TA News

The following was sent to TA families by email on Jan. 24, 2022 from Nurse Ellen Gnaedinger.

A thank you to students, parents and staff who are helping to keep well people in school and sick students at home. 

Current cases: The good news is we did see a decrease in Covid cases last week. I reported 4 fewer cases to the health department, down from the previous week’s reporting.  Since our last Health Update on 1/20, we have only had one new Covid case on campus, in the 9th grade.  

Reminders for families: 

1.  If your child has a runny nose, cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting they cannot be in school even if they test negative for Covid.
2.  If your child is sick, please leave a message with the symptoms that they have e.g. sore throat, migraine etc.
3. If they have upper respiratory symptoms please let me know if they have tested for Covid.
4. Masking is still an important part of our prevention strategy: a mask that fits well, stays in place and protects students is required.  Recent research shows that cloth masks are not as effective in protecting against Omicron.  Disposable surgical style masks are better, and KN95 masks are even more effective.  We will allow any well-fitting mask as long as a student is wearing it consistently and properly.  Our Health Office has extra masks for students who need them.

Testing information:

1. The Health Office is out of take-home rapid antigen test kits, but we do have bulk rapid antigen tests.  We can test sick students outside and students who have a Covid positive family member/school exposure in the office – please email/phone to arrange.
2. The Health Office has 200 home PCR tests that can be sent to UPS or brought back to TA by 10AM. They can be used by any student or family member who needs to do a PCR and wants to do it from home.  We will distribute them on a first come, first served basis.  If you need those tests, please send a message to the health office and we’ll send them home with students, or you can pick them up. 
3. We will continue to do testing on campus on Tuesdays for at least the next two weeks.  Please remind your student to come get tested in the morning!

PE and Athletics:

1. Sports continues to be an area of stress for some families, TA is following the medical provider clearance and the VPA return to play guidance.  Students who have had Covid 19 need clearance from their medical provider to participate in athletics and PE.  We ask that families request their provider to use this form for clearance, and for the provider to note what stage of the Graduated Return to Play Protocol students should start on (as noted on form).
2.  Many questions can be answered by looking at the TA health page.

Vaccines and Boosters are available: 

• VT Dept. of Health:  January walk-in clinics at the state office building in WRJ from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm
• Tuesday, January 25, The Thetford Fire Department is hosting a mobile vaccine clinic with Rescue
  Inc and the VT Dept of Health  4pm-6pm in the Thetford Elementary School parking lot. Pfizer for 5-11 year olds, Pfizer for age 12 and up and Moderna age 18 and up will all be available at this clinic.

Please call Ellen Gnaedinger in the Health Office with any questions about Covid, Return to Play, nursing or medical needs.  (802) 785-4805, x226