North Penn High School.
North Penn High School Principal Pete Nicholson sent out an email to families on Monday afternoon to address the issue of six students recently testing positive for COVID-19.
Nicholson said the cases were not related to one another, however the school was addressing them via one communication. The statement reads, in part:
Through contact tracing protocol, families whose students have likely had close contact with an individual who tested positive have been notified, as well as any staff members who likely had close contact. This is defined as being within six feet of an individual for 15 minutes or more, even while wearing face coverings.
The students who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as any individual who has been in close contact with the identified positive cases, will not return to school until the isolation requirement has been met.
We recognize that this message is likely to cause concern in our school community. Our public health agencies have been outstanding partners throughout this entire situation. We join them in emphasizing the necessity of sharing information and acting with precaution throughout these extraordinary circumstances.
With the six cases reported on Monday, North Penn High School has reported a total of 12 cases in a one-week period. Those cases break down as follows:
A spokesperson for the district told North Penn Now that they are unaware of any in-school transmission of COVID-19, and that “transmission is happening after school hours in the community.”
“Our schools are safe,” said Christine Liberaski, Director of School and Community Engagement for North Penn School District.
Liberaski said the district works with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health to carry out contact tracing, which has helped the district keep schools open when new cases are reported.
"If contact tracing is done immediately, closing a school to conduct the contact tracing is not necessary,” Liberaski said. “Furthermore, all North Penn schools are cleaned according to protocols and schools do not need to shut down to clean.”
Nicholson said the district will continue to monitor the situation closely, and provide updates if any further steps are necessary.
“The health, safety, and well-being of our school community remains our top priority,” Nicholson said. “We are following sound protocols aligned with expert health guidance to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect your health.”
See also:
Editorial: Infrastructure Repairs At North Penn High School Are Necessary
North Penn School Board, Rep. Ciresi Discuss Charter School Reform
North Penn School Board Issues Statement Supporting Asian American, Pacific Islander Communities
North Penn School Board Appoints Dr. D’Ana Waters As Assistant Superintendent
North Penn Awarded State Grant To Enhance Student Safety
