The following message was posted on the Boothbay Region Elementary School website Sunday, Dec. 19:

Dear Boothbay Region Elementary School Staff, Students and Families,

This letter is to inform you that out of an abundance of caution and due to an increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 at the Elementary School since Friday and the number of students that have to quarantine BRES is switching to remote learning for next week (December 20-22). Principal Kurr will contact you with more specific information on how to collect work or other needed items for your students.

 
Staff members will be at work this week teaching remotely should you do need to reach them.
I want to recognize and thank our staff, some of whom have been contact tracing all weekend and we still have some more to do Monday. I also want to thank parents and students for their continued cooperation. I know that it is challenge to make changes to normal routines and arrange for your children to be at home during remote learning. Please know that this is not a decision that we make lightly. BRHS will be in session tomorrow as they have not seen the same increase and due to the large number of students fully vaccinated allowing them to continue to attend in person learning safely.

 
We are also in the process of implementing voluntary pooled testing which is another powerful tool and layer of protection for students and staff regardless of vaccination status. More information and permission slips regarding this process will be out shortly if you have not already received this. This is a powerful mitigation strategy which should help minimize disruptions to in person learning. I would also like to remind parents, that students who are fully vaccinated (2 or more weeks out from their last dose) do not need to quarantine unless they are showing symptoms.

 
The importance of at home symptom checks cannot be overstated. If you or your child are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 please remain home, contact the school, and call your primary care physician for further advice on how to proceed. We know how challenging this struggle with COVID-19 has been and continues to be but we will get through this by continuing to work closely together. If you have questions for the school you may contact Principal Kurr at 633-5097 and you are welcome to contact me directly at 633-2874 should you have any questions about the district response to COVID-19. 

Resources for parents and staff include:

General COVID-19 questions: dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695). You can also text your zip code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. More information can also be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. 

Please know that student and staff safety remain our top priority and that we will keep you informed out of an abundance of caution regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our school community. Thank you all so very much for your continued patience and cooperation as we continue to navigate through this everchanging landscape of teaching and learning in the age of COVID-19.

Sincerely,
Robert Kahler,
Superintendent of Schools