Jasper County Junior High Switches to Remote Learning Due to COVID Case

Jasper County Junior High School in Newton is switching to remote learning as of today due to a case of COVID-19. The building will remain on remote learning status through August 25.

Here's the letter sent to parents from Jasper Unit #1 Superintendent Andrew Johnson:

August 16, 2020

Dear Families and Staff:

This letter is to inform you that a staff member at Jasper County Junior High School has tested positive for COVID-19. We also have several JCJH staff members and two high school staff members that are being quarantined due to close contact with the positive staff member.  The staff member was only on property Tuesday and Wednesday of this past week.  The staff member that is positive was not around any students while on property.  We are coordinating our efforts with the Jasper County Health Department to promptly identify and monitor individuals who have had recent contact with the COVID-19 positive individual to prevent further spread within our school and community. The health and safety of JCJH students and staff is our highest priority, and we recognize the uncertainty and concern regarding the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the state and local health departments for best practices and procedures to protect everyone’s health.

To prevent further spread of the disease, JCJH is taking the following steps:

• The JCJH students (only) will move to full remote learning starting on Monday, August 17, 2020 and remain on full remote learning through Tuesday, August 25, 2020. In person learning will resume on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 unless otherwise notified.
• We ask that all students meet the five and a half hours of educational services mandated by ISBE - in doing so, please email the teacher, Google Meet with the teacher and work on your assignments to be returned prior to the due dates in which they were assigned.
• Placing staff members and students who are identified as having prolonged close contact to the COVID-19 case(s) in quarantine for 14 days. Close contacts will also receive a separate notification from the Jasper County Health Department. 
• Ongoing monitoring of students and staff for signs and symptoms of illness and evaluation of illness reports to promptly identify possible outbreaks.
• Conducting a deep clean and disinfection of the areas impacted by potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

We will continue to enforce safe practices to prevent, promptly identify, and respond to potential COVID cases, as follows:

• Students and staff who are ill with COVID-like symptoms will promptly be placed in a separate supervised area away from others until they can be sent home.
• Students are required to wear face coverings at all times, as previously directed and per school policy.
• Staff are required to wear face coverings at all times while in contact with children and other staff in the facility.
• We are continuously sanitizing high-touch surfaces including door handles, stair rails, sink faucets, etc.
• We have removed plush toys and other toys that cannot be properly or frequently disinfected.
• We are teaching students the importance of face coverings, social distancing, and proper handwashing:
  • ○ Students are discouraged from sharing personal items, e.g., water bottles.
  • ○ Students are learning new ways to greet each other without touching.
  • ○ Students are reminded to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, and to cover coughs and sneezes.
  • ○ Students will be taught to wash their hands frequently and properly, following CDC guidelines on handwashing.
  • ○ As we receive more information from the Department of Public Health and other entities, we will implement additional recommendations and guidelines.

As always, everyone should monitor their health and stay at home if they develop symptoms^[1]. Sick persons should contact their health care provider to determine if testing is needed. Anyone who develops severe symptoms^[2] should seek medical care immediately. If your child has had close contact with a known case of COVID-19, keep the child at home and notify your primary healthcare provider, school/daycare, and your local health department.

We are committed to providing your child and our staff with a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing cooperation with our COVID prevention policies and procedures as we work to help protect your children, your families, and our staff and their families. For any questions or concerns, please contact us at 783-8459.

Sincerely,

Andrew D. Johnson

^[1] 1 Symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

^[2] 2 Severe symptoms of COVID-19 include: trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face.