COVID-19 Announcement (1/10/22)

January 10, 2022

Dear Faculty and Families,

We are writing to update you regarding additional COVID-19 notifications.

  1. Late last evening and today (Monday 1/10/22), Milestones was notified that 5 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 (3 students and 2 faculty) over the long weekend or today. Three of these individuals were on campus during the period of infectiousness and two were not.  None of these cases were previously identified as close contacts during last week’s contact tracing process. We are wishing our staff and students well for a speedy recovery and the individuals will remain off campus until receiving medical clearance to return.  After receiving the results we applied the COVID-19 timelines and procedures set forth for schools by DESE/DPH.  In addition, today we consulted with both the Waltham Board of Health and DESE regarding these updates given the uptick in cases. (DESE/DPH defines the infectious period as: “The infectious period begins 2 days prior to symptom onset. If someone is asymptomatic, the infectious period is considered to begin 2 days prior to the collection of a positive test result”).

  2. This afternoon and evening any confirmed close contacts were notified by members of our Administration team regarding next steps, and with the approval of BOH and DESE all classrooms continue to remain open for onsite instruction. (DESE/DPH defines close contacts as: “individuals who have been within 6 feet of a COVID-19 positive individual while indoors, for at least 15 minutes during a 24-hour period.  Please note that the at-risk exposure time begins 48 hours prior to symptom onset [or time of positive test if asymptomatic] and continues until the time the COVID-19 positive individual is isolated”).  While both BOH and DESE have directed Milestones to operate as usual, we will continue to review our COVID positive cases and contact tracing results with both agencies.  Administrators are prepared to respond to any change in guidance, if indicated, to ensure the safest environment for our community.

If you did not speak with an Administrator or the School Nurse this afternoon or evening regarding this situation, you (staff) or your child (families) were not identified as a potential close contact and there is no change to your schedule.

Thank you for your attention, and please continue to diligently monitor symptoms according to daily health attestations and stay in active communication with our School Nurse if you have any updates or questions.

Sincerely,
Kim