School staff quarantined

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Only a few hours after announcing that the students impacted by the one positive COVID-19 test at Newcastle Middle School would be returning to school, Principal Tyler Bartlett sent an email notification that an unidentified staff member at the school was to be quarantined after public health officials determined that the individual was in close contact with a person who had tested positive. Another announcement from the school district on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 22, stated that an unidentified staff member at Newcastle Elementary School was now quarantined after receiving a positive test result. Superintendent Brad LaCroix said that at this time, no other students or staff are being quarantined as a result of close contact with those who tested positive from the school. 
Two weeks ago, Bartlett announced that eight students out of the total 173 enrolled in the school would be quarantined for two weeks following potential exposure to a student at the school who tested positive. On Sept. 16, the principal reported that the students all appeared to be ready to return to school by the end of that week, after receiving the all clear from public health officials. 
The following day, LaCroix informed the News Letter Journal that health officials issued an employee at the middle school quarantine orders.  
“This staff member is showing no signs or symptoms of illness but has been ordered by the Wyoming Department of Health to quarantine for the next several days,” a press release from Weston County School District No. 1 dated Sept. 17 said. 
Upon notification of the required quarantine, the faculty member left the school and a substitute teacher took the teacher’s place, the release stated. It noted that the classroom was cleaned and disinfected before class resumed. 
“Until more is known, it is not necessary for us to implement any further measures beyond those we are already taking in our buildings by practicing social distancing and using our masks when that isn’t possible. We ask students and staff members to continue with these practices, and if we receive additional information from health officials in the next couple of days that require us to take other steps, we will update people on the situation,” LaCroix said in the release. 
LaCroix noted that the staff member’s quarantine was in no way related to the student who tested positive, a situation that was announced on Sept. 8. LaCroix said that classes and activities at the school would continue as scheduled. 
As the school moves past the first quarantines in the school district, Bartlett said it is necessary to remember the importance of the guidelines in place. He also reminded people that the rules and regulations are put in place by public health and not the schools. 
“Just a reminder that the school district does not test, quarantine, isolate, or clear anyone as it relates to COVID (or any other illness),” Bartlett said in the email. “Medical professionals make decisions that they think are best for the individuals involved and our community as a whole based on the latest scientific information they have available, and we all should do our best to follow the guidance they give.” 
Bartlett reminded email recipients that anyone in the community could be the next positive COVID-19 test or the next person quarantined. 
“I can’t stress enough that we’re all in this together. Keep in mind that anyone could be the next to go through this experience and face the challenges that come with it,” Bartlett said. 
As students, staff and community members return to their daily activities after being cleared by public health, Bartlett said in the email, it is important to welcome them with open arms and understand that they are fully cleared to return to normal activities.