Due to an abundance of caution, SAD 61 Superintendent Smith decided today, Dec. 11, that the school district, including Adult Education, will be fully remote from Monday, Dec. 14 to Monday, Dec. 21. This decision has been made as the result of an increase of Covid-19 cases during this week. 

While students could safely return to school on Dec. 21, it would not be productive to do so, Superintendent Smith said in a letter posted on the SAD 61 website on Friday. “Therefore, in person learning will resume on Monday, Jan. 4. The non- student days, Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23, will be held as planned,” he wrote. 

“We have taken steps with our response team to follow Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Maine Department of Education (DOE) guidelines to notify students and staff as appropriate. We believe it best to share the details we can with our entire community. Here are the relevant points: 

• The District was notified of two additional district staff members’ positive test results on Friday, Dec. 11. 

• All staff and students who were in close contact have been notified by school personnel and/or CDC contact tracers. 

• Student learning will continue through a fully remote educational model. 

• Mobile meal sites will be open, Monday-Friday, 11:30 to 12:30 at the High School, Songo Locks and Stevens Brook. 

• Winter sport practices will resume on Monday, Dec. 21. 

• Elementary report cards may be delayed a week due to this situation. 

• Laker Pride Awards will be delayed until January 2021. 

• All facilities will undergo thorough deep cleaning during this time period.” 

Covid-19 is a respiratory illness that ranges from mild to severe. It can be more severe in adults 60 years and older, and in those with underlying health conditions. The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and an uninfected person breathes in the virus. Please be aware that an infected person may not show any symptoms. 

Signs and symptoms include:

Fever and/or chills

Cough as a new event

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 

Fatigue 

Muscle and/or body aches 

Headache as a new event 

Please keep in mind that many factors can cause respiratory illness, so both students and staff should be up-to-date with flu and routine vaccinations. 

The Maine CDC recommends prevention measures to help control the spread of COVID-19. These measures include: 

Handwashing frequently with soap and warm water, particularly after bathroom use, eating, blowing your nose, coughing, and/or sneezing; 

Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol; 

Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; 

Covering your cough; 

Sneezing into a tissue; 

Disinfecting frequently high touch surfaces and objects. 

General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811- 5695; by texting your zip code to 898-211; by emailing info@211maine.org. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirusor at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. 

“Working together, we can keep a safe and healthy environment in our schools to best serve our students. Thank you for your time and diligence in following Covid-19 prevention protocols. Stay well during the holiday season and winter months,” Smith concluded.