygiene, improving air quality, wearing a well-fitting mask, maintaining physical distance from others, and/or testing when appropriate. (cdc.gov)
What We Are Doing - While the previous pandemic requirements are no longer in place, we are taking additional precautions within our schools. Our custodial teams are being asked to thoroughly clean classrooms, common areas, and frequently used spaces. When the District becomes aware of a COVID-19 case that may affect a school, appropriate parent notification will also be provided.
What We Are Asking of Families - Please monitor your learner for signs of illness. If your child is sick or experiencing symptoms, please keep them home until they are feeling better and meet the CDC's recommendations for returning to normal activities.
COVID-related absences are no longer covered by the special procedures that existed during the pandemic. Therefore, learner absences associated with COVID-19 will be handled under the District's regular attendance and illness procedures.
We also encourage families to reinforce basic health practices with their children, including frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with others when they are sick.
The health and well-being of our learners and employees remain important to us. At the same time, we want to provide our families with accurate information without creating unnecessary alarm. We will continue monitoring the number of reported cases throughout the District and will make adjustments if circumstances warrant or if additional public-health guidance is issued.
The Louisiana Department of Health provides additional information regarding respiratory illnesses and communicable diseases in Louisiana. (ldh.la.gov)
Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping us maintain safe, healthy, and productive learning environments throughout St. Helena Parish School District.