COVID-19 Positive Case at Balmville School

August 16, 2021

Dear Balmville School Faculty and Staff:

The district will continue to inform families and staff about any confirmed positive cases on COVID-19 reported from a school or district building regardless of whether or not scholars and/or staff are present in the school or district building at that time. This protocol is in an effort to keep you informed about your school community. Additionally, we recognize that our scholars, faculty, and staff maintain relationships beyond our school walls and into our local community. We feel it is important to keep you informed, so that you can check in with your social network when a case is confirmed at a particular school or district building. 

On August 16, 2021 we learned about an individual who tested positive for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from Balmville School. Please note, this individual was last present in the school building on August 13, 2021. Children and/or staff that were in direct or proximate contact with the positive case will be contacted by district staff and/or Orange County Department of Health and will be instructed to quarantine. At this time, the school will remain open.

In an effort to maintain transparency, we are writing to keep you informed of positive cases whether an individual has been present in a school building or not. Additionally, we recognize that our scholars, faculty, and staff maintain relationships beyond our school walls and into our local community. We feel it is important to keep you informed, so that you can check in with your social network when a case is confirmed at a particular school building. 

We recommend that you take action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if your child is not experiencing symptoms. The most important things you can do:

• Make sure your child is wearing a mask
• Make sure your child is washing their hands
• Keep your child home if they are sick
• Call your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

A new coronavirus, COVID-19, which is an illness that was discovered in 2019.  Coronaviruses are a type of virus that are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface.  There are many kinds of coronaviruses including some that cause respiratory illnesses, like the common cold.  The specific symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Unexplained Rash
• Pinkeye

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 spreads mainly from having close contact with someone who has a COVID-19 infection.  The virus is thought to spread by droplets from person to person when they speak, cough, or sneeze.  Droplets travel less than 6 feet.  When droplets from another person get in your mouth or nose you can inhale into your lungs.  This virus can be spread by people without symptoms.

How can parents and guardians help prevent COVID-19 from spreading?

• If your child is sick, keep them home
• Make sure members of your household wash their hands often using soap and water for 20 seconds
• Make sure every member of your household cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow, and then washes their hands afterwards
• Wear a mask in public when you cannot stay 6 feet apart from other people

We are working with the Health Department to keep our community safe.

• We continue to follow the Health Department’s guidance
• We cleaned and disinfected the building per the New York State Department of Health guidance

Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of individuals with COVID-19.  We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. With your participation, we believe we can create a safe and fun experience for your children.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Orange County Department of Health at 845-291-2330 or the district at covidhelp@necsd.net or 845-563-3412.

The district is required to share self-reported positive cases to New York State each school day. These numbers are compiled along with positive cases received from the Orange County Department of Health and various testing sites. This information can be found on the COVID-19 Report Card. 

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!