Harlan Ptomey

Superintendent Weekly Press Release October 2, 2020

Dear Cedar Bluffs Families,

COVID RISK LEVEL: YELLOW

For the Week of October 5th, we stay in yellow with the risk dial not moving it remains at 1.88. Both Dodge and Washington counties fell further into the yellow, but Saunders County remained unmoved. In listening to Dr. Pour this week she had said that the student cases they are seeing in the Omaha area are related to social activities outside of school, not from school exposures. She reiterates that when our kids leave the school and “hang out” socially with other kids they need to continue to use social distancing, wash their hands and wear masks.

TOTAL YEAR COVID POSITIVE: 0-Students, 4-Parent(s)/Family Members, 0-Staff, 1-Exposures at School

This past weekend our girls played in the Louisville Volleyball Tournament with Auburn, DC West, Louisville, Johnson County, Weeping Water, Omaha Mercy and Omaha Brownell Talbot placing 2nd overall. We are so very proud of them. On Monday we were notified by the Athletic Director from Louisville that one of the teams at that tournament had three girls test positive and if they had played against us, we would be contacted by that school’s Athletic Director. We were not contacted but I wanted our parents to know in case you were in attendance at that volleyball tournament and become symptomatic, please see your doctor. Also remember, there is a difference between quarantine and isolation. Quarantine is 14 days and isolation is 10. Reminder, if you are quarantined due to an exposure but have no symptoms your child(ren) may continue to come to school. We appreciate those who have kept their children home during quarantine and children are counted excused in this circumstance. Also, if you or your children develop symptoms while in quarantine then your children must quarantine, and your doctor should recommend testing. However, if you are in isolation because you have tested positive then your children must isolate for the 10 days and then quarantine for 14 more pass the day that you tested positive for a total of 24 days. This is the CDC requirement.

This week we have had 3 elementary students in quarantine due to close contact or positive test of a parent. No students or staff have tested positive in our school this year. Three parents and one sibling of a student have tested positive. We have had six staff members and twenty-five students who have had to quarantine since the start of the year due to exposure from outside the school environment. Lastly, my oldest son recently visited the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee and sent me this picture of workers in 1918 during the Influenza A pandemic. Really gave me some perspective on how this isn’t the first time that we as a Nation have had to pull together for the common good. Thank you for your continued support of our safety protocols at Cedar Bluffs Public Schools. #WildcatPride